Vietnam
About
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, covering approximately 574 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodian coast. Elevated from a district of Kien Giang Province to a special administrative zone and then to a municipal city, the island has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past fifteen years from a quiet fishing retreat into one of Southeast Asia's most talked-about resort destinations, with a string of internationally branded luxury hotels lining its southern and western coastlines.
Long Beach (Bai Truong) on the western coast is the island's primary tourist zone, a seven-kilometre stretch of golden sand where hotels range from backpacker guesthouses to five-star resorts. Ong Lang Beach in the northwest remains comparatively undeveloped and is popular with visitors seeking a quieter atmosphere. The southernmost point of the island, Bai Sao and Bai Khem, features fine white sand and crystal-clear shallow water, and is home to the JW Marriott and Premier Village resorts. The world's longest non-stop cable car connects the southern mainland to the Hon Thom Nature Park island.
Beyond the beaches, the island retains substantial areas of protected national park occupying around 37 percent of its land surface. Phu Quoc National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, protects tropical forest and offshore marine habitats including coral reefs where hawksbill turtles nest. Fishing and agriculture — particularly the cultivation of Phu Quoc pepper, which is exported worldwide, and the production of nuoc mam (fish sauce) for which the island is nationally famous — continue alongside the tourism economy.
The island's transformation accelerated with the opening of Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), which now serves direct domestic flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, as well as regional international routes. The dry season from November to April brings near-perfect beach weather; May to October is the wet season, with the heaviest rain in July and August, though the island remains open and accessible year-round. The Vinwonders amusement complex and the vast Vinpearl resort campus in the north continue to expand, drawing large numbers of domestic Vietnamese visitors and families.
When to Go
Phu Quoc sits in the Gulf of Thailand off Vietnam's southwest coast and has a reverse season to the rest of the country. The dry season from November to April is ideal — calm seas, clear water and sunny skies, perfect for beaches and boat trips. The wet season (May to October) brings hot, humid weather and heavy afternoon downpours, with rougher seas — but far fewer crowds and the lowest prices of the year.
Attractions
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island — 50 km of national park, palm-fringed beaches, fish-sauce factories and a fast-growing resort and theme-park scene. Four or five days lets you combine beach, snorkelling and a night squid-fishing trip.
Bai Sao on the east coast is the postcard beach — arching white sand, bent palms and turquoise water. The west coast (Long Beach, Ong Lang, Ganh Dau) holds the sunset views and most of the resorts. Rent a scooter and beach-hop; Bai Sao is best mid-morning before crowds build.
Beaches are free; sun loungers ~50,000–100,000 VND ($2–4).
A speedboat trip to the An Thoi archipelago in the south is the top excursion — snorkel coral gardens, swim at May Rut and Mong Tay islands and visit the sobering Coconut Prison museum. The water here is the clearest off Phu Quoc.
Full-day tours from ~350,000–600,000 VND ($14–24) incl. snorkel gear and lunch.
The world's longest over-sea cable car (8 km) glides over the water to Thom Islet in the south, with a water park, safari and nature trails. Inland, the national park covers half the island in jungle — hike to streams and waterfalls (Suoi Tranh) or take a 4x4 eco-tour.
Cable car ~150,000 VND ($6) one way; park entry free, falls ~30,000 VND.
The north of the island is now a mega-resort complex — VinWonders theme park, a safari, the Venice-styled Grand World entertainment district and the Sun World nature park. Great for families and a rainy-day option; less authentic but impressive in scale.
Phu Quoc is famous for two ingredients — its pungent fish sauce (nuoc mam) and black pepper. Tour a family-run fish-sauce factory (the aroma is unforgettable) and a pepper garden where you can buy fresh peppercorns. Free to visit; buy souvenirs direct.
A classic evening trip — head out at dusk on a longtail, drop lines rigged with lures and catch squid drawn to the boat's lights, then have them grilled on board for dinner. Cheesy, fun and surprisingly productive.
Tours from ~250,000–400,000 VND ($10–16) including dinner.
Transport
Phu Quoc is large and spread out — you'll need wheels to beach-hop. Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) sits in the centre, 10–30 minutes from most resorts.
Accommodation
Phu Quoc has boomed — from $10 hostels to five-star beachfront resorts and branded residences. The west coast has the sunsets and most resorts; the north is the mega-park zone.
The main west-coast strip — 20 km of sand backed by resorts, beach bars and sunset dinners. The classic base; mid-range from $40, luxury from $150.
North of Long Beach — calmer coves, boutique resorts and a slower pace. The romantic choice for couples; $60–200.
The main town and night market — hostels from $8, cheap eats and the backpacker bars. Walkable and central, a short ride to any beach.
The southern tip — new five-star resorts (Premier Village, JW Marriott) near the An Thoi islands and cable car. Private and polished; $200–600+.
Eat & Drink
Phu Quoc's food is all about the sea — ultra-fresh seafood, the island's legendary fish sauce and peppercorns, and cheap Vietnamese staples at the night market.
Plan Your Trip
Most Western passport holders get up to 90 days visa-free if entering Phu Quoc directly by air (a special economic zone) — but a standard e-visa is needed if you're travelling on to mainland Vietnam. The currency is the dong (VND); bring cash for markets and small islands (ATMs are in town only). English is spoken in resorts and tourist restaurants.
Phu Quoc has a special 30-day visa-free policy for direct international arrivals — but if you fly via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and clear mainland immigration, standard Vietnam visa rules apply. Check your routing before you fly.
The west coast is sheltered and mostly calm; currents can run on the south and east coasts in the wet season. Swim at patrolled hotel beaches, and ask locally before swimming at remote Bai Sao in monsoon months.
Backpacker ($20–35): a Duong Dong hostel, night-market food, a rented scooter and a shared boat trip. Mid-range ($50–110): a Long Beach resort, a private island-hopping tour and seafood dinners. Luxury ($180+): a five-star beachfront suite, spa and fine dining.
Pair Phu Quoc with the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, or treat it as a beach break on a wider Vietnam loop taking in Da Nang and Hoi An.
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Where to Stay
A landmark five-star resort at the southern tip of Phu Quoc, set on the private Bai Khem beach and designed by architect Bill Bensley as a whimsical reimagining of a 19th-century French university. With 244 rooms and suites, multiple award-winning pools, a spa, and seven restaurants, it is consistently rated among Asia's finest beach resorts.
A five-star IHG resort on the Long Beach waterfront, featuring 459 rooms, suites, and villas, seven restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and direct beach access. The resort has been recognised as Forbes Travel Guide Recommended and Asia's Leading Luxury Family Resort, combining sophisticated facilities with family-friendly amenities.
A five-star Accor resort on Phu Quoc's southwest coast, home to the island's largest mosaic infinity pool at 2,000 square metres, a Pullman Spa, multiple restaurants, and spacious beachfront rooms and suites. The property's architectural grandeur and beach position make it one of the island's most visually impressive stays.
A refined five-star resort on Long Beach offering 62 ocean-view suites and pool villas, a sparkling wine breakfast inclucision, two outdoor pools, a spa, and an intimate scale that provides a more private atmosphere than the island's largest properties. A consistently top-rated boutique luxury resort in Phu Quoc.
A five-star resort in the Bai Dai area offering contemporary beachfront villas and rooms with private pools, multiple restaurants, a spa, and a dedicated kids' club. The property is praised for its combination of luxury amenities, natural surroundings, and attentive service.
A flagship five-star Vinpearl property in the north of the island, offering extensive beachfront facilities, a water park, theme park connections, multiple pools, and a spa within a vast resort campus. A self-contained destination especially suited to families and domestic Vietnamese travellers.
A five-star boutique resort on Long Beach featuring distinctive conch-shell-inspired architecture, a beachfront infinity pool, a spa, and 109 rooms and suites. The resort has received strong recognition for its design, service, and high-quality dining, and suits couples and honeymooners.
A four-star boutique resort on Long Beach with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and bungalow-style rooms set in tropical gardens. The resort is popular with repeat visitors who appreciate its manageable scale and value relative to the island's larger luxury properties.
A four-star boutique resort on the quieter Ong Lang Beach in the northwest, with bungalows and garden rooms around a pool, a spa, and a restaurant. Camia offers a more peaceful environment than the Long Beach strip and is favoured by travellers looking for a slower pace.
A three-star resort with a social and relaxed atmosphere, close to the Long Beach backpacker district, offering bungalows, a pool, and on-site bar and restaurant at budget-friendly rates. Popular with younger independent travellers and backpackers.
A three-star budget resort with a small pool and beachfront access in a less built-up part of Long Beach, offering affordable rates in simple bungalow accommodation. Suitable for travellers who want a beach holiday on a modest budget.
A three-star hotel in Duong Dong town offering clean, affordable rooms close to the night market and local restaurants. The most budget-friendly option in the list and a good choice for travellers spending most of their time on tours and water activities rather than at a resort.
Experiences
A full-day boat tour to the southern waters of Phu Quoc, combining deep-sea fishing, snorkelling at a coral reef, and a freshly prepared seafood lunch on board. The tour visits multiple spots around the An Thoi archipelago, where the reef ecosystems are among the most intact around the island.
An evening cruise that begins with drinks on deck as the sun sets over the Gulf of Thailand, followed by a squid fishing session in the dark waters as the boat's lights attract the catch, and ending with a dinner of the evening's harvest cooked on board.
A full-day deep-sea fishing charter in the open waters around Phu Quoc, targeting larger pelagic species using rods, reels, and live bait. The experience is guided, and equipment is provided for both novice and experienced anglers. Catch-and-release options are available.
A full-day guided tour of southern Phu Quoc, covering the Phu Quoc National Park fringe, the Phu Quoc fish sauce factories, the Phu Quoc Prison Museum, Bai Sao Beach, and a pearl farm, with a Vietnamese seafood lunch included. A comprehensive introduction to the island's nature, history, and local industries.
A full-day guided tour of the island's eastern interior visiting the pepper farms, a fish sauce distillery, the Phu Quoc Prison, and a local vineyard for a wine tasting session. A deeper look at Phu Quoc's agricultural heritage and cultural sites away from the beachfront.
A full-day speedboat excursion to four islands in the An Thoi archipelago south of Phu Quoc, with snorkelling stops at coral reefs, a cable car ride across to Hon Thom island, a visit to the Hon Thom Nature Park, and a buffet seafood lunch on board.
A guided scuba diving session in the southern waters of Phu Quoc, where coral reef systems support a wide variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks. Suitable for beginners and qualified divers; all equipment is provided and a divemaster accompanies all dives.
A guided diving and snorkelling trip to the northern reef sites of Phu Quoc, covering dive spots that receive fewer day-trippers than the southern archipelago. Suitable for all skill levels, with separate snorkelling and dive tracks available on the same boat.
A full-day wooden boat tour visiting three islands for snorkelling, swimming, and beach time, with a freshly cooked lunch on board. One of the most affordable ways to experience the water around Phu Quoc and a classic island-hopping day trip.
A full-day boat excursion to three islands combining snorkelling at coral reefs, a hand-line fishing session over a reef, and a lunch of freshly caught seafood cooked on board by the crew. A well-rounded water activities day for budget-conscious travellers.
A budget-friendly evening outing by traditional boat for squid fishing at sunset, with the boat's lights drawing squid to the surface after dark. The catch is cooked as a barbecue dinner on the beach or on the boat deck, creating a memorable and highly local experience.
A full-day guided tour covering the highlights of Phu Quoc by vehicle, with visits to the Phu Quoc pepper plantations, a fish sauce factory, a pearl farm, and a local fruit wine distillery where visitors can sample wines made from pineapple, coconut, and other island produce.
Information
Vietnam
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