Côn Đảo Market is located on Phạm Văn Đồng Street, in Residential Area No. 8. It is the only market in the district, supplying goods and daily necessities for island residents as well as visiting travelers.
Ms. Trần Thị Thắng (57), a resident of Residential Area No. 9, has been selling goods at Côn Đảo Market for more than 24 years. In 1996, she and her husband moved from Bến Tre to the island to build a new life. At first, the family focused on farming—growing crops and raising livestock. The produce they harvested was brought to the market and sold to earn money for other daily needs. Keen and adaptable, Ms. Thắng soon realized that trading at the market could provide a stable income. From then on, in addition to home-grown products, she began sourcing vegetables and fruits from the mainland to meet the growing demand of local residents and tourists.
Her vegetable stall helped the couple raise three children to adulthood. Today, the family enjoys a stable life and their children have their own careers, yet Ms. Thắng still goes to the market every day. “Selling at the market not only brings income to my family, it has also been a part of my life for more than 24 years. As long as I’m healthy enough, I’ll keep coming here,” she said.
The range of goods sold at Côn Đảo Market is as diverse as those in mainland markets. What sets it apart, however, is that every morning fishing boats return from the surrounding waters, bringing fresh catches straight to the island. Visitors can find everything from shrimp, crabs, and snails to fish and squid. Notable specialties include ốc vú nàng (lady’s breast snails), mantis shrimp, slipper lobster, crabs, blue swimmer crabs, and a wide selection of dried seafood.
Mr. Trần Văn Phóng, also from Residential Area No. 9, shared that he and his wife specialize in dried seafood, a well-known specialty of Côn Đảo favored by tourists. Their products include dried squid, dried yellowstripe scad, dried anchovies, dried stingray, dried threadfin, dried barramundi, dried shrimp, sun-dried squid, and sun-dried mackerel. Most of these items are personally sourced and processed by the couple, ensuring freshness and quality—factors that have earned strong trust from visitors and helped stabilize their family income.
According to Mr. Lê Mạnh Hậu, Head of the Côn Đảo Market Management Board, the current spacious market was upgraded and officially put into use in September 2019, replacing the old market that had served the island for more than 40 years. The one-story market covers an area of over 2,100 square meters, divided into four main sections: dried goods; vegetables and fruits; household items; and fresh meat and seafood. There are 247 permanent business households operating here. Côn Đảo Market opens daily from around 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and is always bustling with buyers and sellers.
Today, with improved transportation links between Côn Đảo and the mainland, goods can be shipped more conveniently than ever. Through online channels and phone orders, many local specialties from Côn Đảo Market are now delivered to customers across the country. More than just a place for trading daily necessities, Côn Đảo Market has become a hub where visitors can find authentic local products and meaningful souvenirs to take home.
