Phu Quy seafood hooks tourists
This is the time of year when the sea is at its calmest, making it the peak season for travelers to visit Phu Quy. Beyond its breathtaking natural landscapes, the island also draws visitors with its renowned delicacies, especially fresh seafood that can be enjoyed on the spot or taken back to the mainland as gifts.
Diverse seafood offerings
On a day in mid-April, a high-speed ferry from Phan Thiet Port took us to the “pearl island” of Phu Quy in just 2.5 hours. With calm seas and gentle waves, the journey was smooth and far less exhausting than it would have been during the monsoon season.
As the ferry pulled in, Phu Quy port came alive with movement. Tourists and locals streamed off the decks, while the cargo area bustled with activity. Essential goods, from household supplies to fresh produce, arrived from the mainland. At the same time, neatly packed boxes of frozen seafood were loaded onto outbound ferries as visitors and residents took the island’s specialties back to the mainland.
Phu Quy seafood is widely popular with visitors. Nguyen Hai My, a first-time traveler from Da Lat, said, "My family has enjoyed authentic Phu Quy seafood many times before, thanks to relatives and friends who sent it to us."
For tourists, even first-time visitors can easily buy local specialties. With guidance from locals, they can select pre-processed, vacuum-sealed seafood products ready for transport.
Do Thi Ngoc Mai, owner of a seafood outlet on Vo Van Kiet Street in Trieu Duong Village, said, "We connect with customers and introduce our products through Zalo or by appointment at the warehouse, with most sales coming through word-of-mouth referrals."
She added that the recent rise in tourist arrivals has pushed sales well above normal levels. To maintain quality, the seafood is cleaned, processed and vacuum-packed in small portions for easy storage and transport.
Because the seafood here is so fresh, I decided
to buy several varieties, including cobia, squid and mackerel to bring home, even though prices are currently higherNguyen Hai My, a tourist from Da Lat
Seafood sales remain strong despite rising prices
The wholesaler said seafood prices on the island have recently risen by about 30% due to higher input costs. One-sun-dried mackerel now sells for VND 350,000 per kg, while fresh mackerel is priced at VND 230,000 per kg. Other common products include squid at VND 330,000 per kg, red grouper at VND 430,000 per kg, and leatherjacket fish at VND 160,000 per kg. Dried squid has recorded one of the sharpest increases because it is currently out of season, with medium-sized varieties selling for up to VND 600,000 per kg.
Beyond processed products, many visitors prefer premium live seafood fresh from the island. To meet that demand, local businesses such as Nguyen Truong Thanh’s in Phu Long Village buy fresh catches from returning fishing boats and keep them alive in cement tanks. Customers can then visit and personally select their seafood directly from the tanks. As of mid-April 2026, premium live seafood was selling at VND 1.2 million per kg for king crab and green lobster, and VND 500,000 per kg for moon crab and queen conch.
According to the Phu Quy People's Committee, favorable weather since early 2026 has supported offshore fishing, bringing total catches to 3,570 tons, up 729 tons from a year earlier. The figure includes 2,158 tons of fresh fish, 934 tons of fresh squid and 478 tons of other seafood products. Local authorities are also stepping up inspections of accommodation and service establishments to ensure transparent pricing and compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
Leveraging its maritime advantages, Phu Quy is steadily unlocking its development potential, with the seafood sector serving as a key growth driver. As the summer travel peak approaches, the island’s seafood market is becoming increasingly vibrant and drawing more visitors.