bigtravelbuzzPhu Quoc: The ‘Emerald Island’ with its powdery white beaches, turquoise waters, palm forests, mountains and waterfalls. This Vietnamese island lies off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand and half of the island is a stunning national park. Apart from its incredible nature and paradise-like beaches, it is also home to bustling markets and unique foods. Get on your bike and get ready for an all-inclusive adventure in Phu Quoc.
1. Enjoy Sun Beach (Star Beach) in Phu Quoc
Experience the powdery white sands and clear turquoise waters of Sao Beach! This is arguably he one of the best beaches in Phu Quoc, if not all of Vietnam. The clear water is a great place for snorkeling, as well as great coral and many starfish.
Outside the water, travelers can hike along sandy beaches or explore palm forests and dense jungle bordering the bay. Enjoy a perfect lazy day here in absolute paradise! If possible, visit early in the morning when there are fewer tourists and experience a remote, uninhabited island. Or enjoy a romantic seafood he dinner on the beach at night.
when to visit Summer is the perfect time to travel in search of calm waters perfect for snorkeling. From October to April, the winds pick up and create perfect waves for kitesurfing.
Tips: Sao Beach is a 45 minute motorbike ride from Duong Dong (town), so be sure to bring an extra water bottle.
2. Explore Phu Quoc by Motorbike
Exploring the island by motorbike is one of the things to do in Phu Quoc. Not only is it the most beautiful way to see the island, it’s also the easiest. Jump from beach to beach, from vantage point to vantage point, feel the wind in your hair and feel the island freedom. There are many dirt roads, but you can navigate using Google Maps.
Bike rental
Most hotels offer motorbike rentals, making it fun and easy to get out of bed and onto the street. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from one of the city’s specialized bike rental companies. Motorcycles cost between $6 and $12 per day.
3. Go to Suoi Chan Waterfall
This beautiful waterfall is located near the Ham Ninh Mountains in the forest. The waterfall may be small, but it is surrounded by beautiful nature and is a great place to cool off and have a swim. To reach the waterfall, head to the middle of Phu Quoc Island near the airport. From here it’s about a 20 minute hike to the top of the falls. During the hike you will pass by lush greenery, flowers and streams. For the best experience, visit during the rainy season to ensure there is plenty of water, ideally as early as possible before the crowds. If possible, try combining waterfalls and Sao Beach to save time and energy.
Admission fee: About $0.50. Parking is about $1
See also: Drive to Duong Dong Lake, the largest lake on the island. Many streams flow out of the lake to give way to other waterfalls such as Suoi Da Dau and Suoi Da Gong.
4. Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Near Suoi Chan Waterfall is the charming fishing village of Ham Ninh. He is one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam. Enjoy observing this ancient way of life and take time to appreciate the lifestyle of the locals who have lived and worked here for generations. Enjoy freshly caught seafood, including the famous crab!
5. Phu Quoc Cable Car
Fly in the sky on the island’s own cable car! This 15-minute drive takes you above the turquoise emerald waters, several small islands and the vibrant dense greenery that blankets Phu Quoc. Your final destination is Pineapple Island (Hon Thom), with its nature reserves and beautiful beaches. Return trip is part of the original price.
Ticket price: 300,000 VND-13 USD.
Business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Go to the night market
Phu Quoc’s Duong Dong Night Market is the place to go after the sun goes down. For dinner, choose from freshly caught seafood and other local dishes from the market. Afterwards, grab a chop chop ice cream and stroll through the many food stalls to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Not the cheapest place to have dinner in Phu Quoc, but it’s worth it!
Tips: Near the night market is the colorful Cao Dai Temple. Check out this beautiful temple during the day to see all the marbles, colors and carvings lit by the sun. There are also beautiful views of the sea.
Hang out at Lolly’s Beach Club
Lawry’s Beach Club is his one of the most popular beach clubs in Phu Quoc. Grab a cocktail, mocktail or beer and enjoy the laid-back beach atmosphere. It is located north of Kai Sao Beach on the east side of the island. Fun things to do in Phu Quoc!
Fish Sauce Factory or Pepper Farm
Phu Quoc is famous for producing pepper and fish sauce! Fish sauce, a common ingredient in many Vietnamese dishes, is their main export and a huge source of income for the island. Visit Nuoc Mam Hung Thanh, a fish sauce distillery near the market. Here you can see how to make fish sauce unique to Phu Quoc.
You will also visit a pepper farm where you can learn how pepper is grown and produced. This is a lovely way to explore the Phu Quoc countryside and some farms offer accommodation and volunteer opportunities!
9. Phu Quoc at sunset
Sit on a gorgeous white sand beach anywhere on the west coast and enjoy he one of the best sunsets in Vietnam. This is truly an unforgettable experience and a wonderful thing to do in Phu Quoc.
10. Island hopping on a boat tour
Many island excursions are available to explore Phu Quoc’s coastline and surrounding islands. Tours typically include lunch and fruit, as well as the opportunity to snorkel at various paradise islands. Explore the crystal clear waters of Turtle Island in the north, or he one of the many islands in the south like Fingernail Island or Mei Rat Island. If you’re lucky, you might even come across a green sea turtle or hawksbill turtle!
Best travel time in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has a wet season and a dry season. Temperatures range from 25 to 28 °C during the dry season from November to March and it is the best time to visit Phu Quoc. Plan ahead as hotels can fill up quickly. The weather is pleasant from April to June and October, but April and May are humid and can reach 35°C. If you like a quiet getaway and don’t mind heavy rains, the July-September monsoon is a great time to avoid the crowds.
How to get to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc by plane
Phu Quoc Airport is a relatively new airport that opened in 2013. This definitely boosted tourism on the island. A direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc takes less than an hour. The price of a single ticket must be between $40 and $80.
Ferry to Phu Quoc
Take Ha Tien’s SuperDong. This takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. The fare is 230,000 VND one way and about $20 round trip.
Please be careful: Ferry tickets sell out quickly during high season and holiday season
Hotels in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is he one of the few islands in Vietnam. It’s popular with tourists because it’s nothing new, but thankfully it hasn’t been developed enough to be crowded. There is a wide variety of accommodations on the island, from budget guesthouses and homestays to luxury hotels.
Malaria counseling mosquito:
They are more of a nuisance than anything else, and even if bitten, there is little risk of contracting malaria.On Phu Quoc, they only come out mainly in the evening and morning, so there is no need to use repellent during the day. Also, if you ride your bike between 5pm and 7pm, be aware of the many insects in the air. Now is the time to apply repellent!