1. A brief overview of Ben Da Market Vung Tau
Located at 526 Tran Phu Street, Vung Tau Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Da Market is conveniently located right by the port. From the center of Vung Tau, just follow major roads like Ba Muoi Thang Tu or Nguyen An Ninh to easily reach the market.
Ben Da Market is conveniently located, making it easy for locals and tourists to get to the market. (Source: Collected)
The emergence of Ben Da Market has been closely tied to the coastal livelihoods of generations of fishermen here. Over time, this place has not only been a gathering point for fishermen after each fishing trip but also a place for trading goods and preserving traditional living customs. Besides trading, the market also serves as a cultural bridge between local residents and tourists wishing to learn about the old fishing village life.
2. Journey to discover Ben Da Market Vung Tau
2.1. Main goods: fresh seafood, abundant year-round
What makes Ben Da Market attractive is the continuous supply of fresh seafood arriving daily. From early morning, the atmosphere here is bustling with live green lobsters, bright-eyed groupers, plump squid, along with countless types of crabs, scallops, snails, and clams just brought in by fishermen from fishing boats. Most of the seafood is still alive, carefully preserved in seawater containers, ensuring its original freshness reaches the customers.
Fresh squid and octopus are sold at Ben Da Market. (Source: Collected)
Not only famous for fresh seafood, Ben Da Market also sells many characteristic dried products of Vung Tau such as chewy and fragrant dried squid, sun-dried yellow-tailed fish, natural dried shrimp, or salted egg sponge cake. Alongside this, the market also provides full vegetables, spices, dried goods, and essential items, serving both local residents and tourists.
2.2. Prime Time to Buy Fresh Seafood at Ben Da Market
Choosing the right time will help tourists buy the freshest and most delicious seafood at Ben Da Market . The 6 AM timeframe is considered the most ideal time, when the coracles have just docked with batches of fresh seafood, from grouper, mackerel to lobster, squid, and green crab. This is also when prices are still quite "soft", allowing buyers to easily choose quality products at reasonable prices.
The period from 11 AM to 12 PM is also a very suitable time to visit Ben Da Market , when the fishing boats that went out during the day return, bringing more diverse types of seafood. Tourists can take advantage of this time to compare prices, choose more carefully, and enjoy the bustling atmosphere characteristic of the market.
Around 7 to 8 PM on full moon days, Ben Da Market becomes more bustling when boats have just docked, bringing fresh and rare seafood such as pomfret, large cuttlefish, or mantis shrimp. This is the ideal time for tourists to stroll through the market, choose seafood to buy as gifts or enjoy on the spot. Under the bright lights and the distant sound of waves, the fresh, sweet taste of seafood seems to remain intact, bringing a feeling as if it was just brought up from the sea.
2.3. Are Prices at Ben Da Market Really Cheap and Worth Buying?
Compared to tourist markets or shopping centers, seafood prices at Ben Da Market are usually more affordable because they are sold directly by fishermen, without many intermediaries. When shopping, tourists should pay attention to carefully checking the freshness of the seafood and ask for clear prices before deciding. Choosing yourself or asking the seller to check helps ensure the quality of the goods. Most vendors at Ben Da Market are very friendly and easy to negotiate prices with, especially when customers buy in large quantities.
3. Directions and Information to Know About Ben Da Market
Getting to Ben Da Market from Vung Tau center is quite convenient and easy. Tourists just need to follow April 30th street, turn into Nguyen An Ninh, then continue straight to Tran Phu. The market is located on the right side of the road, has a clear sign, and is easily recognizable thanks to the bustling shopping atmosphere characteristic of the coastal area.
The convenient location of Ben Da Market also helps tourists easily combine visits to famous tourist attractions in Vung Tau. For example, Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda is only about 650 m from the market, very convenient to visit after shopping.
Visitors can visit nearby tourist attractions when visiting Ben Da Market. (Source: Collected)
The market area has a parking lot right in the center, with fees ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 VND per entry, suitable for both motorbikes and small cars. When visiting, visitors should pay attention to safeguarding personal belongings and should not carry too many valuables. Although Ben Da Market is considered quite safe, actively observing and staying vigilant during peak hours is still necessary to ensure a complete experience.
4. Unique cultural and culinary experiences at Ben Da Market
4.1. Fishing village living space
Coming to Ben Da Market, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the characteristic atmosphere of life of the fishing community. The sight of children playing, people waiting for boats to return, and the bustling calls of vendors create a vivid picture of coastal life.
The moments when boats dock carrying the salty scent of the sea, and lively conversations between fishermen and traders, vividly recreate the characteristic working culture of the Vung Tau coastal region. This helps visitors gain a closer insight into the customs and lifestyle connected to the sea that are not preserved intact everywhere.
4.2. Local specialty dishes prepared on-site not to be missed
The cuisine at Ben Da Market carries the strong flavor of a fishing village, simple yet very appealing. Specialty dishes such as rich grilled oysters with scallion oil, fragrant steamed squid with ginger, hot clam congee, or savory seafood noodles are all prepared on-site from fresh ingredients just brought ashore. Each dish retains the natural sweetness of the sea, making diners exclaim with delight when enjoying them.
Besides that, steamed grouper with soy sauce, grilled shrimp with chili salt, or stir-fried crab with tamarind are also popular choices. For the most complete culinary experience, visitors should choose busy, clean eateries and can request adjustments to seasonings according to personal taste. The bustling market atmosphere, the calls of vendors mixed with the aroma spreading from the stalls, create a sense of closeness and familiarity, as if enjoying a meal with the local coastal people.
Enjoy delicious and attractive seafood dishes at the market. (Source: Collected)
The most ideal time to enjoy cuisine at Ben Da Market is early morning or noon, when seafood has just been brought to the market by fishermen, ensuring absolute freshness. That rich, rustic flavor not only captivates tourists but also leaves an unforgettable impression on their culinary journey in Vung Tau.
4.3. Buying seafood at Ben Da Market as gifts
Many tourists visiting Vung Tau often choose Ben Da Market as their last stop before leaving, to buy fresh and delicious seafood as gifts for friends and relatives. Every stall is filled with the scent of the sea, from sun-dried squid, dried shrimp, mackerel, dried snakehead fish, specialty fish cakes to live oysters, clams, and scallops just brought ashore by fishermen. All carry the rich salty flavor of the sea, making it hard for tourists to look away. Each gift brought back is not only a part of the coastal cuisine but also contains sincere affection and beautiful memories of the trip.
Packaging and preserving seafood is a crucial step to maintain its fresh taste. The vendors at Ben Da Market have many years of experience, so they always support tourists thoughtfully. Fresh seafood will be washed clean, vacuum-sealed, or packed in styrofoam boxes with ice packs, helping to preserve it well during transit. Tourists should discuss transportation time and appropriate preservation methods carefully with the sellers. It is the meticulousness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity of the sellers here that have contributed to making Ben Da Market not just a shopping place, but also a point of connection for the culture and human affection of the coastal people of Vung Tau.
Ben Da Market is not only a place to buy seafood but also a harmonious point between the culture, cuisine, and lifestyle of the coastal residents. Experiencing this place brings a genuine, close feeling, helping tourists understand more about the rhythm of life of the people in Vung Tau. Especially, with the Sun World Vung Tau event scheduled to open in 2026, combining visits to the traditional market with modern entertainment areas will bring a colorful and exciting exploration journey. Don't forget to save this article to prepare for your upcoming trip and fully enjoy the seafood paradise at Ben Da Vung Tau Market !
