Ham Ninh fishing village is currently one of the top tourist attractions in Phu Quoc with its simple yet extremely captivating beauty. When visiting Ham Ninh, tourists will immerse themselves in the pristine natural scenery, admire and experience the beauty of the villagers’ labor, and also enjoy the seafood specialties at very affordable prices. Follow Ula Travel to explore Ham Ninh fishing village and gain useful travel experiences for yourself right now.
I. Introduction to Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Ham Ninh fishing village is an ancient village located on the eastern side of Phu Quoc Island, surrounded by the sea and mountains. From Ham Ninh Fishing Village, you can see the Pirate Islands, Hon Nghe, and Ong Doi Cape.
The village dates back to the reign of King Minh Mang and was once a remote place in Ha Tien province. After being settled by fishermen for livelihoods and enduring the ups and downs of history to this day, Ham Ninh fishing village officially belongs to Ham Ninh commune, Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province.
Ham Ninh fishing village is known as the main seafood supplier for Phu Quoc Island and distributes to neighboring provinces. The villagers mainly reside along the banks of Ham Stream, making a living by fishing and pearl farming.
Tourists also come to the fishing village for its simple yet stunning natural scenery, especially during the radiant sunset when the sky reflects in the water, resembling a beautiful painting.
Moreover, Ham Ninh fishing village also attracts tourists with its clean beaches, fresh seafood, especially the famous dish “Ghe Ham Ninh” (Ham Ninh crab), and the opportunity to witness the crafting of jewelry from pearls.
Over time, the landscape and way of life in Ham Ninh Fishing Village still retain their original simplicity, away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas, making it an ideal place for souls seeking tranquility to soothe the worries of life.
II. Where is Ham Ninh Fishing Village?
Ham Ninh Fishing Village is located on the eastern coast of the island, within the administrative area of Ham Ninh commune. Behind it are the lush mountains, while in front stretches the vast ocean. Despite being several hundred meters from the shore, the Ham Ninh Sea still remains shallow.
During low tide, the expansive sandy beach stretches far out. As the tide rises, the beach floods, reaching into the nearby forests. Standing on Ham Ninh Beach, one can see the Pirate Islands in the distance. To the southeast, the faint silhouette of Hon Nghe can be seen on the azure waters. To the south lies Ong Doi Cape, the island’s ultimate landmass.
III. How to Get to Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Getting to Ham Ninh Fishing Village From Duong Dong town, traveling to Ham Ninh Fishing Village in Phu Quoc is only about 14km to the east. Most tourists opt for motorbikes or taxis to reach this tourist destination.
For first-time visitors to the “pearl island,” there might be some confusion, but with a smartphone in hand, using Google Maps or a tourist map can facilitate your journey.
From Duong Dong town, start from the town center, then head south on TL47 towards the southern part of the island, then turn east towards Ham Ninh Fishing Village. Tourists should pay attention to following the direction towards Phu Quoc Airport (eastward) to avoid taking the wrong turn at intersections.
From Ha Tien, tourists can take a high-speed ferry to reach the port near Ham Ninh Fishing Village. For those departing from Rach Gia, high-speed ferries to Bai Vong are available. This location is only 4km from Ham Ninh ancient fishing village, so you can continue your journey by motorbike taxi or taxi.
IV. Best Time to Visit Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Phu Quoc Island has long been famous for its mesmerizing natural scenery, with lush tropical forests and a pleasant, harmonious climate throughout the year. Furthermore, the bustling and cheerful life in the simple fishing villages along the coast provides tourists with deeply profound and impressive experiences.
According to the experience of many tourists, the most suitable time to visit is in the early mornings or late afternoons. This way, you’ll have more time and opportunities to admire the sunrise and sunset over the East Sea, along with the stunning, mysterious picture of the ancient fishing village illuminated by the sunlight.
On the other hand, Ham Ninh Fishing Village operates year-round, so you can visit at any time. However, to fully explore the fishing village, it’s best to visit between October and March, corresponding to the dry season, cool temperatures, beautiful sunshine, and the fishing season of the islanders.
Tourists can also visit the island during the dry season months or the end of the year, nearing Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the holiday season.
Especially, it’s important to avoid traveling to Phu Quoc’s fishing villages during the rainy season or stormy days, from July to August every year. This is also the time when strong storms frequently occur in the East Sea.
V. What to Do in Ham Ninh Fishing Village
1. Witnessing Sunrise and Sunset at the Fishing Village
Being dubbed the paradise of Phu Quoc Island, where you can witness the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, will surely provide you with a serene space and a stunning natural picture when the evening falls and the sun rises.
Standing before this magnificent beauty, tourists can feel the comfort and relaxation, as well as capture some “cool” check-in photos with family and friends.
2. Experience Being a Real Fisherman
Visiting Ham Ninh Fishing Village without experiencing a day as a fisherman would be a missed opportunity. With the experience of many travelers, you can contact the locals or boat owners here to schedule a trip out to sea with them. Joining fishing activities, especially night squid fishing on small boats swaying on the sea, will surely bring you many fascinating memories.
3. Visit the Bustling Ham Ninh Market
Being a fishing village, a seafood market with various types of fish, shrimp, abalone, squid, etc., is indispensable. At Ham Ninh Market, tourists will not be disappointed with the freshness of the seafood.
As soon as the boats dock, fishermen immediately distribute the catch, so the prices are very reasonable. Tourists can choose to have the vendors cook right on the spot for a delicious feast.
4. Enjoy Ham Ninh Crab
Skipping the opportunity to taste seafood would be the biggest regret when visiting Ham Ninh Fishing Village, especially the famous Ham Ninh crab dish.
These fresh and delicious abalones are prepared into various dishes, giving you a wonderful taste experience when visiting this beautiful “pearl island.” Moreover, this seafood dish has a reasonable price, suitable for various types of customers.
5. Explore and Learn about Pearl-Farming Areas
If you have a strong passion for handicrafts and jewelry, experiencing pearl farming in Phu Quoc Fishing Village will bring many interesting moments for tourists. When you come here, you can choose from a variety of pearls with different sizes and colors to make gifts for your loved ones.
6. Check-in at the Wooden Bridge
This is one of the symbols of the fishing village that tourists must visit when exploring Ham Ninh Fishing Village. After admiring the beauty of the paradise island here, you can take pictures of the magnificent scenery, embracing the romantic sea along with the ideal wooden bridge.
7. Experience Snorkeling to Admire Coral Reefs
For those who love coral reefs and the familiar beauty of the sea, coming here, you can freely admire the coral reefs under the clear water. The experience of snorkeling is always attractive, especially for adventurous souls who love to explore nature.
8. Fishing on the Sea
Fishing on the shore is already attractive, but when you come to Ham Ninh Fishing Village, you will experience the special feeling of sitting on a boat swaying, making fishing much more interesting. This is an entertainment activity that many people choose when visiting Ham Ninh Fishing Village.
9. Swimming and SUP Paddling
Try swimming at Ham Ninh Beach once, and you will feel the clear difference compared to other beaches. The investment in tourism exploitation in Ham Ninh is still minimal, so this land still retains the pristine beauty bestowed by Mother Nature.
The sea in Ham Ninh is cool and crystal clear to the extent that you can see through to the bottom. This experience will make your trip truly relaxing with the clean blue sea.
And if you still don’t know what to do in Ham Ninh Phu Quoc, then try the extremely interesting SUP paddling sport. Paddling amidst the cool blue water of Ham Ninh will surely not disappoint you!
VI. Suggested Restaurants in Ham Ninh fishing Village
Here are some renowned restaurants in Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc:
1. Song Le Restaurant, Seafood Floating Village
Address: Group 3, Bao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m.–10 p.m.
Song Le Restaurant specializes in serving fresh and delicious seafood dishes for families at affordable prices. Most seafood is prepared into various dishes, offering you many interesting culinary experiences. This is also a place that serves group meals, making it convenient for large groups.
2. Hanh Nhung Restaurant
Address: Provincial Road 47, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
One of the must-visit restaurants in Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc, is Hanh Nhung Restaurant. Most seafood here is directly sourced from fishing villages, ensuring freshness and nutrition.
Additionally, the restaurant’s space is beautiful and cool, with elegant and courteous service. Some famous dishes that tourists particularly love here include fried abalone rice, abalone salad, sashimi snails, giant prawns, and fried garlic scallops.
3. Kim Cuong Restaurant
Address: Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Rạch Hàm Hamlet, Ham Ninh, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
This is one of the famous restaurants that has been operating for over 20 years in Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc. The restaurant’s space is designed to be cool, with a refreshing sea view. Moreover, the menu here is very diverse with affordable prices, which is what attracts tourists when visiting this place.
4. Blue Sea Restaurant
Address: Provincial Road 47, Ham Ninh, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
If you want to find a dining place where you can fully admire the beauty of Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc, Blue Sea Restaurant is the most suitable choice. The restaurant has a view facing Ham Ninh Fishing Village.
Additionally, the seafood here is extremely delicious. The restaurant’s spacious and elegant design helps tourists feel most comfortable during their meal. One of the dishes you should not miss when coming to Blue Sea Restaurant is Ham Ninh abalone.
5. Nha Be Tu Thang Restaurant
Address: Tau Bridge, Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Opening hours: All day
For seafood enthusiasts, Nha Be Tu Thang is the ideal stop in Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc. The famous dish that makes the brand of this restaurant is fried garlic giant prawns. Additionally, many other diverse seafood dishes are also prepared on-site, are fresh, and are sold at affordable prices.
VII. Travel Tips When Visiting Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Below are travel tips for you to have a perfect trip:
- When enjoying fresh seafood at the floating restaurants, pay close attention to the cooking process, as if you’re unlucky to choose a deceitful place, they might secretly swap the seafood you’ve chosen with lower-quality ones.
- Exercise caution when buying seafood here, as some places engage in deceiving tourists by quoting one price and charging another.
- If you’re on a tour to Phu Quoc or have hired a guide for your trip, ask the guides to recommend good and affordable eateries, which surely won’t disappoint you.
- Bring along stomach aches, headaches, motion sickness, and allergy medications to prevent situations where you might have allergic reactions to seafood or stomachaches from poorly cooked food. Additionally, you might experience motion sickness while participating in fishing activities or catching seafood at sea.
- Pay attention to the weather before visiting Ham Ninh fishing village in Phu Quoc. If it’s heavy rain and there are rough seas, consider postponing your trip to ensure safety.
- It’s best to visit the fishing village from November to April, when the weather is dry with less rain and mild temperatures.
- Visit the fishing village in the early morning or late afternoon to admire the sunrise or sunset over the sea, as well as to enjoy fresh and cheaper seafood during these hours.
- Rent a motorbike or take a taxi to get to the fishing village from the center of Duong Dong. It’s only about 14 kilometers to the east. You can take the DT45 highway, turn left onto DT47, pass through the Cua Lap Suoi May area to the TL48 highway, then turn right to reach Ham Ninh fishing village.
- Dine at seaside restaurants, eateries, or local markets such as Duong Dong market and An Thoi market to enjoy delicious specialties of Phu Quoc, such as seafood, herring salad, rice noodle soup, stir-fried noodles, etc. The prices of these dishes are quite reasonable, ranging from 30,000 to 200,000 VND per dish.
In conclusion, Ham Ninh Fishing Village offers a glimpse into the authentic life of Vietnamese fishermen and the timeless beauty of Phu Quoc’s coastal scenery. From savoring fresh seafood to witnessing breathtaking sunrises, a visit to this traditional village provides an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape or a deeper cultural connection, Ham Ninh is a must-visit destination that captures the essence of Vietnam’s rich heritage.
Hopefully, the useful information provided in this article about Ham Ninh fishing village can help you plan your perfect trip to Phu Quoc. It promises to be an ideal destination for those who love the simple beauty of coastal areas and delicious fresh seafood. Don’t miss the chance to explore this charming spot on your journey through Phu Quoc.
