Phu Quoc night market is a central hub for evening dining and local culture. Located in the heart of Duong Dong town, it is most famous for its vast selection of fresh, live seafood, grilled to order. Beyond the main attraction, the market offers a vibrant array of street food, local snacks, and souvenirs. This guide provides a practical overview of what to eat, what to buy, and how to navigate the bustling atmosphere for a perfect visit.
A quick introduction Phu Quoc Night Market
The main night market in Phu Quoc that everyone visits is officially called the Dinh Cau Night Market. It’s located right in the center of Duong Dong Town, making it very easy to get to from most hotels in the Long Beach area.
The vendors start setting up around 5:00 PM, but the market really comes alive from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This is the best time to go for the full, bustling experience.
Imagine a long, wide street, closed off to traffic, lined on both sides with vibrant stalls. The air is thick with the tantalizing smoke from seafood grills. There are large, open-air “restaurants” with rows of tables, smaller street food carts, souvenir stalls, and fresh fruit stands. It’s lively, energetic, and incredibly welcoming. It’s a place where families, couples, and friends all come together to eat, talk, and soak in the island’s evening energy.
What to eat at the Phu Quoc Night Market?
This is the number one reason to visit! The food is the star of the show. Let’s break it down for you.
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For seafood lovers
This is what the market is most famous for. As you walk down the main street, you will see huge displays of fresh seafood, often still swimming in large water tanks. It’s an incredible sight!
You don’t just order from a menu.
- You walk up to the display.
- You choose your seafood – giant prawns, fish, squid, scallops, even lobsters!
- They weigh it in front of you and tell you the price.
- You tell them how you want it cooked: grilled (nướng), steamed (hấp), or stir-fried (xào).
- You take a seat at their tables, and they bring the freshly cooked dish right to you.
Must-try dish: Grilled Sea Urchi. This is a true Phu Quoc delicacy! They grill the sea urchin and top it with scallion oil and roasted peanuts. The taste is creamy, rich, and tastes like the ocean. It’s a unique experience you should definitely try.
A special section for vegetarian travellers
While the market is famous for seafood, there are many delicious options for you. You just need to know where to look!
- Grilled corn: Simple, sweet, and delicious corn on the cob, grilled over charcoal.
- Grilled sweet potatoes: Another simple, comforting, and filling snack.
- Coconut ice cream: This is a must-try! It’s creamy coconut ice cream served in a real coconut shell, often topped with toasted coconut flakes and peanuts. It is incredibly refreshing.
- Rolled ice cream: You’ll see stalls where they pour liquid cream onto a frozen metal plate and “roll” it into scrolls. It’s fun to watch and delicious to eat. You can choose fruit-based flavors.
- Fresh fruit and smoothies: You will find many stalls selling beautiful, fresh tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, either whole or cut up and ready to eat. They also make fresh fruit smoothies (Sinh tố).
- Vietnamese “Pizza”: This is a very popular street food snack. It’s a thin sheet of rice paper grilled over charcoal and topped with various ingredients. You can ask them to make a vegetarian version for you, just with egg, cheese, and spring onions. Just say “không thịt” (no meat).
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Other delicious snacks to try
- Thread candy (Kẹo Chỉ): A traditional Vietnamese candy made from malt, stretched very thin like thread, and served in a rice cracker with coconut milk. It’s a unique sweet treat.
- Famous Phu Quoc peanuts: You’ll see many stalls selling peanuts with dozens of different coatings and flavours – chili-lime, coconut, cheese, seaweed. You can try samples before you buy.
READ MORE: Best Indian restaurants in Phu Quoc
What to buy at the Night Market?
While food is the main attraction, you can also do a little souvenir shopping here. The market is the best place to find Phu Quoc’s local specialties.
- Phu Quoc pepper: Our pepper is famous all over the world for its incredible aroma and flavour. You can buy black, white, or red pepper here. It makes for a fantastic, authentic gift to take home.
- Sim wine: This is a local wine made from the fruit of the Rose Myrtle tree. It has a sweet, unique flavour. Many stalls offer free tastings.
- Fish sauce: Phu Quoc is the home of Vietnam’s most famous fish sauce. While it’s a great souvenir, be careful! It has a very strong smell. If you buy it, make sure the bottle is sealed perfectly and check your airline’s rules about carrying it.
- Pearls: A very important tip from your friend Linh! You will see many stalls selling pearls for very cheap prices. Please be aware that most of these are not real. They are shells or plastic. If you want to buy genuine Phu Quoc pearls, it is much safer to go to a reputable pearl farm and showroom, like Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm.
Essential tips for the best Phu Quoc Night Market experience
- Go with an empty stomach: This is the most important rule! You will want to try a little bit of everything.
- Cash is king: While some of the larger restaurant-stalls might accept credit cards, most of the smaller food carts and souvenir vendors only accept cash (Vietnamese Dong).
- Walk the whole street first: Before you decide what to eat, take a slow walk from one end of the market to the other. See all the options, check the prices, and see what looks freshest and most appealing to you.
- Ask for the price first: Especially for the fresh seafood, always confirm the price per kilogram before they start cooking it for you to avoid any surprises.
- Be polite with bargaining: For souvenirs, you can bargain a little, but do it with a smile. The food prices are generally fixed.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You will be on your feet for a couple of hours.
- Be aware of your belongings: The market is very safe, but like any crowded place in the world, it’s always smart to keep your wallet and phone in a secure place.
Conclusion
The Phu Quoc Night Market is so much more than just a place to eat. It’s a vibrant, exciting, and delicious cultural experience. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening, to feel the lively spirit of the island, and to create wonderful memories. I promise you, a visit here will be a highlight of your trip.