Dinh Cau Night Market: A Must-Visit Night Food Destination in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Island, also known as the Pearl Island, is one of the most attractive beach destinations in Vietnam, drawing both domestic and international visitors each year. With its unique seafood from the surrounding waters and lush vegetation, Phu Quoc also boasts a distinctive culinary culture. On the island’s food map, Dinh Cau Night Market stands out as a popular dining destination, always bustling with people during the evening hours. To learn more about what makes Dinh Cau Night Market so special, let’s explore the following article!

Phu Quoc Night Market was formed from the merger of Dinh Cau Night Market and Bach Dang Market.

1. Introduction to Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc

Dinh Cau Night Market was established in 2007 and is located along Bach Dang Street and part of Nguyen Trai and Le Loi Streets in the bustling Duong Dong Ward, Phu Quoc. In 2017, it officially merged with Bach Dang Market to form the present Phu Quoc Night Market.

The market is conveniently located about 100 meters from Dinh Cau Temple, making it an ideal spot to visit in the evening, just as night falls. Additionally, Dinh Cau Night Market is situated by the romantic Duong Dong River, offering a cool atmosphere perfect for a nighttime stroll.

With a length of approximately 400 meters, the market is divided into two shopping areas with over 100 stalls. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lively, bustling ambiance of a seaside night market.

Operating hours: Starting from 3 PM, many stalls begin setting up. The market reaches its peak at 7 PM, when the lights come on and the area becomes crowded. It closes around 11:30 PM daily.
Address: 6 Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang.

See more: 10+ New Phu Quoc Attractions, Free and Super Interesting

2. What’s at Dinh Cau Night Market?

Phu Quoc Night Market (formed by the merger of Dinh Cau Night Market and Bach Dang Market) is divided into two shopping areas, catering to both tourists and locals. With over 100 shops and stalls, the market has two main areas:

The first area: This section is focused on food stalls, where visitors will be immediately attracted by the tantalizing smells of local delicacies. It is also the place to find unique Phu Quoc souvenirs such as dried seafood, fish sauce, pepper, sim wine, and more.
The second area: Here, visitors can find souvenirs like Phu Quoc pearls, wind chimes, shell jewelry, and more to take home as gifts.

2.1 What to Eat at Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc

At Dinh Cau Night Market (nowadays Phu Quoc Night Market), there are many irresistible dishes that fill the air with mouthwatering aromas, calling visitors to try them. Here are some of the must-try dishes:

Thai Rolled Ice Cream: While not an unfamiliar dish, at Phu Quoc Night Market, you’ll be drawn to the ice cream carts with colorful varieties and flavors, accompanied by the catchy sound of the preparation. Fresh fruit and syrup are finely chopped, mixed with rich creamy ice cream, and rolled into attractive ice cream rolls, perfect as a snack or dessert.

The fresh fruit flavor and light creamy taste of Thai rolled ice cream are especially popular among visitors strolling through Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc.

Banh Kheo: This is a unique snack and a Phu Quoc specialty. These small cakes are made from rice flour and shaped into various eye-catching forms. You can choose from a variety of fillings such as pineapple, mung beans, coconut, taro, chocolate, vanilla, or cheese. The cakes are light, soft, with a slightly sweet taste, not too greasy, making them very tasty without being overwhelming.
Grilled Seafood: Being a coastal city, Phu Quoc’s Dinh Cau Night Market offers an abundance of seafood dishes. As you stroll through the market, you’ll find various grilled seafood items like grilled sea urchins, grilled oysters, satay grilled octopus, grilled clams with scallion oil, and more. You can enjoy them on-site or take them to your hotel or the beach, enjoying them with friends and family while chatting.

Fresh seafood, caught daily, is displayed at Dinh Cau Night Market in Phu Quoc with its attractive colors and aromatic scents.

30 Flavors of Peanuts: Peanuts (locust beans) are a familiar snack to many Vietnamese, but in Phu Quoc, peanuts are creatively coated in sugar with many enticing flavors, often bought by visitors as gifts for loved ones. There are unique flavors like shrimp salt, chili salt, cheese, strawberry, melon, coconut, mango, tamarind, BBQ, durian, and more.
Sim Wine: A specialty of the Pearl Island, sim wine is a popular gift choice for travelers after their trip. The sim fruits are harvested, carefully selected, and fermented. Sim wine has a dark pink color, a fresh, slightly bitter taste, making it quite unique.

2.2 Nearby Attractions Around Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc

Dinh Cau Temple: Located about 100 meters from Dinh Cau Night Market, this is a must-visit attraction for many tourists when in Phu Quoc. The temple is situated on a rocky hill overlooking the sea, allowing visitors to experience the full essence of the ocean breeze, which is refreshing and pleasant.
Chuon Chuon Bistro & Sky Bar: Located on Sao Mai Hill, it offers a panoramic view of Phu Quoc city, making it an ideal place for stunning night views. The bar also has a spectacular sea view, perfect for nature lovers who appreciate the beauty of the ocean.

Address and Hours of Operation: 69 Tran Hung Dao, Sao Mai Hill, open from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

A panoramic view of Phu Quoc at night from above, glowing with colorful lights.

Phu Quoc Water Puppet Theater: For those who love traditional art, you can visit the Phu Quoc Water Puppet Theater to enjoy performances by puppeteers from Thai Binh.

Address and Hours of Operation: 29 Tran Hung Dao, Zone 7, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc City, operating in the morning and afternoon from Monday to Friday; and morning, afternoon, and evening on Saturdays and Sundays..

3. How to Get to Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc

3.1 Getting to Phu Quoc Island

By Plane: Phu Quoc has its international airport, which has been operating flights since 2012. Many airlines offer direct flights to Phu Quoc from various provinces, making the travel time short. You can check for promotional flight tickets to Phu Quoc with Vietjet if you plan to book 2-3 months in advance.
By Bus and Speedboat/Ferry: Phu Quoc is located in Kien Giang Province, so visitors can travel by road to Kien Giang and then take a ferry to the island. You can take a bus to Rach Gia or Ha Tien, then purchase tickets for a speedboat or ferry to Phu Quoc. The speedboat fare from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc is around 350,000 VND per person, while the ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc costs between 180,000 - 250,000 VND per person.

3.2 Getting Around Phu Quoc to Dinh Cau Night Market

Phu Quoc has a convenient transport system with paved roads that make it easy to get around. You can choose from options like motorbikes or taxis to reach Dinh Cau Night Market in Phu Quoc.

Motorbike: You can rent a motorbike to travel around the island for about 100,000 - 150,000 VND per day, depending on the type of scooter or manual bike.
Taxi: Taxis are popular but relatively expensive. You should carefully consider the price and distance to balance costs when choosing a taxi on Phu Quoc Island.
Ride-hailing Services: Some ride-hailing companies now operate in Phu Quoc. You can use an app to book a ride and know the fare in advance to avoid overcharging.

4. Tips for Visiting Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is a tourist island city, so you may encounter situations like overpricing or crowded conditions, especially when visiting Dinh Cau Night Market. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and safe experience:

Always ask for the price before buying to ensure it matches your expectations. Don’t hesitate to bargain if necessary to avoid being overcharged.
Keep your belongings secure while walking around the night market as it is often crowded, which can lead to opportunities for theft.
It’s best to visit Phu Quoc during the dry season, from October to April. The weather is cooler, with little rain and light waves, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the night market.

See more: How much does a self-guided trip to Phu Quoc cost?

Always ranked as a top culinary destination for visitors to Phu Quoc Island, Dinh Cau Night Market leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits with its distinct features of this peaceful island in the Gulf of Thailand. For travel enthusiasts, this is a place you should visit once in your life to fully experience the beauty of nature, food, and the people of the island.To have a wonderful trip to Phu Quoc with family, friends, and loved ones, travelers can find great flight deals to Phu Quoc Airport at Vietjet. Don’t forget to hunt for 0 VND tickets to Phu Quoc Island between 12 PM and 2 PM daily with Vietjet here. Find out more about great deals and useful travel information at: