1 Ha Long Sea Cucumber – A Quality Specialty from Paradise Bay
Ha Long sea cucumber goes by many names. In some regions, it is called sea leech, sea ginseng, or rum. In Ha Long, many locals commonly refer to it as "don dot" or "dot ngau". Possessing an elongated body with rough skin and ossicles located just beneath the skin, Ha Long sea cucumbers typically inhabit coral reefs or the sea floor. Sea cucumbers are also listed in the Red List of rare marine species globally due to dwindling wild populations, difficulties in farming, and high harvesting pressure. Nowadays, very few marine waters still hold large sea cucumber resources; Ha Long waters remain uniquely abundant in quantity and superior in quality.
Alongside Ha Long peanut worms, mantis shrimp, or hard clams, Ha Long sea cucumber is a seafood delicacy well worth tasting once in a lifetime.
See more: Savoring the unique flavor of Hoanh Bo soaked glutinous rice wine
High nutritional content in Ha Long sea cucumbers, low natural populations, and breeding difficulties are the reasons that make this species truly precious
1.1 Benefits of Eating Ha Long Sea Cucumber
Ha Long sea cucumber contains high nutritional content proven by science and serves as a valuable medicinal remedy supporting the treatment of related conditions such as:
- Supporting joint pain relief: Sea cucumber is rich in chondroitin sulfate, a well-known compound capable of managing pain relief in patients suffering from knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Improving liver and kidney functions: The selenium present in sea cucumber helps significantly reduce liver damage and oxidative stress in your body
- Reducing the risk of cancer: Sea cucumber contains various vitamins such as C, B1, B2, B12… It possesses testosterone and progesterone content that effectively helps control and prevent cancer
- Boosting the immune system: Ha Long sea cucumber contains high levels of arginine and glycine, which are very beneficial for enhancing the body's immune system
- Supporting diabetes management: Rich in protein and free of cholesterol, sea cucumber is an excellent choice for the diet of people with diabetes
- Nourishing blood and treating anemia: Ha Long sea cucumber is a nutrient-dense food, providing 3.5 times the nutritional value of beef and 5 times that of lean pork
The high nutritional content in Ha Long sea cucumber makes it widely used as supportive therapy for the human body
1.2 Best Time to Visit Paradise Bay to Enjoy Ha Long Sea Cucumber
To savor delicious and nutritious Ha Long sea cucumber, catching and processing it requires elaborate, meticulous effort. According to experienced fishermen who catch and cultivate this precious seafood: Sea cucumber is caught year-round, but to enjoy fresh, delicious sea cucumber at reasonable prices and experience the very best of Ha Long tourism, July – August each year is ideal.
Traveling to Ha Long during the sunny season offers a variety of fresh, delicious, and budget-friendly sea cucumbers
2 Tips for Buying Ha Long Sea Cucumber
2.1 Prices of Ha Long Sea Cucumber
Detailed prices for several types of fresh Ha Long sea cucumber are as follows:
Note: These are reference prices only. Prices of Ha Long sea cucumber fluctuate according to season and species. Depending on your needs, you can choose the most suitable option.
- Golden Sea Cucumber: 700.000 VNĐ / kg
- Black Sea Cucumber: 550.000 VNĐ / kg
- Coconut Sea Cucumber: 500.000 VNĐ / kg
- Sandfish Sea Cucumber: 700.000 VNĐ / kg
- White Teatfish Sea Cucumber: 1.700.000 VNĐ / kg
- Dried Sea Cucumber: 2.000.000 VNĐ / kg – 3.000.000 VNĐ / kg
Dried sea cucumber commands a high price, but guarantees savory flavor and easy preparation
2.2 Where to Buy Ha Long Sea Cucumber?
To purchase high-quality and delicious Ha Long sea cucumber, you need to select it properly and locate reputable, reliable stores to avoid wasting money on subpar products that harm your health. Here are several trustworthy addresses to buy Ha Long sea cucumber:
- Hon Gai Seafood Market
Location: Hon Gai, Ha Long, Quang Ninh (opposite Vincom Ha Long)
Operating hours: 3 giờ sáng – 8 giờ sáng
A long-standing and prominent market in Quang Ninh province, Hon Gai seafood market—also known as Ha Long fishing port—is the largest seafood docking and trading hub here. Sea cucumbers here are not only inexpensive but also live and fresh, mostly brought directly from boats right after being caught. Therefore, to ensure the best standard of delicious - nutritious - affordable, you should definitely come here to buy seafood.
Hon Gai seafood market impresses with the daily bustling scene of anchored boats
- Ha Long 1 Seafood Market
Location: Bach Dang Street, Ha Long, Quang Ninh.
Opening hours: 6 giờ sáng – 18 giờ 30 chiều
Most seafood is kept alive and fresh, supplied directly by fishing boats. In addition to freshness, affordable and wallet-friendly pricing is an extra plus that attracts many shoppers. Various kinds of live Ha Long sea cucumbers are brought to dock at Ha Long 1 Seafood Market.
The renowned Ha Long 1 Seafood Market in Ha Long City
- Hung Thang Seafood Market
Location: Hung Thang, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
Opening hours: 6 giờ sáng – 18 giờ chiều
This market is an excellent destination for anyone planning to buy fresh seafood without worrying about price gouging, especially Ha Long sea cucumber. Hung Thang market space is quite compact and mainly caters to local residents; therefore, when coming here, make sure to visit early in the morning to purchase affordable, high-quality Ha Long seafood as gifts for friends and family.
Hung Thang market offers a full range of fresh, delicious seafood at affordable prices
2.3 How to Choose Fresh, Delicious Ha Long Sea Cucumber
When shopping for tasty Ha Long sea cucumber, understanding how to select it is indispensable, right? To avoid rip-offs and purchasing low-quality sea cucumbers, keep these tips in mind:
- For fresh Ha Long sea cucumber: Look for large size, plump and fleshy body, no slime, and prominent spicules protruding on the surface
- Dried Ha Long sea cucumber: Features a large appearance and a thick flesh layer, especially free of sand inside the body. Conversely, if the body is overly thin and contains sand both inside and outside, that sea cucumber is of inferior quality
Fresh sea cucumber has a plump body with spicules across its surface
The outside of dried sea cucumber is coated with a layer of black charcoal powder to keep it well-preserved and flavorful
3 Delicious Dishes from Ha Long Sea Cucumber
Dishes prepared from Ha Long sea cucumber are rich and diverse; however, once in Paradise Bay, you cannot miss 3 famous specialties here:
- Sea Cucumber Liquor: Sea cucumber is a precious medicinal herb used to infuse liquor. Sea cucumber liquor is chosen by many tourists as a gift or for personal use
- Sea Cucumber Congee: Whether cooked from dried or fresh sea cucumber, the congee is aromatic and nourishing. In addition, you can combine sea cucumber with many other ingredients such as chicken, abalone, shark fin, and assorted mushrooms… to enrich nutrition and elevate the aroma
- Stir-fried Sea Cucumber with Shiitake Mushrooms: A nutritious dish that harmoniously blends the flavors of two familiar ingredients, delivering the finest dining experience. This is truly a dish worth featuring in family meals
Famous Ha Long sea cucumber liquor
Combining various ingredients creates a sea cucumber congee packed with nutrition
Sea cucumber combined with shiitake mushrooms and cauliflower creates an appealing, nutrient-rich dish
Ha Long sea cucumber is a precious gift not to be missed when visiting Paradise Bay. You can relish delicious sea cucumber dishes at many famous restaurants throughout Paradise Bay or buy them as gifts for family and loved ones. Do not forget to choose Ha Long sea cucumber carefully and consider the price to suit your Ha Long travel budget.
