Phu Quoc locating in the Gulf of Thailand is the largest among its neighboring islands. For those who are looking for tropical weather, beautiful coasts with breathtaking sunset, the next 5 minutes will guide you through the Gem of South East Asia. 

How to get there

Air: You should book your tickets way ahead of time, and if possible, pick the early-morning flight or any flight arriving at noon. These flights are less likely to be delayed and the ticket price is usually on seasonal promotion. Any flight to Phu Quoc usually takes 40 minutes meaning you can save your time for other activities.

Getting to phu quoc island

Sleeper bus and Ferry: Another more economical alternative to reach Phu Quoc is to travel by sleeper bus, then take a ferry to the island. I booked a bunk on Phuong Trang bus (link) and a ticket on the express ferry (link).

This alternative leaves two options for travelers. You can start off with taking a bus at Rach Gia bus station at 11:00 and arrive at the ferry at 4:30 in the morning, then continue to catch a ferry to Phu Quoc.

Or you can either hop on a bus at Ha Tien bus station, which is 90 kilometers away from Rach Gia. However the ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc just take an hour and a half.

Best time to visit Phu Quoc

The best season to spend your holiday on this tropical island is from January to April. Warm weather with perfectly calm beaches. On other months tourists are likely to experience seasonal rain with high waves. As a result, consider thoroughly your holiday schedule before booking.

The best time to visit Nam Du Island is between December and March. Photo by Minh Duc

Finding accomodation

A piece of advice for anyone seeking accommodation is to search for deals yourself. There are plenty of websites of hotel booking, comparing prices and review. Whether you’re traveling on budget or a 5-star vacationer, there are lots of hotels and inns on Phu Quoc to choose from.

During peak season you can expect to see all rooms booked hotels and consequently scarce deals. For tourists looking for a place to sit back and relax, June to December is the ideal time.

Transportation

Distances among Phu Quoc ‘s attractions are mostly less than a kilometer. Hiring a motorbike for a day or two allows you to freely visit one destination to another. Motorbike for rent costs about 120.000 – 150.000 dong. It would be safer to ask the hotel to rent for you, although you might have to pay 20.000 dong extra. Make sure to check the motorbike carefully before riding.

Bear in mind there is not always an easy gas station to find. So, fill up the tank unless you’ll see yourself walking in the middle of nowhere.

Exploring Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc island – Googlemap

Suoi Tranh Waterfall

Suoi Tranh Waterfall is a four-metre-tall waterfall within the Ham Ninh Mountains that’s surrounded by lush greenery, natural caves, and rock pools. A 10-minute drive from Duong Dong, this natural attraction is ideal for those looking to escape the bustling town centre.

Nature-lovers can enjoy recreational activities such as picnicking, camping and bird-watching, with small walking paths available for those who prefer a leisurely hike through the jungle. Various flora and fauna such as shrimps, birds, orchids, ginseng and mushrooms can be found here.

Dinh Cau Cape

Phu Quoc island – Dinh Cau Palace from above -zing

Dinh Cau Cape is one of famous attractions in Phu Quoc. It is a symbol of culture and religion in Phu Quoc Island. It is also a place of praying for luck, peace, and happiness. Fishermen often come here to wish a safe voyage.

Phu Quoc night market

One of the most famous attractions in Phu Quoc is Dinh Cau Night Market. Dinh Cau Night Market is located in the center of Duong Dong Town. It is the center of shopping, dining, and sightseeing for locals as well as visitors.

Dinh Cau Night Market attracts most visitors in the evening. The market is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., even 10 p.m. There are more than 100 stalls divided into two rows stretching along the roadside of Vo Thi Sau Street.

This market is famous for fresh seafood, souvenirs made of pearl and other famous Phu Quoc specialties such as Phu Quoc fish sauce, pepper, Sim wine, and amazing dishes.

Ham Ninh fishing Village

From the center of Duong Dong town, you go about 20 km to the northeast, at the foot of Mount Ham Ninh in Ham Ninh commune is the fishing village of the same name.

Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood at Ham Ninh Fishing Village

The untouched Ham Ninh fishing village with the natural beauty are an indispensable part of the tranquil picture of Phu Quoc Island. People still live in the cottage. They live by catching crabs, shrimps, pearls and sea cucumber. There are mountains and forests in here.

Sao Beach

With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao Beach bends out alongside a sea of mineral-water clarity just a few kilometres from An Thoi, the main shipping port at the southern tip of the island.

Phu Quoc Prison Museum

Being a prison built by the French colonialist to imprison Vietnamese people which was known as Coconut Tree Prison, in 1967. Saigon Government rebuilt the Coconut Tree Prison into Phu Quoc communist prisoner prison in an area of 400ha, also known as Phu Quoc war prisoner prison, or Phu Quoc prison.

Every year, Phu Quoc prison welcomes thousands of tourists to visit. They are former prisoners to return their place where they were captured before; they are visitors of all ages across the country, especially the young people who come to visit Phu Quoc, they will definitely visit this monument; and foreign tourists. Pupils of this island usually come here to learn about the history of phu Quoc and the indomitable struggle of revolutionary soldiers.

Ho Quoc Pagoda

The pagoda is located in front of the sea and back of mountain. Very typical Vietnamese style of pagoda. The road to get there is nice and easy. Then when you get in the pagoda, such a great feeling of belief, religious and forgiveness.

On a remote stretch of coastal road 10km north of Sao Beach, climb the stairs for one of the best views from any temple in Vietnam – blue sky and the water off Bai Dam Beach frame the temple-gate eaves.