Top 9 Must-Try Vietnam’s Seafood Specialties

Vietnam, with its coastline stretching over 3,000 km, proudly boasts a rich and diverse seafood cuisine. From fresh seafood to uniquely processed specialties, each coastal region offers its own distinctive and enticing flavors, attracting tourists and making Vietnam's seafood specialties meaningful gifts for loved ones.

Join CHUS on a journey from the fishing villages of the North, through the sunny and windy beaches of Central Vietnam, to the abundant lands of the South to answer the question "what to buy at the beach as gifts for loved ones."

Collection of attractive Vietnam's seafood specialties that can be given as gifts from the three regions: North - Central - South

Northern Seafood Specialties - When the Northeast Wind Brings the Salty Taste of the Sea

Ha Long Squid Cakes - The Culinary Essence of Quang Ninh

When you set foot in Ha Long Bay, don't forget to bring back the famous squid cakes. People in Quang Ninh often joke: "Coming to Ha Long without buying squid cakes is like never having been there."

The squid cakes here are made from the freshest squid, manually pounded and seasoned with special spices. When you bite into a cake that's both chewy and crispy, you'll taste the natural sweetness of squid blending with subtle aromas.

Ha Long squid cakes, golden brown and fragrant - The essence of Northern seafood cuisine (Source: Internet)

Quan Lan Sea Worms - Treasures from the Sand

Have you heard about the "black gold of the sea"? Sea worms are rare marine worms that fishermen in Quan Lan (Quang Ninh) harvest using traditional methods. This Vietnam's seafood specialty is typically dried and used to make broth, creating a natural sweetness for dishes like pho and soups.

Whenever you taste food cooked with this delicious dried seafood, you'll forever remember its distinctive flavor that can't be found anywhere else.

Quan Lan sea worms - 'black gold' of the sea, a spice that creates sweetness in dishes (Source: Internet)

Cat Ba Geoduck - The Island's Specialty

When visiting Cat Ba, you can't miss the geoduck - a unique mollusk shaped like an elephant's trunk. This coastal specialty gift can be prepared in many appealing ways, with ginger-steamed geoduck being the most notable.

Locals typically select live geoducks with firm meat to ensure quality. The clean, sweet flavor of geoduck will be a meaningful gift you can bring back for your loved ones.

Fresh Cat Ba geoduck - The 'elephant trunk' seafood specialty hunted as a sea gift (Source: Internet)

Central Vietnam Seafood Specialties - A Blend of Sun and Wind

Phu Yen Ocean Tuna - The King of the Sea

In Phu Yen, ocean tuna is considered a treasure of this coastal region. At dawn, you'll witness the bustling scene at Tuy Hoa fishing port, where giant tuna are brought ashore.

Ocean tuna meat is bright red with firm texture and is especially nutritious. Locals often prepare dishes like tuna salad and grilled tuna, each with its own unique and unmistakable flavor.

Phu Yen ocean tuna with bright red, firm meat - A famous coastal regional specialty (Source: Internet)

Tuna Eyes - An Unusual Gift from the Sea

Did you know that tuna eyes are a rare delicacy? The eyes of these giant tuna are carefully preserved by Phu Yen fishermen and prepared as a nutritious Chinese medicine stew.

When savoring this Vietnam's seafood specialty, you'll experience a rich sweetness combined with the aroma of various medicinal herbs. This is both a unique and nutritious coastal specialty gift that you can bring back for your family.

Tuna eyes - A rare and nutritious gift from the Phu Yen sea (Source: Internet)

Vung Ang Jumping Squid - Experience the Freshness

In Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), you'll enjoy a unique culinary experience with jumping squid - squid so fresh they "jump" when they touch lemon. This is not just a dish but also an interesting performance.

Jumping squid is usually prepared simply to preserve its natural sweetness. Dried Vung Ang squid is also an ideal Vietnam's seafood specialty gift you can bring back, with its beautiful golden color and unforgettable rich flavor.

Fresh Vung Ang jumping squid - A unique culinary experience from Central Vietnam's sea (Source: Internet)

Southern Vietnam Seafood Specialties - The Open-Minded Flavors of the South

Phu Quoc Fish Sauce - The Essence of Vietnamese Culinary Culture

When visiting Phu Quoc, you can't leave without a bottle of its famous fish sauce. Phu Quoc fish sauce is made from fresh anchovies, fermented in wooden barrels using traditional methods.

High protein content (30 degrees or higher) and a reddish-brown color are characteristics of quality Phu Quoc fish sauce. The special aroma and rich taste of Phu Quoc fish sauce will be a unique Vietnam's seafood specialty gift that will enrich your family meals.

Traditional Phu Quoc fish sauce - Vietnamese culinary essence in a bottle (Source: Internet)

Ca Mau Dried Shrimp - The Essence of the Delta

Ca Mau dried shrimp is a simple but meaningful gift from the southernmost region of Vietnam. Dried under natural sunlight, these shrimp retain their sweet taste and distinctive aroma.

When buying dried shrimp as a gift, you should choose those with an even red-orange color, thick bodies, and no moisture or mold. This gift can be prepared in many delicious dishes such as stir-fried with morning glory, sour soup, or as filling for Vietnamese pancakes.

Ca Mau dried shrimp, golden and evenly plump - A simple gift full of sea flavors (Source: Internet)

Phu Quoc Herring Salad - The Culinary Essence of the Pearl Island

Phu Quoc herring salad is a Vietnam's seafood specialty from the pearl island, prepared from fresh herring combined with distinctive aromatic herbs. The mix of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors creates an unforgettable special dish.

Dried herring is also a great gift you can bring back, with its rich flavor and versatile cooking methods. A box of Phu Quoc dried herring will give the recipient a unique culinary experience from the island sea.

Fresh Phu Quoc herring salad - The distinctive unforgettable flavor of the pearl island (Source: Internet)

Tips for Choosing Vietnam's Seafood Specialties as Gifts

Choose Specialties by Region

Each coastal area has its own specialties, so you should buy Vietnam's seafood specialties typical of the region you're visiting. For example, in Quang Ninh, buy Ha Long squid cakes; in Phu Quoc, don't forget to buy fish sauce.

Before buying, you should thoroughly research the product's characteristics to avoid purchasing fake or low-quality goods.

Buying specialties from reputable addresses helps ensure quality and clear origin (Source: Internet)

Buy Specialties from Reputable Addresses

To ensure quality, you should buy Vietnam's seafood specialties from reputable stores or famous local markets. Don't hesitate to ask locals about quality specialty stores.

Branded stores with good ratings on online platforms are also reliable choices.

Properly Store and Transport Specialties

For delicious dried seafood, you need to store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight. For fresh seafood, careful packaging and using thermal bags or ice boxes is necessary.

Especially with fish sauce and shrimp paste, you should ensure tight caps and wrap an additional layer of plastic to prevent leakage during transport.

Proper storage helps seafood specialties retain their flavor when given as gifts

Suggestions for Buying Seafood Specialties at Chus.vn - Diverse and Quality

If you don't have time to travel to buy Vietnam's seafood specialties as gifts, check out some suggestions at CHUS

“An Lành” Gift Set 2 (Dried Greasyback Shrimp, Pickled Small Leeks, Prawn Crackers), Vietnamese Specialty Gift, Meaningful Tet Gift Box, Corporate Gift

751,200 ₫

Set of 2 40N Red Labeled First Press Fish Sauce Bottles

330,000 ₫

Ca Mau Dried Squid (Small Size)

571,000 ₫

Fermented Sour Shrimp, Vietnamese Specialty, Traditional Holiday Dish, Dipping Sauce For Boiled Meat

214,000 ₫

Set of 2 42N Tin First Press Fish Sauce, 500ml Glass Bottles

190,000 ₫

Premium Dried Greasyback Shrimp, Ca Mau Dried Shrimp

485,000 ₫

Ca Mau Dried Squid (Big Size)

482,000 ₫

Dried Gourami, Ca Mau Dried Fish

146,000 ₫

Conclusion

Famous coastal specialties are not only culinary treasures but also meaningful gifts, expressing affection and appreciation for the recipient.

We hope the information about Vietnam's seafood specialties as gifts has given you more interesting suggestions to answer the question "what to buy at the beach" for family and friends. Discover more useful information and buy Vietnamese souvenirs at CHUS.