Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large tracts still cloaked in dense tropical jungle, Phu Quoc rapidly morphed from a sleepy island backwater to a must-visit beach escape for Western expats and sun-seeking tourists. Beyond the resorts lining Long Beach, rapid development beginning on the east coast and mega resorts in sight of Sao Beach, there's still ample room for exploration and escaping the sometimes littered waters. Dive the reefs, kayak in the bays, eat up the back-road kilometres on a motorbike or just lounge on the beach, followed by a massage and a fresh seafood dinner.
Phu Quoc is not really part of the Mekong Delta and its rice production – the most famous, and valuable, crop is black pepper. Yet the islanders here have traditionally earned their living from the sea, and its claim to fame across Vietnam is the production of high-quality fish sauce (nuoc mam).
Attractions
TOP CHOICE BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Sao Beach
With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao Beach bends out alongside a sea of mineral-water clarity just a few kilometres from An Thoi, the main shipping port at the southern tip of the i…
TOP CHOICE ISLAND IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
An Thoi Islands
Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, these 15 islands and islets are a paradise of white sand and blue waters. They can be visited by chartered boat for a fine day of sightseeing, fishing, swimming and snorkelling…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Long Beach
Long Beach is draped invitingly along the west coast from Duong Dong almost to An Thoi port. Development concentrates in the north near Duong Dong, where the recliners and rattan umbrellas of the various resorts rul…
FACTORY IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Fish Sauce Factory
The distillery of Nuoc Mam Hung Thanh is the largest of Phu Quoc’s fish-sauce makers, a short walk from the market in Duong Dong. At first glance, the giant wooden vats may make you think you’ve arrived for a wine t…
VILLAGE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Duong Dong
The island’s main town and chief fishing port on the central west coast is a tangle of budget hotels catering to domestic tourists (though foreigners are allowed), streetside stalls, bars and shops. The old bridge i…
MUSEUM IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Phu Quoc Prison
Not far from Sao Beach in the south of the island, Phu Quoc's notorious old prison, built by the French in the late 1940s, contains a small museum that narrates (in English) the gruesome history of the jail. Much of…
BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Ho Quoc Pagoda
On a remote stretch of coastal road 10km north of Sao Beach, climb the stairs for one of the best views from any temple in Vietnam – blue sky and the water off Bai Dam Beach frame the temple-gate eaves. Behind you, …
MUSEUM IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Coi Nguon Museum
With displays on Vietnamese medicines, Stone Age tools, a boatful of barnacle-encrusted ceramics, oddly compelling shell-covered furniture and a small room devoted to the island prison, this dusty private museum is …
TAOIST TEMPLE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Dinh Cau Temple
This combination temple and lighthouse was built in 1937 to honour Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, who provides protection for sailors and fishers. Sometimes called a ‘castle’, or 'rock temple' for the rocky outc…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Ong Lan Beach
Ong Lan Beach has a series of sandy bays sheltered by rocky headlands. Several midrange resorts in this area service those wanting to get away from everything (apart from the comfort of said resorts). The upmarket b…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Thom Beach
The road from Dai Beach to Thom Beach via Ganh Dau is very beautiful, passing through dense forest with tantalising glimpses of the coast below.
NATURE RESERVE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Phu Quoc National Park
About 90% of Phu Quoc is forested and the trees and adjoining marine environment enjoy official protection. This is the last large stand of forest in the south, and in 2010 the park was declared a Unesco Biosphere R…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Vung Bau Beach
Appealing northern beach reachable via the coastal road. The waves are rough and it's a little neglected with rubbish in parts, but it means that you can have the beach without the crowds. The few resorts here have …
WATERFALL IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Suoi Tranh
Compared with the waterlogged Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc has very little surface moisture, but there are several springs originating in the hills. The most accessible of these is four-metre high Suoi Tranh; look for the…
WATERFALL IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Suoi Da Ban
Suoi Da Ban is a white-water creek tumbling across some attractive large granite boulders. There are deep pools and it’s nice enough for a dip. Bring plenty of mosquito repellent.For the falls, the best months to vi…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Cua Can Beach
The most accessible of the northern beaches, Cua Can is about 11km from Duong Dong. It remains mercifully quiet during the week, but can get busy at weekends. A ride through the villages around Cua Can is interestin…
BEACH IN PHU QUOC ISLAND
Dai Beach
A relatively isolated northern beach that retains its remote tropical charm
