Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is, coincidentally, known as the “pearl island” of Vietnam. This island is famous for its world-class beaches, diverse natural scenery, and attractions that reflect local culture. If you are planning to travel to Phu Quoc Island, don’t forget to pocket the useful experiences below to enjoy the most complete trip!

General information about Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is an island in the southernmost part of Vietnam, administratively part of Kien Giang province, in the Gulf of Thailand. For a long time, Phu Quoc has been known as one of the most famous tourist destinations in Southern Vietnam that any tourist should visit.

Phu Quoc’s coastline is more than 150km long, stretching from the North of the island to the South of the island. In addition, throughout your trip to Phu Quoc, you will see for yourself nearly 100 primeval hills and mountains with extremely rich flora and fauna.

With an area of around ​​590 km², Phu Quoc owns beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear seawater, rich primeval forests, and a unique cuisine that has made the brand famous around the world. Every year, this island attracts millions of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and relax.

In recent years, Phu Quoc has undergone spectacular development in its tourism infrastructure, with a series of high-end resorts, modern entertainment complexes, and international-class tourism services. However, the “Pearl Island” still retains its inherent wildness and peace, creating a perfect balance between majestic nature and human development.

When is the best time to travel to Phu Quoc?

According to many people with experience traveling to Phu Quoc, to choose the most convenient time to travel, you need to clearly understand Phu Quoc’s weather and climate characteristics. Located in southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island has a distinct tropical monsoon climate. Phu Quoc’s weather is divided into 2 seasons: rainy season and dry season.

Dry season in Phu Quoc: it lasts from November to about April of the following year. At this time, Phu Quoc’s weather is sunny, with little rain, and the climate is pleasant. The sky is clear blue, the golden sunshine stretches across the fine white sand beaches, and the sea is as blue as jade, with crystal clear to the bottom. This is the perfect time for those who want to fully experience the sea, whether through diving, fishing, or simply watching the beautiful sunset on the beach. Therefore, the dry season is the most suitable time to travel to Phu Quoc. However, this is also the peak tourist season in Phu Quoc, so service prices are often 20-30% higher than in the low season, and famous tourist attractions can be crowded. If you come at this time, visitors need to book rooms and services at least 1-2 months in advance to ensure quality and reasonable prices.

Rainy season in Phu Quoc: from May to October. At this time, Phu Quoc’s weather is prone to moderate and heavy rain. If you travel to Phu Quoc by boat at this time, you may encounter large waves that will significantly affect your trip. Therefore, if you choose to travel to Phu Quoc during the rainy season, you can consider choosing destinations in the North of the island, such as Dai or Dat Do beach in the South of the island. The rainy season is also a good time to visit waterfalls like Suoi Tranh, when the water flows in large volumes and with great force, creating a majestic scene.

One thing to note about the convenient time to travel to Phu Quoc is that when entering the transitional season (November), Phu Quoc also has many fluctuations and erratic changes. Therefore, before traveling to Phu Quoc, you should check the weather forecast and choose the right equipment for your trip.

Transportation to and around the island

Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air offer direct flights to Phu Quoc from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang,… If you are lucky, you can find cheap airfares around 1 million VND for both the outbound and return flights.

In addition to direct flights, visitors have other options for traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, such as motorbikes, cars, buses, speedboats, or ferries.

First-time visitors to Phu Quoc should take a speedboat to avoid seasickness. There are two routes to Phu Quoc: the journey from Rach Gia is about 120 km, taking 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the journey from Ha Tien is about 50 km, taking 1 hour and 30 minutes. You should depart from Ha Tien to shorten the travel time at sea, and the ticket price is also lower. Tickets need to be booked in advance, and you need to be at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.

If you take a bus, you can depart from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. There are many high-quality trips to Ha Tien or Rach Gia, with ticket prices ranging from 200,000 VND to 350,000 VND per person, depending on the bus company. Some high-quality bus companies you can consider include: Phuong Trang, Mai Linh, Kumho, Thien Thanh Limousine, Tuan Nga…

The most popular means of transportation on Phu Quoc Island are taxis and motorbikes. Usually, taxi companies and car rental services offer half-day or one-day packages to explore the island’s south and north for 500,000 – 700,000 VND. The driver will take you to the most famous attractions.

In addition, you can rent a motorbike for 100,000 – 150,000 VND per day, excluding gas. Visitors need to leave their ID card or passport when renting. Before moving, you should carefully check the vehicle’s brake system, turn signals, and lights.
There are buses operating on most routes and to attractions from the airport to Duong Dong town and An Thoi port, with ticket prices ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 VND. However, the tourist attractions are far from the main road, so traveling by bus will be inconvenient.

Accommodation in Phu Quoc

Tourists can find on Phu Quoc from budget motels to high-end resorts of international standards. If you want to save money, you can stay at a homestay. If you are traveling with a company or a family with young children, the best choice for you is a hotel in Duong Dong town, which is convenient for sightseeing and shopping.

Some 5-star hotels such as Saigon Phu Quoc Resort and Eden Resort usually cost over 1,500,000 VND per room per day. 3-4-star hotels cost between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 VND. 2-star hotels such as Gold Hotel, Lavita Hotel, Sea Star Resort, and Kim Hoa usually cost 600,000-800,000 VND.

Unlike Nha Trang, whose beaches are easily accessible from the main road, in Phu Quoc visitors often have to travel farther to reach the beach. So if you want to be quiet and relax, you should stay at a resort, villa, or bungalow near the beach.

You can choose a beautiful resort based on location, and room rates range from 1,800,000 to 7,000,000 VND per night. In the North of the island, there are Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort, Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula Phu Quoc, and Fusion Resort Phu Quoc. In the East of the island, there is Rocks Beach Boutique Phu Quoc, in Ham Ninh commune, which just opened in early 2022 and is considered a “miniature Maldives”. In the middle of the island’s north and center are Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc and Mango Bay Resort on Ong Lang beach. In the middle of Duong Dong town, there are Lahana Resort Phu Quoc, L’Azure Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, Anja Beach Resort, Pullman Phu Quoc, and InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, located on Khem beach, or Premier Village Phu Quoc are outstanding accommodations in the South of the island.

Tourist attractions on Phu Quoc Island

Tourist attractions on Phu Quoc are divided into 4 main areas: the central area in Duong Dong town, the South Island, the North Island, and the East Island. Depending on your schedule, you should spend at least two days if you want to explore all the attractions on the island.

North Island attractions

The Northern Part of Phu Quoc Island is rich in beauty, with primeval forests. There are also pristine beaches and fishing villages that have not been much affected by commerce. Below are some attractions.

VinWonders Phu Quoc

VinWonders Phu Quoc is the largest theme park in Vietnam, located in Bai Dai, the North of Phu Quoc Island. With an area of up to 50 hectares, this place offers an impressive journey of discovery through 6 themed zones, recreating the world of fairy tales, mysterious oceans, and brilliant civilizations.

The highlight of VinWonders Phu Quoc is the modern thrill rides, the large water park with challenging super-speed slides, and the magnificent aquarium, where you can admire hundreds of marine species. In particular, the show “Once Upon A Time,” featuring cutting-edge projection technology, will deliver an eye-catching experience not to be missed.

Not only is it a fun destination, but VinWonders is also an ideal place for the whole family to enjoy memorable moments. If you come to Phu Quoc, don’t forget to visit this classy amusement park to experience the colorful, magical world!

Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc

Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is the largest semi-wild animal care and conservation park in Vietnam. When visiting this place, you will have the opportunity to see and admire wildlife, a choice many tourists make. Safari Phu Quoc is also the first zoo in Vietnam to receive a certificate from the SEAZA Association for animal conservation.

One of the most famous attractions in the north of the island is Vinpearl Safari, which cares for more than 3,000 birds, animals, and reptiles across 175 species. The Safari is divided into two open zoo areas, for visitors to visit the animal breeding area and the semi-wild area, and is taken by specialized vehicles.

Visitors and their families and friends can learn about animals in their natural habitat here. Nearby is the VinWonders entertainment complex, with many fun and adventurous games and an aquarium suitable for both children and adults.

Grand World Phu Quoc

Located in the Phu Quoc United Center entertainment and resort complex, Grand World Phu Quoc is an indispensable piece in this leading entertainment complex in Vietnam.

Known as the “city that never sleeps”, Grand World Phu Quoc is the first 24/7 shopping, entertainment, and recreation chain in Vietnam. Allowing visitors from all over the world to have “all-night” experiences that no other place can provide.

Located in a prime location on Cape Ganh Dau with an area of ​​over 85 hectares, Grand World Phu Quoc is where you can fulfill your dream of flying to faraway Italy with the experience of sailing on the ancient Venice canal. Enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine at the miniature Shanghai Street. And the beautiful, unique, and strange art performances are also factors in creating the multifaceted beauty of this complex.

Phu Quoc National Park

Not only is it a pearl island with blue sea and golden sand, but Phu Quoc also has a large National Park with more than 30,000 hectares of primeval forest and hundreds of animal species, many of which are listed in the Red Book.

There are many ways for you to visit Phu Quoc National Park, such as riding a motorbike or trekking through the forest. However, you need to pay attention to the route because the road system in the National Park is not very convenient. The simplest way is to register for a tour to visit the most prominent places.

Directions: For those who like to ride a motorbike along the edge of the forest, you can go from Ham Ninh to Bai Thom, about 50 km.

Rach Vem fishing village

Located about 15 km from Duong Dong town, Rach Vem fishing village, or “starfish kingdom,” is one of the favorite photography spots for tourists. In addition to the clear blue sea water, this place also scores points for its abundance of starfish. From December to April, the sea is calm, and the water is clear, making it easiest to see starfish. During the rainy season, the road to Rach Vem is difficult to travel, and the water is murky.

Raft houses and wooden bridges facing the sea are also one of the highlights of Rach Vem. Upon arrival, visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of fresh seafood, which is cheaper than in the central area. However, because most raft houses are built by local people, they are not elaborately decorated.

Southern Phu Quoc Island

Sao Beach

Only 7 km long, Sao Beach is still ranked among the most beautiful beaches on the “Pearl Island”. Many tourists choose Sao Beach not only for its clear water and deserted sea, but also for its sheltered location and gentle waves.
Sao Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, located in An Thoi town, about 28 km from Duong Dong town.

The water here is clear blue, standing out on a strip of fine white sand more than 7 km long. Coming here, visitors can leisurely walk on the sandy shores, listen to the murmuring waves at dawn or swim in the sea, and take beautiful photos.

In addition, the water here is calm, and the waves are gentle, so there are many water sports activities, notably kayaking. Boat rental prices range from 100,000 to 150,000 VND.

Dinh Ba and Dinh Cau

Dinh Ba and Dinh Cau are the two most sacred destinations in Phu Quoc, located in Duong Dong. Associated with many legends about Cau Quy, Cau Tai, Chua Ngoc Nuong Nuong, Thuy Long Thanh Mau, this is where fishermen come to pray for peace, favorable weather, and a bountiful fishing season. On January 15 every year, major festivals are held here.

As one of the two most sacred temples on the island, Dinh Cau Temple is where people from the coastal region pray for safe sea trips and a favorable life. The special feature of Dinh Cau temple is that it is located on an isolated rocky cliff at Dinh Cau cape, stretching out to hear the sound of the waves, and hidden beneath a shady ancient tree.

To reach the temple, visitors will have to climb 29 steps and, from there, also have the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of the beautiful pearl island.

Phu Quoc Prison

Not only is it a tourist island filled with natural beauty, but Phu Quoc is also a place that marks the nation’s painful war history. Phu Quoc Prison used to be a place to detain and torture more than 40,000 patriotic soldiers. Now, it has become a relic site, restored to serve tourists’ learning.

In 1995, the prison was recognized as a national historic site and began opening to visitors. Coming here, you will learn about the historical imprints of many heroic yet equally terrifying years in the nation’s history, including the dark prison row and countless punishments.

Ho Quoc Pagoda

The pagoda belongs to the Truc Lam Zen Monastery system and is built of ironwood, with the same architecture as pagodas in the North. This is a famous spiritual tourist destination on “Pearl Island”. Standing here, visitors can see the vast ocean in front of them, with the beautiful green mountains and forests behind them. In addition, when you come here, you can worship and pray for good things. This is a spiritual destination that cannot be missed when visiting Phu Quoc Island.

Directions: You drive on Nguyen Van Cu Street, towards Phu Quoc Prison, about 1 km from the turn to Sao Beach, then turn left into a small path, which is the way to the pagoda. Traveling on this road for about 4 km, you will reach Ho Quoc Pagoda.

Phu Quoc Night Market

If Duong Dong Market is the busiest market during the day, no place can compare to the vibrant atmosphere at night of Phu Quoc Night Market (also known as Dinh Cau Night Market). The night market is mainly a place for tourists to hang out after a day of exploring.

A visit to the night market will certainly not be complete if you do not enjoy the fragrant grilled seafood right at the market, and end the evening with familiar snacks such as sticky rice bananas and grilled sweet potatoes. The market also sells some interesting souvenirs such as small pearl items, suitable for buying as gifts.

Fish sauce producers

As a famous traditional craft village on Phu Quoc, fish sauce making also contributes to the island’s tourism. No Phu Quoc travel experience can miss the opportunity to visit the large-scale fish sauce in barrel houses here.

At any barrel house, visitors will see rows of large wooden barrels stacked high to the ceiling and hear an introduction to the fish fermentation process that produces the delicious, rich, high-class fish sauce typical of Phu Quoc.

Visiting the islands

Coming to Phu Quoc, one of the most attractive experiences is visiting islands such as Thom, Mong Tay, Gam Ghi, and May Rut.
Thom is the most exploited tourist island, with beautiful beaches, coral diving, fishing, squid fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing. In particular, there is a water park with 20 thrilling games, Aquatopia Water Park, for visitors to enjoy with their families.

If visitors love diving, they can go to the ECO Beach area on the island. There is a package of 950,000 VND per person, including 20 minutes of experience with a closed helmet. If choosing an air tank like a diver, the service price is 650,000 VND per person. Other services visitors can register for include underwater video recording for 600,000 VND and photography for 300,000 VND.

To get to the island, visitors depart from the cable car station. The station is designed and built in the ancient Roman style and is a favorite photo spot for many young visitors. Then, you will ride the world’s longest three-wire cable car, with a total length of 7,899 m. From the cabin, visitors can see the clear blue sea, peaceful islands, and boats going back and forth.

In addition to booking tickets in advance, visitors can buy them outside the cable car station entrance. The price of the cable car, water park, and lunch buffet package is 600,000 VND for adults and children over 1.4 m tall. Visitors from 1m to 1.4 m tall buy tickets for 400,000 VND.

In addition, visitors can book an island tour to visit Thom and the remaining islands. The 4-island tour: May Rut Trong, May Rut Ngoai, Gam Ghi, and Mong Tay in An Thoi archipelago is a popular choice.

Visitors will be picked up at the hotel in Duong Dong town, taken to An Thoi port, and then visit Hon Gam Ghi by canoe, snorkeling to see coral. The service includes underwater filming and photography packages. Tours with lunch cost about 1,000,000 VND per person. However, the 4-island tour usually involves a lot of movement. Tourists who are seasick or not in good health can choose the 2 or 3-island tour with fewer activities.

If you want to be more adventurous, you can explore Dam Island, known as the Robinson Island of Phu Quoc. The island has no internet; electricity is generated by solar power, and the whole island has only a few bungalows made of bamboo and wood, facing the sea.

Duong Dong town area

As the central area of ​​the large pearl island, Duong Dong town is where all the fun activities and the most vibrant tourist destinations in Phu Quoc are concentrated.

Truong Beach

Many favorable factors make Truong Beach always the most crowded beach in Phu Quoc. Truong Beach stretches for more than 20 km and is divided into many different small beaches, attracting both tourists and locals with its wide sandy shore and cool coconut trees.

It seems that whenever you come to Truong Beach, you will have enough food and entertainment: from sports activities on the sea, restaurants serving close to the sea, to massage services for you to relax right in the sound of the waves. In particular, because it is located in the southwest of the island, Truong Beach is also ranked among the best places to watch the sunset.

Duong Dong Market

The market located right next to the Duong Dong sea gate is the largest market in Phu Quoc. This place gathers fresh seafood and delicious dishes that are always enough to satisfy your stomach.

And according to many experiences of traveling to Phu Quoc, Duong Dong market is the right place for you to buy some Phu Quoc specialties such as fish sauce, dried fish, and sim wine… as gifts for relatives.

Enjoy Phu Quoc specialties

Fresh seafood

The first dish when going to the island must be seafood. Not only does Phu Quoc have familiar and fresh seafood such as snails, shrimp, squid, but it also has “special” seafood such as sea urchins, Ham Ninh crabs, Bien Mai scallops… Just steam, grill, or even eat raw to fully enjoy the delicious taste.

Herring salad

Herring salad is one of the most typical dishes of Phu Quoc, embodying the island’s culinary essence. The dish is made from fresh herring, a small fish with lots of meat and few bones, very popular in the waters around Phu Quoc. After being caught, the fish will be cleaned, deboned, sliced ​​thinly, and soaked in vinegar, lemon, and spices for a short time, just enough to cook the fish meat.

When eaten, the fish is mixed with herbs, chili, garlic, shallots, and sweet-and-sour fish sauce, creating a harmonious balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. In particular, Phu Quoc herring salad is often served with rice paper, young banana leaves, and roasted peanuts, creating a rich, bold flavor.

Crab noodle soup – Fish cake noodle soup

Taking advantage of fresh, delicious crab from the sea, Phu Quoc crab noodle soup is a dish that is both popular and appealing. The crab meat is chewy and sweet, and adding a few pieces of thick mackerel cake, combined with rice-flour noodle soup and bone broth, makes a bowl of noodle soup that warms the stomach.

In addition to crab noodle soup, Phu Quoc has fish cake noodle soup, as in many other coastal areas. The broth is made from sweet fish bones; the chewy fish cake, fried to an attractive aroma, is what will fascinate diners with this popular dish.

Bun Quay

A special version of the Binh Dinh shrimp noodle dish, bun quay (stir-fried noodles), will feature a mixture of fish, squid, and minced shrimp; when eaten, it is poured over boiling broth to cook.

The noodles of bun quay are also very special: they must be fresh noodles pressed directly from the tube. The simple but delicious ingredients are what make this dish attractive.

Shopping for souvenirs in Phu Quoc

In addition to the wild beauty and rich seafood resources, Phu Quoc is also famous for many specialties such as fish sauce, Sim wine, pepper, and pearls. If you want to enjoy and buy dried seafood as gifts, you can visit Dinh Cau night market. This is the largest seafood market on Phu Quoc Island; the seafood here is both cheap and fresh, attracting many visitors to shop.

Or if you intend to buy fish sauce as a gift, visit the most famous fish sauce production facilities in Phu Quoc, such as Khai Hoan of Mr. Ky, Hung Thanh company, Bao Ninh fish sauce… If you want to buy Sim wine SimSon or Sim wine of Mr. Bay Giao, the price is 150,000 VND / bottle.

In particular, if you come to Phu Quoc, you must definitely visit famous pearl farms such as Quoc An Pearl, Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm, Japanese pearl farm, and Australian pearl farm,… to have the opportunity to learn more about this precious jewelry and medicine.

Source: collected by An

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