Explore Phu Quoc: Adventures in the Pearl Island

Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 400 kilometers west of Ho Chi Minh City, Phú Quốc Archipelago captivates both domestic and international tourists with its diverse range of tourism activities and abundant marine and island resources; its ecosystem boasts a rich variety of both terrestrial and marine life.

The Phú Quốc archipelago comprises 22 large and small islands, covering a total area of approximately 589.23 square kilometers. Phú Quốc Island, the largest, is divided into the northern and southern parts, with Dương Đông town situated at its center.

1. Best Time to Visit Phú Quốc

The ideal time to visit the Pearl Island is from November to April of the following year. This is the dry season in the South, characterized by little rain, calm seas, gentle waves, and warm sunshine, making it perfect for outdoor activities. This season is ideal for relaxation and resort vacations, but less suitable for backpacking or adventurous trips.

From May to October is the rainy season, with occasional storms. However, Phú Quốc still attracts a large number of visitors during this period, coinciding with the summer holidays. If visiting Phú Quốc during this season, it’s advisable to go around the end of April when the crowds are smaller, the weather is still pleasant, and prices are not as high as during peak season. October is also a transitional month with less rainfall.

2. How to Getting There

Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air offer direct flights to Phú Quốc from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Buon Ma Thuột. With a bit of luck, you can find roundtrip tickets for under one million VND. Phú Quốc Airport is approximately a 15-minute drive from the island’s center. Some high-end hotels and resorts offer complimentary airport transfers. You should inquire about this service when booking your accommodation in Phú Quốc.

• By Airplane

In addition to direct flights, travelers have more options when traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phú Quốc, such as motorbikes, cars, buses, speedboats, or ferries. For first-time visitors to Phú Quốc, it is recommended to take a speedboat to avoid seasickness. There are two routes to Phú Quốc: the journey from Rạch Giá is about 120 km and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the journey from Hà Tiên is about 50 km and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is recommended to depart from Hà Tiên to shorten the travel time by sea, and the ticket price is also cheaper. You should call the pier in advance to purchase tickets and ensure your schedule is on track.

• By Bus

If you are driving yourself, it is advisable to travel at night to catch the ferry at around 4 AM and experience the sunrise at sea. The journey takes a little over 6 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to the ferry pier in Hà Tiên. You should prepare food, drinks, blankets, pillows… and it is best to have two people take turns driving to ensure a safe and continuous night journey. If traveling by bus, you can depart from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. There are many high-quality buses to Hà Tiên, with ticket prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 230,000 VND per person, depending on the bus company. Some high-quality bus companies you can consider include Phương Trang, Mai Linh, and Kumho.

• Around Phu Quoc

The most common mode of transportation on Phú Quốc Island is taxi and motorbike. Typically, taxi companies and rental services offer half-day or full-day tours of the southern and northern islands for 500,000 – 700,000 VND. Drivers will take guests to the most popular attractions. Alternatively, you can rent a motorbike for 100,000 – 150,000 VND per day, excluding fuel. Guests need to leave their ID card or citizen identification card as a deposit. Before driving, you should carefully check the brakes, turn signals, and lights. There are buses operating on most routes, from the airport to Dương Đông town and An Thới port, with fares ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 VND. However, tourist attractions far from the main roads are inconvenient to reach by bus.
Accommodation
Phú Quốc offers a diverse range of accommodations, from budget-friendly guesthouses to world-class resorts. For those looking to save money, homestays are a great option. If you’re traveling with a family or a group, hotels in Dương Đông town would be the most convenient choice as they offer easy access to attractions and shopping areas.

Five-star hotels such as Saigon Phu Quoc Resort and Eden Resort typically have room rates exceeding VND 1,500,000 per night. Three to four-star hotels range from VND 1,000,000 to 1,500,000. Two-star hotels like Gold Hotel, Lavita Hotel, Sea Star Resort, and Kim Hoa are generally priced between VND 600,000 and 800,000.

Unlike Nha Trang where beaches are easily accessible from major roads, in Phú Quốc, you often need to travel farther to reach the beach. Therefore, if you prefer a peaceful and relaxing stay, consider staying at a resort, villa, or bungalow near the beach. You can choose from a variety of accommodations with prices ranging from VND 1,800,000 to 7,000,000 per night. In the northern part of the island, there are Vinpearl Phú Quốc Resort, Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula Phú Quốc, and Fusion Resort Phu Quoc. On the eastern side of the island, Rocks Beach Boutique Phu Quoc, located in Hàm Ninh commune and opened in early 2022, has been dubbed the “mini Maldives”. Between the northern part and the center of the island are Movenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc and Mango Bay Resort on Ông Lang beach. In the center of Dương Đông town, there are Lahana Resort Phu Quoc, L’Azure Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, Anja Beach Resort, Pullman Phú Quốc, and InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is located on Khem beach, while Premier Village Phu Quoc is a prominent accommodation option in the southern part of the island.

3. Attractions in Phu Quoc

Attractions in Phú Quốc are divided into four main areas: the central area in Dương Đông town, the southern part, the northern part, and the eastern part. Depending on your itinerary, you should allocate at least two days to fully explore the island’s attractions.

3.1. Northern Part of the Island

The northern part of Phú Quốc Island boasts a lush, pristine forest. There are also pristine beaches, fishing villages, and areas less affected by commercialization. Here are some attractions:

• Phú Quốc National Park:

Covering an area of over 31,400 hectares, the park is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna and a diverse ecosystem of mountains, forests, seas, waterfalls, and streams. Here, you can explore the lush vegetation and admire pristine streams like Suối Tranh, Suối Đá Bàn, and Suối Đá Ngọn.

• Rạch Vẹm fishing village:

Located about 15 kilometers from Dương Đông town, Rạch Vẹm, or the “starfish kingdom,” is a popular spot for photography. In addition to the crystal-clear waters, this place is known for its abundance of starfish. From December to April, when the sea is calm and the water is clear, starfish are easiest to see.

• Vinpearl Safari:

One of the most famous attractions in the northern part of the island, Vinpearl Safari is home to over 3,000 birds, mammals, and reptiles belonging to 175 species. The safari is divided into two areas: an open zoo, where visitors can explore the animal enclosures, and a semi-wild area, where visitors are taken on tours by dedicated vehicles.

• Gành Dầu Cape:

This is a landform that protrudes into the sea, located in the northwestern part of the island. Due to its remote location and limited tourism, Gành Dầu Cape retains its pristine beauty with its uniquely shaped rocks and clear beaches.

3.2. Southern Part of the Island

• Bãi Sao

Bai Sao is one of Phú Quốc’s most beautiful beaches, located in An Thới town, approximately 28 kilometers from Dương Đông town. It boasts crystal-clear water and a pristine white sand beach stretching over 7 kilometers. Visitors can leisurely stroll along the sandy shores, listen to the soothing sound of the waves at dawn, or take a refreshing swim and capture stunning photos.
Moreover, the calm waters and gentle waves make it an ideal spot for various water sports, especially kayaking. Kayak rentals start from VND 100,000 to VND 150,000.

• Bãi Trường beach

spanning approximately 20 kilometers, is one of the best places to watch the sunset on the Pearl Island. Here, visitors can visit the Sunset Sanato Beach Club, adorned with wooden structures such as a bridge leading to the sea, a water elephant, a seashell house, and swings, providing perfect backdrops for capturing beautiful sunset photos.

• Dinh Bà and Dinh Cậu

Dinh Bà and Dinh Cậu are two of the most sacred places in Phú Quốc, located in Dương Đông town. Associated with many legends about Cậu Quý, Cậu Tài, the Jade Virgin, and the Dragon King, these shrines are where fishermen come to pray for safety, favorable weather, and bountiful catches. Every 15th day of the first lunar month, large festivals are held here.

• Mũi Dinh Cậu

Mũi Dinh Cậu is the best spot to admire the sunset, with its uniquely shaped rocky cliffs resembling mountains rising from the sea. The sunset at Mũi Dinh Cậu is most beautiful from May to September, when the entire sky and sea merge into a breathtakingly serene blue hue.

• Phú Quốc Prison

Phú Quốc Prison is located in Cây Dừa hamlet, An Thới commune. This historical site is a popular tourist attraction, with some scenes reconstructed to recreate the past. It is open from 7 AM to 5 PM daily and admission is free.

• Phú Quốc Night Market

Phú Quốc Night Market is located on Bạch Đằng Street, about 1 kilometer from Dinh Cậu. Open from 5 PM to 11 PM on weekends, the market offers a variety of stalls selling fresh seafood, local specialties such as fish sauce, sim cake, pepper, and handicrafts. Besides shopping, visitors can enjoy delicious fresh seafood prepared right at the market. Other recommended dishes include rolled ice cream, egg cakes, and fermented rice cake.

In addition to the aforementioned destinations, the southern part of the island offers other attractions such as fish sauce production facilities, pearl farms, and sim wine distilleries.

3.2. Island Hopping

One of the most exciting experiences in Phú Quốc is island hopping, visiting islands like Hòn Thơm, Móng Tay, Gầm Ghì, and Mây Rút.

• Hòn Thơm

Hòn Thơm is the most developed island for tourism, offering beautiful beaches, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing. Notably, there is an aqua park with 20 thrilling water slides, Aquatopia Water Park, perfect for family fun.
For those who love diving, the ECO Beach area on the island offers a 20-minute underwater experience with a full-face mask for VND 950,000 per person. If you choose scuba diving with a tank, the service fee is VND 650,000 per person. Other services include underwater video recording for VND 600,000 and underwater photography for VND 300,000.

To reach the island, visitors depart from the cable car station, which is designed in an ancient Roman style and is a popular spot for young people to take photos. Then, you will take the world’s longest three-rope cable car, with a total length of 7,899 meters. From the cabin, visitors can see the clear blue sea, peaceful islands, and boats sailing.

Besides purchasing tickets in advance, visitors can buy tickets outside the cable car station. The package including the cable car, water park, and lunch buffet is VND 600,000 for adults and VND 400,000 for children over 1m4. Children between 1m and 1m4 can purchase tickets for VND 400,000.

Additionally, visitors can book island hopping tours to visit Hòn Thơm and other islands. 1 A popular option is a 4-island tour, including Hòn Mây Rút Trong, Mây Rút Ngoài, Gầm Ghì, and Hòn Móng Tay in the An Thới archipelago.

4. Phú Quốc Cuisine

If you’re a food lover, the best time to visit Phú Quốc is from May to November. This is the local fishing season, so you can find plenty of fresh seafood at affordable prices.

• Shredded green jackfruit salad

This is a must-try dish in Phú Quốc. Available in both high-end restaurants and local eateries, this dish features thinly sliced green jackfruit mixed with herbs and served with a tangy fish sauce, completely free of any fishy smell.

• Hàm Ninh crab

The crabs here may not be as large as those found elsewhere, but they are renowned for their sweetness and freshness. Depending on the season, the price ranges from VND 200,000 to 500,000 per kilogram. It’s best to choose crabs weighing around 6 to 7 per kilogram. For those who prefer roe, female crabs are recommended, while male crabs are better for meat. The most delicious way to enjoy them is steamed and served with salt, pepper, and lime.

• Grilled sea snail

Food connoisseurs often enjoy grilled sea snail with salt and chili. The salty flavor of the salt, the spiciness of the chili, and the sweetness of the sea snail create a unique and delightful taste. Compared to stir-fried or boiled sea snails, grilled sea snails retain their crunchy texture, making them a favorite among locals.

• Sea cucumber

This is a famous delicacy in Phú Quốc, highly prized for its nutritional value and considered a high-end food. Fresh sea cucumber is often cooked in dishes like stir-fry with bitter melon and sweet pepper or stewed with goat or pork meat. Many people also use sea cucumber to make porridge for its health benefits. Due to its premium status, sea cucumber is quite expensive, usually costing over one million VND per kilogram.

• Kèn noodles

This type of noodle is unique to Phú Quốc. The thin rice noodles are served with herbs, Vietnamese coriander, cucumber, shredded papaya, and other fresh ingredients. A popular place to try this dish is Út Lượm’s Bún Kèn on 30/4 Street.

• Tram mushroom

This type of mushroom grows in abundance after the early rainy season in the Phú Quốc’s tram forests. The mushroom season only lasts for a little over a month, so it’s not always available. Delicious dishes made with tram mushroom include boiled chicken with mushroom soup and fishcake soup with mushroom.

• Sea urchin

In central Vietnam, fishermen often use the meat and roe of sea urchins to make a stir-fry before adding them to porridge. In Phú Quốc, freshly caught sea urchins are cleaned, halved, and grilled over charcoal with a bit of scallion oil. Other popular dishes include sea urchin with lime juice, grilled sea urchin, and sea urchin porridge.

• Abalone

Phú Quốc abalone is renowned for its nutritional value and is considered a medicinal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Fresh abalone can be prepared in various ways, such as boiling, grilling, stir-frying, or cooking in porridge.

• Other specialties

Phú Quốc also offers many other delicious specialties, including sim honey, sim wine, pepper, fish sauce, spider crab, grilled razor clams with scallion oil, and grilled squid eggs. These dishes are readily available in both casual and upscale restaurants.

Note:

• Please do not travel to Phú Quốc during the rainy season.
• Hotels and guesthouses often get fully booked during peak season, so it’s advisable to make reservations at least a month in advance.
• Some areas in Phú Quốc are off-limits to tourists. Please strictly adhere to the regulations and avoid entering restricted areas.
• Ferries and speedboats to and from the island operate on a fixed schedule. Inquire about the operating hours to avoid missing your boat or ferry.
• If you are prone to seasickness, it’s advisable to have some motion sickness medication on hand as you’ll be spending a lot of time on the water.
• If you plan to explore the island by motorbike, it’s recommended to have a map of Phú Quốc to avoid getting lost.

Cre: Lan Huong/vnexpress