Phu Quoc island attractions: the hidden Vietnamese gem
It was a cold January day in Bucharest when we first decided to take our first trip to Asia. After some research, we agreed to vacation in Vietnam and enjoy a Phu Quoc Island itinerary.
Read our post and find out everything the beautiful Vietnamese island has to offer.
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Table of Contents
Phu Quoc Island Guide
Getting to Phu Quoc
Getting to Phu Quoc couldn’t be any easier, especially by air, since there are around ten daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
We booked a flight with Vietnam Airlines from Ho Chi Minh City in advance and had to spend only around 50 USD for a round trip and a 40-minute flight.
The other way you can reach the island is by sea, which will, of course, take you a little bit longer:
- 2:30 hours from Rach Gia
- 1:15 hours from Ha Tien
Have more time to spend in Asia? Get inspired for a longer trip, from 2 weeks to 6 months in Asia
Where to stay in Phu Quoc
Accommodation on the island is available for every budget and preference, depending on the location of the hotel or resort you choose to stay in.
Duong Dong is the capital of the island and the city where most of the hotels are located. However, we stayed in a more secluded location.
We were about 6 km from the most beautiful beach on the island (Bai Sao Beach) and around 20 km from the capital.
This wasn’t a problem for us since it offered everything we sought. It was clear, and we had an amiable host who went out of his way to help us with all our arrangements around the island. We had good food and a great pool, almost all to ourselves.
If you are also looking for this, I recommend Montana Resort. Check out their rooms and prices here.
Here are more options you can check out:
- Cassia Cottage—Depending on when you choose to visit the island, this place can also have prices below 100 USD per night. Its location is truly amazing, with a great big pool overlooking the beach.
- Orchid Guesthouse is a budget location, bookable for as little as 18 USD/night. This place is very traditional and basic, only a few minutes away from the beach.
- Rock Beach Boutique Bungalows—right on the beach, with prices below 100 USD/night, this place blends nature with lovely accommodation at a reasonable price.
See this superb location here!
- Salida Resort – a 5* resort and location for which you must be prepared to pay the price.
What to do on Phu Quoc Island
Even though it is a relatively small island, Phu Quoc offers many things to do.
All the tropical beaches
I will start with the obvious: the beautiful remote sandy beaches and clear blue water. Truong Beach, Ganh Dau Beach, Bai Vong Beach, and, of course, Bai Sao Beach (with its notorious swing) are only a few remote islands where you can spend your vacation relaxing and gaining some tan.
What I like most about these beaches is that they are not crowded at all, offering the opportunity to enjoy a great tropical destination at its true value.
Go on a tour of the southern part of the island, see the Coconut Tree Prison and the pearl factory, and stop by Sao Beach. Check the tour out here!
Hunting for pearls
Pearl farming – we had only a less than an hour stop here, but it was enough to see how pearls grow and are being collected, and a well for buying some lovely souvenirs and gifts. Book your tour here!
Choose the best Vietnam SIM card for mobile internet!
Fish sauce factories
On the island and on Vietnam’s mainland, you can taste the delicious fish sauce in the exquisite local cuisine. So why not get a glimpse of how this thing is done?
The leading factories are located in Duong Dong and An Thoi. More than 85 factories produce more than 12 million liters of fish sauce yearly, making it easy to understand why this would be on the list of Phu Quoc attractions.
Just as a side note, if you have this in mind, be prepared for the unique smell. You will definitely know when you are going to be close to one of the factories.
Entertain the child within
Spend a day at Vinpearl Land and Vinpearl Safari.
If you are traveling with kids, but not only, be prepared to spend one full day at this cool and not very crowded amusement park. We went on a safari before visiting the amusement park, and the experience was lovely. We got to see a lot of animals both from outside and from a closed bus.
I would say that the safari is a mix of a zoo and safari, but they have many wild animals, and the experience can be fun, especially for kids.
Once we finished the animal tour, we changed into our bathing suits and headed to the amusement park. Once again, this local attraction is not very crowded, offering the possibility of having some fun without being bothered by crowds of other people and without having to wait at each water slide or any other rides.
If you decide to visit, keep in mind that you will pay a single ticket for all the water slides and the amusement park, while you will have unlimited rides. Also, you just need to pay attention and be careful since safety may be perceived differently in Vietnam than in your local country.
Another option is VinWonders Park. It is the biggest theme park in Vietnam, with over 100 rides. Check it out here!
Pepper farms
The island is also known as Pepper Island because four different types of pepper (black, white, red, and green) are grown here. You can taste them all in the local dishes.
Moreover, Phu Quoc’s pepper is considered to be one of the best in the world, and I can confirm it is extremely delicious and a must if you haven’t tested fresh pepper yet.
Pepper plantations can be found all over the island, and I think it is an experience not to be missed.
Snorkeling, diving, and other water-related activities
Needless to say, you will find several water-related sports and activities.
When we went snorkeling around Turtle Island, the only issue was that the area we visited was swarming with huge jellyfish, but I guess this depends mainly on the time of year you visit.
There are, of course, also companies that offer diving courses if you are into that.
Book a scuba diving experience for beginners or advanced divers here!
Go on a 3-islands snorkeling full-day tour!
Don’t feel like diving or snorkeling? Go on a kayaking tour and discover secluded beaches filled with starfish. Book your experience here!
National Park
Even though the park is not strictly defined and around 50% of the island is part of the National Park, you surely need to explore the island and all its flora and fauna.
Night market in Duong Dong
A great evening pass time, come here to watch the sunset, observe the local daily life and get to taste a lot of incredible vegetables and fruit you might not find in your local markets.
Waterfalls
Only 8 km away from the island’s capital, Duong Dong, the waterfalls can be reached by taxi or by hiring a private tour.
Getting around Phu Quoc Island
The easiest way to get around the island is by taxi since there is no public transportation (or if it exists, I have never seen a bus, so it might not be very efficient), and taxi rides are very affordable.
Also, if you know how to ride a moped, you will be able to rent one almost anywhere and drive around the island.
As you arrive on the island, I would suggest booking a private transfer – it is affordable, comfortable, and you won’t have to worry about a thing. Book your transfer here!
Another option is booking an organized trip.
When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc Island?
Of course, temperatures and prices will vary depending on when you choose to spend your holiday on the island.
- The High Season is from November to March, with temperatures between 25 and 28 Celsius and low humidity. You must book in advance if you want to visit the island during this period.
- Medium Season – April to June and late October. This is, in fact, the time we visited the island, and I have to say I found it just perfect. It was not very crowded, and the temperatures were perfect, not very humid.
- Low Season – July to September, when they have monsoon season, is very rainy and muddy.
Other Vietnam travel resources:
- Plan for the perfect 5-day Da Nang itinerary with beautiful day trips to Hoi An and Hue
- See what to do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Where to stay in Hoi An – choose the best area to stay in Hoi An
- Start packing with the help of my comprehensive Vietnam packing list – all the essentials you’ll need for your trip
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