1 Ha Long Sea Cucumber – A Premium Specialty from Paradise Bay
Ha Long sea cucumber goes by quite a few names. Depending on the region, it is known as sea leech, sea ginseng, or "con rum". In Ha Long, locals often refer to it as "don dot" or "dot ngau". Featuring an elongated body with bristly skin and an endoskeleton just beneath the surface, Ha Long sea cucumbers typically inhabit coral reefs or the seabed. Sea cucumbers are also listed in the Red Data Book among the world's rare and endangered marine species due to their low wild populations, the difficulty of farming them, and high levels of harvesting. Today, very few sea areas still retain large populations of sea cucumbers; Ha Long's waters remain one of the rare places with an abundant supply and superior quality.
Alongside Ha Long peanut worms (sa sung), mantis shrimp, and clam-like "ngan", Ha Long sea cucumber is a seafood truly worth trying once in a lifetime.
See more: Savor the unique flavor of Hoanh Bo sticky rice wine
The high nutritional value of Ha Long sea cucumber, combined with limited wild numbers and difficult farming, makes this creature exceptionally precious
1.1 Health benefits of eating Ha Long sea cucumber
Ha Long sea cucumber contains high nutritional content proven by science and serves as a valuable medicinal ingredient supporting the treatment of conditions such as:
- Supporting joint pain relief: Sea cucumber is rich in chondroitin sulfate, a well-known compound capable of alleviating pain in patients suffering from knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Improving liver and kidney function: Selenium found in sea cucumber significantly helps reduce liver damage and oxidative stress in the body
- Reducing the risk of cancer: Sea cucumbers contain various vitamins such as C, B1, B2, B12, etc., along with testosterone and progesterone compounds that effectively help 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: High in protein and completely cholesterol-free, sea cucumber is an excellent dietary choice for 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
Due to its high nutritional value, Ha Long sea cucumber is widely used as a supportive remedy for human health
1.2 The best time to visit Paradise Bay to enjoy delicious Ha Long sea cucumber
To enjoy flavorful and nutritious Ha Long sea cucumber, harvesting and processing require meticulous care. According to experienced fishermen who catch and farm this precious seafood, sea cucumbers are harvested year-round; however, to enjoy fresh, delicious sea cucumber at reasonable prices alongside the best Ha Long travel experience, the ideal time is from July to August each year.
Traveling to Ha Long during the sunny season offers a wider variety of fresh, delicious sea cucumbers at affordable prices
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 prices are for reference only. Ha Long sea cucumber prices vary by season and species. Depending on your needs, you can choose the most suitable option.
- Gold-mouthed 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 comes at a higher price, but it guarantees great taste and is easy to cook
2.2 Where to buy Ha Long sea cucumber?
To purchase delicious, high-quality Ha Long sea cucumber, you need to know how to select it properly and look for reputable shops to avoid wasting money on counterfeit or poor-quality products that could harm your health. Here are some trusted places to buy Ha Long sea cucumber:
- Hon Gai Seafood Market
Location: Hon Gai, Ha Long, Quang Ninh (opposite Vincom Ha Long)
Operating hours: 3:00 AM – 8:00 AM
As one of the oldest and most famous markets in Quang Ninh Province, Hon Gai Seafood Market (also known as Ha Long fishing port) is the largest seafood trading and mooring hub in the area. Sea cucumbers here are not only affordable but also exceptionally fresh, with most being sold directly right after the fishing boats return. Therefore, to ensure top quality, taste, and value, this is definitely the place to go for seafood.
Hon Gai Seafood Market impresses visitors with the bustling scene of boats docking every day
- Ha Long 1 Seafood Market
Location: Bach Dang Street, Ha Long, Quang Ninh.
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Most seafood here is alive and fresh, supplied directly by fishing boats. In addition to freshness, affordable and reasonable pricing is a major plus that attracts many shoppers. Various kinds of live, fresh Ha Long sea cucumbers are brought to Ha Long 1 Seafood Market daily.
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: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
This market is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to buy quality seafood without worrying about being overcharged, especially for Ha Long sea cucumber. Hung Thang Market is relatively small and caters mainly to locals, so when visiting, try to go early in the morning to purchase high-quality, reasonably priced Ha Long seafood as gifts for your family and friends.
Hung Thang Market offers a full variety of fresh seafood at affordable prices
2.3 How to choose fresh and delicious Ha Long sea cucumber
When shopping for delicious Ha Long sea cucumber, knowing how to select the best ones is essential. To avoid being overcharged or buying subpar sea cucumber, keep the following tips in mind:
- For fresh Ha Long sea cucumber: Choose large ones with firm, plump bodies that are not slimy and have visible spikes on their skin
- For dried Ha Long sea cucumber: Look for large sizes with thick flesh, and make sure there is no sand inside the body. In contrast, if the body is thin-fleshed and has sand inside or outside, it is of poor quality
Fresh sea cucumbers have plump bodies with spikes on their skin
The exterior of dried sea cucumber has a black coating to keep it preserved and flavorful
3 Delicious dishes made from Ha Long sea cucumber
Dishes prepared from Ha Long sea cucumber are diverse and colorful; however, once in Paradise Bay, you should not miss these 3 famous specialties:
- Sea cucumber wine: Sea cucumber is a prized medicinal ingredient for infusing liquor. Sea cucumber wine is a popular choice among travelers as a gift or for personal use
- Sea cucumber porridge: Both dried and fresh sea cucumbers make delicious, nourishing porridge. You can also combine sea cucumber with various ingredients such as chicken, abalone, shark fin, and mushrooms to enhance both nutrition and flavor
- Stir-fried sea cucumber with shiitake mushrooms: A nutritious dish that harmoniously blends the flavors of two familiar ingredients, offering a delightful dining experience. It is truly a wonderful dish for family meals
Famous Ha Long sea cucumber wine
Combining various ingredients creates a highly nutritious sea cucumber porridge
Sea cucumber combined with shiitake mushrooms and broccoli makes an enticing, nutrient-rich dish
Ha Long sea cucumber is a precious gift that you simply cannot miss when visiting Paradise Bay. You can savor delectable sea cucumber dishes at many renowned restaurants across Paradise Bay or buy them as gifts for family and loved ones. Don't forget to inspect Ha Long sea cucumber carefully and consider the prices to best fit your Ha Long travel budget.
