Not sure where to find good seafood in Vung Tau? Head to the Bai Sau (Back Beach) area first — it has the highest concentration of seafood restaurants in the city, plus a dedicated night market that grills and cooks seafood right on the spot. This guide covers the best streets to look for, Vung Tau's signature seafood, tips for picking a restaurant that fits your budget, and how to cook fresh seafood yourself if you're staying with VungTau Stay.
Quick answer: The busiest seafood strip near Bai Sau beach runs along Thuy Van Street, home to a seafood night market that runs from late afternoon into the night, plus many restaurants along the road and in the small alleys behind it. Local specialties include shrimp, squid, crab, oysters, clams, and seafood hotpot or grilled seafood. Restaurants tucked in the alleys tend to be cheaper than beachfront spots. Try to avoid the weekend evening rush if you don't want to wait for a table, and if you'd rather cook, you can buy fresh seafood at a nearby market and prepare it in your apartment kitchen.
Where to find seafood restaurants near Bai Sau beach
Thuy Van Street, which runs along the Bai Sau (Back Beach) coastline, has the largest concentration of seafood restaurants in the area. During the day these are ordinary eateries, but from late afternoon onward, part of this stretch turns into the Vung Tau Night Market, a seafood market set up right on Thuy Van Street near several large hotels in Thang Tam ward. It opens around 3pm and runs late into the night, busiest between roughly 7pm and 10pm. You pick live seafood from a stall and have it cooked to order — steamed, grilled, stir-fried, or made into hotpot.
Beyond Thuy Van Street, several small alleys running parallel to the beach road also have local seafood spots — usually without flashy signage, but with a loyal local following. Walk through the area in the evening and you'll notice two clear types: beachfront restaurants facing the sea, and smaller places tucked deeper into the side alleys.
Vung Tau's signature seafood
As a coastal city, Vung Tau is known for seafood caught close to shore, so it tends to be fresh. Some of the most popular options:
- Shrimp, squid, crab: prepared many ways — steamed, grilled, salt-baked, or in tamarind sauce.
- Oysters, clams, snails: usually grilled with scallion oil or melted cheese.
- Stingray: often used in hotpot; the meat is tender and mild when the fish is fresh.
- Gỏi cá mai (fresh anchovy salad): a lightly sour salad served with rice paper and herbs.
- Mixed seafood hotpot: good for groups, usually combining shrimp, squid, fish, and clams in one pot.
Prices for pre-cooked seafood at the night market vary quite a bit depending on the type and preparation, so it's worth asking the price before ordering — especially for items priced by weight, like lobster or large crab.
Restaurant tips: beachfront vs. tucked in the alleys
Neither type is objectively "better" — it depends on whether you value atmosphere or budget more. Here's a quick comparison:
| Criteria | Beachfront restaurants | Restaurants in nearby alleys |
|---|---|---|
| Seafood prices | Usually a bit higher | Usually more affordable |
| Atmosphere | Open, sea view, busier | Smaller, quieter |
| Best for | Groups who want a sea view while eating | Quick meals, tighter budgets |
| Hours | Open late, busy on weekends | Often close earlier |
One simple tell: if a spot has plenty of locals' motorbikes parked outside in the evening, that's usually a good sign — whether it's beachfront or tucked in an alley.
Peak hours to avoid
The busiest window at the night market and nearby restaurants is roughly 7pm-10pm, especially on Friday and Saturday nights and public holidays — tables fill up fast and dishes can take longer than usual. For a more relaxed meal, go earlier (5pm-6:30pm) or later, after 10pm, once the crowd thins out. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends.
Cooking fresh seafood yourself at your apartment
If you'd rather cook than eat out, a popular local spot is Cho Xom Luoi — a seafood market near Phan Boi Chau Street, a short distance from Bai Sau beach, open all day from early morning to evening. Buying seafood there in the morning usually gets you fresher stock at better prices, which you can then take home to cook. This works well if you're staying at a Bai Sau Vung Tau apartment with its own kitchen — you set your own schedule and it can be more economical for a larger group.
Based on the VungTau Stay team's experience hosting guests, many families staying a few days do exactly this: buy fresh seafood in the morning, then cook something simple — steamed or grilled — at the apartment kitchen in the evening. It's a nice change from eating out every meal and works well for kids who aren't used to heavily spiced local dishes. Guests staying longer often split their meals too — a few dinners out around Thuy Van Street, the rest cooked at home to save on cost.
VungTau Stay is a hub of daily-rental apartments spread across the whole city of Vung Tau, and many apartments in the Bai Sau area sit near Thuy Van Street, making it easy to reach both the seafood dining strip and the market for fresh ingredients. If you're planning a longer stay and want control over your meals, take a look at daily apartment rentals in Vung Tau with a private kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Where's the main seafood area near Bai Sau beach?
Mostly along Thuy Van Street, including regular restaurants and the seafood night market that runs from late afternoon into the night.
What time should I avoid to skip long waits?
Roughly 7pm-10pm on weekends and holidays is busiest; going earlier or later is more relaxed.
Are the alley restaurants good and safe to eat at?
Many alley spots are trusted by locals and tend to be cheaper; pick a busy one and check that the seafood is still alive/fresh before it's cooked.
Where can I buy seafood to cook myself near Bai Sau?
You can go to a seafood market near the city center in the morning for fresher stock and better prices, then cook it at an apartment with its own kitchen.
Booking tip: if you want to walk to the seafood strip in the evening, look for a Bai Sau apartment near Thuy Van Street; if you plan to cook several meals, pick one with a proper kitchen and comfortable counter space.
