Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 1548
Bordered by white-sand beaches and cerulean waters, the gorgeous Phu Quoc Island with its rich flora and fauna is undoubtedly a dream destination for your Vietnam beach holiday. From sunbathing on the beach and sampling fresh seafood to kayaking on the bays, snorkeling around coral reefs, or uncovering dense jungles, this tropical paradise offers plenty of awesome experiences for enthusiastic beach goers from all over the world.
Sited in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island lies 45 km from the Southern tip of mainland Vietnam and just 15 km from the coast of Cambodia. This island belongs to Kien Giang Province and is the largest island in the whole country, with a total area of 574 km2. Phu Quoc Island, along with the nearby Tho Chu Islands and dozens of smaller ones around them, makes up the Phu Quoc City known as Vietnam’s very first island city. This island is also part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2006.
Phu Quoc Island features a 150-kilometer-long coastline that stretches from North to South, not to mention nearly 100 primeval mountains scattered on the island. In addition to the diverse ecosystem, the island also attracts tourists with fun activities like hiking, diving, fishing or bird watching… It has not only shops, restaurants and resorts, but also huge amusement parks, golf courses, and even a safari.
With stunning beauty, endless entertainment opportunities, and, above all, a convenient 30-day visa exemption for all nationalities, Phu Quoc will be a perfect getaway for your upcoming vacation in Southeast Asia.
Located in the Southern region of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy one (May – October) and the dry one (November – April). The temperatures in this land are quite high all year round, averaging about 27 – 28°C with a peak of 32°C during summer days.
Needless to say, the dry season is a better period to explore Phu Quoc since it’s sunnier and less affected by sea storms.
By flight:
Being the fifth busiest airport in the country, Phu Quoc International Airport provides direct flights to every other destination in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue or Ho Chi Minh City... It also has direct connections with many popular cities in Asia, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, Hongkong, Taipei, Shanghai and Busan. The airport is also close to the center. From Phu Quoc Airport, it takes about only 15 minutes to get to the main town Duong Dong.
By ferry:
Under good weather conditions, high-speed ferries from two mainland cities Ha Tien and Rach Gia depart several times a day. Ha Tien is situated closer to Phu Quoc, so its ferries are cheaper and faster – about $12 for a 1.5-hour journey. However, this city doesn’t have its own airport so if you are moving from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, you’ll have to spend about 6 hours and $6 – 9 on a bus to Ha Tien beforehand. Rach Gia, on the contrary, can be approached easily by plane. Ferries from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc cost about $16 and last 2.5 hours.
Phu Quoc’s most common means of transportation are taxis and scooters. Most taxi agencies here offer touring packages at $20 – 30, in which your driver will take you to the most famous attractions in North or South Phu Quoc for about one day or half a day. You can also rent a car for $25 – 30 or a scooter for $4 – 6 a day to explore the island at your own pace.
Buses do operate on most routes from Phu Quoc Airport and An Thoi Port to Duong Dong town, with really reasonable prices. However, moving by bus isn’t quite convenient given that most tourist attractions are far from the main routes.
Phu Quoc Island offers all kinds of accommodation you’re looking for, from low-priced motels, affordable hotels to luxurious five-star resorts. Generally speaking, Duong Dong Town is considered the best area to stay in Phu Quoc thanks to its development and centered location. The town, together with the spaces around Long Beach nearby, is the only urbanized area on the island.
If you want a more tranquil and private place with great views of the ocean, head to any coast and find yourself a beachfront bungalow, villa or resort. Prices for one night in Phu Quoc range from $25 to $250 per room, depending on your choice.
The Pearl Island of Phu Quoc is most known for various picturesque beaches, and its extremely long coastline allows you to spend each day of your trip on a different one. It’s always a pleasure to stroll along the seaside, feel the soft sand under your feet and the calm breeze caressing your ear. In the early morning or at the end of the day, you can also enjoy the magnificent sunrise/sunset over the horizon, as well as the romantic ambiance it creates.
True to its name, the bustling Long Beach in the center is the longest beach here with a 20-km-long coastline that runs parallel to the main road. It’s one of the two most popular beaches on the island alongside Sao Beach – a beach on the south-eastern edge that’s dubbed as Phu Quoc’s most beautiful with pure white sand and crystal clear water.
However, these two beaches are often overcrowded, especially during the peak season. You’ll find more serenity in the North area, which is highlighted by small yet equally lovely beaches such as Dai Beach, Starfish Beach, Rach Tram Beach or Thom Beach. Meanwhile, the beaches on the west of the island like Vung Bau, Cua Can or Ong Lang are perfect spots for dramatic sunset views.
Another exciting experience not to miss during your Phu Quoc trip is snorkeling off the coast and diving deep into the sea. Phu Quoc’s transparent ocean, together with the colorful marine life, makes it an ideal destination for aquatic adventures. Snorkeling services appear everywhere on this island, but the most favored spots with the best coral reefs are Ganh Dau Cape, Starfish Beach, An Thoi Islands, and Seaworld Namaste Coral Park.
Prices for an underwater journey in Phu Quoc often range from $12 – 16 for snorkeling, $40 – 60 for scuba diving, and $38 – 50 for sea walking (pick-up service and lunch included). If that’s not enough for you, feel free to take on other water activities like windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing or jet skiing...
Besides the incredible Phu Quoc itself, there are also 21 other islands around that you can uncover, each has its own charm and characteristics. The easiest to access among them is An Thoi island group, which lies just a few km South of the main island and is reachable by boat from An Thoi Port. With pristine charisma and a serene atmosphere, An Thoi Islands are perfect for snorkeling, swimming, fishing, and getting away from the many tourists who flock to Phu Quoc.
Notably, since 2018, visitors can get to Hon Thom (the group’s largest island) via a 7.9-km-long cable car that has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s “longest sea-crossing three-wire cable car”. A round-trip with Hon Thom cable car costs about $27, but the fascinating view is definitely worth it.
Covering approximately 70% of the island, Phu Quoc National Park is a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve that includes dense forests, adjoining sea areas, as well as hundreds of plant and animal species. The park is divided into 4 main areas, features 60 km of marvelous coastline and contains 3 large mountain ranges: Ham Ninh, Ganh Dau and Ham Rong.
Phu Quoc National Park is always open and free for entrance. However, only several certain areas are approachable, most remarkably the “Khu Rung Nguyen Sinh” on the Northen island. This forest reserve is where you can trek through the trails, hike up Phu Quoc’s highest peak – Chua Mountain, stumble upon some rare animals, and bathe in white-water creeks.
For a deeper insight into the locals’ lives, visit a fishing village, you will be enchanted by the rustic beauty of colorful wooden boats and thatched-roof houses nested along the coast. Furthermore, such local villages are ideal spots to enjoy fresh-out-the-water seafood and try out the unique experience of squid fishing at night.
Some of the most prominent fishing villages on Phu Quoc Island are: Ham Ninh, Ganh Dau, Rach Vem, Rach Tram, Cua Can and Hon Thom. Each of them has a special appeal of its own.
What does Phu Quoc have apart from beautiful beaches? Some of the best peppers and fish sauces in Vietnam! Most of the peppers and fish sauces here are exported, to not only the mainland but also several foreign countries in the US, Asia and Europe.
Coming to Phu Quoc, it will be such a pity if you don’t pay a visit to one of the many pepper plantations and fish sauce factories that scatter everywhere on the island. Besides learning more about how they work, you can also buy some meaningful gifts home from there as well.
Located in Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Night Market (previously Dinh Cau Night Market and Bach Dang Night Market) is the most vibrant hotspot on the island when the night falls. A lot of local items are available here, from souvenirs, jewelry to mouth-watering food. This is one of the best places in Phu Quoc to get a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Many stalls in Phu Quoc Night Market start their business around 3 pm, but don’t arrive before 7 pm when everything is set up and ready. This market also has a few nice restaurants for those who prefer sitting indoors to wandering on the street.
On the seafront of Duong Dong Town, Dinh Cau is a sacred temple where local fishers often come to pray for a good fishing season. It was built in 1937 on a rocky outcrop to honor Thien Hau – the Goddess of the Sea in Vietnamese legends. Only 100 m away from Dinh Cau is Dinh Ba (officially Dinh Ba Thuy Long Thanh Mau), another famous temple that worships Thanh Mau – who is said to be the Goddess that discovered this island.
Ho Quoc Pagoda in the Southeast of Phu Quoc is also worth a visit if you happen to be around this area. Built in 2012, this pagoda is the largest Buddhist structure on the island and offers an amazing scenic view of the vast Gulf of Thailand. It’s highlighted by a huge Lady Buddha statue, nice golden carvings and some impressive artwork.
Phu Quoc Prison on the South of the island was built by the French in the late 1940s to imprison Vietnamese political dissidents and later Vietcong soldiers during the Vietnam War. It was closed after the reunification of the country in 1975 and now reopened as a tourist attraction, with the extensive use of life-size mannequins to visually represent its gruesome history.
Phu Quoc Prison opens from 7 am – 5 pm daily and is free for entrance. Although it’s a must-visit for those who are curious about the famous Vietnam War, this prison might not be suitable for everyone, especially young kids.
Situated on Dai Beach, VinWonders Phu Quoc is the biggest theme park in Vietnam and will be fun to explore whether you’re going with kids or not. It has everything you search for in an amusement park, including an aquarium, a waterpark inside and countless wonderful rides. The park’s ticket price is about $39 per person, but you should pay about $16 more for access to the safari next to it, which is also Vietnam’s largest wildlife conservation park.
On the South tip of Phu Quoc is Sun World Hon Thom, another fantastic park that’s listed in many Phu Quoc Island holiday packages. In addition to the above-mentioned cable car, this park also stands out with enthralling nature and attractive underwater games. The ticket price for Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park is about $31 per person.
Essentials Tours - 4 days 3 nights
Beach Leisure - 5 days 4 nights
Essentials Tours - 10 days 9 nights
