A trip to Con Dao wouldn’t be complete without bringing home its famous one-sun dried mackerel—a beloved local specialty known for its freshness, rich flavor, and vibrant taste of the ocean.
What makes Con Dao’s one-sun mackerel special lies not only in the quality of the fish but also in the unique climate of the island. Fresh mackerel weighing between 3 and 7 kilograms are brought ashore, sliced into thick cuts (about 2.5–3 cm), then soaked in lightly salted water for two hours to enhance their natural flavor and improve preservation.
After soaking, the fish slices are drained and arranged on bamboo or mesh racks, then exposed to the island’s intense sunlight. On a hot, clear day, just 5–7 hours of direct sun is enough to produce a perfect batch. During this time, the fish transforms from its original reddish-pink color to a light gray shade, with a thin white powdery layer forming on the surface—an indication that it is ready for packaging.
According to Mr. Lê Hồng Nam, owner of Hồng Nam Seafood (Ben Dam Port), the signature flavor of Con Dao’s one-sun mackerel comes from the unique combination of fresh fish and Con Dao’s distinctive sunlight. The fish retains the tenderness of fresh seafood while gaining the depth and savoriness of dried fish—without any unpleasant odor or rigidity. Each slice remains full-bodied, firm, and beautifully colored when vacuum-sealed for storage. Properly frozen, the fish can be kept for up to a year without losing quality.
In 2018, the National Office of Intellectual Property officially granted trademark certification for “Con Dao One-Sun Mackerel” to the Con Dao District People’s Committee. This milestone protects local producers, prevents counterfeits, and assures visitors they are buying genuine, high-quality products.
Today, Con Dao has around 10 processing facilities, collectively selling 600–1,000 kg per day. Prices range from 210,000 to 350,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the type. Among the many mackerel species—dragon mackerel, powder mackerel, striped mackerel, and tube mackerel—the most delicious one-sun mackerel is made from powder mackerel and dragon mackerel, paired with premium Ba Ria sea salt.
Once processed, 1 kg of fresh mackerel yields only about 0.5–0.6 kg of one-sun mackerel, but the result is well worth it: fragrant, moist, mildly seasoned, and exceptionally sweet.
Con Dao one-sun mackerel can be prepared in many ways—grilled, pan-fried, braised, simmered with sauces, or simply enjoyed with hot rice. Rich in nutrients, healthy oils, and high-quality protein, it supports brain development in children and recovery for those needing nutritional reinforcement.
A true gift of the sea, Con Dao one-sun mackerel is more than a specialty—it is a symbol of the island’s culture, climate, and the craftsmanship of its people.
