Many exotic fish species from Vietnam have become expensive delicacies.

Fish measuring up to a meter in length spark curiosity, priced at 230,000 VND/kg.

In the waters of Cảnh Dương (Quảng Trạch district, Quảng Bình province), there is a species of long-bodied marine fish that arouses curiosity: the barracuda.

The barramundi is a unique fish, nicknamed the "dragon-bodied sea fish" because of its shimmering silver appearance and fins running along its back. Barramundi has a long, flattened body with no scales. Its shape is similar to an eel, with a pointed snout, slightly large eyes, a wide mouth, and many separate molars and small teeth in both jaws. Adult barramundi can reach a length of around 1 meter and weigh between 0.8 and 2 kg.

The barramundi is nicknamed the dragon-bodied sea fish. Photo: Arttimes

These fish live on the seabed, about 150-200 meters below the surface. Therefore, fishermen mainly use longline fishing boats to catch them. Fishing trips for these fish usually last from one week to half a month.

With its high nutritional value, barracuda is considered a nutritious food favored by many. At the port, barracuda is purchased at 150,000 VND/kg for export. On the market, barracuda sells for up to 230,000 VND/kg.

Fish that are edible, including the guts, are still selling well even at half a million dong per kilogram.

The carp, also known as the "ca sinh cao" or "ca mat," is a freshwater fish belonging to the carp family. This type of fish is a specialty in Quang Ngai province.

The fish's fins are silvery, resembling those of a carp at first glance, but more slender. Adult fish are about the size of three adult fingers and over 30cm long.

This type of fish lives in streams and fast-flowing waterfalls, so its flesh is very firm. The fish only eats algae clinging to rocks, so its flesh is white, fragrant, not fishy, ​​and highly nutritious. The intestines are edible, and although they have a bitter taste, many people enjoy them.

At one point, the price of snakehead fish reached half a million dong per kilogram. Photo: Vietnamese Rural.

These fish swim very fast, so catching them is not easy. Fishermen have to use nets to enclose the stream, shoot them with guns, or use other fishing tools. Therefore, this type of fish has very high economic value.

Frozen catfish are being sold for 325,000-350,000 VND/kg. As for fresh catfish, buyers have to go directly to the source to wait for the fishermen to catch them or place an order in advance, with prices ranging from 400,000-500,000 VND/kg, depending on the time of year. Despite the high price, many people are still eager to buy them.

This fish was once a delicacy fit for royalty, priced at 850,000 VND/kg.

The green carp is abundant in rivers and streams in the northern mountainous provinces and scattered throughout the North Central region, migrating seasonally. It is considered one of the "five precious river fish" along with the snakehead, catfish, carp, and carp, all valuable species recorded in historical records as offerings to the emperor in the past.

The green carp is a rare and precious delicacy fit for royalty. Photo: Arttimes

This fish has a long body and a slightly short head, similar to a carp, with thick, protruding lips. Commonly seen green carp weigh 1-2 kg. The fish has sweet, flavorful flesh, especially the roe, and its bones are particularly soft and odorless.

Green carp can be prepared in many different ways, such as salad, hot pot, grilled, porridge, steamed, and braised. On the market, green carp has an average price of about 850,000 VND/kg.

Two types of fish that were once considered "worthless" are now becoming export delicacies.

In the past, the scad fish was considered to have no economic value and was therefore ignored by people. In fact, its status was so low that it was jokingly referred to as "disdain shrimp for scad fish; reject a man with a big belly and marry a hunchback."

But later, as demand increased and people realized their potential, dried scad fish quickly became a hot item, rivaling famous dried specialties like goby fish.

The dwarf eggplant has now become an expensive delicacy. Photo: Law and Readers.

Dried scad fish differs from other types of dried fish in that it only needs to be sun-dried for one day, hence the name "one-day sun-dried scad fish". Dried scad fish is beautifully packaged for transport by plane and ship to the US, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, etc. On the market, dried scad fish sells for 280,000 VND/kg depending on size.

In terms of identification, this fish is tiny, round-bodied, with soft flesh, and measures about 3-7 cm in length. It has two black stripes running along both sides of its body, which is why people in coastal areas call it "charcoal anchovy." Charcoal anchovies are only available during the dry season, from around January to March in the lunar calendar.

This humble fish has now been elevated to a delicacy; dried anchovies are famous far and wide and are even exported abroad. Dried anchovies are sold at prices ranging from 250,000 to 360,000 VND per kilogram.

Fish that can fly like birds, a famous delicacy.

In the waters off Da Nang and Quang Nam, there is a very special type of fish that can fly like a bird: the flying fish. This unique fish is capable of gliding above the water's surface for a distance of about 50 meters, thanks to its strong and sturdy fins.

Flying fish are egg-laying fish; their eggs are pale yellow, tiny like grains of sand, and clustered together. This species has an elongated, slightly flattened body. An adult flying fish measures approximately 20-35 cm in length and weighs around 0.5-0.8 kg.

A type of fish that can fly like a bird. Photo: Dan Viet

Besides grilling, flying fish can also be prepared into many delicious dishes such as sour soup, soup with young jackfruit, fried with minced lemongrass, or made into fermented fish paste to eat during the rainy season.

At seafood markets, flying fish are sold by weight or by the piece depending on size. At peak times, flying fish can cost up to 250,000 VND/kg. Besides fresh flying fish, dried flying fish is also a specialty sold on online marketplaces at prices up to 290,000 VND/kg.