Chợ đêm Phú Quốc (Duong Dong Night Market): what has changed and planning your evening

Important update: the old market and conflicting information

On 11 January 2026, VTV reported, citing the Phu Quoc administration, that traders at the old Bạch Đằng night market were allowed to continue operating until 28 February 2026 before vacating the site. A Thanh Niên report dated 20 February confirms trading during Tet and a temporary extension after the contract expired.

Meanwhile, the Visit Phu Quoc tourism page still describes the Bạch Đằng market as an evening destination open 18:00-23:30. This information conflicts. As of the check on 14 October, we do not confirm that the entire former complex operates in its old format, nor do we claim there are no longer open shops or restaurants in the area.

Before making a dedicated trip, ask your accommodation or selected business to confirm which rows are currently open and at what address. Recent photographs and reviews help as an additional check. A saved marker or old rating alone does not confirm the market is currently operating.

Where to look and when to go

The historic location of Chợ Đêm Phú Quốc is Bạch Đằng Street beside the river in central Dương Đông (Duong Dong). The tourism description gives the address as 6 Bạch Đằng. Do not confuse it with the night markets at Grand World in the north and Sunset Town in the south: these are different places.

Trading previously began towards evening, with most strolling after sunset. Do not treat the 17:00-23:00 interval in old tips as verified hours for today. For a specific dinner, check the restaurant’s own hours and choose a nearby backup.

What visitors came for: seafood and street food

The night market is known for seafood, fruit and local snack stalls. In its previous format, visitors combined walking, choosing produce from displays and dinner. This section helps you navigate the selection at operating businesses, but does not promise every dish will be available in the old rows.

If choosing fish, crab, prawns or shellfish, first ask the price and cooking method. A tank or an iced display does not replace choosing a business carefully. It is convenient to start with a small portion rather than order your entire dinner before getting to know the menu.

Ordering seafood and understanding the final price

Clarify the pricing unit: per kilogram, 100 grams, item or prepared portion. Ask to see the weight of your chosen product and have the total calculated including cooking, sauces and other extras. If necessary, save the agreed amount on your phone before cooking begins.

No reliable price “for a medium lobster” can be given without its species and weight. The 700,000-900,000 ₫ range from someone else’s experience may refer to an entirely different product. Compare several menus using the same weight unit and dish contents.

Do not automatically regard the market as the island’s cheapest place. If budget matters, set a dinner budget in advance and compare it with ordinary cafés in the area. It is fine to walk away from an unsuitable offer; looking at a display does not oblige you to buy.

Peanuts, drinks and sweet snacks

Accounts of the market often mention Chou Chou peanuts with various flavour coatings. For a gift, choose packaging with clear ingredients and an expiry date. Not every similar stall belongs to the same producer, and a seller’s story does not replace a label.

Coconut water, fruit drinks, rolled ice cream, pancakes and skewers are small-snack options if operating vendors have them. First check the price and portion size. If you have allergies, ask about ingredients, including peanuts, milk, eggs and seafood.

Souvenirs: pepper, pearls and clothing

For edible gifts, compare pepper, tea, dried products and other packaged goods. Check weight, origin and expiry dates. Before buying food to take abroad, check restrictions in your destination country and those of your carrier.

Jewellery sold as pearl jewellery varies greatly in quality and origin. For an expensive purchase, request product information and a receipt; do not infer authenticity solely from the market’s name. Assess clothing and bags by their stitching, fastenings and whether you can try them on.

You can politely suggest your own price for souvenirs. Compare several sellers, but do not assume a distant alley is always cheaper. Cafés with fixed menus may have different terms.

The daytime Dương Đông market: a different experience

Chợ Dương Đông is a separate market to consider for buying food and experiencing everyday trading. It is not the same as the evening leisure market and is not a confirmed new address for all its vendors.

For self-catering, first check the hours of the relevant rows and morning produce availability. Verify the exact marker and route from your accommodation instead of relying only on advice to “cross the bridge”. Compare prices for the same weight and quality: the daytime market does not guarantee the lowest price for every item either.

Getting there and back

For a bus, use the official VinBus search, select Phu Quoc and a route from your accommodation. Numbers 17 and 19 appear in old tips, but “four stops from King Kong” is too vague for navigation: you need the direction, stop name and current route map.

Check the fare and last return service. Free travel should not be assumed for every passenger. If taking a taxi, agree on a drop-off beside an accessible road; for a motorbike, check the parking location and price before handing it over.

A flexible evening plan in the centre

First confirm that your chosen place is operating. Come for a walk in the centre and a specific dinner, rather than a promise of seeing the whole old market. Once there, look at several menus, choose one main meal and leave a little time for souvenirs.

If the old location lacks the trading you expected, do not spend the whole evening searching for the same rows. You can stay in the centre at a restaurant chosen in advance, or move your market walk to another day in Grand World or Sunset Town. These are separate trips: account for the distance and return transport beforehand.

A quick checklist before buying

The address and business operation are confirmed; the price per weight or portion is clear; the order total is agreed before cooking; souvenir quality and labelling are checked; the return route is saved. Keep your phone and belongings with you in crowds and allow extra time for rain or a change of venue.

If you have recently visited Bạch Đằng, you can send fresh information about operating rows through the website’s contact page. Include your visiting date and a precise landmark so the update helps future travellers.