Shopping in Phu Quoc, you can easily find either local specialities or popular Vietnamese souvenirs. The most famous out of them are Phu Quoc pearl, pepper, fish sauce and rose myrtle wine.
Why Phu Quoc?
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island is bordered with white-sand beaches and with large tracts covered in tropical jungle. With gleaming sands, swaying palms, sparkling and limpid waters and glamorous coastal getaways, Phu Quoc is perfect for sunlight-seekers. Travelers can go diving and discover the reefs, kayaking in the bays, exploring the backroads on a motorbike, shopping, going for a massage or dining on fresh seafood. Despite its development, much of the island’s nature is protected and became a national park in 2001. In fact, Phu Quoc National Park covers up to 70% of the island. For its pristine charm and tranquility, Phu Quoc is certainly one of the best destinations in Vietnam.
What to shop?
In Phu Quoc you can easily find either local specialities or popular Vietnamese souvenirs. The most famous out of them are Phu Quoc pearl, pepper, fish sauce and rose myrtle wine.
Phu Quoc pearl
Phu Quoc pearl is ranked as the world’s best kind so there is no reason to miss a chance to visit some of Phu Quoc pearl farms. Pearls have been farmed and cultured in this southernmost island of Vietnam for hundreds of years. The calm waters off Phu Quoc Island are the ideal for oysters to create pearls. Modern techniques from Australia and Japan were applicated to bring out the best pearl quality. When visiting a pearl farm, tourist can observe all stages of pearl cultivating and jewelry-making, from open oyster shells, retrieve pearls to place them on valuable ornaments. Pearls from oysters and mussels have been used to create fancy rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and so on. In Phu Quoc you can find pearls in black, white, pink, yellow or be shaded with different colors.
You can easily find a shop or a pearl farm in Phu Quoc; however, be careful with the fraudsters, they may sell you fake pearls or pearls that are not from Phu Quoc with a lower price.
Phu Quoc pepper
Thanks to its favourable soil and climate conditions, Phu Quoc is the best place to grow pepper trees. Phu Quoc pepper is famous of its spice and heat with a stronger taste than other common types, especially the red pepper. Once ripe, peppercorns are collected, mostly by hand and divided into 3 kinds: black pepper, red pepper, and white pepper. Tourists in Phu Quoc are usually taken to pepper farm to overwhelmingly see rows and rows of pepper trees covering a large area, participate in the harvesting and drying process, and of course, try some pepper.
Rose myrtle products
Rose myrtle, also known as Sim in Vietnamese, is another specialty of Phu Quoc. Although the rose myrtle trees are planted in many places, rose myrtle in Phu Quoc has its own flavour. Tourists can visit rose myrtle gardens and learn about various products. They make rose myrtle wine, tea, juice, and jam. Rose myrtle is a forest plant, so it very fresh and rose myrtle fruits are nutritious. And though rose myrtle trees bear fruits throughout the year, the fruit collected during the spring crop between February and March is best for making the wine. After collected and washed, the fruit is fermented from 40 to 45 days till it turns into wine. The rose myrtle wine in Phu Quoc is considered to be a medicinal wine that is good for the digestive system and helps increase vitality.
Phu Quoc fish sauce
Phu Quoc fish sauce is not only well-known in Vietnam, but also in the world. For more than 200 years, Phu Quoc people have been making fish sauce exclusively from fresh long-jawed anchovies caught in the sea surrounding the island. Traditionally, the fish should be immediately salted after fishing to keep them fresh and free from the histamine concentration. Phu Quoc fish sauce is so rich in protein that an essential spice for many Vietnamese dishes. Travellers in Phu Quoc Island can visit factories, and buy this product as a gift for their relatives and friends.
Vietnamese popular souvenirs
In Phu Quoc tourists can also find a lot of shops with Vietnamese popular souvenirs. From non la (Vietnamese conical hat), decoration boats to fancy lacquer vases or boxes. You can also find many tea and coffee shops here with famous brands. Embroidery paintings, mosaic paintings, and other home decorations can be found around the island. You may want to bargain a bit because the souvenir shopkeepers often say prices a little higher.
Where to shop?
You can always visit the production facilities for direct purchases there or go to the local market or marts. Dong Duong Market, Co-op Mart Phu Quoc or Long Beach Center are famous places for tourists to go shopping. You can also visit villages like Long Beach village or spend some time at the Phu Quoc International Airport.
