Markets selling a wide range of fruit, vegetable and seafood are the main shopping venues in Phu Quoc, not necessarily what tourists want to buy but very interesting to see all the same.
For tourists, shopping opportunities come in the form of handicrafts expertly made by locals and pearls which are farmed locally.
The night market is the palace to buy souvenirs, all kinds of crafts are on sale in addition to the usual fresh produce and seafood. This can be a good place to buy pearls… while the kids are occupied in the playground.
There are several shops that sell most basic items such as toothpaste, soap, beer, biscuits etc in Duong Dong, laundries are also here which are much cheaper than resort prices. There are a couple of pharmacies dotted around and the odd basic clothes shop, not high fashion obviously, but you'll find the basics that you need.
Local markets sell a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables of all shapes and sizes in addition to seafood and other foodstuff. Markets can be busy places but don't let that put you off.
Some markets are one or two days a week however the main one in Duong Dong is a permanent fixture, you might want to avoid it when a cruise ship is in port though.
High quality items featuring South Sea pearls can be purchased from one of the island's pearl shops – the price tags match the quality of the pieces.
One such shop is Treasures from the Deep in Duong To which is run by a New Zealand company.