We don't really think you've come to Phu Quoc for the shopping, but you may want to dawdle through one of the local village markets and pick up some genuine fish sauce (or "nuoc mam" in Vietnamese). Producing fish sauce is one of the main industries of the island, and it is possible to take a tour of one of the factories.
This Phu Quoc Shopping Guide gives a bit of background about how best to go shopping on the island, as well as giving some background about Phu Quoc's most famous product: fish sauce. General shopping information within Vietnam can be found by visiting our Vietnam Shopping Guide. If purchasing some fish sauce inspires you to try it yourself, take a look at our Phu Quoc Restaurant Guide for tips on where best to go for a meal.
Phu Quoc Shopping Guide
The best places to go shopping are those shops and markets that don't cater specifically to tourists. The tourist shopping area is very busy on Saturday afternoons, as this is when the Star Cruise day-trippers arrive, disgorging their thousands of passengers on Duong Dong pier, who then proceed to Duong Dong market and Saigon Phu Quoc Resort for shopping. As such, it is best to avoid shopping at these times. There are also currently plans underway at the Saigon Phu Quoc Resort to build a supermarket.
Many of the items that can be found throughout Vietnam are also on sale in Phu Quoc, however there is one specific item that the island is famous for, and that is its "nuoc mam", or fish sauce.
This is a condiment made by allowing fish to ferment. FIsh sauce is popular in many South East Asian cuisines, as it adds a distinct saltiness to dishes. Vietnam is considered to make the best fish sauce, and Phu Quoc is considered the to be Vietnam's fish sauce capital.
The reason for this is that the waters surrounding Phu Quoc are teeming with anchovies, the best choice for making the sauce. Sales of the pungent condiment are mostly to consumers within the domestic market, but it can sometimes be found in shops and restaurants as far away as the USA, France and Canada.
The best option is to ask at your hotel for the locations of the best fish sauce factories. You can quite easily visit the factories to witness how "nuoc mam" is made and, afterwards, you can buy a bottle of "nuoc mam" at the factory.
If you plan on taking it on a flight, whether domestic or international, request that they wrap it tightly at the factory when you purchase it, as Vietnam Airlines may not allow you to bring it on board otherwise!
