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Shopping in Phu Quoc - Vietnam Travel Guide - Travel S Helper

Shopping in Phu Quoc

Street markets on Phu Quoc Island are among the greatest locations to buy since they provide a huge selection of handicrafts, local delicacies, and fresh food. Local markets, which are open every day, are also fantastic places to sample genuine Vietnamese cuisine and cheaply priced fresh seafood. The majority of the charming shops and neighborhood supermarkets on Phu Quoc Island can be found in Duong Dong Market and Long Beach.

If you want to go shopping, keep in mind that bargaining is not customary in Phu Quoc, in contrast to other regions of Vietnam. It is simpler and faster to purchase the item you require from another vendor at a lower price because they don’t often modify their prices. As the price for the identical item might be drastically different in the two nearby businesses, it appears that there are no standard pricing principles in place. Also keep in mind that there doesn’t appear to be a wholesale discount. If you expressed interest in a product and purchased two of it, you can learn that the third one would cost you considerably more.

By the way, they don’t always label products with their prices. Asking a seller is the only method to learn the cost. For visitors, everything will always be more expensive. Nevertheless, despite all of this, shopping in Phu Quoc is rather pleasant. Mostly as a result of reduced costs. Although shopping is still favorable, many products are still more expensive than in mainland Vietnam. The island has a limited selection of European brands, but there are still enough locally produced goods.

Pearls are a popular souvenir that visitors to the island take home with them. It is available for purchase in pearl farms and several other stores on the island. Remember that the pearls sold here are considerably different from those elsewhere. Typically, it is the cultured variety, which varies from the wild variety mainly in that a sand grain has been placed inside a clam by humans. A pearl may be false if it doesn’t weigh much and isn’t expensive. To speed up the process and cut costs, some dishonest manufacturers substitute a tiny plastic ball for a grain of sand. However, you may get pricey earrings, a necklace made of genuine sea pearls, and inexpensive jewelry with poor-quality pearls in Phu Quoc.

The vacationers could be curious about fish sauce as well. Keep in mind that in order to transfer it, you must pour it into a plastic container. Due to the scent that quickly follows a slight leak in the sauce, transporting it in a glass bottle is prohibited. Buy some spices as well. The variety of spices is wide and the costs are inexpensive since there are several plantations where black pepper is grown.

You ought to bring some Phu Quoc coffee as well. In addition to the Vietnamese wine, it is pretty delicious and not at all pricey. A cobra-adorned bottle of rum or vodka makes for an intriguing gift. Different ceramic items are brought home from the island by someone, which you may retain as a memento or use for the intended purpose. A hand-embroidered image or tapestry will serve as a lovely memento of the journey. Bamboo, mahogany, and ivory are good materials for the local artisans to use when creating souvenirs.

Unquestionably invest in a Non, a traditional Chinese hat. T-shirts, jeans, coats, shoes, and electronics are also in great supply. Remember that Vietnam is second to China in the manufacture of apparel and home items. Look more closely at silk clothing if you want to get something that is traditional rather than items from global companies. Better avoid purchasing any potted plants or unusual seeds without documentation since Customs may confiscate them. As a gift for a man, you may get a seahorse-based bitter that is prepared on the island.

Markets in Phu Quoc

Duong Dong Market

Location: 21 Tran Phu Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc Island

The biggest outdoor market on Phu Quoc Island is Duong Dong Market, which is situated on Tran Phu Street. Open every day at 3 a.m., it is frequently crowded with people bartering over fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets, and exotic fruit that are imported from the island and the mainland of Vietnam.

There are several food stands here where you may try fruit drinks, broiled fish, and Vietnamese street delicacies for relatively little money. Additionally, the market sells prepackaged cashew nuts, fish sauce, pepper, and mushrooms, all of which make wonderful gifts for loved ones back home.

Open: Daily from 3 am to 7 pm

Dinh Cau Night Market

Location: 30 Vo Thi Sau Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc island

More than 50 stalls make up the Dinh Cau Night Market on Vo Thi Sau Street, where items including broiled fish, drinks, snacks, T-shirts, trinkets, and jewelry are available till late. This pedestrian-friendly market, which closes to motorized cars at 5 o’clock, is perfect for tourists wishing to have a great evening on Phu Quoc Island. Parking is accessible right outside the main gate.

At the end of the street, there are shops selling souvenirs where you can pick up one-of-a-kind knickknacks like pearl jewelry, custom combs, and keychains fashioned from seashells.

Long Beach Village

Location: Tran Hung Dau Street, Long Beach, Phu Quoc Island

Long Beach Village is made up of a number of streets that are surrounded by mini-marts, diving shops, and souvenir stands offering the typical selection of regional delicacies and handicrafts.

Off Tran Hung Dao Street, this popular tourist destination is also recognized for its selection of inexpensive lodging alternatives, such as low-cost guesthouses, hostels, and mid-range resorts with quick access to the beach. Long Beach Village’s near proximity to Duong Dong’s main town makes it simple for visitors to see notable attractions on foot or by motorcycle.

Phu Quoc Pearl Farm

Markets in Phu Quoc

The world’s greatest kind of pearl is considered to be a Phu Quoc pearl. There is therefore no excuse not to acquire some pearl-related goods for your loved ones.

There are a lot of pearl businesses on the island, but Phu Quoc Pearl Farm is still the most trustworthy. The farm is a terrific site to discover awesome presents as well as see how pearls are harvested and transformed into stunning jewelry, clothing buttons, and other objects covered in mother of pearl.

Additionally, pearl powder is particularly effective in treating a variety of bone, joint, and skin disorders. Women shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to get any cosmetics from pearl as they are an effective way to enhance and lighten the skin on their faces.

What to Buy in Phu Quoc

Pearls

What to Buy in Phu Quoc

Over a period, the Phu Quoc Pearls have been gaining fame and popularity. It is an excellent choice if you want something luxurious for your friends.

Peal cultivation and culture on this island has existed for many hundreds of years. A good environment with calm water, is best suited to oysters which generate pearls. Here in this place you can find some pearl farms where the various processes of pearl farming and jewelry making can be observed. Despite several souvenir shops selling pearls, only about 20% of the pearl market on Phu Quoc Island consists of quality pearls. Consequently, it is better to go at the farms for original pearl items. They are expensive as to their shape, quality and colour.

The most expensive type is black pearl that costs more than $1000 per one item while ordinary ones cost about $40 each and ivory ones are the cheapest among them costing just a few dollars.

Fish Sauce

What to Buy in Phu Quoc

When it comes to Vietnamese food, fish sauce cannot be avoided. Phu Quoc’s fish sauce is the most famous due to its unmatched taste though there are many types of fish sauce.

Their fish sauce is prepared from the freshest of fish coming from the coasts teeming with plankton since they have a lot of raw materials like the live coastlines. Many countries produce different kinds of fish sauces from various seafood, such as shrimp or squid; however, Phu Quoc uses only Ca Com or so-called rice-fish and, that is why it is tasty. Besides, the island developed its rating system for determining how diluted fish sauce which also helps buyers in identifying the best taste possible.

Fish sauce has two grades: a higher one with stronger aroma and mainly used for dipping while another lower grade is frequently used for marinades and frying. Fish sauce tastes most when you return to Vietnam home. Nevertheless bear in mind that not all airlines allow having this kind of seasoning on board their aircrafts so please check before buying a ticket anyway

Sim Wine

What to Buy in Phu Quoc

It is often called Ruou Sim or rose myrtle wine. It is a well-known wine made in Phu Quoc from the fruit of the native tree called Rose Myrtle. And this particular type of wine first came to be prepared among some minority tribes found in the central highlands.

There are numerous rose myrtle trees full of blooms and fruits throughout the year in the wild forests of Phu Quoc. Nonetheless, people collect these fruits during spring because they want to have the best ones so as to make top quality ingredients during wine making.

People from Phu Quoc Island love eating seafood with Sim Wine since it highlights its taste buds. This beverage helps digestion, reduces weariness, and eases arthritis pain among other health benefits according to locals. It tastes like fermented black currant drink and has a unique smell that comes from flowers. The alcohol measure for this liquor is roughly 7.5%. Thus while on vacation at the island you might want to buy a bottle and enjoy with your seafood meal

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