Jul 19, 2023
By Ms. Anh Thu
Overview
Phu Quoc Island Vietnam, off the coast of Cambodia, is one of the most appealing places in Vietnam. Numerous secluded beaches are available for swimming and other water activities, and it also features stunning sunsets for Instagram pictures, far-off deserted islands, lush tropical forests, and adventure opportunities. If you are on a trip to Vietnam, pay a visit to Phu Quoc island to admire the majesty of nature here.

Phu Quoc is home to stunning beaches that run from north to south, 99 hills and mountains, and ancient forests with a diverse range of flora and wildlife. Rach Vem, Bai Thom, and Hon Mot are fishing settlements in the north of the island that are renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty.
Phu Quoc quickly transformed from a tranquil island backwater to a must-visit beach getaway for Western ex-pats and sun-seeking visitors, encircled by white-sand beaches and with extensive tracts still shrouded in a deep tropical jungle. There is still plenty of area for exploration and escaping the occasionally cluttered seas beyond the resorts bordering Long Beach, the fast construction starting on the east coast, and the big resorts in sight of Sao Beach. Dive the reefs, kayak in the bays, cruise the backroads on a motorcycle or simply relax on the beach before getting a massage and eating some fresh seafood for dinner.

Phu Quoc National Park, covering over half of Phu Quoc's northern area, is a must-see destination for nature lovers. With 340,000 square meters, it features unique wildlife, evergreen forests, and lush mountain ranges. Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, camping, photography, and bird watching. Rare species like silver langurs, otters, slow lories, long-tailed macaques, and hornbills can be observed. For those seeking adventure, a four-hour trek through the dense forest is a must-do.

Bãi Sao (Star Beach), located 25 km from the center of Phu Quoc island Vietnam, is a beautiful tropical sandy beach with a smooth shore and clear seawater. It is considered the cleanest and whitest sand on the island. The beach is known for its numerous starfishes, which move into the shores every night. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beach with friends, observing sea animals like snails, crabs, and starfishes, or following the trails to the tropical jungle to see trees and listen to the sounds of various wild birds.

Khem Beach, also known as Bai Khem in Vietnamese, is a peaceful beach on Phu Quoc island, known for its white sand stretches and calm waters. It attracts tourists during the summer and is ideal for family getaways. The beach is private, but its alluring landscapes attract visitors. Near the southern end, visitors can find the Fairy Well, which provides fresh water throughout the day. The beach also features local pearl cages, making it an ideal destination for jewelry enthusiasts.

Hon Thom Island, the largest island in Phu Quoc, offers a hidden charm that many visitors desire to return to. With no electricity grid and consistent telephone connection, it provides a peaceful escape from the city. The island offers numerous small beaches, perfect for swimming or diving in the freshwater. Visitors can experience night fishing and enjoy local cuisine. Hon Thom Island offers Robinson's life experience, with both large and small islands and the simple life of the islanders. Fishing is available, and visitors can learn to catch sea urchins for fascinating dishes. Other activities include paragliding, skateboarding, and snorkeling.

Long Beach in Phu Quoc Island Vietnam is a 20-kilometer coastal area with beachfront resorts, restaurants, cafes, and bars. It is pristine with soft sand and green palm trees. The beach is divided into northern and southern areas. Visitors can explore the island on foot or rent a bicycle or motorbike to explore pearl farms and traditional fishing villages. The best time to enjoy Long Beach is during sunset, with stunning views from restaurants and cafes. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and immersing themselves in fresh seawater.

Phu Quoc offers a variety of delicious dishes, with black pepper being a specialty. The area produces up to 1000 tons of black pepper annually. To learn more about this pepper, visit a Phu Quoc pepper farm in quiet, remote areas. Organized tours are available to visit the farms, where you can take photos, talk to the farmers, and listen to them grow, harvest, and dry the peppers. The harvesting season, from February to July, is ideal for collecting different types of peppers. Visitors can visit the farms year-round, but it's advisable to visit during the harvesting season, which lasts from February to July.

Cooking classes are held on the island, often held in organic farms, where locals produce natural, healthy products without synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Participants can learn to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes like sizzling pancakes, spring rolls, and caramelized pork with fish sauce. They can also visit a beer factory or pepper farm for an additional experience. The average price for one person is $35.

Dinh Cau Temple, also known as Cau Temple, is a 17th-century lighthouse and shrine built to worship the God of the Sea and protect fishermen from sea danger. Its unique beauty and intricate architecture make it a must-see destination for tourists. The temple faces the sea, with a white sandy beach on the left and a harbor of colorful boats on the right. On special occasions like Lunar New Year, locals and fishermen gather to burn incense and pray. If you don't plan your trip during these times, consider visiting after sunset for a more fascinating view.

Phu Quoc Prison, a war museum in Vietnam, houses authentic torture instruments, brutal punishments, and photographs of former detainees. It also offers a retail outlet selling local snacks, unique handicrafts, and books about the Vietnam War. Visitors can also visit tiger cages, where prisoners were kept and exposed to severe weather conditions, causing blindness and pneumonia. The prison is free to visit, and visitors can learn about the famous Vietnam War without an entrance fee.

Phu Quoc Safari Park opened in 2015 and offers a thrilling safari experience in Vietnam. With two separate areas, Open Zoo, and Wildlife Park, the park boasts nearly 3,000 individuals, 1.200 fauna species, and 150 rare animal species from around the world. Visitors can witness endangered and rare species in the deep forest, while also participating in daily activities like feeding animals, watching animal performances, and photographing nature. The park's impressive safari version is a must-see for anyone looking for fun and adventure in Phu Quoc.

November to April is the greatest season to attempt diving and snorkeling in Phu Quoc, you may discover marine life whenever the sea is calm and the sun is out. These activities may be done at several locations on the island of Phu Quoc.
However, the An Thoi Islands are the best place to sample them. It distinguishes itself from other islands by offering a variety of diving locations with a variety of underwater life, including a lot of seagrass and slope coral reefs. Here, most dive sites are less than 12 meters deep. Numerous companies include scuba diving and snorkeling in their list of trip options. But if you want to get the most out of Phu Quoc's marine life, we strongly advise taking at least one day and going with the best diving companies.
Phu Quoc is located 40 kilometers (22 miles) west of Hà Tiên, the closest Vietnamese seaside town, south of Kampot and south of the Cambodian coast.
Most people go to Phu Quoc via ferry, high-speed boat, or airline. Depending on your place of departure, you have the following alternatives for traveling to Phu Quoc island.
Every day at 8:40 in the morning, Vietnam Airlines flies an Airbus aircraft from Hanoi to Phu Quoc, arriving at 10:45. The return flight leaves Phu Quoc at 11:35 in the morning and arrives at 1:40 in the afternoon.
How can I go from Saigon to the island of Phu Quoc? Travelers can choose between taking a direct flight across a distance of around 500 kilometers or combining a passenger vehicle with a high-speed Phu Quoc boat tour from Rach Gia or a ferry with a high-speed boat from Ha Tien.
Vietnam Airlines operates 17 flights a day with the ATR and 1 flight with the Airbus. In addition, Vietjet Air operates a daily flight with Airbus. The flight time from Saigon to Phu Quoc is 50 minutes.
With an average temperature of roughly 27°C, Phu Quoc Island Vietnam is cozy and pleasant all year long. The dry season, which lasts from October to March, is the coldest, while April and May are the warmest months when the rainy season sets in. The rainy season, which brings milder temperatures until October, is fully underway by July.
In general, Phu Quoc Island is an absolute must-visit place in Vietnam. If you want to get further information and an itinerary of a tour in Phu Quoc Island, please contact Vietnam tour company for instant assistance!