Must-Visit Seafood Cities in Vietnam Every Foodie Needs

Vietnam is a 3,260 km-long coastline wrapped around rice paddies and mountains, so it’s no surprise that its seafood is some of the freshest, cheapest, and most creative on the planet. Fishermen unload their catch at dawn, and by sunset you’re cracking crabs under fairy lights while waves crash ten meters away. These are the seafood cities in Vietnam you have to eat in at least once in your life.

1. Ha Long & Cat Ba Island – The Emerald Bay Feast

Ha Long Bay isn’t just about limestone peaks; it’s also oyster and geoduck heaven. Must-eat:

• Fresh oysters with chili-lime salt
• Grilled squid stuffed with pork
• Mantis shrimp grilled in garlic butter Best spots: Floating restaurants in Lan Ha Bay or Cat Ba night market (Cua Vàng Street). Pro tip: Take a day cruise that includes squid fishing at night – you eat what you catch.

2. Da Nang – Modern City, Old-School Seafood

Vietnam’s most livable city has 30 km of beach and a seafood scene that ranges from $2 street stalls to Michelin-starred oceanfront dining. Signature dishes:

• Bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo + fresh seafood
• Grilled tiger prawns with green peppercorn
• Sea urchin sautéed with butter and scallion Hot spots: My Khe Beach night market, Bà Rô seafood street, or the legendary Quán 54 (Son Tra).

3. Hoi An – Lanterns & Giant Lobster

Just 20 minutes from Da Nang but with a totally different vibe. Hoi An’s fishermen bring in monster lobsters and mantis prawns daily. Don’t miss:

• Grilled lobster with spring onion oil
• Steamed flower crab with beer
• White rose dumplings with shrimp Top places: Morning Glory dockside tables or the tiny stalls opposite An Hoi bridge.

4. Nha Trang – Russia Meets Vietnam on the Plate

Famous for diving, but the seafood markets are insane. Walk through Dam Market at 6 a.m. and point at anything that moves – they’ll cook it for $5. Specialties:

• Lobster sashimi (yes, live lobster sliced in front of you)
• Grilled scallops on the half-shell
• Sea snail salad with pineapple Best streets: Around Cho Dam or the beachfront restaurants on Tran Phu after dark.

5. Phu Quoc Island – Squid, Herring & Pepper Heaven

Vietnam’s island paradise produces the world’s best fish sauce and some of the sweetest squid on earth. Iconic dishes:

• Raw herring salad with coconut and rice paper
• Grilled Phu Quoc ridgeback squid (dried then re-grilled)
• Uni (sea urchin) straight from the shell Where: Night market on Duong Dong, Oc 29 (snail heaven), or Ra Khơi floating restaurant.

6. Vung Tau – Saigon’s Weekend Seafood Escape

Only 90 minutes from HCMC, Vung Tau feels like the French Riviera in the 1970s – with $3 grilled oysters. Must-try:

• Oysters baked with cheese and peanuts
• Steamed blood cockles with lemongrass
• King crab hotpot Top spots: Ganh Hao or the cluster of restaurants along Back Beach (Thuy Van).

7. Phan Thiet & Mui Ne – Ocean-to-Table in 30 Minutes

Famous for fish sauce, but the real magic is the beachside shacks where boats literally pull up and unload. Signature eats:

• Grilled sand clams with scallion oil
• Mackerel spring rolls
• One-sun dried squid (chewy, salty perfection) Best time: Sunset at Mui Ne fishing village when the blue boats come in.

8. Quy Nhon – The Undiscovered Gem

Still under the radar, this central coast city has zero tourists and seafood prices that make you laugh. Local legends:

• Jellyfish salad with shrimp paste
• King mackerel steamed with ginger
• Horseshoe crab grilled over coconut husks Go to: Hải Sản Bãi Xép or the morning market near Quy Nhon beach.

Quick Comparison Table

City	Price Level	Crowd Level	Signature Dish
Ha Long/Cat Ba	$$	High	Grilled mantis shrimp
Da Nang	$$	Medium	Sea urchin butter sauté
Hoi An	$$ $	High	Giant lobster with green onion
Nha Trang	$$	High	Live lobster sashimi
Phu Quoc	$$$	Medium	Raw herring salad
Vung Tau	$	Weekends	Cheese-baked oysters
Mui Ne	$	Low	One-sun dried squid
Quy Nhon	$	Very low	Jellyfish & shrimp paste salad

Pro Tips for Seafood Lovers

• Go early (5–7 p.m.) for the freshest catch
• Point and choose your own seafood – it’s weighed in front of you
• Say “nướng mỡ hành” (grilled with scallion oil) – works on everything
• Bring wet wipes – it’s messy and glorious
• Beer + seafood = national religion (order “bia hơi” or Saigon green)

Vietnam’s coastline doesn’t just look beautiful – it feeds you better than any country on earth. These eight seafood cities in Vietnam you have to eat in will ruin supermarket shrimp for you forever. One week of cracked crabs, buttery urchin, and sunset beers on the sand, and you’ll understand why locals say “ăn hải sản là phải ra biển” – to eat seafood, you must go to the sea.

Which city are you booking a flight to first? Drop your choice below – the crabs are waiting! 🦀🌊🍺