Vietnam, with its coastline stretching over 3,200 km, is known as the seafood paradise of Southeast Asia. From north to south, this country boasts plentiful local seafood markets and seaside restaurants that are always buzzing with tourists and local residents eager to savor the fresh flavors of the ocean. Among these, Phuoc Hai Market in Vung Tau stands out as an ideal destination where you can fully immerse yourself in the journey of exploring and enjoying Vietnam’s distinctive fresh seafood.
Phuoc Hai Market – A Seafood Haven in the Heart of Vung Tau
Phuoc Hai Market is located in the center of Phuoc Hai Town, Dat Do District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, and has long been renowned as one of the largest and busiest seafood markets in the area. Unlike other noisy and crowded tourist markets, Phuoc Hai Market retains the charming simplicity of a traditional fishing village. Each morning, as fishing boats return after a long night out at sea, the market comes alive with bustling activity between buyers and sellers.
Phuoc Hai Market is a famous seafood hub in Vung Tau, supplying seafood to nearby provinces.
Entering Phuoc Hai Market, you’ll immediately be captivated by an array of vibrant and diverse seafood. From common types like mackerel, scad, and pomfret to high-value varieties such as lobster, king crab, mantis shrimp, squid, and clams—all are displayed abundantly and fresh, still swimming in seawater tanks. The unique feature of Phuoc Hai Market is that most seafood is caught and sold directly by local fishermen, avoiding middlemen, ensuring affordable prices and guaranteed quality.
Directions to Phuoc Hai Market
Getting to Phuoc Hai Market is simple, and there are various methods of transportation depending on your starting point:
From Vung Tau City:
Phuoc Hai Market is approximately 26 km from the center of Vung Tau City. You can travel by motorbike or personal car, which takes about 40–50 minutes. The most convenient route is via 2 Tháng 9 Street, then turning onto Vung Tau – Binh Chau Coastal Road, followed by Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Vo Thi Sau Street, and Tran Hung Dao Street. Once you reach Phuoc Hai Town, you can easily ask locals for directions—they’ll be glad to help.
From Ho Chi Minh City:
For those departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the distance to Phuoc Hai Market is over 90 km, taking about 2–2.5 hours by car. Follow the CT01 expressway, then merge onto National Highway 51 and continue on Provincial Road 44B via Nguyen Huu Canh, Vo Thi Sau, Ngo Quyen, and Tran Hung Dao Streets. Similar to traveling from Vung Tau, the locals in Phuoc Hai will readily guide you to the market.
Fresh seafood mostly sold directly by fishermen at affordable prices.
Alternatively, you can opt for a public bus or limousine service to reach Phuoc Hai Market. These services typically have multiple trips daily and are reasonably priced, suitable for all kinds of travelers.
Tips for Selecting Fresh Seafood at Phuoc Hai Market
To fully savor the fresh flavors of Phuoc Hai’s seafood, selecting fresh products is key. Here’s a small checklist to help you become a savvy shopper:
- Check the color and freshness: Fresh seafood usually has bright and vibrant colors, avoiding anything dull or discolored. For example, fresh fish have clear eyes, red gills, and firm bodies. Fresh shrimp and squid are often translucent white or light pink with firm textures.
- Smell the aroma: Fresh seafood carries the natural scent of the ocean, without any unpleasant odors.
- Test elasticity: Gently press the seafood’s surface—if the flesh springs back quickly, it’s fresh.
- Shop early in the morning: The market is busiest in the morning, and seafood is at its freshest since it’s just been caught.
- Compare prices: Check prices at different stalls before deciding to avoid overpaying.
- Don’t hesitate to haggle: Since Phuoc Hai is a traditional market, bargaining is common and can help you get the best deals.
Discovering a Diverse Seafood World & How to Enjoy It
Phuoc Hai Market is not just a place to buy seafood but also a “living museum” showcasing Vietnam’s abundant marine biodiversity. Here, you’ll have the chance to admire and explore various seafood species, each offering unique flavors and characteristics.
Types of fish: Phuoc Hai Market is famous for its fresh seafood such as mackerel, scad, pomfret, grouper, barramundi, and snapper. These fish can be used to prepare a wide range of tasty dishes, including grilled, fried, steamed, braised, or served in hotpot.
Shrimp, crab, lobster: Shrimp varieties like tiger shrimp, white shrimp, mantis shrimp, as well as blue crab, red crab, and king crab are favorites at Phuoc Hai Market. You can enjoy these by steaming, grilling, cooking with tamarind sauce, salt and pepper, or in hotpot dishes.
Squid, octopus, clams, mussels: Squid (tube squid, egg squid, leaf squid), octopus, clams, scallops, blood cockles, and other shellfish are among the market’s must-tries. Dishes such as grilled, stir-fried, steamed, or served as a salad are always in demand. Shellfish are also popularly enjoyed with garlic butter sauce, lime chili seasoning, or in porridge.
Freshly caught seafood with affordable prices and seasonal availability.
How to enjoy fresh seafood:
- Eat on-site: Near or within Phuoc Hai Market, various casual eateries and seafood restaurants cook dishes from fresh seafood you purchase. You can ask the restaurants to prepare the seafood exactly how you like it.
- Buy and cook at home: If you prefer cooking your meals, buy fresh seafood from the market and bring it back. The market offers packaging services with ice to keep seafood fresh for longer trips.
- Purchase dried seafood as gifts: Beyond fresh items, Phuoc Hai Market also sells dried seafood like dried fish, squid, shrimp, and fish sauce—perfect gifts to bring home for friends and family.
Nearby Restaurants and Attractions Around Phuoc Hai Market
After shopping and feasting at Phuoc Hai Market, you can explore nearby attractions to make your trip more fulfilling:
- Phuoc Hai Beach: The tranquil beach with soft white sands and crystal clear waters is an ideal destination for relaxation, swimming, and enjoying the serene atmosphere.
Phuoc Hai Beach is loved for its pristine and peaceful ambiance.
- Truc Lam Chan Nguyen Zen Monastery (Monkey Temple): A famous Buddhist monastery with unique architecture and a natural monkey habitat. It’s a spiritual retreat surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Truc Lam Chan Nguyen Zen Monastery nestled against mountains.
- Dinh Co – Long Hai: A culturally rich historical site where fishermen often pray for safety and good fortune before heading out to sea.
Dinh Co – Long Hai is a popular tourist attraction for cultural exploration.
Additionally, the area around Phuoc Hai Market offers numerous seafood eateries ranging from casual beachside stalls to upscale restaurants, catering to all preferences and budgets.
Conclusion
Phuoc Hai Market is not only an ideal place to enjoy fresh seafood but also a destination where you can experience the traditional culture of Vietnam’s fishing villages and embrace the simplicity of coastal life. With the tips and recommendations above, we hope you have a fun and memorable trip to Phuoc Hai Market in Vung Tau. Start planning today to explore this seafood haven and enjoy the outstanding flavors of Vietnam’s ocean bounty!