Ham Ninh Fishing Village, an ancient coastal settlement on Phu Quoc’s eastern shore, offers visitors an authentic glimpse into the island’s traditional maritime culture. Renowned for its picturesque pier, rustic stilt houses, and exceptional fresh seafood, it stands as a popular destination for cultural immersion and culinary exploration. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to do, what to eat, and how to best experience this charming and historic village.
About Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Let’s paint a picture for you of the beautiful Ham Ninh Fishing Village. The first thing you’ll notice is how the sea itself seems to breathe here. During low tide, a huge, beautiful sandy beach stretches out as far as the eye can see. But when the tide is high, the water comes right up to the edge of the forest, creating a stunning scene. The best place to take it all in is from the long pier. As you stand there, looking out over the calm sea, you can see other islands like the Hai Tac archipelago in the distance-it’s incredibly peaceful.
And getting to this beautiful village is very simple! It’s an easy and scenic 30-minute drive from the main Duong Dong town. While the village itself is famous for its photogenic spots-like the beautiful Ham Ninh Beach and the iconic long jetty-the real reason everyone comes here is for the food! It’s a paradise for enjoying the freshest, most delicious seafood you can imagine, cooked in the most authentic local way.
READ MORE: When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
How to get to Ham Ninh Fishing village?
Ham Ninh is located about 15 kilometers northeast of Duong Dong town. The journey is very easy.
- Taxi or Grab: The most comfortable and convenient option, especially for families. It’s a simple 20-30 minute drive.
- Renting a scooter: For adventurous couples or solo travelers, the drive to Ham Ninh is beautiful and scenic, taking you through the countryside.
- Joining a tour: Many “East Island” day tours include Ham Ninh as a key stop, often combining it with a visit to a pepper farm or Suoi Tranh waterfall.
Best time to visit Ham Ninh
Ham Ninh is located on the east coast of Phu Quoc. This means it is not a place for sunsets, but it is the most spectacular place on the entire island to watch the sunrise.
If you are an early riser, Vietnamstory.in urges you to visit between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Watching the sun slowly rise over the calm sea, with the silhouettes of the fishing boats and the long pier, is a truly magical and peaceful experience. The water glows with a soft, golden light, and the village is just beginning to wake up. It’s the perfect time for beautiful, serene photographs.
If you are not a morning person, don’t worry! Visiting during the day is also wonderful for enjoying a seafood lunch and seeing the village in full swing.
Best things to do in Ham Ninh
The beauty of Ham Ninh is in its simplicity and authenticity. The activities here are about observing, tasting, and soaking in the atmosphere of a timeless fishing village.
Walk along the iconic pier
This long, concrete pier is the heart of the village and the first thing you must do. Take a slow walk along it, watch the local fishermen mending their colourful nets, and see the small boats bringing in their daily catch. It’s the perfect place to feel the pulse of the village.
READ MORE: 13 unforgettable things to do in Phu Quoc
Take beautiful photos
The village is incredibly picturesque. The rustic stilt houses built over the water and the traditional fishing boats make for wonderfully authentic photographs.
Marvel at the breathtaking sunrise
As we mentioned, this is a truly magical experience. Being on the pier as the sun rises over the calm sea, lighting up the sky and the water, is a core memory you will cherish forever. It is the single best time to be here.
Enjoy the freshest seafood imaginable
This is the main event! You must sit down at one of the rustic, floating restaurants built on stilts over the water. The signature dish is Steamed Blue Sentinel Crab, but you can also choose live fish, prawns, or squid from the tanks and have it cooked for you. It is the freshest, most delicious seafood you will ever taste.
Go swimming at Bai Vong Beach
Just a short distance from the main village is Bai Vong Beach. The water here is very shallow and incredibly calm, almost like a natural swimming pool. When the tide is out, a huge stretch of sand is revealed. It’s a wonderful, safe place for a gentle swim and to cool off.
Visit the pearl farms
The area around Ham Ninh is also known for its pearl cultivation. You can visit a nearby pearl farm to learn about the fascinating process of how pearls are grown in oysters and see the beautiful jewelry they create. It’s an interesting cultural and educational stop.
Try catching fish like a local
For Indian travellers who want a truly hands-on adventure, you can try to arrange a short fishing trip with one of the local fishermen. It won’t be a fancy tourist tour, but a real, authentic experience out on the water.
Find unique souvenirs
You can find some very unique items here. Look for the large glass jars of medicinal wine made with seahorses and other sea creatures. While you might not drink it, it’s a fascinating part of our traditional culture to see. You can also buy high-quality dried seafood to take home as a savory gift.
Unforgettable seafood at Ham Ninh
This is the number one reason most people visit! Ham Ninh is famous for having some of the freshest and most delicious seafood on the island.
- The floating restaurants: You will find several simple, rustic restaurants built on stilts right over the water. This is where you want to eat.
- The “must-try” dish: Steamed blue sentinel crab: This is the signature dish of Ham Ninh. The crabs are caught fresh, often kept live in tanks, and then simply steamed to perfection. The meat is incredibly sweet and succulent. They will serve it with a simple but amazing dipping sauce of black pepper, salt, and fresh lime juice. It is a true taste of the ocean!
- How it works: You can walk up to the water tanks, choose your own live crab, fish, or prawns, and they will cook it for you. It doesn’t get any fresher than this.
A note for vegetarian friends: As your honest friend, we must tell you that this is a village dedicated entirely to seafood. There are very few vegetarian options available here. This trip is primarily for the cultural experience and for your non-vegetarian travel companions to enjoy the local specialty.
Souvenirs at Ham Ninh Fishing Village
- Dried seafood: You can buy all sorts of high-quality dried seafood here, from squid to shrimp. It’s a very authentic local product.
- Medicinal wine: You will see large glass jars filled with wine and seahorses. This is a traditional Vietnamese medicinal drink believed to have health benefits. It’s a very unique and interesting cultural item to see.
- Pearls: There are several pearl shops in and around Ham Ninh. It’s a good place to see and learn about them.
What about boat trips from Ham Ninh?
While it is a fishing port, Ham Ninh is not the main hub for tourist island-hopping tours. The big snorkeling and island-hopping tours to places like May Rut Island all depart from An Thoi Port in the south. Boat trips from Ham Ninh are more likely to be local-style fishing excursions. If you are interested in a real, authentic fishing trip, you can try to arrange one with a local boatman here.
How to plan your perfect Phu Quoc itinerary?
How do you fit it all in and create a trip that is both relaxing and full of adventure? This is where having a friend on the ground in Vietnam makes all the difference. At Vietnamstory.in, we specialize in creating tailor-made holidays that are perfect for Indian travelers. Our “5 Days 4 Nights Phu Quoc Island” itinerary, for example, is designed to give you a perfect balance. It includes time for relaxing on the beautiful beaches, a day to explore the southern islands, and opportunities to see the cultural heart of the island, like Ham Ninh. We handle all the details, so you can simply focus on making beautiful memories.
Conclusion
In the end, a visit to Ham Ninh Fishing Village offers more than just a delicious seafood meal, it provides a valuable and authentic window into the traditional soul of Phu Quoc. In a world of modern resorts and attractions, Ham Ninh remains a refreshingly simple and genuine connection to the island’s past and its enduring relationship with the sea. It is an essential stop for any traveler seeking authenticity beyond the island’s bustling tourist hubs.