"Câu tôm" (shrimp fishing), popular with Vietnamese families and couples on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, is also drawing attention among Japanese tourists as a new weekend activity. At shrimp-fishing spots in the Thanh Da area and the Can Gio area, for an entry fee of 50,000-100,000 dong an hour (about 300-600 yen), a fishing rod and bait are provided, and the shrimp you catch can be cooked and eaten on the spot. For travelers tired of city sightseeing, it's a hidden-gem option that lets you experience a "Vietnamese local weekend" in half a day.
The basics of the shrimp-fishing experience
Shrimp fishing, called "câu tôm" in Vietnamese, is a staple family weekend leisure activity for Ho Chi Minh City residents. Fishing farmed shrimp from a large pond with a rod and bait and having them cooked at the attached restaurant—this "fishing + meal" is one set of an experience.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese name | câu tôm |
| Time required | 2-3 hours (1 hour fishing + 1-2 hours eating) |
| Fee | 50,000-100,000 VND per hour (about 300-600 yen) |
| What's included | Fishing rod, bait, chair, place fee |
| The shrimp you catch | Bought by weight, or taken home |
| Cooking fee | 100,000-150,000 VND per kg of shrimp (about 590-880 yen) |
| Clothing | Easy-to-move clothing, a hat, insect repellent |
| Best season | Dry season (December-April); easier to catch after 4 p.m. |
Popular spot 1: The Thanh Da area
The Thanh Da area in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, is the most accessible area, 20-30 minutes by car from the city center. On a peninsula-shaped tract surrounded by the Saigon River, more than 10 small shrimp-fishing spots are dotted about. It's established as a local date spot and family weekend leisure, and it's suited to tourists too as "the place where beginners first experience shrimp fishing."
Features of Thanh Da's typical shrimp-fishing spots:
- Close to the city center (Grab taxi about 100,000-150,000 dong one way)
- Suited to short experiences (a rich choice of 1-2 hour courses)
- You can also order dishes other than shrimp at the attached restaurant
- Crowded with local customers on weekends, nearly a private booking on weekdays
- English often doesn't get through (the Google Translate app is recommended)
According to Saigoneer's introduction, "fun even if you don't catch anything" is the charm of Thanh Da's shrimp fishing. The sense of community is strong, and the leisurely flow of time itself creates experiential value that contrasts with city sightseeing.
Popular spot 2: The Can Gio area
The Can Gio area in the south of Ho Chi Minh City is a nature-rich area with spreading mangrove forests, about 1.5-2 hours by car from the city. This is a shrimp-fishing spot for the "serious type," with the appeal of vast farming ponds and abundant shrimp resources. As part of a day trip, combining it with a mangrove cruise or a visit to the monkey habitat makes for a high sense of fulfillment.
Features of Can Gio's shrimp-fishing spots:
- Access takes 1.5-2 hours one way (a tour including transport costs is recommended)
- Better catches can be expected than at Thanh Da (the farming ponds are large)
- Easy to combine with mangrove sightseeing and Monkey Island
- The shrimp you catch are cooked authentically at a seafood restaurant
- Tours for Japanese people are also increasing (4-5 hour half-day courses are the norm)
How to cook the shrimp you catch (local standards)
It's common to have the shrimp you catch cooked at the restaurant. The cooking fee is 100,000-150,000 dong per kg, and popular cooking methods are as follows.
| Cooking method (Vietnamese) | In Japanese | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Tôm nướng | Grilled shrimp | Enjoy the ingredient's natural flavor with salt, pepper, and lemongrass. For beginners |
| Tôm rang muối | Salt-stir-fried shrimp | Stir-fried in salt shell-on to bring out the savoriness |
| Tôm hấp bia | Beer-steamed shrimp | A Vietnamese specialty; the beer aroma is refined |
| Tôm sốt me | Tamarind-sauce shrimp | Tropical style with a sweet-and-sour tamarind sauce |
| Lẩu tôm | Shrimp hot pot | For large restaurants where several people gather round |
For families and groups, it's fun to order several cooking methods a little at a time. One kg of shrimp works out to a main dish for two or three people.
Reactions from Vietnamese customers: popular as "an escape from the city"
Summing up the voices of Vietnamese customers seen on social media and review sites, the following reactions are the norm (paraphrased, anonymous).
"Taking the kids on weekends is a staple. It's the best place to relax, away from the city's bustle." (a father living in Ho Chi Minh City)
"It's totally fun even if you don't catch anything. Just chatting with friends, putting on bait, and gazing at the pond rests the heart." (a university student)
"A hidden gem for dates. It's cheaper than the cinema or a mall, and makes for a memorable experience." (a couple in their 20s)
"Thanh Da is for beginners; if you seriously want to fish, Can Gio. Using them for different purposes is common sense for Ho Chi Minh City residents." (a fishing-loving local)
Impact on Japanese travelers: ideal as a "palate cleanser" for city sightseeing
For Japanese travelers, the appeal of the shrimp-fishing experience can be organized from three perspectives.
1. As a palate cleanser for Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing
After touring the standard sights like Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, and the Reunification Palace over 1-2 days, experiencing a "Vietnamese weekend" with shrimp fishing at Thanh Da on the third day is the ideal combination.Enjoying Bun Thang 50 in Phu Nhuan DistrictIt's the same kind of enjoyment as a local experience like this.
2. Especially recommended for family trips and those with children
Thanh Da's shrimp-fishing spots are precious places where children can experience catching them themselves. Mentions are increasing in Japanese families' travelogues as "the experience the kids enjoyed most on a Vietnam trip."
3. Easy to work into a Can Gio day trip
HCMC flea marketCompared to city events in Ho Chi Minh City like this, the Can Gio area is a standalone tourism route you can fill a day with through the combination of "nature, mangroves, and shrimp fishing." It takes 2 hours one way from the city, but it becomes a unique experience worth that much.
Practical information to know before your visit
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recommended areas | Thanh Da (beginner, short time) / Can Gio (serious type, full-day course) |
| Access (Thanh Da) | About 100,000-150,000 dong one way by Grab from the city center (about 590-880 yen) |
| Access (Can Gio) | A tour is recommended. 1.5-2 hours one way |
| Fee (fishing) | 50,000-100,000 VND per hour |
| Fee (cooking) | 100,000-150,000 VND per kg of shrimp |
| Best season | Dry season (December-April), after 4 p.m. |
| Clothing | Easy-to-move clothing, a hat, and insect repellent are essential (there are many mosquitoes in the evening) |
| Language | English often doesn't get through. The Google Translate app is a must |
| Payment | Cash recommended (small-scale shops may not take cards) |
| Kids OK | Yes (Thanh Da is especially popular with children) |
Summary: drawing attention as a hidden gem for a local experience
The shrimp-fishing experience in Ho Chi Minh City is hardly listed in tourist guidebooks, but for Vietnamese people it's a "staple weekend leisure."The Sapa-recreation café Noọng ƠiIn contrast to photogenic spots like, it has value as a "participatory local experience."
For travelers who want to glimpse not only the "urban side" of Vietnam tourism but also a side of "people's daily lives," it's well worth setting aside half a day to visit during a stay on the third or fourth day. It's an activity suited to families, couples, and groups of friends alike, and the cost wraps up on a budget of about 1,500-3,000 yen per person. As long as you clear the language barrier with the Google Translate app, it should make for an unforgettable memory.
