Rapper Den, musician Tuan Cry, and MC Phi Linh recently visited a traditional squid sausage facility at Ha Long market as part of the "Sao Chon" reality show. There, they attempted the labor-intensive process of hand-pounding squid. Tuan Cry initially used two iron pestles for a mock weightlifting session, unaware of their true heft. The artists soon discovered the pestles were heavy, with a combined weight of 15 kg, as revealed in the video. Tuan Cry and Den took turns pounding the squid, repeatedly exclaiming about their "aching hands" after numerous lifts. This firsthand experience provided Tuan Cry with insight into the labor involved in crafting handmade squid sausage, and the technique required to achieve the dish's signature crisp and chewy texture.
Following their culinary tour, Tuan Cry rated his Ha Long market experience 9,5 out of 10, stating it was his first time exploring the region's seafood cuisine. "Ha Long still offers many more delicious dishes, so I couldn't give it a perfect 10 yet", the musician commented. Den expressed his enjoyment of the trip, recalling past business trips from Ha Long to TP HCM. On those occasions, he often brought back styrofoam boxes filled with squid sausage and dried squid as gifts for colleagues. "Thanks to 'Sao Chon', I not only explored a beautiful region and tasted delicious food, but also experienced the hospitality of its people", the rapper stated. Phi Linh also gave a perfect 10/10 rating for the destination, food, and her companions, emphasizing the program's goal.
Beyond squid sausage, the trio explored other local eateries. They visited Ba Yen's Banh Cuon Cha Muc and Huong Beo's Bun Cu Ky, learning about the ingredients and preparation of these Ha Long specialties. MC Phi Linh explored the seafood tanks, while Den and Tuan Cry had a friendly competition cutting mantis shrimp, a task so demanding it tore their gloves. Den also assisted by serving noodle dishes to the crew.
"Sao Chon" is a reality show under the Vietnam iContent 2026 initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information, VnExpress newspaper, FPT Online Services Joint Stock Company (FPT Online), and the Vietnam Culinary and Chef Association (VICA). The show's message, "Ten thousand miles of Vietnam - Ten thousand brilliant flavors", guides artists through culinary, cultural, and lifestyle experiences across various regions. Each episode combines culinary exploration with narratives about ingredients, preparation, local artisans, and the unique cultural aspects of each destination. The program is set to broadcast 10 episodes, featuring Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa, TP HCM, Can Tho, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Hue, from late September to the end of November. Techcombank OneU loyalty program serves as the strategic partner, with T Production handling production.
The inaugural episode, titled "Quang Ninh in the Heart of a Wonder", aired on 27/9. It featured rapper Den, musician Tuan Cry, and MC Phi Linh. During the 50-minute episode, the trio delved into Ha Long's cuisine, sampling dishes like banh cuon cha muc, bun cu ky, bun be be, canh sa sung la lot, and various horseshoe crab preparations. The journey also revealed personal stories from the guests. Den shared his past in Ha Long, where he worked as an environmental sanitation worker, cleaning marine debris and assisting tourists in the bay. Tuan Cry expressed his participation stemmed from his love for the sea, fondness for seafood, and a desire to understand Quang Ninh's people and culture.
Nhat Le
