In a souvenir shop's paper box, golden little balls sit piled up, crispy on the outside with the aroma of egg and lard coming through within. Named for their resemblance to longan fruit in shape and size, this treat carries a fitting name -- but explaining exactly where it comes from first requires a story about a change in administrative boundaries.
Cross-confirmed by mainstream media and cultural media as a century-old craft
Mainstream outlet Dân Việt and cultural media outlet duyendangvietnam.net.vn cross-confirm that this treat's craft dates to roughly the late 19th to early 20th century, in the early years of French colonial rule. Its authentic region is Đông Cường village, in Xã Yên Định, Huyện Hải Hậu, made by frying sticky rice, egg, sugar, and lard -- crispy outside and soft within, named for its resemblance to longan fruit, and a traditional snack that has been made in the Hải Hậu area for over a century.
Honest clarification: after the 2025 administrative merger, Huyện Hải Hậu now belongs to Ninh Bình province
It has to be said honestly that this treat's authentic region, Huyện Hải Hậu, is roughly 30 to 40 kilometers from Nam Định City and is not within the city's own territory. More importantly, this entry has to honestly note that, following the nationwide administrative merger on July 1, 2025, Huyện Hải Hậu was absorbed into the new Ninh Bình province -- the Dân Việt report's own headline reads "Hải Hậu longan candy: once a Nam Định specialty, now a specialty of the new Ninh Bình." Following this guide's rule of using the pre-merger boundaries, this entry still classifies it as a Nam Định candidate, but honestly discloses this administrative change here, so readers checking a current map don't end up confused about why it's included.
How to Eat It Like a Local
- Widely sold at markets and souvenir shops in Nam Định City -- best eaten soon after purchase for the crispiest texture.
- The traditional way to eat it is on its own as a tea snack, or paired with hot tea.
- To trace the authentic region, plan a trip out to the old craft community around Đông Cường village.
An Honest Look at This Treat's Origins
- The authentic region is Đông Cường village, Xã Yên Định, Huyện Hải Hậu, roughly 30 to 40 kilometers from Nam Định City and not within the city's own territory.
- After the 2025 administrative merger, Huyện Hải Hậu was absorbed into the new Ninh Bình province -- this entry honestly notes this administrative change.
- Following this guide's rule of using the pre-merger boundaries, this entry still classifies it as a Nam Định candidate, while honestly disclosing both points above.
Bite into a longan candy ball, and the moment the crispy shell breaks, the aroma of egg and lard spreads out. This candy's region may have changed provinces on paper, but Đông Cường village's century-unchanged craft remains the true source of its sweetness.