Guide to Shopping in Mui Ne for Best Experience in Vietnam

Recently, Mui Ne Phan Thiet has gained its popularity among local and foreign visitors. Apart from amazing activities and breathtaking landscapes, it also provides an awesome shopping experience. For those who are wondering what to buy for your friends and family, let’s look at our comprehensive guide to shopping in Mui Ne Phan Thiet. This article will give you more details about what to buy and where to shop in this beautiful coastal town.

I. What to Buy in Mui Ne (Phan Thiet)?

Visiting tourists, you can buy many things as presents for your friends and families. One of the most popular items is Phan Thiet fermented fish dipping sauce, or so-called “nuoc mam”. Most local visitors choose it for their home cooking. Dried seafood is also abundant. If you are a vegetarian, don’t miss fresh fruits and vegetables in local markets.

1. Phan Thiet Fish Sauce

Mentioning Phan Thiet specialties, it would be not complete without fish sauce (aka “Nước mắm” in Vietnamese). The product is always on the top of travellers’ shopping list. Though there are many kinds of fish sauce in Vietnam, Phan Thiet fish sauce is still loved as it contains high protein and passionate flavor. It must be made from fresh anchovies that are newly caught from the sea. Fishes that are not fresh, too small or too big will be removed.

Phan Thiet fish sauce has secret recipes to create an unique flavor. Each stage requires high technical and the fish sauce’s workmanship. If you are wondering how it is made, you can head to the Ham Tien, Mui Ne, Thanh Hai, and Phu Hai wards. With a bottle of fish sauce, your meal would be more flavorful and delicious. Local people often add chilli and lime into little sauce for better taste.

Price: VND 80,000 – 180,000/litre

2. Fresh Seafood

Mui Ne is famous for its fishing villages. Coming here, tourists are sure to enjoy fresh as well as cheap sea food such as fish, snails, crabs, clams and shrimps. If you are a seafood lover, don’t forget to buy some.

Here, you can enjoy authentic local delicacies at really affordable prices.

To make it more convenient for travellers, there are both frozen and dried seafood to take away. After being caught from the sea, seafood will be frozen to keep them fresh and delicious.

3. Grilled Half Dried Cuttle Fish

The most famous and recommended specialty for eating and shopping in Mui Ne is grilled half dried cuttle fish. After catching, fishermen will bring the cuttlefish under the sun for a whole day. After that, it will be packed thoroughly and chilled carefully.

The difference between fresh squid and grilled half dried cuttle fish is that the later one has a sweeter taste while still maintaining the quality and aroma of the food. This food can be processed into many delicious dishes, including cuttle fish with grilled salt and chili.

4. Dragon Fruits

Binh Thuan province is called “Dragon fruit Kingdom” since it is the largest dragon fruit production area in the country. Thus, it is not difficult for tourists to find this fruit in Mui Ne, from the roadside vendors, to markets and fruit stalls.

There are two types of Dragon fruit to choose from, including white flesh dragon fruit and red flesh one. The former has slight sour and sweet taste while the later is cool, somehow sweeter and more expensive.

Price: VND 15,000 – 30,000/kg

5. Quai Vac Cake

Quai Vac cake is rather similar to Rice Dumpling Cake (Bánh Bột Lọc) of Hue. This dish is covered with banana leaf and contains shrimp and sometimes ground pork inside. It is served with a special spicy fish sauce. People can eat Quai vac cake alone or mix it with breads.
However, if you choose to buy this food as a gift for relatives and friends, remember to refrigerate it for one day or two to secure the best taste.

Price: VND 15,000 – 20,000/10 pcs

II. Best Shopping Places in Mui Ne Phan Thiet

1. Phan Thiet Central Market

Phan Thiet Central Market is the biggest market in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan. As it is located in the city centre, it is easy to find your way there by bus, taxi, or a motorbike. Here, you can find all kinds of stuff and specialties. Compared to other markets, this one gives you a chance to experience the daily life of local people. The busiest scene is in the morning with huge crowds gathering around the vendors for an array of meat, dried foodstuff, vegetables, fresh fruits, or household supplies. 

As the city is well known for traditional fishing villages, you will find various kinds of cheap and fresh seafood here from squids, shrimps, snails, fishes, crabs, and clams. The market is also an ideal place to taste authentic Vietnamese dishes at very low prices like mi quang (turmeric noodles), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), and banh xeo (crispy pancake). If you are looking for some souvenirs for your beloved ones, we recommend sweet coconut candies, intricate Cham textiles, and fermented fish dipping sauce. Besides, the place is an ideal place to try your bargaining skills. You even can get 75% off the retail price for some souvenir items.

2. Ham Tien Market

Opened in 2012, Ham Tien Market is a newly built market occupying a blue building along Nguyen Dinh Chieu street. In the market, locals and travelers can shop for a variety of goods without enduring bad weather. There are numerous stalls selling different kinds of products.

There are 2 floors in the building. The 1st floor is crowded with those selling seafood, butchered meat, vegetables, fruits, and dried food stuffs. On the 2nd floor of the building, you can find clothes, accessories, and handicrafts at a reasonable price. Before making your purchase, don’t forget to haggle at least 50% for a better price.

At Ham Tien market, you can pick up some nice prepared pre-packaged local desserts like sesame and banana candies, peanut brittle, coconut cakes. If you expect to enjoy various local dishes, this place may make you a little disappointed. Its options are limited to light snacks and beverages. Therefore, we highly recommend eating something before going here. 

Location: Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Ham Tien ward, Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province

Opening hours: 5:00 am – 7:30 pm

>> Check Out Our Tour for A Beach Break from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne

3. Saga Du Mekong

The shop specializes in high quality casual wear for everyone, from men, women to children. Textile products sold are designed in French style, Asian and modern cuts. In addition to clothes, consumers can also find organic soaps, accessories, along with other health supplements.

Location: 152 Huynh Thuc Khang, Mui Ne

4. Asian Living

Asian Living is a center providing tourists with silk scarves, swimwear, clothing, and high-quality accessories and jewelry. With affordable price, the store has a wide array of options for men and women in different sizes to choose from.

Location: 29A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne

Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm

5. Jibe’s

Fans of water sports can find everything related to kite surfing, windsurfing, boating,… from many famous brands like O’ Neill, Roxy, and Oxbow. Also, there is a restaurant and water sport center here.

Location: 90 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne

Opening hours: 7 am – midnight

6. Kim Shop

Kim Shop is an ideal shopping site for those who want to buy swimwear, beach clothing, street style clothes, jewelry, sunglasses and drinks. The brands available here are Roxy, Quiksilver, Bilabong, etc. with reasonable prices.

Location: 53, 121, 265 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien, Mui Ne

Opening hours: 8 am – 10:30 pm