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Phu Quoc (Phú Quốc) Island undoubtedly is famous for great beaches as well as rural ambiance. Yet, when it comes to shopping in Phu Quoc, the options are not much and largely restricted to the local products and the night market located in Duong Dong.
However, the options that Phu Quoc offers are rather interesting, especially for those who are fond of souvenirs. Generally, the best shopping places could be found in Duong Dong (Dương Đông) and An Thoi (An Thời) towns. For tourists, shopping chances come in the form of handicrafts that are expertly made by local people and pearls farmed locally.
If you are looking for tips and suggestions for shopping in Phu Quoc Island, then you are at the right place because here we give you a list of detailed suggestions for the best experience of shopping in Phu Quoc. Check it out now!
Shopping In Phu Quoc Island – 7 Shopping Ideas For Tourists
1. Local Markets
Sure, this is the most famous shopping destination for every tourist when visiting Phu Quoc. Whilst Western style goods are rather limited here, the local markets in Phu Quoc Island offer a wide colorful range of vegetables, fruits, seafood and more.
The most well-known market in Phu Quoc is Duong Dong market which is located right in the centre area of the town, along the river. This largest and most exciting market in Phu Quoc is crowded at most time of the day with the local traffic running along the street and many boats coming and going, loading and unloading their stuffs. You will find lovely women in conical hats selling different goods from fruits to special fishing equipment.
If you do not enjoy the decent crowd, you should avoid visiting this market when the cruise ships arrive at the pier, bringing a large number of tourists who fill the market place.
Actually, living a resort life in Phu Quoc is rather rough. You have to hang out throughout the day on beach, and then reluctantly find somewhere for food. It could get a little bit boring after a few days. If you want a break free of the resort, the Phu Quoc night market is a great idea. At this market, you could shop for nice souvenirs and fill your stomach.
There are two major entrances to the market: one on Bach Dang Street and one on Tran Hung Dao Street. When firstly entering the market, you will be greeted by a few temporary restaurants which sell various types of seafood, which are available for buying in individual serving or by the kilo. The seafood could be scallops, squids, elephant snails, prawns, and different types of fish. You could choose one of them and then wait until it is cooked well. If you want to enjoy something more than just simple grilled seafood, you are given advanced options. For those who are not a fan of seafood, there are a variety of dishes made from chicken, beef, pork and vegetables to opt for.
After having a dinner, you could start your experience of souvenir shopping at some shops at the other half of the market. Despite you could get various Phu Quoc knick-knacks, T-shirts, postcards, this part of market is strongly dominated by pearls. Booth after booth is lined with boxes of earrings and hanging necklaces.
The prices of these souvenirs are around VND 100,000. Unlike many other night markets in the area, Phu Quoc night market is just a market at night and during the daytime, it is just a blank street. From the Long Beach hotel, you just need to head North on Tran Hung Dao (Trần Hưng Đạo) Street till you approach the first roundabout and the market is on your left hand. Every day, it is opened from 6 pm to midnight. Though it is not huge and you could walk from end to end within just about 10 minutes, it is jam-packed and tight with vendors. Therefore, there are a lot of things to choose from.
2. Duong Dong Shops
Duong Dong town is the main area for shopping in Phu Quoc. There are a number of shops selling everything from soap, biscuits and interesting toothpaste, shampoo to soft beverages, beer and water. There are also a few pharmacies, local laundries, and sunglass shops which are much cheaper than the prices in resorts. In case you need some building supplies, then there are some sites selling pains, tiles, marble, timber and plumbing goods, despite the range as well as quality may be not the same as the mainland.
In Duong Dong town, Phu Quoc clothing shops are rather limited, but if you need some long shirts / pans to help keep off the dust whilst riding around this beautiful island, or mosquitoes at night, then there are a few local market style places located opposite to the Duong Dong market that sell a variety of non fashionable and cheap hats and clothing. If you want to buy something more modern, there is a mini mart, about 1 km past the airport at Nguyen Trung Truc (Nguyễn Trung Trực) Street, Duong Dong. Here, you will find a wide range of cosmetics, clothes and other items.
3. Resort Shops
Inside resorts, there are also shops which display and sell island gifts, such as pearl necklaces to caps, T-shirts or postcards. However, if you are in tight budget, consider shopping in Phu Quoc resort shops as the prices are rather expensive in compared with other shops out in the town
4. Craft Shops
There are a few of shops in Phu Quoc Island that specializes in selling crafts and arts. Whilst most products are imported from the mainland, these shops are still rather new and offer great discounted prices again and again. Many shops are situated opposite Phu Quoc airport road entrance, such as Phu Quoc Crafts and Cafe (location: No. 109 Nguyen Trung Truc street) and Phu Quoc Fine Arts (Location: 4 Ward, Duong Dong). Another shop is located on the way to the Long beach – named Phu Quoc Creation (Location: no.30 Tran Hung Dao Street). Another shop on the way to Long Beach called Phu Quoc Creation (30 Tran Hung Dao Street). In these shops, you will find various souvenir types, including jewelry, pearls, and art works
5. Phu Quoc Airport
For those who are looking for a last minute shopping in Phu Quoc, the airport shops will offer a decent range of pearls, postcards and other jewelry items, plus with Phu Quoc maps and books, caps and T-shirts, and fish sauce – the specialty of Phu Quoc Island. There is also a counter of current exchange in the arrival hall that provides tourists with reasonable rates
6. Pearl Shops
A few shops in Phu Quoc specialize in pearls. The pearl farm shop that is run by a New Zealand based enterprise in Duong To village about 9km south of the town of Duong Dong is your best choice. You could check their website for detailed information in advance. Here, you can find remarkable pearls and useful information about the history of pearly farming in Phu Quoc Island.
Alternative options for pearl shopping in Phu Quoc are the shops near Saigon Phu Quoc resort. These shops offer a wide range of pearl gifts, from necklaces, bracelets, to rings, earrings and more – all at reasonable prices
7. Shops For Unique Shopping Times
If you want to shop something unique which symbolizes for the real Phu Quoc, then do not skip fish sauce, also known in Vietnamese as “nước mắm”. However, if you travel by airplane, carrying fish sauce on aircrafts is not allowed and a few airlines have banned it altogether due to its pungent fumes that are very hard to remove and the risk of breakage. You could buy fish sauce right at the airport of the departure lounge and they currently organize delivery for you to Saigon.
There, you have known some interesting suggestions for shopping in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Though the choices of shopping are not much, what you can bring home from Phu Quoc will not be disappointed at all. So, add these places to your checklist of shopping in Phu Quoc to prepare your best for the trip to this beautiful island of Vietnam
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