GIA’S JOURNEY TO QUANG NINH PROVIENCE

Every year, amidst the demanding rhythm of a fine dining kitchen, the Gia team makes a conscious effort to pause. To step away from 14-hour kitchen days and venture outward, listening, observing, and learning together.

On summer 2024, that journey brought us to Quang Ninh, which represents a rare convergence of land, wetlands, and deep-sea biodiversity.

Ha Long: Where Mountains Meet The Sea

Located 125 kilometers northeast of Hanoi, Quang Ninh Province stretches across mountains, midlands, coastal plains, and vast marine territories.

Home to over 2,000 limestone islands and the world-renowned Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the region holds one of Vietnam’s richest ecosystems.

With:

• 250 km of coastline

• 2,077 islands

• A fishing ground of over 6,100 km²

• Forest coverage of nearly 38%

Quang Ninh represents a rare convergence of land, wetlands, and deep-sea biodiversity.

Beyond its geological grandeur, it carries layers of cultural history, from prehistoric Soi Nhu culture to contemporary fishing communities.

Why Gia Chose Ha Long?

At Gia, ingredient sourcing and cultural understanding go hand in hand. We initially imagined Ha Long through its iconic limestone formations. But as we explored deeper, we discovered a quieter richness, an ecosystem that sustains life with subtle generosity.Forests, wetlands, and ocean currents coexist in dynamic balance.

Standing between mountains and sea, listening only to wind and water, we were reminded that cuisine is inseparable from the ecosystem that shapes it. There were mornings when the horizon dissolved into layers of limestone islands. Afternoons walking along coastal stretches where the ocean delivers its seasonal gifts. Ha Long revealed itself not only as a wonder, but as a living environment:

• Sheltered deep-water zones

• Seasonal marine biodiversity

• Protective forest systems

It is truly a land of “mountain beauty and water grace.”

Living On The Water: Inside The Fishermen’s Floating Homes

One of the most unforgettable moments of our journey was the opportunity to stay inside the fishermen’s floating homes. These are not resorts or cruise cabins, but wooden houses resting gently on buoyant platforms, anchored between limestone formations and open water.

Life here follows the rhythm of the tide. Before sunrise, fishermen navigate small wooden boats to inspect their fish cages. Beneath the surface lies an underwater garden, grouper, cobia, shrimp, oysters, cultivated within floating enclosures that connect to form entire villages at sea. Families mend nets, sort the catch, prepare simple meals. Children grow up surrounded by water, moving by boat as naturally as walking on land.

At night, we slept to the soft, continuous sound of waves touching the wooden walls. No traffic, no city lights, only wind, salt air, and the quiet vastness of the bay. Dinner was seafood harvested just hours before. Minimal intervention, steaming, grilling, or light seasoning, revealed a clarity of flavor that reminded us how refinement often begins with purity.

What moved us most was not only the abundance of the sea, but the fishermen’s intimate understanding of it. They know the currents, the wind patterns, the seasons. They know when to harvest, and when to wait. Life on water demands resilience and patience. Yet it embodies a rare harmony between human livelihood and marine ecosystem.

In that moment, we understood that every ingredient returning to Gia’s kitchen carries more than taste, it carries the life of the sea, and the hands that tend it.

Bringing Ha Long Back To Gia

Inspired by nature’s abundance, we returned not with souvenirs, but with perspective. The experience shaped our tasting menu: “Gold Forest, Silver Sea” A culinary narrative reflecting the interconnectedness of forest and ocean. Ha Long reminded us that true abundance lies not merely in resources, but in the harmony between nature and those who live alongside it.

Gia’s kitchen is open once again, carrying the spirit of this journey forward. We warmly welcome you back to the beauty of the natural world, just as we were welcomed.

About Gia

Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia is a contemporary fine dining restaurant proudly listed in the MICHELIN Guide Vietnam. Led by Chef Sam Tran, Gia tells Vietnam’s culinary story through seasonal tasting menus that bridge tradition and innovation. Each dish reflects the restaurant’s philosophy – to honor Vietnamese ingredients, elevate local craftsmanship, and create a dining experience that feels both personal and timeless.

Recognized among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Top 51–100) and The Best Chef Awards, Gia continues to celebrate Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage with modern artistry and quiet confidence.

→ Discover more about Gia: gia-hanoi.com/home