Fishing in Vietnam: sea and rivers in 2026

This guide covers the concrete spots, operators, 2026 prices in USD and a seasonal table by species. The three main hubs for sea fishing are Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Da Nang. Each has its own character: Phu Quoc for tuna and barracuda, Nha Trang for mahi-mahi and snapper, and Da Nang as the cheapest place for night squid fishing.

Prices current as of July 2026. Rate: ~25,000 VND ≈ $1.

• Nha Trang (Nha Trang): Sea fishing: mahi-mahi, snapper — From ~5,200,000 VND (~$210)/boat
• Phu Quoc (Phú Quốc): Deep-sea fishing: tuna, barracuda — From ~4,750,000 VND (~$190), half-day
• Da Nang (Đà Nẵng): Night squid from ~300,000 VND (~$12) — Cheapest option in Vietnam
• Mekong Delta (Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long): Giant pangasius up to 100 kg, rays — Boat from ~500,000 VND (~$20)

Sea fishing

Nha Trang

The waters off Nha Trang are rich in mackerel, snapper and mahi-mahi. The mahi-mahi season runs August to October. Crewed boats leave the harbour for half-day or full-day trips.

A crewed sea-fishing boat starts at about ~5,200,000 VND (~$210) for the boat (up to 6 people). Split across a group of 4–6 friends, that works out to roughly $40–60 each for a full day at sea.

Night squid fishing is the budget option here: from about ~480,000 VND (~$19) per person in a group format. A private boat for a group of up to 10 people runs about ~2,800,000 VND (~$112).

Want the full lowdown on the town first? See our guide to Nha Trang for beaches, districts and budgets.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is the best place for deep-sea fishing in Vietnam. This is where you go for tuna (peak April–June), barracuda and dorado. Professional charters such as Rods & Reels run half-day and full-day trips with quality gear.

Prices start from about $190 (~4,750,000 VND) for a half-day. An eight-hour night trip is around ~3,040,000 VND (~$122) per person in a group.

Night squid fishing on Phu Quoc is its own thing. A two-deck boat, a sunset departure, dinner of prawns and squid soup, drinks included. Cost: about $33 (~825,000 VND) for adults, $22 (~550,000 VND) for children.

💬 "On Phu Quoc, night squid fishing is more of an experience than serious fishing. You'll usually land two or three squid an evening, but the sunset, dinner on the water and the atmosphere make it unforgettable." — Tripadvisor, 2025

For more to do on the island, see our full guide to Phu Quoc.

Da Nang

Night squid fishing in Da Nang is the cheapest option in Vietnam: 300,000–500,000 VND (~$12–20) per person. Group trips leave in the evening and return late at night.

Coastal boat fishing runs about $20–40 for a few hours, landing mackerel and snapper.

Night squid fishing

This is the most quintessentially Vietnamese kind of fishing. In the evening the coastal waters fill with the lights of fishing boats — the floodlights draw squid to the surface. The technique is simple: you drop a lure-hook into the water, and when a squid grabs it, you set the hook.

No skill required. The crew shows you how. The haul is usually modest — two to five squid — but a night out at sea, the boat lights and the quiet make it more than worth it.

River fishing — Mekong

The Mekong Delta Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long is the richest freshwater zone in Southeast Asia. Fishing villages sit right on the water, and fish are woven into everyday life.

Trophies: giant pangasius (up to 100 kg), freshwater ray and carp. You can fish from a traditional Vietnamese junk or hire a motorboat.

A boat with a boatman runs $20–40 (~500,000–1,000,000 VND) for a few hours. Organised day trips from Ho Chi Minh City start at $50–80 (~1,250,000–2,000,000 VND), including transfer and lunch.

The Mekong is an experience in itself: floating markets, mangrove forests, tropical heat. Come in the dry season (December–April).

Lake and pond fishing

For those who don't need the adrenaline. Paid lakes and ponds sit near every major town. Carp, tilapia, catfish — a catch is nearly guaranteed.

Cost: from $15–30 (~375,000–750,000 VND), tackle usually included or available to rent on site. On Phu Quoc there are morning and evening sessions.

It's a relaxed format, well suited to families with kids and anyone who wants to unwind with a rod and none of the ocean swell.

What you catch — seasonal table

Prices and operators

You can book through FishingBooker.com, Klook, GetYourGuide or directly with the operators. Booking a day or two ahead is worth it in high season, and many charters take card or PayPal deposits online.

Practical tips

Tackle. For sea fishing the operator provides the gear — you don't need to bring anything. Lake fishing usually has tackle on site too. Bring your own only if you're a serious angler heading to the Mekong.

Clothing. Sunscreen (SPF 50+), a hat, polarised sunglasses. For night squid fishing, a light jacket (it gets breezy on the water). On the Mekong, closed shoes (the banks are slippery).

Seasickness. If you're prone to it, take tablets in advance. The sea off Nha Trang and Phu Quoc can be rough, especially in the transition season (October–November).

Licences. A tourist trip with an operator needs no special licence — the operator sorts it out. If you fish fresh water on your own, check the local rules.

Your catch. On sea trips you can usually keep what you catch, and many operators will cook it on board or at a restaurant onshore. On night squid trips the catch often goes into a shared dinner.

Prices current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — confirm details with the operator before you go.

FAQ

Where is the best fishing in Vietnam?

For sea fishing, Phu Quoc (tuna, barracuda) and Nha Trang (mahi-mahi, snapper). For night squid fishing, Da Nang is the cheapest (from ~$12) and Phu Quoc the most scenic (dinner on a two-deck boat). For freshwater, the Mekong Delta, home of the giant pangasius that reaches 100 kg.

How much does sea fishing cost in Vietnam?

Deep-sea charters run from about $190 for a half-day off Phu Quoc to roughly $210 for a full-day boat in Nha Trang. Night squid trips start around $12 per person in Da Nang. Split across a group of 4–6 people, a full sea day works out to about $40–60 each.

What fish do you catch in Vietnam?

At sea: tuna (Phu Quoc, April–June), mahi-mahi (Nha Trang, August–October), barracuda, mackerel, snapper and squid. In rivers: giant pangasius up to 100 kg, freshwater ray and carp. Squid is caught at night from a boat almost year-round.

Do you need a licence to fish in Vietnam?

For a tourist trip with an operator, no — the operator handles everything. For fishing on your own in fresh water the rules vary by region, so check locally. At paid lakes and ponds the licence is included in the price.

Can you catch marlin in Vietnam?

In theory yes, in practice it is very hard. Marlin and sailfish appear off Nha Trang only in a very short window. Don't book a trip specifically for marlin. More realistic trophies are tuna, mahi-mahi and barracuda.