Buckwheat Beer from Dong Van Plateau (photo by "thombrewery")
Dong Van Karst Plateau, renowned for its highland cuisine and the cultural identity of different ethnic groups, has added a new specialty to its repertoire: Buckwheat Beer. This premium craft beer combines European brewing traditions with the distinctive flavor of Viet Nam’s northern mountains, creating a product designed to appeal to both tourists and connoisseurs.
Produced at over 1,066 meters above sea level, Buckwheat Beer is brewed using local ingredients from the Dong Van Plateau. The recipe draws on Czech brewing traditions dating back to 1906, while incorporating buckwheat seeds - symbolic of the plateau’s iconic flower festival. The result is a Belgian-style wheat ale with a unique aroma and lingering aftertaste that embodies the spirit of the Global Geopark.
Cao Nguyen HG Joint Stock Company, the producer, invested heavily in research and modern brewing technology to bring this idea to life. Buckwheat seeds were sent to domestic laboratories for analysis, confirming their nutritional and medicinal potential. With technical support from Czech brewing experts, the company imported state-of-the-art equipment and spent months refining the process. In October 2024, the first bottles of Buckwheat Beer were officially released, marking a breakthrough in the region’s food and beverage sector.
“Dong Van deserves a product that visitors immediately associate with its heritage,” said Tran Duy Hien, Director of Cao Nguyen HG. “Although I am not originally from here, the Buckwheat Flower Festival inspired me to create a product that both honors tradition and meets modern tastes. Buckwheat Beer is our way of giving Dong Van a signature drink.”
The innovation quickly gained recognition. At the 2024 Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Awards, Buckwheat Beer won third prize, affirming its creative value. For Cao Nguyen HG, the award provides momentum to scale up production, promote the Dong Van Karst Plateau as a tourism brand, and generate stable incomes for local farmers through expanded buckwheat cultivation.
Buckwheat Beer is more than a beverage - it represents the fusion of European craftsmanship with the essence of Viet Nam’s northern highlands. As a cultural and tourism product, it has the potential to put Dong Van on the global map, inviting travelers to experience not just the breathtaking landscapes but also the unique flavors born of its soil.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
From a Vietnamese article on tuyenquanonline
