Nha Trang Squid Guide: Savor Coastal Delicacies with Sustainable Tours

A Coastal Culinary Treasure with Sustainable Appeal

Nha Trang, located in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, is a vibrant coastal hub 440 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, renowned for its 507 km² bay and attracting millions of visitors annually. Squid, a local seafood staple, shines in dishes like grilled one-sun-dried squid and squid hotpot, with prices ranging from $1–$10 (25,000–250,000 VND) per serving. Sourced sustainably from Nha Trang’s rich waters, squid thrives in the region’s tropical savanna climate (dry season: January–August, 22–30°C or 71.6–86°F; rainy season: September–December, 24–28°C or 75.2–82.4°F). Legend Travel Group’s eco-friendly culinary tours, aligned with Khanh Hoa’s “Blue Tourism” initiative, ensure a responsible taste of this coastal delicacy. Contact us at WhatsApp: +84825862222 or email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com to book your Nha Trang squid adventure!

Administrative Note

Ninh Thuan Province has merged into Khanh Hoa Province, with Nha Trang city reclassified as Nha Trang Ward. For global tourists, “Nha Trang” remains the key term. Use “Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa” in navigation apps for accuracy.

With over 17 years as Southeast Asia’s leading sustainable tourism operator, Legend Travel Group crafts eco-friendly culinary tours in Nha Trang, tailored for food enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors. Our tours use low-impact transport like electric taxis and bicycles, guided by English-speaking experts sharing local seafood traditions and sustainability practices. Partnering with vendors prioritizing responsibly sourced squid, we support Khanh Hoa’s fishing communities. Enjoy transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure, and 24/7 support. Book our eco-tours via links throughout this guide for a responsible dining experience!

Squid, abundant in Nha Trang Bay, is celebrated for its versatility, appearing in fresh dishes like steamed squid with ginger and preserved forms like one-sun-dried squid (mực một nắng). Fresh squid, often bigfin reef squid (mực lá), is prized for its tender, sweet flesh, while one-sun-dried squid, dried for a single day, retains a chewy, moist interior with a crisp exterior when grilled. Sustainable fishing practices, including regulated catches and support for local fishermen, ensure Nha Trang’s squid remains a culinary highlight. From street stalls to upscale restaurants, squid dishes, costing $1–$10, offer an affordable taste of Vietnam’s coast, just a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

These eco-friendly squid dishes, costing $1–$10, showcase Nha Trang’s coastal flavors:

1. Grilled One-Sun-Dried Squid at Gió Biển Restaurant (Pham Van Dong Street)

Savor chewy, golden squid grilled over charcoal, best at 6:00 PM, for $5–$8 (125,000–200,000 VND), served with chili fish sauce.

• Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Locally sourced squid; biodegradable plates.

• Tip: Pair with local beer; included in Legend Travel Group’s Seafood Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

2. Squid Hotpot at Lẩu Mực Đại Lãnh (To Huu Street)

Enjoy a sweet-spicy broth with fresh squid, best at 5:00 PM, for $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND), ideal for groups.

• Hours: Daily, 4:00 PM–10:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Sustainable seafood; minimal waste.

• Tip: Add pineapple for tanginess; included in Legend Travel Group’s Culinary Eco-Tour ($60–$90).

3. Squid Vermicelli at Vân Ninh Stalls (National Highway 1A, Ninh Hoa)

Taste sweet, fragrant squid noodle soup, best at 7:00 AM, for $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND), with seasonal squid varieties.

• Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–12:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Fresh morning catches; reusable bowls.

• Tip: Visit early for freshness; included in Legend Travel Group’s Street Food Eco-Tour ($40–$70).

4. Squid Pancakes at Cố Tâm Bánh Xèo (6 Thap Ba Street)

Relish crispy pancakes with squid filling, best at 4:00 PM, for $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND), rolled with herbs.

• Hours: Daily, 3:00 PM–9:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Local ingredients; zero-waste cooking.

• Tip: Dip in fish sauce; included in Legend Travel Group’s Foodie Adventure Tour ($40–$70).

5. Beer-Steamed Squid at Hải Sản Thanh Sương 2 (9A Tran Phu Street)

Enjoy tender squid steamed with beer, best at 6:30 PM, for $4–$7 (100,000–175,000 VND), with ginger aroma.

• Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–11:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Locally caught squid; eco-friendly utensils.

• Tip: Order with lime; included in Legend Travel Group’s Coastal Dining Tour ($50–$80).

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• Squid: 1 kg fresh bigfin reef squid ($5–$8 or 125,000–200,000 VND at Dam Market), cleaned.

• Dipping Sauce: 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp chili, 1 clove garlic (minced, $0.50–$1 or 12,500–25,000 VND).

• Equipment: Charcoal grill ($10–$20 or 250,000–500,000 VND if not owned), tongs.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Source squid from local fishermen; use reusable grill tools.

Instructions

1. Prepare Squid: Clean fresh squid, removing innards and beak. Dry under sunlight for 6–8 hours (one day) until exterior is dry but interior remains moist. Store in freezer if not cooking immediately.

2. Grill Squid: Preheat charcoal grill to medium heat (350°F/175°C). Grill squid for 3–4 min per side until golden and aromatic, avoiding high heat to prevent drying.

3. Serve: Shred grilled squid into strips. Mix dipping sauce ingredients. Serve with sauce and optional herbs (cilantro, $0.50 or 12,500 VND).

• Cost: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND) for 4 servings at home.

• Tip: Grill at medium heat for tender texture; pair with beer for authenticity.

• Dry Season (January–August, 22–30°C or 71.6–86°F): Ideal for morning market visits and beachside dining with clear skies (10–50 mm/month rainfall). Early mornings (6:00–9:00 AM) offer freshest squid; evenings (5:00–8:00 PM) suit hotpot. Weekdays see fewer crowds (5,000–10,000 daily visitors) than weekends (20,000–30,000).

• Rainy Season (September–December, 24–28°C or 75.2–82.4°F): Cozier indoor dining at Thanh Sương or Đại Lãnh; midday (11:00 AM–2:00 PM) avoids showers. Quieter post-Tet (5,000–10,000 daily visitors).

• Tip: Visit during Nha Trang Sea Festival (June, biennial) for seafood events; check AccuWeather for storm alerts (October–November).

Nha Trang Ward is 440 km from Ho Chi Minh City, with squid dining spots 1–80 km from the center:

• By Electric Taxi (Xanh SM): From Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang Ward (40 min), $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND); to Tran Phu or Thap Ba Street (5–10 min), $2–$3 (50,000–75,000 VND); to Vân Ninh (1.5 hours), $20–$30 (500,000–750,000 VND). Book via Xanh SM app.

• By Hybrid Bus: From Nha Trang center to Tran Phu or Thap Ba (5–10 min), $0.30–$0.80 (7,000–20,000 VND). Use BusMap app.

• By Bicycle: Rent ($2–$5/day or 50,000–125,000 VND), 10–15 min to city stalls, emission-free.

• By Motorcycle: Rent ($5–$10/day), 5–90 min, $0.50–$3 (12,500–75,000 VND) fuel. Helmets mandatory (fines up to $40 or 1,000,000 VND).

• By Legend Travel Group Tour: Electric taxi or bicycle to dining spots, $10–$20 (250,000–500,000 VND)/person, including guide and meal.

• From Ho Chi Minh City: Fly to Cam Ranh Airport (45 min, $30–$60 or 750,000–1,500,000 VND), then taxi ($12–$30); or train (7–9 hours, $15–$50), then bus ($0.30–$0.80). Navigation Tip: Save “9A Tran Phu, Nha Trang” or “National Highway 1A, Vân Ninh” in offline maps (Maps.me). Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).

• Eco-Friendly Note: Bicycles or buses reduce emissions; avoid littering at stalls.

• Safety: Secure valuables; confirm fares. Watch for traffic near markets.

Squid Dining Costs

• Grilled One-Sun-Dried Squid: $5–$8 (125,000–200,000 VND).

• Squid Hotpot: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND).

• Squid Vermicelli: $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND).

• Squid Pancakes: $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND).

• Beer-Steamed Squid: $4–$7 (100,000–175,000 VND).

• Drinks (Iced Tea, Beer): $0.30–$1 (7,000–25,000 VND).

• Souvenirs (Dried Squid): $15–$30/kg (375,000–750,000 VND).

Transportation Costs (Round-Trip from Nha Trang Ward)

• Electric Taxi (City): $4–$6 (100,000–150,000 VND).

• Electric Taxi (Vân Ninh): $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND).

• Hybrid Bus: $0.60–$1.60 (14,000–40,000 VND).

• Bicycle Rental: $2–$5/day (50,000–125,000 VND).

• Motorcycle Rental: $5–$10/day; fuel $0.50–$3 (12,500–75,000 VND).

• Legend Travel Group Tour: $10–$20 (250,000–500,000 VND)/person.

• From Cam Ranh Airport: $24–$36 (600,000–900,000 VND) taxi.

• Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).

• SIM Card: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND).

Total Daily Cost (Per Person)

• Budget: $5–$15 (bus, vermicelli, snacks).

• Mid-Range: $20–$50 (taxi, hotpot, tour).

• Luxury: $80–$120 (Vân Ninh trip, premium tour, extras).
  Tip: Budget for squid dishes ($1–$10), transport ($0.60–$60), and extras ($2–$30); carry cash for stalls (no cards at most sites).

• Timing: Dine 6:00–9:00 AM for fresh vermicelli; January–August for outdoor dining. Weekdays for fewer crowds (5,000–10,000 vs. 20,000–30,000 on weekends). Avoid Tet for quieter stalls.

• Booking: No reservations needed for street stalls; book Legend Travel Group’s tours 24–48 hours ahead for guided dining. Confirm squid availability at Vân Ninh early.

• Sustainability: Choose stalls with local catches; use reusable bottles. Support Dam Market for dried squid ($15–$30/kg) or fish sauce ($2–$5).

• Dining Tips: Dip grilled squid in chili sauce; add herbs to vermicelli. Check for freshness (firm flesh, no odor).

• Navigation: Save dining addresses in offline maps; follow Tran Phu or National Highway 1A. Visit Dam Market early (6:00–8:00 AM) for squid purchases.

• Safety: Confirm squid allergies; secure valuables at markets. Verify prices before ordering.

• Weather: Dry season ideal for beachside dining; rainy season suits indoor restaurants. Bring rain gear ($2–$5) for September–December. Check AccuWeather.

• Cultural Respect: Say “xin chào” to vendors; respect stall etiquette. Avoid littering at markets or eateries.

• Health: Drink bottled water ($0.50 or 12,500 VND); carry hand sanitizer.

Our eco-friendly tours showcase Nha Trang’s squid cuisine:

• Nha Trang Street Food Eco-Tour ($40–$70/person, 1 day): Bicycle to Cố Tâm, squid pancakes ($1–$2), Dam Market snacks ($2–$5). Includes guide, transport.

• Vân Ninh Seafood Eco-Tour ($60–$90/person, 1 day): Electric taxi to Vân Ninh, squid vermicelli ($1–$2), local market visit. Includes guide, lunch.

• Khanh Hoa Coastal Culinary Adventure ($120–$180/person, 2 days): Squid hotpot at Đại Lãnh, Binh Ba lobster, homestay ($15–$30/night). Includes meals, guide. Prices include guides, eco-transfers, fees. 15% off for groups of 8+! Book via links!

Nha Trang Ward in Khanh Hoa Province, a squid lover’s paradise located 440 km from Ho Chi Minh City, captivates with fresh and one-sun-dried squid dishes like grilled mực một nắng ($5–$8, 125,000–200,000 VND) and squid vermicelli ($1–$2, 25,000–50,000 VND), sustainably sourced from local fishermen. From bustling Dam Market to beachside restaurants along Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang’s squid cuisine draws thousands yearly with its coastal flavors. Legend Travel Group’s Khanh Hoa Tours ensure a responsible, immersive Khanh Hoa Travel experience, blending sustainable sourcing with visits to Po Nagar Cham Towers and Nha Trang Beach. Sign up for our newsletter to follow new guides and book your eco-friendly squid adventure today!
Ready to savor Nha Trang’s squid cuisine in Khanh Hoa? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure!

Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.

Sources:

• Nha Trang Culinary Information: vietnam.travel, vietnamtourism.org.vn, vinpearl.com, tripadvisor.com, nha-trang-tourism.com