1. Overview of An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc)
Located in the center of An Thoi town, An Thoi Market is one of the busiest and most bustling local markets on Ngoc Island . Thanks to its convenient location, near An Thoi port and many famous tourist attractions such as Hon Thom Cable Car, Sao Beach, or Khem Beach, this place is always bustling with people from early morning to late afternoon. The market not only meets the daily shopping needs of local residents but is also a familiar stop for tourists who want to experience the daily life in the southern part of the island.
An Thoi Market is a market located in the Phu Quoc special administrative region. (Source: Collected)
The market space carries the strong breath of the sea with familiar hawking sounds, cheerful laughter and chatter, and the smell of fresh seafood spreading throughout the aisles. Thanks to its location near the seaport and being a gathering place for boats after each fishing trip, the seafood supply here is always abundant and fresh. From shrimp, squid, fish, crab to various types of sea snails, all are displayed as soon as they arrive at the dock, creating a characteristic bustling trading scene. Besides the seafood area, the market also has an attractive food court and many stalls selling local specialties, reflecting the simple yet dynamic working life of the people in the coastal region of Phu Quoc.
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2. Notable experiences at An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc)
2.1. Shopping at the fresh seafood area
The fresh seafood counter is the busiest and most bustling area of An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc) . Right from early morning, dozens of boats dock, bringing fresh shrimp, squid, herring, and green crab, just caught and returned. The bustling buying and selling atmosphere, the calls to each other, and the fishy smell of seafood mixed with the cold mist from the ice trays make anyone passing by want to stop and look.
Visitors can freely choose at the stalls, then ask the seller to clean and pack them carefully to take home. Some stalls even offer on-site preparation, allowing visitors to enjoy the freshly bought seafood immediately, such as steamed crab with lemongrass, grilled squid with chili salt, or charcoal-grilled herring. The fresh, rich taste of the sea, along with the lively atmosphere of the market, will surely bring visitors an interesting and memorable experience during their journey to explore the South of the island.
2.2. Buying specialties, dried seafood, and souvenirs to take home
After buying fresh seafood, visitors can take another stroll around the market to find dried specialty products to buy as gifts for relatives and friends. The dried goods stalls at An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc) sell a variety of items, from sun-dried squid, anchovies, dried shrimp to dried crab, yellow-fin scad… all are processed from seafood caught around the island. Thanks to natural drying under the sea sun, the products here retain their rich sweetness and characteristic aroma, and are very popular with tourists.
The market sells a variety of dried seafood for tourists to buy as souvenirs. (Source: Collected)
Besides dried seafood, tourists can also find many other "special" local specialties of Ngoc Island such as Phu Quoc pepper, Phu Quoc fish sauce, forest sim wine, honey, or banh kheo,dhandicrafts with many unique products made from seashells, coral, coconut wood, or brocade fabric. These small gifts bearing the island's imprint are both beautiful and meaningful, reflecting the sophistication and skill of the local people. Visiting the specialty area, choosing a few gifts, and chatting with friendly vendors is also a way for tourists to feel the simple, hospitable nature unique to the southern island region.
2.3. Enjoy Local Cuisine
At An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc), tourists can not only immerse themselves in the vibrant life of the seaside market but also have the opportunity to enjoy countless dishes with strong local flavors. From early morning, the stalls are bustling with all kinds of specialties such as bun ken, bun quay, sea urchin porridge, crab noodle soup, or the fragrant grilled fish and squid stalls along the market's edge. Each dish is simply prepared but retains the natural sweetness of fresh seafood, making diners remember it after just one taste.
Not only seafood, An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc) also captivates tourists with rustic dishes that embody the soul of Ngoc Island's countryside. Small stalls selling shrimp and squid banh xeo, and seafood banh khot are always bustling with laughter and conversation, the aroma of rice flour and fresh seafood blending in the billowing steam. After enjoying dishes rich in sea flavors, tourists can head to stalls selling young coconut smoothies, mung bean sweet soup with coconut milk, or palm sugar sweet soup for dessert and to cool down. The refreshing sweetness of coconut mixed with the rich creaminess of coconut milk seems to dispel the coastal heat, bringing a pleasant and relaxing feeling. It is this simplicity and refinement in each dish that makes the cuisine of An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc) an unforgettable stop for anyone setting foot on Ngoc Island.
3. 1-Day Itinerary to Explore An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc)
If you want to feel the most authentic rhythm of life on the southern island, spend a full day exploring An Thoi Market and its surrounding areas. In just one day, tourists can experience a full range of emotions, from the bustling morning at the fish market, the midday filled with local culinary flavors, to the peaceful afternoon as the sunset gently descends over the sea. Each moment carries its own unique hue, contributing to a vivid picture of the life and people of the southern part of Phu Quoc Island.
3.1. Morning
As the first rays of sunlight appear, An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc) is already bustling with the sounds of buyers and sellers. This is the ideal time to explore the market in the fresh morning air. Tourists can choose a steaming bowl of bun quay with its characteristic mild spiciness, or crab noodle soup with firm, sweet crab meat. Sitting at a small stall, eating while watching the daily life of the local people.
Start the morning with a bowl of authentic Phu Quoc bun quay. (Source: Collected)
After that, visitors can leisurely stroll around the market, stopping by stalls to choose some local specialties to bring home. The locals here are very hospitable, ready to meticulously introduce each product, helping visitors choose a satisfactory gift to bring back to loved ones after the trip.
3.2. Noon
After strolling through the market and selecting some specialties rich in Phu Quoc flavor, visitors can stop at a small eatery near the market to enjoy an island-style lunch. Grilled cobia, herring salad, or beer-steamed crab are all dishes that please diners. After a satisfying lunch, visitors can head to the seaside cafes to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the South Island. In the gentle salty breeze blowing from the sea, sipping a cup of roasted ground coffee or a cool sim fruit juice, gazing at the azure sea, all fatigue seems to disappear. Such a leisurely noon will be a pleasant pause, helping visitors regain energy before continuing their afternoon exploration.
3.3. Afternoon
The afternoon is the ideal time for visitors to immerse themselves in the nature of the South Island. From An Thoi Market (Phu Quoc), visitors can travel to Khem Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with turquoise waters and fine, creamy white sand. After swimming, continue the journey to Sun World Hon Thom via the world's longest sea-crossing 3-cable cable car. Looking down from above, the deep blue ocean and small islands appear like a vibrant natural painting, leaving everyone in awe. Upon arrival, visitors can play at Aquatopia water park, join thrilling adventure games at Exotica village, and explore colorful check-in spots amidst the majestic natural scenery.
Travel by cable car and admire the panoramic view of the An Thoi archipelago from above. (Source: Collected)
As dusk gradually falls, visitors can return to Sunset Town to admire the romantic scenery by the sea. The last sunlight of the day envelops the space in vibrant orange and yellow hues, creating a strangely peaceful and poetic picture. This is a wonderful moment to stroll, breathe in the salty sea breeze, and feel the gentle beauty of the South island in the late afternoon.
3.4. Evening
Conclude the emotional journey with dinner at Sun Bavaria GastroPub, where visitors can enjoy a rich menu of European - Asian dishes, along with a glass of flavorful German craft beer in a vibrant, modern space. After the meal, immerse yourself in the spectacular atmosphere of the Kiss of The Sea show, a performance combining music, lights, water effects, and fireworks, recreating a romantic love story between the sea and the sky. As night falls, don't leave just yet, because the nearby Vui Phet night market awaits you to explore with countless street food options, lovely souvenirs, and lively melodies imbued with the colors of Phu Quoc.
Explore Vui Phet night market and enjoy the characteristic street food of Phu Quoc. (Source: Sun Group)
4. Some notes when shopping at Duong Dong market (Phu Quoc)
To have a complete experience when visiting Duong Dong market (Phu Quoc), visitors should note some small tips to make shopping more convenient and effective. These suggestions will not only help visitors choose fresh and delicious goods, negotiate reasonable prices, but also preserve specialties properly when bringing them home as gifts.
How to choose products and negotiate reasonable prices:
If you want to choose the freshest seafood, you should go to the market early in the morning when the boats have just docked, the goods are fresh, and the atmosphere is bustling. When choosing, prioritize stalls with many customers as these are usually long-standing reputable stalls trusted by locals. Don't forget to ask for the price first and you can negotiate gently to get a reasonable price, because sellers at Phu Quoc market are usually very friendly and easy to negotiate with.
Experience preserving dried goods:
Dried seafood such as squid, shrimp, fish, dried pepper, or Phu Quoc fish sauce are all popular gifts among tourists. However, to maintain the best quality, visitors should request vacuum sealing if transporting them long distances or by plane. Upon arrival, visitors should store dried specialties in a dry, cool place or in the refrigerator. This method not only helps preserve the full flavor but also prevents mold, keeping Phu Quoc gifts always delicious and long-lasting.
Concluding the journey to explore An Thoi market (Phu Quoc), visitors not only bring back specialties with rich sea flavors but also unforgettable memories of the people and the rhythm of life on the southern island. Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the market, visitors will clearly feel the sincerity and hospitality of the local people. If you have the chance to visit Phu Quoc, don't forget to stop by An Thoi market to experience a part of the simple yet colorful life of this beautiful island yourself.
