Buying seafood at traditional markets is always the most economical option compared to restaurants, especially if you are staying at a homestay with a communal kitchen. However, large tourist markets like Dam Market or Xom Moi Market in Nha Trang, or Dam Nai Market in Phan Rang, can sometimes leave visitors bewildered by the maze of prices and experienced vendors.
The golden hour and the art of observation
The first rule to buying seafood that is both cheap and fresh is to go at the right time. For wholesale markets or those near the docks, the best time is between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM, when fishing boats have just arrived. At this time, shrimp and squid are still swimming in water, and the price has not yet been inflated by multiple intermediaries. If you go to the market after 8:00 AM, the seafood is mostly second-rate or has been on ice for a long time; the price might be lower, but the quality will have clearly decreased.
When entering the market, do not rush to buy from the first stalls located right at the main entrance. Venture deep into the inner area, where local women are sorting through small batches of fish. Observe which stalls are crowded with locals and head there. Asking for the price also requires a bit of tact; instead of asking, "How much is this per kilo?" in a touristy tone, observe how the person next to you bargains or ask briefly, "How much for this squid that came in this morning, ma'am?"
Checking scales and packing costs
A small trick that sometimes still happens in tourist markets is short-weighting. To prevent this, after making your purchase, you can take your bags to the "reference scales" placed by the market management board in the main aisles to verify the actual weight.
If you need to pack your seafood in a foam box to take to the airport as a gift, ask clearly about the all-inclusive cost, which should cover the foam box, dry ice for preservation, and the labor for sealing. This fee usually ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 VND depending on the size of the box. Ensure that the vendor packs it very carefully and wraps it in multiple layers of tape so that the melted ice does not leak, as airlines at Cam Ranh airport have very strict regulations regarding carry-on or checked baggage with strong odors.
Quick Checklist
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Set an alarm to go to the market at dawn to snag the freshest, first-caught seafood.
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Move deep into the inner rows of the market to find better original prices.
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Use the market management's reference scale system if you have any doubts about the weight of your goods.
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Clearly agree on the cost of the foam box and ice before asking the seller to pack it for you to take home.
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Absolutely do not buy too much fresh seafood if you still have a long travel schedule for the day.
