Discover the tropical beaches and inland of Phu Quoc, the most beautiful island in Vietnam
Looking for the most beautiful island in Vietnam? Then look no further! Phu Quoc has everything you expect from a tropical island. It is located in the south of Vietnam, near the border with Cambodia, in the well-known tropical Gulf of Thailand.
You will find white sandy beaches, countless palm trees, lush tropical jungle, beautiful sunsets, and nice beach bars. Phu Quoc is ideal for a few days of relaxing at the beginning or end of your trip through Vietnam.
But there are many more fun things to do in Phu Quoc. You can explore the island by scooter, visit the national park in the north, look for one of the pepper plantations, island hopping, and snorkeling, admire the local customs in the fishing villages, or taste the delicious food at a night market.
So Phu Quoc certainly deserves its place among the best things to do in Vietnam. In this article, we have listed the best activities and experiences in Phu Quoc for you, including some delicious restaurants and our favorite places to stay.
Read more: What to wear in Vietnam + packing list
How to get to Phu Quoc
As previously indicated, Phu Quoc is located in the far south of Vietnam, closer to Cambodia than to Vietnam itself. Many people travel here from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho (the Mekong Delta).
The easiest way to get there is by plane. You can fly to the international airport from Ho Chi Minh City (several flights per day) or even from Can Tho in the Mekong Delta (fewer flights, so book in time). Or of course, you can also fly from the other major cities in Vietnam and some foreign destinations.
If you want to come by land, you can first travel from Ho Chi Minh City by bus to Ha Tien (a 9-hour drive) and then take the ferry (1.5 hours) to Bai Vong on Phu Quoc. From Can Tho (Mekong Delta) it is only a 4-hour drive to Ha Tien.
We visited Phu Quoc after our trip to Cambodia and came overland from Cambodia. The border crossing is only 15 minutes from the ferry to Phu Quoc. You can first take the bus from Kep or Kampot. Make sure you have applied for your e-visa for Vietnam in advance. That will save you a lot of time at the border crossing.
The best things to do in Phu Quoc
Relax on Sao Beach (Star Beach)
Sao Beach, or Bai Sao in Vietnamese, is the most beautiful beach in Phu Quoc and, according to some, also the most beautiful in Vietnam. It is a piece of paradise with its white sand and beautiful palm trees. The beach is no less than 7 km long and is approximately 25 km from Duong Don, the capital of Phu Quoc (about a 45-minute drive by scooter).
You come to Sao Beach to relax. Order something to drink or eat at one of the many beach bars and relax in a hammock or beach chair. You can also enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the azure blue water, with many corals and starfish. You can rent snorkels and other things on the beach.
It is a lot quieter on the left side of the beach. Since the beach bars clean the beach, you unfortunately also notice waste here
TIP: Come to this beach early in the morning and you will probably have it all to yourself! Walk through the jungle and past the palm trees, and you will feel like you are on a desert island.
View Phu Quoc from above with the cable car
The cable car on Phu Quoc, also known as the Hon Thom Cable Car, is a feat of technology. This cable car is no less than 8 km long and more than 170 meters high. It connects An Thoi Town on the mainland of Phu Quoc with the beautiful Hon Thom, also called Pineapple Island.
You have a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding islands, the azure blue water, and the An Thoi archipelago. On Hon Thom, you will find some beautiful beaches and a nature reserve. You can book tickets in advance and combine your visit with a snorkeling tour or a visit to the theme park.
Discover Ham Ninh, an authentic fishing village
Ham Ninh, on the east coast of Phu Quoc, is another real fishing village. Here you can see the daily routine of the local fishermen who set sail at sunrise and the women who sell the fish. In the village itself you will find several fresh markets, nice to stroll around and watch all the scenes.
Ham Ninh is also known for its delicious seafood, with freshly caught crab being a local specialty. It is best to enjoy all these delicacies in one of the fish restaurants near the harbor. Sơn Trang Quán is a nice place with a view of the sea.
TIP: Want to see more of local life and Vietnamese culture? Then you can also visit the fishing village of Ganh Dau. Even more authentic than Ham Ninh, but located a little further in the north of the island. Also great fun to take photos!
Discover Phu Quoc with a scooter
If you have already read several of our articles, you know that we love discovering a place by scooter. You have complete freedom, you can drive around at your own pace, stop whenever you want and easily go to more remote places. Plus, it’s usually fairly cheap too. For example, we rented scooters in Hoi An, Sapa, and Phong Nha in Vietnam, but also in Langkawi (Malaysia), Bali, …
One of the best things to do in Phu Quoc is rent a scooter and discover the most beautiful places on the island. You can easily go from one beach to another and discover the interior.
The roads are good (some are brand new) and the traffic is also quite calm compared to the rest of Vietnam. Of course, you still have to drive with caution. But even as a reasonable beginner, you can simply drive around here with your scooter.
TIP: You can usually rent a scooter through your hotel or resort. Make sure they charge a fair price. Another option is to rent a scooter from one of the rental companies in the city but always read the reviews carefully.
Taste delicious street food dishes at the Duong Dong Night Market
What you should definitely not miss in Phu Quoc is the Duong Dong Night Market. Every evening it transforms the heart of Phu Quoc’s capital into a lively place full of food stalls. Very nice to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. You may pay a little more than in other places in Vietnam, but you get the fun for free.
At the Duong Dong Nightmarket, you should really try some street food delicacies at one of the many attractively lit food stalls. The locals also come here to eat. Of course, there is a lot of fresh fish, seafood, and shellfish. But also other typical Vietnamese delicacies, such as one of our favorite dishes, the Vietnamese pizza.
If you want to buy souvenirs or local handicrafts, there are also some stalls that offer this. Near the market is also the beautiful Cao Dai temple (a religion that combines things from the major world religions), although you would prefer to come here during the day to admire all the colors.
Phu Quoc Prison History Museum
Everywhere in Vietnam, you will find traces of the terrible Vietnam War. Also in Phu Quoc, there was a notorious prison, Coconut Tree Prison, which once served as a place where prisoners of war were held. It is located near Sao Beach. You can easily combine these two in one day.
In the small Phu Quoc Prison History Museum, located on the grounds, visitors can walk through the preserved cells and exhibitions. They tell the stories of the prisoners and the hardships they endured. If you are interested in the history of Vietnam you should definitely go here.
Learn about the pepper culture in Phu Quoc
Like nearby Kampot in Cambodia, Phu Quoc is known for its pepper, especially black peppercorns. During our scooter trip, we visited this pepper plantation in the north of the island.
A very nice place, where you can take a tour with a guide and learn more about how they grow pepper on this island. You can also follow a cooking workshop and eat something delicious in the restaurant. And of course, you can also taste the different types of pepper.
TIP: If you want to immerse yourself even more in local customs, visit a fish sauce factory because Phu Quoc is also known for that. For example, at Nuoc Mam Hung Thanh, near the market, you can see how fish sauce is made.
Visit the Bee Farm
Do you really want something unique to do on Phu Quoc? Not far from the pepper plantation, you will also find the Bee Farm. A small farm where you can buy honey, have a tasty drink, and get a tour with an explanation about the bees and the tropical plants that grow there.
This place is not that touristy, and that is why it was a wonderful experience. The owner is incredibly happy to receive you. Be sure to try one of the “miracle drinks” in the small café. This is one of our favorite places in Phu Quoc in Vietnam, a real hidden gem.
Go island hopping from Phu Quoc
If you like tropical islands and snorkeling, then you should definitely go on an organized boat trip, definitely one of the best things to do in Phu Quoc. After all, Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, is surrounded by a lot of beautiful small islands, each more beautiful than the other.
You can discover Turtle Island in the north, or the archipelago in the south, the An thoi archipelago, with islands May Rut and Gam Ghi. The boats stop on the tropical beaches where you can swim and snorkel. Most tours provide a nice lunch, fruit and all snorkeling gear. Do you like diving? Then you can also book a diving tour.
Enjoy the sunset on Long Beach
Long Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Phu Quoc. But you also have a spectacular sunset with a view of the Gulf of Thailand. A nice place to relax for an evening with a cocktail in hand, enjoying a tasty snack.
There are many beach bars and restaurants along this beach. One of our favorite bars was the OCSEN Beach Bar, where you can choose a beanbag in the sand to watch the spectacle. Unless you prefer to play a game of pool in the bar. After sunset, a DJ also starts playing. Be sure to arrive on time if you want to get a nice spot on the water.
Would you like to make your evening even more special? Then go for a BBQ at sunset on the beach. Delicious fresh fish and meat are prepared in front of you, while you can watch the setting sun.
TIP: Are you looking for a little more peace and quiet? Then go to Ong Lang Beach, also on the west coast but further north than Long Beach. Here you can also enjoy the sunset or eat something at Eco Beach restaurant.
Discover the nature of Phu Quoc
In the northeast of the island, there is the Phu Quoc National Park, with a lush jungle bordering the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand. You will find beautiful nature, and some small waterfalls (even more beautiful in the rainy season) and with a bit of luck, you can even meet some residents, such as the Langur monkeys.
Entrance to the national park is free. You can do organized hikes with a guide, or walk through it yourself (for example using the maps.me app). For example, you can hike to the top of Chua Mountain (603 meters).
Another nice place is the Suoi Tranh waterfall, although we recommend only visiting it in or just after the rainy season, otherwise there is almost no water. The waterfall itself is not really big, but is surrounded by beautiful (landscaped) nature. You can swim in one of the pools. It is a 20-minute walk to the top.
Our favorite restaurants in Phu Quoc
Tourism on the island is developing quite quickly, so in the meantime, there is a wide range of restaurants and bars. Something for everyone, from very local Vietnamese cuisine to international dishes and drinks.
- Rory’s Beach Club: a very nice beach club, located on the east coast of Phu Quoc, with a nice swimming pool and even a mini golf course. The Australian owner also offers tasty snacks and drinks.
- Ocsen Beach Club: as mentioned earlier, we really liked this beach bar on Long Beach. Plop into one of the bean bags and enjoy the sunset.
- Nora’s Cafe: If you like healthy breakfasts or lunches with a tasty smoothie, then this is the place for you.
- Duong Dong Night Market: this is the place to be for fresh fish and delicious street food at very affordable prices.
- The Home Pizza: Here you will find the tastiest pizza in Phu Quoc, prepared in a stone oven. The restaurant itself is also nice to sit in.
- Benz’s eatery: a good and very affordable local restaurant, where they also have some Western dishes.
- Restaurant Lava at Duong To: If you are willing to pay a little more, you can go to this restaurant (part of the Intercontinental Hotel) for the ultimate dining experience.
Our favorite hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc
There are many nice places to stay in Phu Quoc, from very budget-friendly to high-end resorts. You can choose to stay near the capital Duong Dong or on one of the beaches in the north or south of the island. Long Beach is the most famous beach, with the most accommodations and dining options.
We stayed at the fantastic Valley Sen Bungalow. This small resort is beautifully situated in the green, about a 5-minute drive from Long Beach. They have a free shuttle service that takes you down. There are about fifteen beautiful bungalows spread around the two beautiful swimming pools. Breakfast is also provided every day and you can easily order food delivered from one of the restaurants on the main street.
Here are some other nice places to stay in Phu Quoc:
- DAD Resort: beautiful and affordable resort in the south of the island, just 2 km from the beach.
- Ancarine Beach Resort: a beautiful resort on Ong Lang Beach, located on the beach. Take a dip in the pool while you watch the sun set into the sea. This is the place to be for affordable luxury.
- Peppercorn Beach Resort: If you want complete peace and quiet, you can choose this resort that is located in the far north of Phu Quoc, on a secluded beach. You have a beautiful view of the ocean.
- Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island: this five-star resort has a beautiful infinity pool that overlooks the sea. You have a private beach at your disposal.
- La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc: This luxury resort, on the edge of beautiful Long Beach, is surrounded by tropical gardens and has direct access to the beach. There is also a saltwater swimming pool.
The best time to visit Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has a tropical climate, with a dry season (November – May) and a rainy season (June – October).
During the dry season, it is very pleasant in Phu Quoc, with nice weather and calm seas. Except for the last two months, April and May, when it gets very hot and humid. The best time to travel to Phu Quoc is from November to December to March.
During the rainy season, there are fewer tourists and it is a lot quieter. But especially in the months of July and August, it can sometimes rain for hours.
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