Ngoc Phuong Nam 1 is a seafood restaurant on Do Si Hoa Street in the Cai Dam area of Bai Chay, Halong. Its waterfront setting faces Reu Island and the Vinpearl resort, making it worth considering if you want a sit-down seafood meal with a view during your stay or cruise-port call.
For ocean-cruise passengers, the main decision is whether there is enough time for transport, a freshly cooked meal and the return to the ship. Reserve the correct branch, ask the restaurant to confirm a workable serving time and arrange your return ride before committing to lunch.
Find the correct Ngoc Phuong Nam branch
- Restaurant: Ngoc Phuong Nam 1, also written Ngọc Phương Nam cơ sở 1.
- Address: Do Si Hoa Street, Cai Dam urban area, Bai Chay, Halong.
- Telephone: +84 901 599 598.
- Setting: on the mainland, facing Reu Island. You do not need to take the Vinpearl resort boat to reach this restaurant.
The business also has a separately listed branch at Sun Premier Village. When arranging a table or taxi, send the name Ngọc Phương Nam 1, Đỗ Sĩ Họa and check that the map pin matches. A booking for “Ngoc Phuong Nam” alone can leave the branch unclear.
What to order
The restaurant offers seafood selected from live tanks as well as prepared dishes. For a manageable shared meal, start with one seafood dish, a vegetable dish and rice or noodles, then ask the staff whether the portion sizes suit your group.
- For a straightforward seafood choice: ask which fish, crab, shrimp or squid is available that day and compare a simple steamed preparation with a richer sauce.
- For a more elaborate dish: ask about options such as cheese-baked lobster or grilled shellfish with scallion oil. Confirm availability, size and price before ordering a large item.
- For a mixed-preference group: request the current meat, vegetable and rice dishes alongside the seafood menu. Explain any vegetarian requirements specifically, including whether fish sauce, oyster sauce or seafood stock must be excluded.
If you want local seafood, ask which species and origins are available. A live tank or a Halong address does not mean that every item was caught in Halong Bay; the restaurant’s selection can include imported seafood too.
Agree on the price before the seafood is cooked
The final bill depends on what you choose, how much it weighs and how it is prepared. A broad price per person is not a reliable guide if one table orders ordinary shared dishes and another orders large live seafood.
- Check whether the quoted price is per kilogram, per animal or per dish.
- For seafood sold by weight, confirm the weight and estimated total before it goes to the kitchen.
- Ask whether preparation, sauces, rice, drinks, tax or service charges are included.
- For a group, agree on the number of diners and portions. If you prefer a fixed budget, request a written set-menu quotation showing what it includes.
Tell the staff about food allergies before selecting dishes and ask what the kitchen can accommodate. Do not rely on a dish name or the absence of visible shellfish to establish its ingredients.
Choose your seating when you reserve
Ask for a sea-facing table if the view is your main reason for choosing the restaurant. Confirm the actual dining area, since a general reservation does not guarantee a particular floor, window table or unobstructed outlook.
For a family or group, specify whether you want shared seating or a private room and ask about any minimum spend. If stairs are difficult for anyone, confirm the route from the vehicle drop-off to the table and toilets. Treat accessible seating as a booking requirement rather than assuming that every dining area will work.
Plan the meal around your cruise-port call
Check the arrival instructions issued by your cruise line. Halong International Cruise Port in Bai Chay and Tuan Chau harbor are different places; the restaurant’s mainland location does not make them interchangeable.
Work backward from your ship’s all-aboard time. Allow for the drive, getting from the permitted drop-off point to the ship, security procedures and an extra margin for delays. A short driving estimate on a map covers only part of that journey.
When reserving, give the restaurant your arrival time and the time you must leave the table. Ask whether the dishes you want can be served within that window. Prearranging a simple menu can make timing easier, but telling staff that you are in a hurry does not guarantee priority service.
Arrange the return pickup with your driver and keep the meeting point and contact details available. Before leaving the port, confirm where that vehicle may collect and drop you off; do not assume an ordinary taxi or sightseeing buggy can drive directly to the gangway.
Before setting out
Confirm the branch, table time, kitchen availability and payment method directly with the restaurant. For a short shore visit, a confirmed reservation and realistic return plan matter more than fitting in a long list of dishes. Ngoc Phuong Nam 1 is most useful when you have time to sit down, order clearly and enjoy the waterfront setting without rushing back to your ship.