Are you heading off to Phu Quoc, Vietnam? Looking for the best things to do in Phu Quoc? Then we have got you covered with our list of the best places to visit on Phu Quoc Island.
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Why Visit Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam?
Phu Quoc, an island southeast of Vietnam, is a perfect place for a relaxing vacation. The island has one of the world’s best pristine white sand beaches and natural beauty to savor. It’s one of the prettiest places in Vietnam.
Phu Quoc Visa Requirements
The biggest advantage is that Phu Quoc is exempt from visa requirements for citizens of all nations for less than 30 days, a great reason to visit the beautiful island.
If your passport is valid for 6 months, you can visit Phu Quoc for less than 30 days with a return ticket for the onward destination. However, if you plan to visit mainland Vietnam before or after Phu Quoc, you do need a Vietnamese visa.
We visited Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh City. If mainland Vietnam is part of your itinerary, then read The Perfect Vietnam 10-day itinerary for suggestions and planning.
How to Reach Phu Quoc Island
By Air
Phu Quoc International Airport caters to direct and connecting flights from around the world. There are direct flights from Bangkok, Japan, and connecting flights from destinations worldwide. There are also direct flights daily from Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Da Nang, and other places in mainland Vietnam.
By Ferry
Phu Quoc can also be reached by speed ferries from the Mekong Delta towns of Ha Tien and Rach Gia to Bai Vong port in Phu Quoc. There is also the option of taking your bikes or cars on some ferries. The ferry takes between 1.25-3 hours, depending on the speed and port. The tickets to the ferries can be booked online from the many operators.
Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc
October to March is the best time to visit Phu Quoc island when the temperatures are pleasant, and it is the dry season.
Where to Stay on Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc is booming with the construction of hotels and resorts ranging from luxury resorts to hotels, budget stays, and homestays to choose from.
Read our recommendations of the best Phu Quoc resorts & hotels that will make your stay memorable and relaxing.
Best Attractions in Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc (pronounced as foo kwock) is the largest island in Vietnam and a must-visit destination. Famous for its stunning white-sand beaches and resorts along the coast, the island is on a development spree to attract tourists with the best in luxury and comfort.
Here are some of the must-see attractions on Phu Quoc Island.
Best Beaches on Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc, also called “Emerald Island,” is famous for its pristine white beaches. A visit to this island would be incomplete without visiting one of the many beaches across the island.
Some of the beaches worth visiting are Ong Lang, Bai Dai, Bai San, Khem Beach, San Beach, and many more. Bai Truong, also called Long Beach, is the longest beach on the island and is famous during sunset. If you want a beach sans crowd, then head over to Vung Bau beach, which is connected by a gravel road.
Built sandcastles or just gaze at the magical sunset, Phu Quoc is sure to cast a spell.
You could take a tour of the famous Bai Sao beach, which includes other attractions.
Vinwonders (Vinpearl Land) Amusement Park
Vinwonders (Vinpearl Land, as called earlier) is Vietnam’s largest theme park, with locations in many cities across the country.
Spread over a massive area, the theme park has over 100 rides that both kids and adults can enjoy. The park is subdivided into sections based on different themes, from fairyland to the European era.
There are six sections of the park: Fantasy World, Mysterious Viking Village, Adventure World, Typhoon World, The Sea Shell, and European Streetmosphere, with many entertainment activities for you to enjoy.
Vinwonders also has an aquarium and full-fledged water park that is a hit among kids of all ages.
I remember my kids were not ready to leave the park in the evening. Read about our fun time at Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc.
Tickets: A ticket for adults costs 750,000 VND, and for kids, it costs 560,000 VND. You can book the tickets here.
Timings: 1 pm – 7:30 pm (Friday – Sunday)
Vinpearl Safari
Just across the Vinwonders is Vietnam’s largest animals and conservation park – Vinpearl Safari.
This vast park houses thousands of animals and birds. To explore the many species of animals, there are many parts of the park—a zoo, a safari, a reptile area, and a bird area. There are many animal shows that are a must-see. Do check the timings of the shows and plan accordingly.
You are open to walking around the zoo and seeing the many different kinds of species. There are also animal shows and feeding events, so you can encounter all the animals here. It is better to check the schedule and plan accordingly.
For Safari, it takes you on a bus on the tour of the area where the animals live in their natural habitat. You will see the lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, bears, and so many more coming up close.
Head over to the Giraffe restaurant and Elephant House to feed these animals. Travelers love feeding the Giraffes and elephants and cherish this forever. There are restaurants on the safari where you can enjoy meals.
Ticket: 650,000 VND per adult and 490,000 VND per child
Timings: Open Zoo 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Safari Park 9:30 am-3:20 pm
Tip: If you plan to attend both Vinwonders and Vinpearl Safari, then buy the combo ticket that is priced at 1,000,000 VND for Adults and 750,000 VND.
Read More: What to do in Hoi An, Vietnam
Phu Quoc Cable Car or Hon Thom Cable Car
Located at the southernmost tip of Vietnam, the Phu Quoc Cable Car is the longest cable car in the world and cannot be missed, especially with kids. It offers mesmerizing views of the turquoise water underneath the island. The cable car takes 15 minutes to connect the town of An Thoi to Hon Thom Island.
Hon Thom Island is home to pristine beaches, a nature park, and water sports for all adventure enthusiasts. There are many restaurants and cafes on the island where you can enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. For kids, there is Hon Thom Nature Park, an amusement park with Aquatopia water park.
The tickets to the cable car can be bought from the ticket counter in An Thoi or booked online. Book the ticket to Hon Thom Nature Park, including the Cable car, or choose from the various tours:
Timings: 8 am – 5:30 pm with a lunch break between 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tickets: 300,000 VND for Adults taller than 1.4 m and 280,000 VND for kids less than 1.4 m. Kids below 1 m are free.
Duong Dong Night Market
If you love lively places, then the Phu Quoc night market is the place to be. Open every day until 9 p.m., the market is bustling with people, lights, food, and music. You can indulge in freshly cooked seafood and local delicacies.
Love shopping? Then you will love it here. Buy souvenirs or local crafts to take back home.
Fish Sauce Factory Tour
Vietnam is one of the leading consumers and producers of fish sauce, which is exported around the world. Phu Quoc is one of the major fish sauce producers in Vietnam.
During the factory tour, you will visit the warehouse with large wooden barrels and learn how the fish sauce is prepared over the years after fermenting.
Some of the factories that allow tours are – Khai Hoan Fish Sauce Factory, Hung Thanh, and Phuong Hung Fish Sauce.
Note: The fish sauce has a very pungent smell, so be mindful of the strong stench. We skipped it due to this reason.
Pepper Farm Tour
Apart from fish sauce, Phu Quoc is also famous for its peppercorn production. Phu Quoc produces one of the best varieties of black pepper in the world.
There are many Pepper Farms across the island, and tourists can easily visit a pepper plantation in Phu Quoc. Just walk in and explore the farm.
There are many farms in Gành Dầu Village, Cua Can Village, and Thom Village.
View Starfish at Starfish Beach
Crystal clear waters, white sands, and red starfishes basking in the sun. A view that one can dream of gets true at Phu Quoc island.
To the east of the island is a remote area where there are starfishes near Rach Vem Beach.
Take care: Please take care and do not disturb the starfishes in lieu of pictures.
Note: The road to the beach is not well maintained and is dusty. So, it is advisable to book a guided tour of Starfish Beach.
Snorkeling
Thom Islands, Turtle Islands, and Hon Thom are some of the spots great for Snorkeling and diving. Dive into the colorful marine world and explore the reef and fishes.
You can’t miss taking a full-day snorkeling tour of 3 islands and exploring the beautiful marine life. Or can even take a South Island fishing & snorkeling tour.
Watch the Sunset and Sunrise
In Phu Quoc, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of both sunrise and sunset. The beaches around the island provide a great opportunity for magical moments at dusk and dawn.
Bai Sao Beach and other beaches give an unobstructed view. Ham Ninh Fishing Village, with its wooden bridges, is famous for its photographic scenes.
Ho Quoc Pagoda
Hu Quoc Temple, also called Truc Lam Ho Quoc, is the largest and most beautiful Buddhist temple on Phu Quoc Island. As you enter the temple, you are welcomed by a huge staircase with dragons on the sides of the stairs. In the middle of the two sets of staircases are intricate golden carvings of dragons and other beautiful symbols on the sloping surface.
Inside the temple, there is a stunning gold Buddha statue. The temple offers a feeling of peace and tranquility.
From the top of the pagoda, you cannot miss the breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding lush mountains.
Book a South Phu Quoc Tour from Duong Duong
You must remove your shoes while entering the temple. As this is a place of worship, it is also advisable to dress appropriately.
Have you visited the beautiful pagodas in Hanoi? If not, then do check the Top attractions in Hanoi
Phu Quoc National Park
Phu Quoc National Park, located north of Phu Quoc Island, is a forest-rich area abundant with wildlife and marine life. The park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and spans across a significant part of the island.
If you are a nature lover and love adventure, there are many activities to indulge in, such as hiking, trekking, kayaking, river rafting, and more.
Important: The park is divided into zones, and some restricted areas are meant for conservation and are not allowed for tourists.
Note: It is advisable to keep the area clean.
Also Read: Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
We hope our list of Phu Quoc attractions will help you plan your trip to Vietnam. Which one is your favorite thing to do on Phu Quoc Island? Did we miss any places to visit in Phu Quoc? Do let us know.
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This was one of the best posts about Phu Quoc island! I almost decided to skip the island because I wasn’t finding much that excites me. Thank you for such a thorough, interesting post!
That means so much—thank you! Phu Quoc is definitely one of those places that surprises you when you know where to look. So glad the post helped spark some excitement for your trip. Hope you have an amazing time exploring the island! 😊