Phu Quoc Travel Guide: What to See, Eat & Do on Your Getaway

Phu Quoc Island in Southwestern Vietnam has some of the prettiest sea-meets-sand environments in the country. But the huge island, which takes over an hour to drive from north to south, also has so much more to offer.

In this Phu Quoc travel guide, I’ll let you in on some local tips about travelling around Phu Quoc that will make your trip there easier to navigate and more enjoyable. The guide will discuss topics like how to get to Phu Quoc, where you should stay, and off-the-beaten-track activities, as well as general pro tips that will enhance your experience.

All of my tips will be geared toward budget travelers who want to experience the real Phu Quoc, not just one of the luxury resorts that the island is best known for.

What makes Phu Quoc unique?

There are a lot of beautiful islands to visit in Vietnam, and I’ve been to nearly all of them in my decade living here. None of them blend that laid-back island atmosphere with excitement and active travelling as well as Phu Quoc, though.

Part of the reason for that is because of the island’s sectional layout. I’ll discuss individual neighborhoods in more detail further down in this post, but I’ll say now that there are separate parts of the island for the national park, resorts, inner city excursions, amusement parks, and gorgeous beaches. Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam, so each of those areas is huge.

Some other aspects that set Vietnam above most other tourist destinations in Vietnam include:

Perfect motorbiking roads

It has the biggest network of wide-open roads I’ve come across in Vietnam. I was initially scared to learn how to ride a motorbike in Vietnam, especially after seeing the chaos happening on the cramped streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

But I changed my tune once I visited Phu Quoc and got a look at all the gently rolling roads. Even on return trips nowadays, biking there is a trip highlight.

It’s visa-free

You don’t need a Vietnam visa to enter Phu Quoc. This won’t make a difference for travelers who are already visiting other parts of Vietnam, but it does mean that people visiting a nearby city like Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Seoul can hop down to Phu Quoc for a few days without worrying about Vietnam’s usual visa procedure.

Note that you need to fly directly to Phu Quoc to take advantage of this benefit; a transfer through another Vietnamese city will not work.

It’s great for families

Phu Quoc is the most family-friendly destination in Vietnam. It has tons of good family activities, and the locals are even friendlier than in most places in Vietnam (chalk it up to Southern charm) and have a penchant for a cute, colorful aesthetic reminiscent of what I saw in the Mekong Delta that kids love.

If you’d like the convenience of a guided tour but still hand-pick your destinations, the most straightforward way to explore Phu Quoc is by a custom guided tour. This customizable private tour is flexible, easygoing, and gives you a solid overview of southern Phu Quoc. You can adapt the stops based on what you’re most interested in.

(P.S. Be sure to add Starfish Beach to your itinerary – it’s an absolute must-see!)

Where to stay in Phu Quoc

Like I mentioned, Phu Quoc Island has several different distinct “sections” that will appeal to travellers with different budgets or holiday styles. The ones I picked up on were:

Duong Dong – West coast of Phu Quoc

Most of the accommodations in Duong Dong are hostels offering those famously low Vietnamese prices and decent quality.

Some of my top suggestions are:

There are also a few more upscale hotels, although I’d recommend one of the resort areas of the island if you’re looking for luxury.

(depositphotos.com/m.y.lyubchenko)

The area is a great choice for two types of travelers.

One type is first-time visitors to Phu Quoc who want to be situated in a convenient spot to see what the island has to offer.

It contains popular attractions like the Phu Quoc Night Market and street food stands selling Phu Quoc specialties. It’s also serviced by buses that go to all of the popular parts of the island.

The second type is the consummate urbanites like myself who enjoy staying in an area that’s rough around the edges and abuzz with city life, not to mention the conveniences that come with it, like corner stores and tons of street food.

(depositphotos.com/m.y.lyubchenko)

Khem Beach – Southeast coast of Phu Quoc

Khem is Phu Quoc’s ultra-luxurious resort area. The beach here is privately maintained and is absolutely breathtaking – one of the cleanest and whitest beaches I’ve ever seen.

A stay here is, of course, going to be pricey, and it’s a bit further away from the conveniences of the city, but you’ll get the kind of resort experience you see on TV shows about billionaires traveling to Southeast Asia.

Bai Dai Beach (Vinpearl) – Northwest coast of Phu Quoc

This part of the island is dominated by a few theme parks owned by the VinGroup.

That might sound like an icky place to stay on the surface, but hear me out: these theme parks are actually some of the most beautiful and memorable experiences I’ve had in Southeast Asia.

I’ll cover them in more detail in the next section about what to do on Phu Quoc, but just know that staying near them might be a huge plus.

The secluded location of the area also means that it is quiet and clean, separated from the main town by 20km of mostly dense forest. The sea breeze is clean, and the beaches are fairly pristine.

As far as actual accommodations go, the area is mostly expensive resorts but also has a few budget-friendly options.

Bai Dai is a great choice for families staying on Phu Quoc or for people who love the idea of staying in a secluded beach community essentially built around theme parks.

An Thoi

An Thoi is my favorite area to stay in Phu Quoc because it has a lively and local feel but without the over-tourism that afflicts some of the island.

It’s a busy port area where you can watch fishing boats coming in and out, but it’s right next to Khem Beach, so you can still enjoy some of the whitest sands and bluest ocean views in the country.

(iStock/HuyNguyenSG)

Most of the hotels and hostels in An Thoi are modestly priced. More luxury options have sprung up in the past few years due to the development of Sunset Town (more on that in the next section), but the area still has a vibe for middle-budget travelers.

Duong To

I stayed at a hotel in Duong To, my first time on Phu Quoc, and it was a mistake. Overdevelopment in the area has led to all the beachside charm being drained from the neighborhood. It’s a very touristy area and has good nightlife, but you should be visiting Ho Chi Minh City if that’s your priority.

The only real advantage of Duong To is that the airport is located there, so I could see someone staying there if they are only in Phu Quoc for a night or two and have an early morning flight.

What to do in Phu Quoc

There are lots of activities on Phu Quoc, but it’s such a big island that they’re spread out. Here’s a map of my top recommended activities. Below the map, I go into a bit more detail about each.

1. Cruise the coast

Before I get to more specific activities, I want to talk about my favorite thing to do on Phu Quoc: rent a motorbike and explore the island’s coast. As I mentioned above, most of the island has wide, smooth roads that are easy to ride on, even for beginners.

The nature is beautiful, so it’s a joy to cruise the day away as you breathe in the sea air.

There are also countless small dirt sideroads to explore. They’re usually a bit harder to ride on than the paved main roads, but those who brave the ride will be rewarded – many of the dirt roads have hidden beaches or fishing villages at the other end. When you pass locals, just smile and wave. This style of DIY exploration is the best way to get in touch with Phu Quoc’s nature and way of life.

You can rent a motorbike or bicycle from most hotels in Phu Quoc, and there are plenty of motorbike rental agencies downtown. I’ve never run into police while riding around, and I think you’d be fine with no license, but make sure you rent a bike with low CC (for which you don’t need a license) to be safe. If in doubt, ask the person renting you the bike about it.

The stops along the route include a pepper farm, a small village, the Cambodia lookout, the rainforest, and Rach Vem Beach (Starfish Beach) before returning to the starting point. Lunch is provided at local waterfront restaurants in Rach Vem.

If you’re looking to experience a huge chunk of Phu Quoc in a day, this would be the tour for you!

Check on Viator

2. Go to the beach

A common misconception among tourists visiting Phu Quoc is that all the beaches are beautiful. The unfortunate reality is that most of the public beaches (at least, the well-known ones) are dirty and over-touristed. It’s a sad fact, but those looking for lots of clean, free, and easily-accessible beaches should go elsewhere – I’d suggest Con Dao Island off Vietnam’s southern coast.

Phu Quoc does have some magnificent private beaches, though. They belong to the luxury resorts and are kept pristine by the workers there, so the guests get to use them for free.

If you don’t want to spend the hundreds of dollars per night for one of the resorts, though, you can still go to the private beaches by buying day passes. To do so, you can go to the front desk of a hotel with a private beach and inquire about a pass, or you can buy a pass online – here is an example.

Like I talked about above, you may also be able to find some nearly untouched beaches through self-exploration – just rent a bike and cruise the coast of the island, riding down sideroads and seeing what is to be seen. You may just stumble upon a hidden gem.

Finally, I want to note that Phu Quoc is really not a good snorkeling spot. For a variety of reasons, the waters around Phu Quoc are pretty murky, and lots of the coral has been bleached. I’ve heard from scuba aficionados that Nha Trang is really the only good destination for snorkelling in Vietnam.

3. Go on a self-guided street food tour

Vietnam already has an amazing street food scene, but Phu Quoc puts a distinct twist on it by throwing in a few unique Cambodia-inspired dishes. The two that immediately spring to mind are:

• Bún kèn – Rice noodles with a broth made from coconut milk, curry powder, and dried fish.

My favorite spot for it: Bún Kèn 87

• Bún quậy – A rice noodle soup with beef, fish cake, and squid. The broth has shrimp paste, and you stir in a sauce that has kumquat, chili, and just a touch of MSG.

My favorite spot for it: Bún Quậy Cô Tắm

(depositphotos.com/Al.geba)

The best places to go on Phu Quoc to sample all kinds of street food are the island’s night markets. The three I’d recommend are Ganh Dau Market if you’re on the north side of the island, the main Phu Quoc Night Market if you’re in the main town, and Long Beach Walking Street if you’re near the south of the island.

I do want to caution against eating seafood bought at street food carts with no refrigeration units, though. I’ve gotten sick more than once doing that and would caution you to stick to stationary eateries for seafood.

If you’d prefer more guidance, I once took this Phu Quoc Street Food Tour and enjoyed it.

For a deep dive into Vietnam’s street food scene, we can very much recommend taking a local food tour in Phu Quoc. This excellent street food tour offers a crash course in all the local eats.

As you explore and settle into local restaurants, you’re sure to make your own discoveries.

Some dishes in Vietnam can be quite unusual—many you probably wouldn’t have dared to try on your own.

Book this food tour at $38 (depositphotos.com/Al.geba)

4. Phu Quoc National Park

The majority of Phu Quoc’s northern side is covered by a gigantic national park. A day in the park will make you feel like an explorer with a capital “E”, as all the park’s biomes, from the thick tropical rainforests to the craggy mountains, give off vibes of rugged adventure.

To experience the inland nature of Phu Quoc as intimately as possible, I encourage you to go on at least one hike in the park.

A few popular trails, along with their length and level of difficulty, are listed in the table below. You can ask a park ranger, hotel receptionist, or travel agent about a trail to get directions to the trailhead.

Source: GetYourGuide

Mountain biking on one of the trails is a fantastic way to see the jungle, too. For mountain bike rentals, I’d highly recommend Hornbill Adventures. Hornbill also does tours with guides who speak good English and provide lots of insight into your natural surroundings.

I’ve always been able to walk the trails without a problem on my visits, but I’ve heard that fire safety restrictions have led to some hikers being turned away at certain trailheads in recent years. To be safe, you should try to stick to the trails nearer to the outskirts of the park. Ganh Dau and Suoi Tranh are your best bets for self-guided hikes, and guided tours remain a good option for any trail in the park. You can check many guided hiking options at GetYourGuide.

5. Sunset Town

Sunset Town is an enigmatic residential/commercial area at the south of Phu Quoc. Started in 2015, the project looks like a European town, complete with Italian-style shopfronts, Greek statues, a British clock tower, and promenades that give major Mediterranean vibes.

During the day, Sunset City feels like a ghost town. There are tons of European-style apartment blocks and hotels, but they were finished during the pandemic, and they never really took off in popularity afterwards.

For that reason, the buildings and most of the wide cobblestone avenues are mostly empty. The otherworldly feeling of the town during the day is quite a thrill, and it has fantastic ocean views.

At night, the streets of Sunset Town transform into a night market from 4:00-10:00. It’s a lot more orderly than “wet markets” like the Duong Dong Night Market, and it has some higher-end merchants too. There are also free fireworks in Sunset town every night of the week except Tuesdays, as well as a schedule of paid shows.

Sunset Town also has a clean but small beach and a “kissing bridge” that is one of the most popular couples’ selfie spots in Vietnam.

Sunset Town is free to walk around day or at night.

6. Hon Tum Cable Car

The Hon Tun Cable Car leaves from the southern tip of Phu Quoc near sunset town and goes over several islands with fishing villages on them. The 600k round-trip ticket might seem steep by Vietnamese standards, but it’s worth it.

(depositphotos.com/m.y.lyubchenko)

Note: Buy your ticket at the departure station rather than online. I almost guarantee you’ll get a better deal.

It’s the longest sea-crossing cable car route in the world at nearly 8 km (4.9 miles). It also has an average height of 54 meters (177 feet). But what’s really amazing is the scenery you’re going over. The blueness of the water and the serene look of the island fishing villages are straight out of a fairy tale. Words can hardly do it justice.

At the other end of the cable car, On Hon Tom Island, is a waterpark that has free admission with a paid cable car ticket. It’s a good family activity, although other water parks in Vietnam are better.

7. Vinpearl Safari

I really love ethical zoos, and Phu Quoc has the best one I’ve been to.

Yes, I’ve been to the zoos in San Diego and Singapore, which are often rated as the best ones in the world, but the Phu Quoc Safari Park has such a beautiful backdrop and such immersive exhibits that I’d put it at #1.

The safari park is located in the Bai Dai Beach neighborhood in the north of the island, so it takes a while to get there from the main town. There are frequent direct buses, though; ask about the schedule at your hotel.

Vinpearl Safari entry ticket is 650k for adults and 490k for kids. It’s fun for all ages, but it’s also one of the main kid-friendly attractions that makes me say Phu Quoc is the best family destination in Vietnam.

8. VinWonders

Located just down the road from Vinpearl Safari on the island’s northwest coast, VinWonders is Vietnam’s answer to Disneyland. It’s a huge theme park divided into six themed zones with roller coasters, gentle rides for the kids, interactive experiences, and live performances.

The entrance zone is themed after a medieval French town square. One zone, “Neptune’s Palace,” has Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium. Another is a jungle-themed zone for thrill-seekers, and another has a huge waterpark.

(iStock/HuyNguyenSG)

VinWonders is a fantastic family activity, though adults might get a bit bored if going there alone. Adult tickets cost 600k and kids cost 450k — you can book tickets online here. Like Vinpearl Safari, a bus goes directly to VinWonders from island hotspots.

9. Coconut Tree Prison

I’ll confess that I have an interest in macabre history, so I loved this prison-turned-wartime history museum. The grounds house rows of Vietnamese-style prison sheds with painted mannequins of prisoners and soldiers performing interrogation torture techniques on them.

The museum also displays several artifacts of war. The grounds are actually quite pretty, and the museum is well-organized, if a bit grim in its subject matter.

It doesn’t hurt that admission to the museum is free, although it’s customary to tip tour guides 100k-200k.

10. OcSen Bar

There are lots of cool bars in this neighborhood on Tran Hung Dao Street, but Ocsen is the most well-known and has a fantastically chill beach party vibe. Bean bags and wooden tables are set up on a pristine beach under the shade of thatched bamboo huts. There are tasteful wooden stages where acoustic musicians and fire dancers perform in the evenings.

Ocsen is also my pick for the best place to watch the sunset on Phu Quoc.

Getting around on Phu Quoc

The best ways to get around Phu Quoc are:

By motorbike

If you’re willing to drive your own motorbike, it’s the best way to get around the island. Not only is it the cheapest and most convenient way, but exploring freely is probably the most fun activity on Phu Quoc.

By Grab

Grab (the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber) is the best way to get around Phu Quoc. Even on the more remote northern end of the island, a Grab shouldn’t be more than a few minutes away. If you’re on Phu Quoc’s east coast, you probably won’t be able to get a grab. In this case, call your hotel and ask them to book a taxi for you.

The Grab app offers car and motorbike options. A car is the best for travelling in a group, but I’d highly recommend taking motorbike taxis if you’re travelling alone, since the rides make you feel more immersed in the surrounding nature.

How to use Grab: download the app and create your account. You can use Grab in most major cities in Vietnam. Payment isn’t through the app but in cash after you’re dropped off.

By bus

Phu Quoc doesn’t have a public bus system, but VinGroup operates a lot of bus routes on the island. The ones that will be of the most interest to tourists are routes 17, 19, and 20, which hit lots of resorts, tourist hotspots, beaches, and markets on both the north and south ends of the island. Some of the buses are free, and some cost up to 50k.

You might hear the word “bus” and assume the vehicles will be dirty and uncomfortable, but these ones are privately owned and so are spacious, clean, and air-conditioned.

book a bus ride on 12go

By taxi

Taking a taxi is a last resort, as they’re more expensive and prone to scams. If you, for some reason, need to call one, the only reputable taxi companies on Phu Quoc are:

• Phu Quoc Taxi (Tel: 02973.757575)
• Sasco Phu Quoc Taxi (Tel: 02973.767676)
• VinaSun Taxi (Tel: 02973.789.789).
• SM Green Taxi (Tel: 1900 2088)

How to get to Phu Quoc

The most popular ways to get to Phu Quoc are:

By plane

Phu Quoc has an international airport. The table below lists flight times and distances from several popular cities in Southeast Asia.

I’d recommend Vietjet for budget prices on flights to Phu Quoc from within Asia.

By bus & boat

If you’re already in Ho Chi Minh City or elsewhere in southern Vietnam, you can take a bus to Ha Tien, the town at the western tip of the country, and then take a ferry to Phu Quoc. The bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tien takes 6.5 hours. Try 12go.com for booking bus tickets in Vietnam.

Ferries leave from Ha Tien three times per day, starting in the early morning and with the latest ferry at 12:30 pm. These times are subject to weather, so it’s worth double-checking the schedule at the station before your trip. A one-way ticket costs 250k.

When to go to Phu Quoc

The peak season for travel on Phu Quoc is November-April, as the weather is dry and temperate during that time. It gets pretty hot and humid from May to June, and it’s very wet from July to September.

I recently wrote an entire post about when to visit Vietnam. For more details about when to visit Phu Quoc, head over to that post and focus on the section about southern Vietnam.

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