Do Son, a renowned coastal tourist area in the North, is 18 km from Hai Phong city center. Travel time from Ha Noi is about two hours via the Ha Noi - Hai Phong expressway (CT05).

Visitors can explore historical sites, enjoy local cuisine, and purchase fresh seafood to take home. Members of the Do Son Tourism Forum (Do Son Review) and local resident Le Thanh offer advice on where to find fresh, reasonably priced seafood.

Ngoc Hai Fishing Port

Seafood at Ngoc Hai fishing port. Photo: thimhahaiphongfood

Located at the intersection of 353 and Ba De street in Do Son ward, this port is where fishing boats dock daily, serving as a wholesale hub for various seafood. The port operates from around 3-4h when fishing boats arrive, supplying fresh seafood from the Do Son sea.

Visitors should arrive early, right when boats dock, to buy the freshest catches. Shopping early not only ensures quality fish, squid, shrimp, crabs, and clams but also offers an authentic glimpse into the daily life of local fishermen.

Do Son Seafood Market

The Do Son seafood market is adjacent to Ngoc Hai fishing port. Items here are more carefully selected and sorted than those at the port, making shopping convenient for tourists.

This market is popular because it retains local characteristics, remaining untouristed. Its small space reflects daily community life.

Seafood in Do Son, typical of the Northern region, has a rich flavor and firm texture due to the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, differing from Central Vietnamese seafood which is often sweeter and larger.

Cau Vong Market

Cau Vong market is located at 99 Ly Thanh Tong street, Do Son ward, connecting the city center with tourist areas.

Cau Vong market has been newly built, larger and more robust than before. Besides goods for daily life, visitors can buy fresh seafood like squid, shrimp, clams, and crabs. Other processed marine products available include sun-dried mackerel, cobia, threadfin bream, red snapper, fish cakes, and squid cakes.

A corner of Cau Vong market. Photo: Thuan Nang

Beyond these markets, visitors can also explore Hai Son market or other local markets in residential areas of Do Son and Hai Phong city center for seafood. Le Thanh also offers a few tips:

- Visitors should buy seafood in the morning to ensure freshness, as boats typically arrive early.

- Avoid selecting overly large seafood; instead, choose medium-sized items.

- Observe vendors when weighing, as short weighing or product swapping can occur.

- Markets in Do Son offer styrofoam packaging and chilling services for customers wishing to transport seafood long distances.

- Most markets provide simple preparation services (steaming or grilling) for visitors to enjoy seafood on site.

Tam Anh