1. A Brief Overview of Long Hai Vung Tau Market
Located in Long Hai commune, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly part of Vung Tau city), Long Hai Market is situated on DT44A road with a convenient transportation location, making it easy to find and access. Initially, Long Hai Market was just a small market serving the daily buying and selling needs of local fishermen. Over time, along with the development of the fishing industry, this market has become a bustling trading hub, notable for its large scale and the trading of fresh seafood that takes place from early morning to late afternoon. It is not only an important food supply source for the area but also vividly reflects the working life of the coastal people.
Long Hai Market is conveniently located, easy to find, and easy to access. (Source: Bao Ba Ria Vung Tau)
For tourists, Long Hai Market offers a special attraction with its diverse seafood culinary space, from rustic dishes to fresh seafood just pulled ashore. It is also a great place to experience local culture, where the calls of vendors and the sound of waves blend into the familiar melody of coastal life. Each year, the market welcomes thousands of visitors who come to enjoy specialties and buy gifts imbued with the flavor of Long Hai to send to relatives and friends.
2. Discover the outstanding characteristics of Long Hai Market
2.1. Fresh and diverse seafood
When mentioning Long Hai Market, one refers to a place where countless fresh and delicious seafood varieties converge, such as crab, squid, fish, shrimp, oysters, and clams. All are brought to the market immediately after the fishing boats return each morning, ensuring freshness and variety to satisfy seafood lovers.
The ideal time to choose the freshest seafood lasts from 3 AM to 7 AM, when the marine products are just brought ashore, retaining their freshness. If you visit during this time, you also have the opportunity to find rare seafood at reasonable prices directly from the fishermen.
2.2. Bustling atmosphere, rich in traditional coastal essence
From the early morning, Long Hai Market is filled with the familiar sounds of bustling trade. The cheerful calls, happy laughter, and characteristic exchanges and bargaining create a vivid picture of a coastal morning. The aroma of grilled and stir-fried seafood spreads throughout the space, mingling with the salty sea breeze, making everyone who visits feel the close and warm atmosphere of this traditional market.
The moment fishing boats return and vendors quickly unload fresh seafood at the market entrance is an unforgettable image for visitors. It is not only a testament to the richness of the Long Hai sea but also an opportunity for visitors to witness firsthand the simple yet vibrant working life. For those who love exploring local culture, a morning at Long Hai Market is a precious, authentic, and heartfelt experience of coastal life.
2.3. Structure and main areas of the market
The central area of Long Hai Market is where fresh seafood is concentrated, always bustling with buyers and sellers from early morning. Stalls of crab, squid, fish, and shrimp are arranged side by side, creating a colorful and lively scene. The sounds of weighing goods, calls, and laughter make the market atmosphere even more vibrant. This is also the area that attracts the most tourists, as they can personally select the freshest seafood just brought up from the boats.
Stalls sell all kinds of fresh, quality seafood. (Source: Collected)
Besides the seafood area, the local specialty selling area of Long Hai Market is also very popular. Here, visitors can easily find familiar products such as dried squid, yellowstripe scad, premium fish sauce, various coastal spices, or dried dishes prepared according to traditional recipes. The salty, rich flavor of these specialties is not only a meaningful gift to bring back for relatives but also a way to preserve the taste of the sea on every trip.
Along the main aisle, many small stalls specialize in preparing food on-site for breakfast or grilled seafood dishes at reasonable prices. Visitors can stroll through the market and stop to enjoy fragrant grilled squid, hot seafood noodle soup, or a rich clam porridge. This combination of shopping and dining creates a unique charm, making Long Hai Market not just a trading place but also an unmissable cultural and culinary destination in the coastal region of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.
3. Shopping Experience at Long Hai Market Vung Tau
3.1. Experience Fishermen's Lives and Coastal Culture at Long Hai Market
Those who want to fully experience the rhythm of fishermen's lives can stop to observe the scene of seafood being transported from boats to the pier at Long Hai Market. The image of boats docking, people quickly unloading baskets of fresh fish and squid amidst cheerful chatter creates an authentic picture of coastal labor. By talking with vendors and listening to stories about fishing and seafaring, visitors will clearly feel the sincerity, hospitality, and optimistic spirit of the local people.
The open and cheerful personality of the stall owners at Long Hai Market reflects the characteristic beauty of the people in the coastal region of Ba Ria – Vung Tau: simple, genuine, yet full of emotion. Through stories about fishing, voyages, or how they preserve the traditions of the fishing village, visitors will better understand the strong vitality, pride, and deep love for the sea of the residents here.
3.2. Operating Hours and Some Notes for Visitors
Long Hai Market is open from 3 AM to 5 PM daily, with the liveliest atmosphere from around 5 AM to 9 AM. To fully enjoy the bustling atmosphere and select fresh seafood, visitors should plan to visit the market early in the morning.
Go to Long Hai market early in the morning to buy the freshest seafood at the best prices. (Source: Collected)
When choosing to shop at Long Hai market, visitors should ask for prices before deciding to buy, and should negotiate gently. It is best to choose stalls with many customers, which not only ensures quality but also minimizes the risk of encountering unsatisfactory products.
Friendly and open communication with vendors will contribute to a memorable experience. Here, many stories about marine life and traditional fishing jobs are readily shared by stall owners, giving visitors more interesting knowledge about this coastal area.
4. Shopping Experience and Tips for Choosing Fresh Seafood at Long Hai Market
The time frame from 3 AM to 7 AM is considered the most ideal for buying fresh seafood at Long Hai market, as this is when the boats have just docked after their night trips. The catches of fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are brought ashore still very fresh, carrying the rich flavor of the sea. When choosing to buy, visitors should prioritize stalls with many customers, and select seafood that is still alive or shows signs of freshness such as clear fish eyes, shiny shrimp shells, and firm, elastic fish flesh.
To get a reasonable price, visitors can consult with long-time vendors or local residents, as they know the general prices of each type of seafood according to the season. Bargaining should be done gently, cheerfully, and respectfully towards the seller, which not only helps visitors buy at a good price but also creates goodwill and shows sophistication in communication culture at the seafood market.
If you intend to bring seafood home, ask the vendor to prepare and pack it carefully with ice or vacuum seal it, depending on the type of seafood, to maintain freshness during transportation. Visitors should also ask for detailed preservation instructions to ensure the seafood retains its full flavor until use.
For long-distance transportation, visitors should prepare a styrofoam box and buy extra ice, or use the shipping service through transport companies recommended by vendors, which is both safe and time-saving. For dried specialties, visitors should choose products with natural colors, a characteristic aroma, not too moist, or with strange odors. These small notes will help you easily choose the best quality gifts when visiting Long Hai market.
Some tips for visiting and shopping at Long Hai Market. (Source: Collected)
Long Hai Market is a place that fully converges the cultural beauty, cuisine, and lifestyle of the people of the Vung Tau coastal region. Wandering through the market, you will feel the bustling atmosphere, the taste of fresh seafood, and the friendly, rustic nature of the local fishermen. This is not only a shopping and dining destination but also an unforgettable cultural experience in your journey to explore the coastal city. Especially, when Sun World Vung Tau is expected to open in 2026, combining visits to traditional markets with modern entertainment will surely bring visitors a more complete and memorable journey than ever before.
