The center of Phu Quoc Island, also known as Duong Dong Town, Duong Dong Market is not only a place to buy and sell goods but also a place to show the beauty of local life on Phu Quoc Island. The markets often open very early with a full range of products from colorful vegetables and fruits, fresh seafood to handmade souvenirs. The people here are very friendly and enthusiastically welcome tourists to visit their beautiful island.
The unique charm of Duong Dong Market
Phu Quoc is renowned for its beautiful beaches, romantic dusk, and luxury resorts. However, Duong Dong market is considered the soul of the island because it has been associated with the lives of the people for hundreds of years and has become a beautiful symbol of Phu Quoc. The market is located close to the sea, so every day there is an abundant source of fresh seafood.
When entering the market, visitors will see traders displaying rows of seafood stalls selling squid, shrimp, crab, and fresh fish from the sea. The market is always bustling with the cries of local people selling their goods. In particular, visitors should try the flavors of both the smallest anchovies and the largest groupers at the market, as this will provide an unforgettable taste experience.In addition to the abundance of seafood at Duong Dong market, it is also the embodiment of Phu Quoc’s impressive culture.
Read more: What to do in Phu Quoc for 3 days: Your ultimate guide to a tropical getaway
When and how to visit Duong Dong Market
Markets in Vietnam often open very early; sometimes as soon as dawn breaks, the markets begin to welcome the first visitors, and Duong Dong market is no exception.
Morning Market (5:00 AM – 11:00 AM):
The market opens in the morning to serve local residents with a wide variety of fresh seafood caught by the locals. The stalls along the road offer many types of delicious seafood. Additionally, you can find dried fish, squid, and shrimp, which are perfect for preservation or as gifts. To fully experience the Duong Dong Market, arrive early in the morning and capture memorable moments in your journey to explore Phu Quoc.
Afternoon and Evening Market (4:00 PM – 9:00 PM):
At dusk, the markets begin to open food stalls, souvenirs, and local handicrafts. Foreign tourists often choose Duong Dong market as their final destination because the food is delicious, diverse, and of high quality. The whole market is lit up by streetlights and the bustling crowd walking around the market. You should enjoy grilled seafood skewers and a refreshing fruit juice, which will be extremely wonderful.
Dương Đông Market has a prime location right in the center of Duong Dong town, only a 10-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport. Moreover, the tourists’ hotels are all nearby, so traveling is extremely convenient by foot, motorbike, or taxi.
Tips for visiting:
- You should bring cash, as most vendors in Phu Quoc do not accept cards.
- You should go to the market early in the morning to buy the freshest seafood.
- You should choose shoes and sandals made of plastic and non-slip because the market floor can be wet.
- You should choose comfortable, polite clothes that help you move easily and are suitable for the hot and humid climate.
- If you are sensitive to the smell of seafood, wear a mask to make your trip more convenient when visiting and choosing seafood.
Whether you visit at dawn or dusk, Duong Dong Market Phu Quoc will always welcome you with the most bustling and lively atmosphere.
What to eat in Duong Dong Market
Food lovers cannot miss the culinary paradise of Duong Dong market. Famous for its fresh seafood, meticulously prepared right before your eyes and dipped in a special sauce at the restaurant, it will surely make your taste buds explode. From fragrant grilled dishes marinated with spices to refreshing soups, each dish has a typical style of the coastal countryside. The prices of dishes usually range from 30,000 VND to 100,000 VND for a dish, affordable prices suitable for everyone.
- Grilled Sea Urchin (Nhím Biển Nướng Mỡ Hành)
Traveling to the coastal land without enjoying sea urchin is a big mistake. Phu Quoc sea urchin is usually cut in half, grilled over charcoal, and sprinkled with green onions, peanuts, fish sauce, and sometimes eggs. The rich, fatty flavor and irresistible aroma are even more special when enjoyed with a cold beer.
- Phu Quoc Fish Noodle Soup (Bún Quậy)
Not everywhere in Vietnam can you enjoy the delicious taste of fish noodle soup like in Phu Quoc. This dish has become a symbol of the island over the years, with fresh ingredients from fresh fish sauce, shrimp, and squid mixed together, then cooked in boiling broth. The dish is served with a few herbs, lemon, and a little chili sauce for a rich flavor. - Grilled Squid and Scallops
Grilled squid is marinated in spices and grilled over charcoal to give off a fragrant aroma. When eating, you can feel the rich flavor from ingredients such as fish sauce, chili, lemon, and garlic, making you linger forever.
- Vietnamese Pancakes (Bánh Xèo)
Banh xeo is a famous traditional dish of Vietnam. It is prepared directly with a layer of golden flour to make cakes, adding shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Local people often roll rice paper with banh xeo, lettuce, and a few fresh herbs. Finally, dip it in a special sweet fish sauce. - Tropical Fruit and Desserts
After finishing the main meal, visitors should enjoy a cup of cool, sweet dessert made from beans, jelly, and coconut milk. Or enjoy tropical fruits such as mango or dragon fruit to cool down the body.
Enjoy a variety of seafood dishes prepared in many different ways. Visitors can sit on low plastic chairs among the locals, watch the locals preparing the dishes, and immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of Duong Dong market.
Shopping guide in Duong Dong Market
Besides the culinary focus, Duong Dong Market Phu Quoc also offers an interesting shopping experience. The market is divided into many areas, each area serving different interests.
- Fresh Seafood Section:
If you buy fresh seafood to grill, you should check if your accommodation has cooking restrictions. You buy fresh seafood such as shrimp, squid, and fish at the market, which will have much cheaper prices; many stalls can pack seafood with ice to ensure freshness. You should buy seafood in a water basin and live, and help the people in the market prepare it for you before bringing it back to your accommodation. If the price is too expensive compared to the actual price (seafood is usually from 50,000 VND to 500,000 VND), you can bargain with the seller to get a better price. - Dried Seafood and Local Products:
Phu Quoc is famous for its specialties such as fish sauce, pepper, and dried seafood. Phu Quoc fish sauce, which is especially loved by foreign visitors, is often given as gifts for relatives. In addition, dried squid and dried fish are also very delicious and should be bought at factories and craft villages for cheaper prices. Dried seafood prices range from 70,000 VND to 200,000 VND/package for dried fish, and from 300,000 VND to 700,000 VND/kg for dried squid. - Handicrafts and Souvenirs:
Night market stalls often sell handmade jewelry from shells and wooden handicrafts. You can also find hand-woven t-shirts, hats, and bags designed by local artisans. However, the prices of stalls near the airport are often quite high. You can buy them at markets or craft villages, where the prices will be more reasonable.
- Spices and Condiments:
Phu Quoc spices are extremely rich, from pepper to typical chili salt. You should buy them as gifts for your family, especially those who love cooking. Tourists often buy pepper at craft villages or specialized pepper traders to buy pepper of better quality and price (Phu Quoc Pepper Price: 40,000 – 70,000 VND/package). In addition, tourists can also contact Lily’s Travel to be guided to suitable shopping locations when coming to Phu Quoc. - Tips for Shoppers:
- Morning is the right time to buy fresh seafood or dried products made from shrimp and squid; evening is the ideal time to stroll around the market to enjoy local cuisine and buy handmade souvenirs.
- Always ask for the price before buying, and ask many stalls to find a reasonable price.
- In addition to the large stalls, you should also visit small local stalls, because there are many products made by families on the island at very affordable prices.
- Avoid buying pearls at unreliable stores. You should choose to go to large pearl farms that are licensed to operate and have full certificates from Vietnam..
Shopping at Duong Dong market in Phu Quoc is not simply about owning souvenirs or seafood products, but it is also a place for cultural exchange between you and local people to explore the development of traditional craft villages.
Nearby attractions and experiences around Duong Dong Market
After exploring Duong Dong Market, you can visit the famous landmarks nearby to experience other wonderful landscapes of Phu Quoc.
- Dinh Cau Night Market:
If you want to experience many seafood grill restaurants, bars, and impressive souvenirs, you should visit Dinh Cau Night Market. This place is only a short walk from Duong Dong Market; the market is quite bustling with bright lights, suitable for visitors to save beautiful memories. - Dinh Cau Temple (Cau Temple):
This small pagoda located at the mouth of the Duong Dong River is considered by locals to be the most sacred place on the island. This place is also the goal of conquering the mountaintop of many tourists who love to watch the beautiful sunset from above. - Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Factory:
Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Factory is an interesting place to explore the elaborate fish sauce making process of the Vietnamese people. Surely this tour will be extremely interesting for visitors when they see with their own eyes the large fish sauce barrels being distilled and the professional processing process to produce a world-class flavor. - Duong Dong River and Harbor:
Take a short boat ride to see up close the beauty of fishermen’s work when they are fishing or admire the romantic beauty of the sunset. - Local Cafés and Bistros:
At the end of the day, visitors should enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a nearby riverside cafe and watch local life go by.
Read more: Phu Quoc attractions: 15 destinations for you to explore
Lily’s Travel not only helps you visit Duong Dong Phu Quoc market for shopping and eating but also to learn about the cultural beauty, lifestyle, and famous specialties of this island. Each dish, each smile, and each sound in the market will be a mark to help you recognize the characteristics of the people here.
Tourists who want to understand Vietnamese culture should visit local markets in the morning. Dương Đông Market is a typical example, although the market is not flashy or luxurious, it is very authentic, full of life and color from all kinds of food and the selling voices of local people. From dawn to dusk, walking around will help you understand the nature of local culture and the daily life of the island. A trip to Duong Dong Market promises to help you discover many interesting and new things about Vietnamese people.
In Phu Quoc, Lily’s Travel builds interesting experience tours at Duong Dong Market such as: discovering delicious local seafood dishes, experiencing the life of islanders, and visiting and exploring factories and traditional fishing villages making fish sauce, pearls,… Each journey allows visitors to have a real experience based on real experience, understanding of local culture and sustainable tourism criteria.
