Port Vila Markets
A huge selection of arts, crafts, foods and
cultural activities
Where in the world can you buy an authentic French pastry along with
a native grown cup of hot coffee, stroll between aisles of South Pacific carvings and hand dyed sarongs and grab a
quick Chinese take away lunch? All of this and more is available to visitors of the
Port Vila markets and shopping areas.
Fusion of
cultures
The unique cultural fusion that takes place in the small city has
created a wonderful environment heavily influenced by a number of cultures and tastes. The Melanesian culture of
the native population has merged with the English, French and Chinese cultures to create a huge selection of foods,
crafts, arts and cultural activities in the area.
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Port Vila markets cover relatively large area in
the town centre, offering a great
assortment of locally handmade goods and locally grown fresh
produce.
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The Port Vila markets greatly illustrate this interesting cultural
phenomenon as visitors can purchase a wide range of goods from a number of backgrounds and inspiration.
Port Vila
Market
The Port Vila Market runs along the city’s Main Street and is open
several days a week. Guests can purchase fresh produce from the many island farmers, they can buy island raised
beef and fresh fish and shellfish from some of the local vendors. Shoppers will be able to select from an excellent
variety of native wines, locally grown coffees and fresh baked pastries.
Port Vila markets also make a great assortment of handcrafted goods
and local merchandise available to tourists and residents alike. Shoppers buy flowers and shells, antiques and
souvenirs along with the many wonderful snacks and beverages sold by local and friendly vendors at the
markets.
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Shoppers at Port Vila markets can purchase locally
handcrafted wooden carvings,
to take home as unique souvenirs from Vanuatu.
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Traditional Island
Carvings
Some traditional island carvings are a popular purchase among the
thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. These carvings are made of wood, stone, coral or volcanic
materials. They are occasionally painted, and are in the shapes of canoes, bowls, animals, birds and fish. The
islanders will also craft masks, weavings such as baskets and mats, and some pottery is still produced, as well as
a great deal of traditional jewelry and clothing. Many of the native artisans and crafters make daily or weekly
trips to the Port Vila Market and shops and it is a good idea to visit the area a few times to see the largest
variety of local goods and crafts.
Duty Free
Goods
With the increase in the tourist trade, a large emphasis is being
placed on the “duty
free” opportunities in Port Vila. Shoppers in the commercial area of the
city can enjoy duty free t-shirts, perfumes and electronics, but they will also find real bargains in jewelry and
other handcrafted goods. It is a good tip to remember that most goods will have to clear customs, so shoppers
should not invest in anything containing any kind of seeds, shells or leaf products.
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