Unique Charm of Seafood Market on Cô Tô Island

Cô Tô not only captivates tourists with its natural scenery but also offers many fascinating experiences, one of which is exploring the bustling seafood market on the island.

Unique Charm of Seafood Market on Cô Tô Island

Cô Tô (also known as Chàng Sơn or Núi Chàng) is an archipelago of 50 small islands located in the eastern part of Quảng Ninh province. Despite its modest size of 46.2km², Cô Tô has numerous attractive attractions for tourists to explore, such as Cô Tô Con Island, Thanh Lân Island, lighthouses, Cầu Mỵ Rock Beach, Sư Tử Beach, and the well-known serene beaches of Hồng Vàn, Bắc Vàn, and Vàn Chảy. Alongside other famous destinations in Quảng Ninh province like Hạ Long Bay, Quan Lạn Island, Bãi Cháy Beach, and the Cat Ba Archipelago in Hải Phòng province, Cô Tô has become an ideal resort for travelers in the North.

Despite its diverse natural scenery, many tourists regretfully acknowledge that a visit to Cô Tô would be incomplete without exploring the seafood market. This place vividly reflects the richness, culture, and daily life of the island's inhabitants. The market stretches along the coastal road near the port. In addition to the main seafood products, various local products and some dried medicinal herbs from various island plants are also available.

Upon arriving at the market, visitors are immediately drawn to the colorful baskets displaying a variety of seafood. The enthusiasm and friendliness of the vendors also add to the appeal for tourists. Here, you can comfortably choose and negotiate prices without worrying about vendor complaints. Since the market opens at two specific times, 5:30 AM to 9:00 AM in the morning and after 4:00 PM in the afternoon, it is always lively and bustling with the hustle and bustle of buyers and sellers. Local residents come here to purchase groceries, while tourists visit the market to explore and choose items as souvenirs.

Island market serves as a distribution hub for many neighboring provinces, offering a variety of fresh seafood characteristic of the northern coastal region. These seafood items are caught by island fishermen during the night and delivered to local vendors in the early morning. To buy fresh seafood at reasonable prices, tourists should visit the market when boats carrying goods arrive at the port.

Mr. Thanh Long, a resident of Cô Tô Island, mentioned that seafood prices fluctuate daily. However, the goods here are guaranteed to be fresh, delicious, and more affordable compared to many nearby areas. Typically, squid ranges from 50,000 to 230,000 VND/kg depending on the type, snails are priced at 150,000 VND/kg, and crabs are 250,000 VND/kg. If tourists wish to take seafood to the mainland, sellers will pack them in insulated foam boxes with ice to ensure they remain undamaged during transportation.

After over an hour exploring Cô Tô Island market, traveler Phuong Thanh shared that the fascinating aspects of Cô Tô market cannot be fully expressed in words but must be experienced firsthand. 'This experience has brought me many joyful memories. I believe that visiting Cô Tô without exploring the seafood market is a significant omission,' she enthusiastically asserted.

By Thái An/TimeoutVietNam

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour