At Da Nang’s Man Thai fishing village, the day begins long before dawn as tourists join locals at a seafood market that lasts only a few hours.
Nestled along the coastline at the foot of the Son Tra Peninsula, Man Thai fishing village, now part of Son Tra Ward in Da Nang, has become more than just a hub for local fishermen. It is increasingly attracting travelers seeking an authentic glimpse into coastal life.
Its location is one of its greatest advantages. Situated close to Da Nang’s city center, adjacent to My Khe Beach and near the lush forests of Son Tra, often referred to as the city’s “green lung,” the village offers a rare combination of nature, culture and convenience.
As one of only two historic fishing villages that still survive within the rapidly developing coastal city, Man Thai charms visitors with its peaceful scenery and enduring traditional character.
A major draw is the daily seafood market, where travelers can experience the rhythms of local life and purchase seafood directly from returning fishermen.
A market that starts before sunrise
“Anyone wanting to experience the market has to wake up at around 4am and head to the sandy beach beneath Son Tra Mountain,” said Ha Kieu Oanh, a visitor from Hanoi. “Even before sunrise, the area is already bustling with activity as fishermen unload freshly caught seafood and local traders begin buying and selling.”
Although Oanh has visited Da Nang several times, she only recently learned about Man Thai fishing village and decided it would be an essential stop during her family’s latest extended holiday.
“We originally planned to stay in Da Nang for five days but ended up extending the trip after discovering Man Thai,” she said. “To experience the market, the whole family woke up at 4am and drove about 2km from our accommodation. The village is close to the city center, so getting there was quick and easy.”
Arriving while the sky was still dark, the family found a lively atmosphere filled with conversation, laughter and constant movement.
Fishing boats returned one after another to shore as fishermen unloaded baskets of seafood. Nearby, local residents and traders quickly negotiated purchases and selected the freshest catches.
The market typically begins around 4am and lasts only until shortly after sunrise.
Ha Kieu Oanh visits the seafood market at Man Thai fishing village before sunrise.Oanh’s family traveled to Da Nang for an extended holiday in late May 2026.
Oanh’s youngest daughter enjoys the sunrise at Man Thai fishing village.
Fresh catches and local hospitality
Oanh said she was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the vendors and the transparency of prices.
“There was no sign of overcharging. Everyone was welcoming and helpful, and visitors could comfortably choose whatever seafood they liked,” she said. “It was exciting to hold live squid and watch fish still jumping in the baskets. It was my first time experiencing something like that.”
After exploring the market and examining the wide variety of seafood on display, the family purchased several of their favorite items, including crab, squid, tiger prawns, round scad and rabbitfish.
“The seafood looked incredibly fresh and the prices were very reasonable,” Oanh said.
She paid VND440,000 ($16.90) per kilogram for crab, VND450,000 ($17.30) for squid, VND100,000 ($3.85) for round scad, VND650,000 ($25) for tiger prawns and VND180,000 ($6.90) for rabbitfish.
In total, the family spent around VND2.5 million ($96) during their morning visit.
Bringing the catch back to the kitchen
Fresh seafood is displayed in baskets and trays throughout the market.Visitors can personally select seafood directly from local fishermen and vendors.
Oanh’s husband and daughter carry fresh seafood purchased from the market back to their accommodation.
Because the family was staying in a serviced apartment equipped with a full kitchen, Oanh was able to prepare the seafood herself.
She opted for simple steaming and boiling methods to preserve the natural flavors and freshness of the ingredients.
“Fresh seafood tastes so much better when it’s simply steamed,” she said. “There are five people in my family and we still haven’t finished everything we bought.”
For Oanh, the visit offered much more than a seafood shopping trip.
“Being able to wake up early, visit the market and enjoy seafood the way local people do made this vacation far more meaningful,” she said. “We’ve been coming to Da Nang every year for the past four years, and after this experience, we already know we’ll be back again.”
Vietnamnet.vn
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