Ham Ninh fishing village is like a peaceful, hidden gem on the beautiful Phu Quoc Island located next to the sea with poetic, charming scenery, where time seems to slow down. Located on the east coast of the island, Ham Ninh has the beauty of a rustic, simple, and somewhat resilient girl of the sea. From afar, visitors can see wooden houses built close together, and nearby are fishing boats of fishermen, a simple and rustic beauty of the local people.
Introduction Ham Ninh fishing town
Ham Ninh fishing village, Phu Quoc, is an ideal destination for tourists to enjoy wild beauty and fresh seafood. Located in the East of Phu Quoc island, where visitors can watch the beautiful sunrise with the blue seawater. Ham Ninh fishing town is renowned for its skilled seafood fishing profession, a lovely tradition that has been preserved for many decades.
Ham Ninh town is about 15km from the center of the island (or Dong Duong town), and the distance is not too far. On the way to Ham Ninh fishing town, you will see the surrounding scenery gradually becoming more straightforward and somewhat simple, decorated with wooden stilt houses and colorful handmade fishing boats. The people of Ham Ninh town are friendly, with a strong connection to the sea, which is an indispensable part of their lives.
Different from the bustling city, Ham Ninh town has the beauty of a girl of the sea, gentle, quiet, and a bit rustic, mixed with mischief. Every day, a beautiful sunrise welcomes visitors, who can capture these vivid moments with a camera. Ham Ninh town promises to be one of the most interesting trips when visitors set foot on Phu Quoc island.
History and origin of Ham Ninh fishing town
Ham Ninh fishing village was formed hundreds of years ago. People realized the island’s development potential with fertile land suitable for farming and abundant marine resources. The first town was located at the foot of Ham Ninh mountain, a fertile land surrounded by lush green forests and clear blue seawater.
Fishing and seafood trading have become the main source of income for Ham Ninh people, helping to significantly improve their lives. Over time, people realized the increasing demand for fresh seafood, so they began to build Phu Quoc’s main fishing port to facilitate trade and commerce with neighboring areas and the mainland. To this day, technology has developed and been applied a lot to the seafood sector, but Ham Ninh fishing village still retains its rustic and simple beauty.
Vietnamese people often pass on their skills to their children through family traditions, such as using sailboats and acquiring the necessary skills for fishing and processing raw materials. Phu Quoc fish sauce, in particular, with its rich, delicious flavor, is indispensable in every Vietnamese meal.
The architecture of ham ninh fishing town is closely linked to the sea, so they often choose to build houses on the sea for the convenience of fishing and keeping boats. The houses are made of wood, which is waterproof and durable even when the tide is low and high. The houses here are often simple and built on shallow water. Every afternoon, boats usually row home and tie up near their houses.
In recent years, Ham Ninh’s discovery tourism has experienced a resurgence. People are drawn to exploring lands with rustic, simple towns, where they can come into contact with different cultures and identities. Ham Ninh always possesses poetic beauty. In the afternoon, the sunset shines on the village, becoming even warmer and more romantic. The people here are also very friendly, leading visitors around the town to explore and taking them to the sea to see the immense ocean.
Top things to do in Ham Ninh fishing town
This small fishing village of Ham Ninh offers visitors a diverse range of experiences, particularly in its daily life, which showcases the fishermen’s work and the food processing that has become a hallmark of the local culture. Here are some things you should do when coming to Ham Ninh fishing village:
Watch the sunrise on the pier
When talking about Ham Ninh, people immediately think of the beautiful sunrise. As the sun’s rays begin to appear, we can see the horizon, with the calm sea welcoming the rising sun, shining in a brilliant orange-pink color. Near the coast, long wooden piers begin to prepare for a new fishing trip. Now is the perfect time to capture photos and witness this magical moment. The early morning here is greeted by the chirping of seabirds, signaling the gradual fall of night, as fishermen prepare their boats and the whole village gradually wakes up.
Explore the local market
For visitors looking to enjoy local specialties, a small but bustling market is located right in the center of Ham Ninh. The market opens early in the morning, usually around 5 am (because the locals here have the habit of waking up very early), with stalls selling fresh seafood, fish, shellfish, squid, and Phu Quoc specialties. This place is known as a seafood paradise; the ingredients are fresh and processed immediately after being caught, so that visitors can feel the full delicious taste.
Stroll on Cau Go
Visiting the long wooden bridge stretching out to the sea is an enjoyable experience. Cau Go is a beautiful place for visitors to watch fishing boats returning from the sea or admire the panoramic view of Ham Ninh Bay. Later in the afternoon, the bridge becomes special because the wooden bridge is dyed in sunset colors, picturesquely blending into the orange sky and poetic blue water.
Visit Ham Ninh mountain
Adventure and fun are two perfect phrases to describe Ham Ninh Mountain. Visitors can take a short hike up Ham Ninh Mountain right behind the village. Interestingly, visitors on this road can have a panoramic view of the coast and nearby islands (the scenery is stunning at this time, and remember to save these moments). On clear days, the Cambodian coast is clearly visible in the distance. This is one of the rare locations where Vietnam shares a border with a neighboring country and boasts beautiful scenery.
Experience the local lifestyle
When visiting a new land, visitors cannot fully appreciate the beauty and culture of the place. Understanding that, ham ninh fishing town allows visitors to do their daily work, chat about life at sea, and take a short boat ride. It is one of the ways for you to understand more deeply about their traditions, endurance, and inventions about food here, from which you know the respect of the Ham Ninh people for the ocean that has fed countless households.
Seafood experience in Ham Ninh
One of the attractions for tourists to Ham Ninh fishing village is the diverse and fresh seafood. Thanks to its geographical location and good fishing methods, this place has become the best source of seafood in Phu Quoc.
Ham Ninh crab – Local legend
When mentioning Ham Ninh, people must enjoy Ham Ninh crab, the most famous specialty here. Although Ham Ninh is smaller in size than sea crab, it is sweeter, richer in flavor, and firmer. Ham Ninh people often steam crabs and dip them in a special sauce here. In addition, visitors should also try the tamarind crab dish, which is extremely delicious and loved by many Vietnamese people.
Sea urchin and fresh squid
Fishermen often catch squid at night to make dinner for their families. Visitors can also join in night squid fishing with skilled fishermen. Then, grill the squid together on the boat, enjoying the delicious flavor and watching the beautiful night sky. In addition, visitors should enjoy sea urchins and another specialty, often grilled with quail eggs or scallion oil, which is both sweet and slightly fatty.
Phu Quoc fish sauce and dried seafood
A trip to ham ninh fishing town without enjoying Phu Quoc fish sauce is a big mistake. Phu Quoc fish sauce, a specialty recognized by UNESCO, boasts a rich, fragrant flavor that is primarily made from anchovies aged in wooden barrels. At the same time, you will also easily find a variety of dried seafood—from fish, squid, and shrimp to seahorses and sea cucumbers—this is the perfect gift for relatives.
Dining by the sea with a beautiful view
Phu Quoc has many beautiful beaches, so many restaurants take advantage of the rich natural beauty here. Some restaurants have started to build on the shore or on boats to serve tourists and enjoy the trip to the fullest. Visitors can have dinner here at sunset and watch the fishing boats rowing home; the scene is both poetic and extremely rustic.
Souvenirs and local products to bring home
In addition to the seafood specialties of Ham Ninh fishing village, visitors can shop for unique local products that are only available in Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc pearls
Phu Quoc is famous for its large-scale pearl farms and supplies many reputable stores. If you want to buy cheap, handmade pearl products, you should visit the jewelry stores in Ham Ninh. Some large farms also open tours for tourists to visit and see the cultivation process, and make their own pearl souvenirs.
Dried seafood and spices
Phu Quoc, in general, has an abundant source of seafood, and above all, they also process dried dishes such as dried anchovies, shrimp, and squid that are very light, easy to pack, keep for a long time, and easy to carry. In addition, Phu Quoc pepper—another treasure of the island—is famous for its aroma and mild spicy taste, and is very good for treating the flu. These are perfect gifts for loved ones, especially those who love cooking.
Handicraft souvenirs
People use shells to make decorations, jewelry accessories, or woven baskets from coconut wood. Each item contains the passion and story of the local people, and this is also a typical cultural feature of the people of the sea.
Sim Phu Quoc wine
Each province in Vietnam will have a number of different types of wine made from the fruits of that region. Phu Quoc is famous for wines made from local sim fruit (sim flower), with a sweet but slightly sour taste. If you are a wine lover, you should enjoy this wine with the delicious specialties here.
Nearby attractions to combine in one trip
In addition to Ham Ninh fishing village, visitors should also visit other ideal locations nearby, contributing to completing their Phu Quoc adventure.
Suoi Tranh
Located only about 10 minutes away by car, Suoi Tranh is blessed by nature with lush green trees. In late summer and early autumn, you can admire the clear blue water and the sound of the stream flowing, creating beautiful small waterfalls, suitable for camping or walking around the stream.
Bai Sao
It is not an exaggeration that Vietnamese people nickname Bai Sao as one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Bai Sao is only about a 20-minute drive from Ham Ninh. Coming here, visitors can immerse themselves in the turquoise blue seawater and smooth white sand, suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and playing sea sports.
The beach paradise is known as Bai Sao Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc national park
Phu Quoc Island also preserves rare animals listed in the Red Book. This place has enough conditions for them to continue to develop and survive, so the people here especially protect them and do not hunt them indiscriminately. If you walk around Phu Quoc National Park, you will admire rare wild animals and spectacular scenic spots.
Admire the majesty and precious animals at Phu Quoc National Park
Fish sauce factory
Foreign tourists love Vietnamese fish sauce, if you visit the nearby fish sauce-making sites. You will be surprised by the extremely elaborate fish sauce-making process of the local people. For that reason, every year, many foreign tourists come here to buy fish sauce as gifts for relatives, as well as to enjoy this delicious and unique flavor.
Duong Dong town and night market
During the journey to visit and admire the beautiful scenery on Phu Quoc Island, do not forget to stop by Duong Dong Night Market to enjoy street food, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the locality.
Ham ninh fishing town is a scenic spot that still preserves the identity, culture, and history of Phu Quoc. Starting from a poor, simple fishing village with few people living in it until today, it has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations on Phu Quoc Island. Ham Ninh is the true heart of the island.
Whether you are a seafood lover or simply come here to admire the peaceful, poetic scenery or explore a new land, Ham Ninh always welcomes you with a cool sea breeze, along with unique cultural features that only exist here, promising to be a destination that will never disappoint you.
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