Phan Thiet Market: A bustling central market, full of seafood products

If you want to fully experience local life and enjoy Phan Thiet specialties, there is no place more ideal than Phan Thiet market. This is not only the largest market in the city but also an attractive stop with countless delicious dishes, fresh seafood and typical products of the sea. Let's explore Phan Thiet market in the article below.

1. A few things about Phan Thiet market - The largest central market

• Location: ​Number 115D Ly Thuong Kiet street, Duc Nghia ward, Phan Thiet city
• Hours of Operation: 5:30 am - 6:00 pm daily

Phan Thiet Market (also known as Cho Lon) is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Phan Thiet city. Established in 1697, the market has been closely associated with the development of the local area and plays an important role in the buying and selling of goods.

After renovation in 2015, the market has taken on a more spacious appearance with many diverse stalls, from fresh seafood, local specialties to consumer goods, fashion and many other items. This is not only a bustling trading place but also an ideal destination to explore the unique culture of Phan Thiet.

Phan Thiet Market is not only a shopping place but also a destination to experience the rich culture and cuisine of Binh Thuan land. - Source: Internet

2. Directions to Phan Thiet market

Phan Thiet market is only about 2km from the city center, follow the roads named Tran Hung Dao or Nguyen Tat Thanh to get to the market by means of:

• Motorbike: Renting a motorbike is an option to be proactive about time. The rental price ranges from 100,000 - 150,000 VND ($3.83 - $5.74)/day.
• Taxi: Using this form of transportation helps save time and effort. The cost of a car from the center to the market is about 30.000 VND ($1,15)/trip.
• Bus: Visitors can use bus route 01 or 06 with stops near the market. The bus fare is about 8,000 VND ($0.31)/trip.

3. Experiences not to be missed when visiting Phan Thiet market

3.1. Explore the early morning seafood market

Arrive at Phan Thiet market in the early morning not only helps you buy fresh seafood but also is an opportunity to experience the culture and life of local people. Around 05:00 Every morning is the time for traders to sell seafood, creating a bustling scene.

Phan Thiet market is famous for fresh seafood such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid caught directly from the sea - Source: Internet

3.2. Experience the vibrant shopping atmosphere and local culture

Not only a place for trading, Phan Thiet market is also a place for tourists to immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of a traditional market. Looking at the colorful stalls, listening to the calls to buy goods or chatting with the traders all bring you an interesting feeling when learning about the culture and customs of the local people.

Enjoying Phan Thiet's specialty cakes is a way to better understand the local culinary culture - Source: Internet

3.3. Enjoy street food right at the market

Phan Thiet Market is not only famous for its variety of seafood but also considered a culinary paradise with a variety of dishes imbued with local identity. When you come here, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the following specialties:

• Banh Can: These small, pretty cakes are made from fragrant rice flour and baked crispy in a hot mold. This dish can be served with fresh shrimp, fatty eggs, sweet squid or soft beef or pork, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, bringing an irresistible rich flavor.
• Banh hoi: With the light aroma of rice flour, banh hoi combines perfectly with grilled meat, adding some fresh raw vegetables, creating a dish that is both light and rich, suitable for every meal.
• Grilled rice paper: Crispy rice paper, grilled over fire and topped with scallion oil, eggs, sausage, cheese, creating a simple but very addictive snack.
• Grilled nem chua: Nem chua is grilled over hot coals, the outer layer is golden and crispy, the inside still retains a light sour taste and aroma, an ideal snack for cool afternoons.

Banh Can served with meatball dipping sauce is a very typical dish of this land - Source: Internet

3.4. Buy Phan Thiet specialties as gifts

Fish sauce is a famous specialty in Phan Thiet that you can buy as a gift or use in your family. Fish sauce products are traditionally made with ingredients from sea fish, carefully distilled, bringing rich flavor to dishes.
In addition, Phan Thiet market is also an ideal place to buy special gifts such as: dragonfruit, sim wine, handicrafts and fabrics. You should check prices in several places before buying and don't forget to bargain to get the best price.

Visitors can buy cakes and dried foods as gifts - Source: Internet

3.5. Visit Phan Thiet night market and enjoy grilled seafood

The night market operates from 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm every day, attracting a large number of locals and tourists. The night market scene is extremely bustling with dozens of stalls selling fresh seafood, you can buy and have the counter process it on the spot. Besides, the night market is also an address to enjoy street food, shop for souvenirs, dried goods, etc. at affordable prices that you should not miss.

Grilled dishes on hot coals with their characteristic delicious flavors are very popular with tourists - Source: Internet

4. Some notes when going to Phan Thiet market

To make your visit and shopping trip to Phan Thiet market a memorable one, visitors should keep in mind the following factors:

• Choose the right time to go shopping: You should go to the market at about 05:30 - 07:00 in the morning to buy fresh seafood and experience the bustling atmosphere.
• Bargain when buying: Most of the prices of items sold in the market are negotiable. Besides, you should consult a few stalls to get the best price.
• Choose fresh seafood: You should choose the ones that have Firm flesh, feel elastic to the touch, not watery.
• Check dried specialties before buying: You need to check the expiration date on the packaging and should choose dry goods that are intact, fresh in color, and have a slight fishy smell. You should avoid buying products that have a strange odor or are too white or too yellow in color because those products have undergone bleaching or oiling.
• Beware of counterfeit goods: Specialty items, handicrafts, etc. need to be carefully checked for appearance to avoid buying poor quality goods.

Phan Thiet market is a famous tourist destination, with a large number of people, theft is likely to occur. - Source: Internet

5. TOP 3 other famous markets in Phan Thiet

5.1. Ham Tien Market – Coastal market for tourists

• Address: No. 319A Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 2, Phan Thiet City
• Opening hours: 05:00 am - 06:00 pm

Ham Tien Market is one of the traditional markets famous for tourists, specializing in providing fresh and dried seafood and many other products like Phan Thiet specialties such as fish sauce, rice paper rolls, milk rice cakes, etc. Around the market there are also many eateries and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes.

Decades old market in Phan Thiet - Source: Internet

5.2. Mui Ne Market – The rustic features of a fishing village

• Address: No. 329 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Mui Ne Ward, Phan Thiet City
• Opening hours: 05:00 am - 06:00 pm

Mui Ne Market is famous for its variety of fresh seafood such as squid, fish, shrimp, crab, etc. Beside buying seafood at good prices, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the poetic Mui Ne seascape as well as the peaceful, rustic beauty of the fishing village.

Mui Ne Market is one of the interesting destinations, especially for those who want to explore the fishing village culture. - Source: Internet

5.3. Phu Thuy Market – Local market for the people

• Address: Le Van Phan Street, Phu Thuy Ward, Phan Thiet City
• Opening hours: 04:00 am - 10:00 pm

The market sells a variety of items such as fresh seafood, fresh food, fruits, household goods and other consumer products. Compared to some other markets, prices at Phu Thuy market are often more affordable.

Small market serving the shopping needs of local people - Source: Internet

Phan Thiet Market is not only a shopping place but also a place for tourists to explore the culture and cuisine of the city. During your journey to this land, do not forget to take the time to visit the market to immerse yourself in the rustic and simple life of the people here.

Especially, with Vietnam Airlines' preferential baggage policy - free up to 18kg for carry-on baggage and 32kg for checked baggage on domestic flights – you can comfortably shop for Phan Thiet specialties. Book your flight today to enjoy a smooth flight, classy service and bring back meaningful gifts from the coastal city!