Shopping in Phan Thiet

If the nightlife is backward, the shopping here is worse. Phan Thiet is not the place to shop, the main shopping area is the Central Market opened in the morning till late afternoon. It is a combination of food, garments and provision shops that sell useful everyday stuff. It takes a bit of browsing and hunting for the odd souvenirs.

The Victoria Phan Thiet and Novotel Coralia Resort both have small gift shops with quite a few items albeit overpriced. Shopping is best left for Ho Chi Minh City.

Fish market in Phan Thiet


The Phan Thiet fish market is full of hustle and bustle from the crack of dawn as fishermen and merchants work hard to sell a huge variety of fish they have worked tirelessly to obtain.


A very young girl sits on the seaside in the sunshine to sell crabs kept in a basin in front of her. She smiles to attract customers as people gather around fishermen to select the best fish, a common market scene at any of Vietnam’s fine fishing beaches.

The fish market in Phan Thiet opens very early in the morning with some buying and selling often taking place as early as 3 a.m. when the first fishermen come in with their loads of seafood and fish caught during the night.

Strong young men deliver the fish and seafood from fishing boats by coracle. When these bowl-shaped boats reach shore, many people, including sellers and residents, immediately gather around to get the best fish. The market officially opens whenever the first boat comes in.

As soon as the fish arrive, the bargain begins. A stock of fish can be bartered and negotiated to dealers at both high and low prices. Many dealers are sent to other markets around Phan Thiet as well and gather a cornucopia of goods for both use and resale.

Depending on weather conditions and the fish season, prices may rise or fall. Kilos upon kilos of appetizing sardines and cod are some of the most popular items often bought at the market to be used for family meals...


In 1697, Phan Thiet Market was the one of the Five-Quang residents and peasants who came here to establish themselves. The market was on the bank of Ca Ty River, therefore, the exchange and trade were quite favourable. Visitors to Binh Thuan could not help going to the Market once to explore the strange and good features life of the coastal.

Seaproducts are numerous here. Cuttlefish alone does have several kinds : fresh, frozen, dried, one-day sun-dried ... but the dried seaproducts are most suitable and convenient to be brought home as gifts.

Walking around the market, you will have the chance to enjoy certain foods combined with fish pie such as : fresh rice pancake, rice noodle soup, sour vermicelli soup, rice, etc...