The salmon market in Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with various types and prices, ranging from imported salmon from Norway, Chile, and China to locally farmed salmon from Sa Pa in Lao Cai. On September 22, at a seafood stall in Tam Binh, salmon fillets were priced at approximately 350,000 VND per kilogram, while the head and tail were cheaper at around 150,000 VND per kilogram.

At Bách Hóa Xanh, salmon fillets were listed at about 300,000 VND per kilogram, sourced from Chilean coho salmon. Meanwhile, cleaned Atlantic salmon heads were available for about 100,000 VND per kilogram. At Lotte Mart, prices varied significantly: Norwegian salmon fillets were sold for 630,000 VND per kilogram, while skinless fresh fillets were priced at 800,000 VND per kilogram. The price for whole Norwegian salmon ranged from 585,000 VND to 765,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the cut.

Online marketplaces and community groups showed even wider price ranges for salmon, from nearly 200,000 VND to 800,000 VND per kilogram. Nguyen Dong Hy, a seller at Chi Hai Seafood in Binh Thanh District, noted that besides imported salmon, many customers sought out the locally farmed Sa Pa salmon, which was priced at 620,000 VND per kilogram for whole fish weighing between 1-1.7 kg.

Despite the variety, consumers often lack clarity about the origins of the salmon they purchase. Nguyen An, a resident of An Khanh, expressed concern over the source of the salmon her family buys, stating that once the product reaches the market, it often lacks proper labeling.

Phạm Thị Mai, owner of Thức Mai salmon farm in Ngũ Chỉ Sơn, Lao Cai, explained that she shifted from sourcing salmon to direct farming to ensure quality due to the inconsistent quality of market salmon. Locally farmed Sa Pa salmon is currently priced at 210,000 VND per kilogram, while retail prices in Ho Chi Minh City can range from 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the quantity purchased.

Mai highlighted the differences in quality between Sa Pa salmon and imported varieties, noting that Sa Pa salmon has less fat marbling and smaller size, resulting in lower yields. Additionally, products sold at significantly lower prices online may indicate substandard farming practices or quality.

According to H2T Food Company, which specializes in importing Norwegian salmon, the two main types available in Vietnam are frozen and fresh salmon. Frozen salmon is deep-frozen immediately after processing and transported in refrigerated containers, making it suitable for mass retail and mid-range markets. In contrast, fresh salmon is kept at temperatures of 0-4°C and is typically transported by air, catering to high-end customers and sashimi dishes, thus commanding higher prices.

Salmon is often referred to as a "superfood" due to its rich nutritional profile. However, with the variety of products and prices in the market, seafood vendors advise buyers to inquire about the origins of the salmon they intend to purchase. Proper labeling can help consumers determine whether they are buying fresh or frozen salmon, imported or locally farmed, enabling them to assess whether the price is reasonable.