Vĩnh Long Province

Sizzling rice crepe stuffed with fresh river mussels from Vĩnh Long's Mekong tributaries - the tiny hến mussels replace the usual shrimp and pork, their briny sweetness contrasting with the crispy turmeric batter, eaten wrapped in mustard leaf and rice paper with a tangy fish sauce, a Vĩnh Long riverside specialty unique to the province

Grilled rice field mouse from Vĩnh Long's flood season paddies - fattened on rice grain during harvest, the mice are cleaned, marinated in lemongrass and turmeric then grilled whole over charcoal, the lean sweet meat eaten with fresh herbs and fermented shrimp paste at delta restaurants during the October-November harvest season

Snakehead fish roasted whole in burning rice straw without any seasoning - the straw chars the scales into a protective crust peeled away at the table to reveal perfectly steamed sweet flesh inside, eaten wrapped in rice paper with fresh Mekong herbs and fermented fish sauce at riverside restaurants on An Bình island

Field crab hotpot from Vĩnh Long's rice paddies - wild-caught field crabs pounded into a paste that forms fluffy dumplings in a tangy tomato and tamarind broth loaded with water lily stems, morning glory, and fresh delta herbs, a communal dish eaten at orchard homestays on An Bình island after a day cycling through the fruit gardens

Giant gourami deep-fried whole until the scales puff up into golden crackling - the fish is scored and fried at high heat so the fins and tail crisp into edible chips while the flesh stays moist inside, eaten by breaking off pieces and wrapping in rice paper with green mango and herbs, a celebratory Mekong Delta dish synonymous with Vĩnh Long's orchard restaurants

Mudskipper fish grilled inside reed tubes over charcoal - the fish is stuffed with lemongrass, dill, and wild ginger then sealed inside fresh reed stems and roasted slowly, the reed imparting a grassy, slightly smoky fragrance into the flesh as it steams within, a Vĩnh Long canal-side cooking technique eaten at riverside restaurants along the Co Chien River