Phu Quoc Island undoubtedly is famous for great beaches as well as rural ambiance. The best shopping in Phu Quoc Island can be found at the island’s street markets, where visitors can find a wide range of handicrafts, regional specialities, and fresh produce. Open daily, local markets are also great for sampling authentic Vietnamese dishes and fresh seafood at affordable prices. As the island is best known for its agricultural industries, we highly recommend stocking up on the bounty of locally resourced products, such as prepacked mushrooms, fish sauce, pepper and cashew nuts as well as authentic pearls and fine jewelry.

HOW TO EXPLORE PHU QUOC ISLAND?

Duong Dong Market

Duong Dong Market, located along Tran Phu Street, is the largest outdoor market on Phu Quoc Island. Open daily from 07:00 onwards, it gets very packed with locals haggling for fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets and tropical fruit that are sourced from the island and mainland Vietnam. Food stalls are plentiful here, where you can sample grilled seafood, fruit juices, and Vietnamese street snacks at very low prices.

Like most Asian markets, Duong Dong Market also houses plenty of food stalls serving fruit juices and Vietnamese cuisine at relatively low prices. Must-tries include banh tet (Vietnamese Cylindrical Sticky Rice Cake), echinus porridge, and raw herring salad. The best time to visit is in the early morning, where you can see the locals bargaining hard for household items, fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets and fruit from mainland Vietnam.

Dinh Cau Night Market

Dinh Cau Night Market is a must-visit for travellers on Phu Quoc Island, offering a plethora of dining and shopping opportunities until late. Located along Vo Thi Sau Street in Duong Dong, this pedestrian-friendly market is about a five-minute walk from Dinh Cau Rock. This Phu Quoc market caters mainly to tourists but is rather bustling with many people.

Visitors can find about 100 stalls, more than half of which sell fresh seafood, street snacks, and beverages at affordable prices. Live fish, sea snails, crabs and scallops are kept in large tanks with prices listed on the board in front of every booth. To order, just choose whichever strikes your fancy before taking your seat at the makeshift dining section.

Long Beach Village

Long Beach Village comprises several streets that are lined with mini marts, dive shops, souvenir stalls selling the usual array of local handicrafts and foodstuff. Located off Tran Hung Dao Street, this tourist-friendly area is also known for its array of budget-friendly accommodation options, including budget guesthouses, hostels, and mid-range resorts with easy access to the beach. Due to its close proximity to the main town of Duong Dong, travellers can easily explore prominent landmarks on foot or motorcycle from Long Beach Village.

7 MUST-SEE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND

Phu Quoc Pearl Farm

Phu Quoc Pearl Farm was founded in 1998 by a New Zealand-based company called Treasures from the Deep, where visitors can learn about pearl farming and purchase quality jewellery. Locally known as Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm, it spans 6,000 square meters of cultivation pools, a spacious showroom, and retail outlet selling high-end pearl rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from VND 3,000,000 upwards. Situated along the west coast of Phu Quoc Island, Phu Quoc Pearl Farm is a 10-minute drive from Duong Dong.

Source: hotel.com