Ngoc Hien Pearl Shop (Ngọc trai Ngọc Hiền)
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If you’re looking for a place to spend some in-between time in Phu Quoc—like while waiting for your flight or between activities—I recommend visiting the Ngoc Hien Pearl Shop.
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I personally call it the “Pearl Museum,” although that’s not its official name.
It’s actually a large shopping complex that sells pearls, but it also features a museum-like exhibit area that’s free to enter, making it a great spot to stop by at least once.
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A Peek into the Pearl-Making Process
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Don’t worry—there’s no pressure to buy anything.
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This place is known as the largest pearl farm on the island.
They manage a 500-hectare saltwater farming area and harvest approximately 500,000 pearls annually.
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As someone unfamiliar with pearls, I found it to be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
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More Than Just Pearls: Ceramics and Shells
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Some of the displayed items resembled Korean artifacts at first glance, but they seemed to have more aesthetic than historical value.
There were various ceramic dishes that looked like they were salvaged from the sea.
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One of the highlights was being able to touch giant clam shells, which were real—not replicas.
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If I ever encountered something like that underwater, I’d probably be terrified!
They definitely wouldn’t look this clean and white in the ocean, either.
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Safe and Artistic Shell Crafting
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The shell crafting area was fascinating.
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They were turning large shells into decorative art pieces.
Unlike many other places, this workshop had proper local exhaust ventilation and lighting—showing their attention to worker safety and health.
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Live Demonstration at the Entrance
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At the entrance, a staff member gives a live demonstration of opening a clam and extracting a pearl.
If you listen carefully and answer a quiz question correctly, you can even win a small gift—like a shell pendant—as a souvenir.
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A Beautiful Exit Through the Pearl Gallery
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After touring the underground exhibition area, you exit through the first floor, passing by the shop displays before reaching the parking lot.
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The pearl jewelry on display was truly beautiful and varied.
They come with certificates, so I considered buying one as a souvenir. But since someone in my group wasn’t interested in pearls, I ended up just admiring them and walking out.
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Prices ranged widely—from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands or more, with some pieces mounted on the walls reaching into the million-dollar range.
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Final Thoughts
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The whole visit took about an hour and there was plenty to see.
If you’re traveling to Phu Quoc, I’d definitely recommend stopping by.
From Vietnamese ceramics to giant clams and shimmering pearls, it was an unexpectedly delightful experience.
Oh, and I got so distracted by the pearls that I forgot to take photos of them—so most of my pictures are of ceramics instead!