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The market attracts foreign visitors.
Nestled amidst picturesque natural scenery, Nai Market, or affectionately known locally as Khanh Hai Market, is located on the outskirts of Khanh Hai town, just about 10km from the center of Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, the capital of Ninh Thuan province. This prime location not only provides Nai Market with convenient transportation but also creates a unique and attractive setting for tourists from all over.
To facilitate trade, merchants and villagers in Nai village jointly built this market, initially called Du Khanh Market. However, over time, the colloquial name "Nai Market" has become more familiar and widely used by the local people.
Nai Market, located in Khanh Hai town, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province, is one of the most beautiful seafood markets in the region.
This place is not only a meeting and trading spot between those working at sea and those working on land, but what makes this market special is the friendliness of the local people who sell a full range of seafood so that tourists can buy them as gifts for family and friends.
With over 100 years of history, the market is not only famous for its fresh seafood but also attracts tourists with its natural beauty and the friendliness of the fishing village people.
This small market is situated right on the banks of a vital waterway, where the tranquil Nai Lagoon merges with the vast ocean. On one side is the graceful Ninh Chu Bridge, connecting the two banks and providing convenient transportation for local residents. On the other side is the sturdy Tri Thuy Bridge, spanning the estuary and creating an impressive focal point in the landscape. And right next to it is the famous Ninh Chu Beach, with its fine white sand and clear blue water, creating a stunning natural scene.
Rarely is there a rural market situated in such a breathtaking location.
Thanks to its unique location, Nai Market has become an attractive destination for tourists, even though it is just a small, rustic fish market. Visitors come here not only to buy fresh seafood, but also to enjoy the fresh sea air, admire the beautiful natural scenery, and learn about the lives of the fishing village people.
At the market, visitors can not only buy fresh seafood but also enjoy the natural scenery, the clear blue sky of the Dam Nai area; the refreshing sea breeze and the vast blue sea, with distant green mountains and bustling fishing boats near the shore, creating a beautiful picture of a peaceful fishing village…
With a history spanning over 100 years, the people living along the lagoon have relied on fishing and aquaculture for their livelihoods.
Unlike modern industrial fishing methods, the people here still preserve and promote the traditional inshore fishing method, using small, compact fishing boats and familiar basket boats. Every early morning, when the first rays of sunlight begin to appear, and every evening, when the sun sets, fishing boats line up to dock, carrying baskets full of fresh seafood. The shrimp, fish, and squid, still fresh and wriggling, are quickly transferred by the fishermen to Nai Market, creating a bustling and lively scene.
Fishermen transport harvested seafood ashore to sell at Nai market.
A glimpse of Nai Market
Thanks to traditional near-shore fishing methods, seafood at Nai Market is always guaranteed to be absolutely fresh. The shrimp and fish are caught daily, without long-distance transportation or the use of preservatives, retaining their natural flavor and nutritional value. This sets Nai Market apart and attracts many tourists seeking high-quality seafood products.
Freshly caught fish and shrimp are brought ashore.
A peaceful corner of the rural market.
Nai Market, a destination steeped in the unique cultural characteristics of Ninh Thuan's coastal region, operates all day, divided into two main sessions, making it convenient for both locals and tourists. The morning market, from 6 am to 11 am, offers a lively atmosphere of the early morning as fishing boats return after a night at sea. The afternoon market, from 3 pm to 6 pm, provides a stunning sunset view as fishing boats dock, laden with baskets of fresh seafood.
Although not a large or grand market, Nai Market is very bustling.
Whether visiting the market in the morning or afternoon, tourists have the opportunity to admire the sight of boats docking, bringing in fresh catches of fish and shrimp, creating a vibrant and colorful scene. Nai Lagoon, where Nai Market is located, is blessed by nature with a rich and diverse source of seafood. It is famous for seafood such as squid, shrimp, crab, snails, along with many rare fish species like scad, mackerel, tuna, grouper, snapper, and barramundi...
It is estimated that fishermen bring several tons of various seafood to the market each day.
Nai Market is not just an ordinary seafood market, but also a vibrant portrayal of the simple life of the people in the coastal fishing villages of Ninh Thuan. Here, visitors can admire the diligent work of the fishermen, who day and night brave the waves and winds to bring back fresh and delicious seafood.
Their faces are tanned by the sun and sea breeze, their hands calloused from hard labor, but a bright, radiant smile always graces their lips. That smile is proof of the optimistic and cheerful spirit of the fishermen, no matter how difficult or arduous their lives may be.
Besides that, visitors can also encounter innocent children playing on the riverbank, their clear laughter echoing across the area. This image evokes a sense of peace and tranquility, stirring the heart. Surely, these beautiful images will forever remain in the hearts of every visitor to Nai Market.
The people in the fishing village are kind and friendly.
Moreover, Nai Market offers visitors the opportunity to admire a stunning natural landscape, with the vast, emerald-green Nai Lagoon stretching to the horizon. The lagoon's surface is calm like a giant mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
The bridge connecting the two banks of the estuary, a sturdy architectural structure, stretches across the Nai lagoon, creating an impressive focal point for the landscape. Hundreds of boats of all sizes are moored closely together along the shore, creating a bustling and lively scene, reflecting the vibrant life of the fishing village people.
This is where they meet, chat, share everyday stories, and exchange experiences in fishing. The market also preserves the traditional culture of this land, from the way of trading to the specialty dishes made from fresh seafood.
Nai Market in Ninh Thuan, a must-visit destination for those wanting to explore the simple and authentic beauty of coastal fishing village life, is a vibrant market that truly embodies the atmosphere of a traditional rural market.
