Phan Thiet Market: A Must-Visit Destination for Tourists

From early morning, Phan Thiet Market is already alive with the bustling rhythm of trading activities among local residents and visitors. Stalls selling cobia, sand whiting and shimmering batches of squid freshly brought back by fishermen from their overnight trips still retain their freshness, glistening with the colors of the sea.

The rich variety of fresh seafood is the first attraction of Phan Thiet Market. Many local specialties, such as sweet snails, blue crabs, squid and ponyfish, always draw large numbers of customers, especially on weekends and during holidays.

Phan Thi Kim Loan, a fresh seafood vendor at Phan Thiet Market, said: “Fresh seafood is sold every day at different price levels, making it convenient for both tourists and local residents to choose from. Most customers prefer blue crabs and sweet snails. If requested, I can also prepare the seafood so customers can immediately enjoy the fresh taste of the sea.”

After only a few minutes of waiting, steaming portions of seafood, still retaining their natural sweetness from the sea, are served, giving visitors a familiar yet memorable experience.

Phan Thiet Market is not only known for its fresh seafood but also as a place where many dried specialties, fish sauce and signature coastal products are sold. Le Thi Ngoc Ben, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Whenever I come to Phan Thiet, I have to visit this market. Fresh or dried seafood — everything is available here, and the prices are very reasonable. My family especially likes dried shrimp and dried squid, so every year when I visit Phan Thiet, I stop by the market to buy them.”

More than just a trading hub for seafood specialties, Phan Thiet Market is also regarded as a “food paradise” for visitors to the coastal city. At the market’s food section, tourists can easily find familiar local dishes such as fish cake noodle soup, banh hoi, Quang-style noodles and banh quai vac. These dishes are not overly elaborate, yet they preserve the rustic, rich flavors of the coastal region.

Ta Kim Loan, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Our group tried many signature dishes here. Every dish was appealing. Visiting the market is not only about buying specialties as gifts, but also a way to experience and better understand the simple daily life of local people.”

A Gathering Place in Coastal Phan Thiet

Located beside the poetic Ca Ty River, Phan Thiet Market, commonly known by locals as Cho Lon, stands as a vivid testament to the development of this coastal land. Over more than 300 years of formation and growth, the market has maintained its role as an important trading hub while also becoming an appealing cultural and tourism destination.

The market is arranged into several adjoining rows of shops, with separate sections for fresh food, dried seafood, local specialties and food stalls. This layout makes it more convenient for local residents and visitors to shop, explore and experience the market.

Le Van Hau, head of the Phan Thiet Market Management Board, said the market currently has more than 500 registered vendors. It not only serves the shopping needs of local residents but has also become a destination for tourists, especially on weekends. As a result, vendors have become more aware of the need to build a civilized and friendly business environment.

When visiting Phan Thiet, set aside a morning to leisurely explore Cho Lon — a place where visitors can not only buy gifts from the sea but also discover colorful pieces of daily life among coastal residents. Perhaps this is also why Phan Thiet Market has become one of the favorite destinations for tourists whenever they have the chance to visit the coastal city of Phan Thiet.