During the state visit of Vietnam’s President To Lam, India showcased a curated selection of traditional foods and premium agricultural produce from Bihar and Maharashtra, sources said. The offerings highlighted regional culinary heritage, artisanal techniques and high-quality horticulture.
From Bihar, the delegation sampled Silao Khaja, Gaya Anarsa, Mithila Makhana and the Hajipur Malbhog banana. Silao Khaja, a Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged sweet from Nalanda district, is a crisp, multi-layered confection made with refined flour, sugar and ghee using time-honoured methods; its light, flaky texture and balanced sweetness make it melt on the palate. Gaya Anarsa, a festive specialty from Gaya, is prepared from soaked rice flour and jaggery; the dough is often lightly fermented, shaped into small discs, fried until soft and sometimes coated with sesame seeds, producing a subtly nutty, melt-in-the-mouth treat.
Mithila Makhana (fox nuts or lotus seeds), also GI-recognized, represented Bihar’s agricultural strengths. Valued for their protein, mineral content and antioxidant properties, these seeds reflect the region’s skilled farming and processing practices. The Hajipur Malbhog banana, grown in Hajipur’s fertile plains, was served for its fragrant aroma, creamy texture and natural sweetness—qualities that make it one of Bihar’s notable horticultural products.
Maharashtra’s contributions included Ratnagiri mangoes—commonly known as Alphonso or Hapus—which carry a GI tag for fruit from the Konkan coast and are prized for their distinctive aroma, golden hue, smooth flesh and intense sweetness. Also featured were nutritious millet bars made from millets cultivated across regions such as Solapur, Ahmednagar and Marathwada; these bars demonstrated how traditional grains are being adapted into modern, health-focused foods. Millets were highlighted for their climate resilience and strong nutritional profile, increasingly important in India’s food and agriculture agenda.
The tasting formed part of the state visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam, who was in India from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
