PHU QUOC
15 MUST SEE PHU QUOC ATTRACTIONS -PLACES TO VISIT FOR TOURISTS
Phu Quoc- the Pearl Islands of Viet Nam where it is easy to breathe and to feel your pulse. Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in Vietnam, with a total area of 593 km2. The island is a property hotspot due to massive investments in luxury resorts, casino projects, and infrastructure upgrades. As a special economic zone, the charming island, known for its white sandy beaches and well-preserved national parks, is fast on track to become an in-demand real estate market.The main attractions of Phu Quoc are the sandy beaches which fringe the island. One of the biggest and most popular beaches on Phu Quoc is Bai Truong or Long Beach. After discovering the coastline, visitors also have the chance to explore the jungle of the national park which covers much of the island. The park’s varied ecosystems, including mangrove forests, palm bushlands and forests. Hidden within this green and luscious environment are communities of interesting animals and insects with a total of 208 species within the national park. Some of these species are rare, such as the long-tailed macaque, silver langurs and lorises which can all be found in Phu Quoc National Park. The best ways to see all of this remarkable nature is either on food or by motorbike.
1. Long Beach (Bãi Dài)
Bai Dai, one of the most enjoyable Phu Quoc island attractions, is situated on the west coast of the main island of Phu Quoc and just about 10 minutes from the Phu Quoc International Airport. Clean and clear water, the golden sand beach, gorgeous sunsets, and swaying coconut palms really make Long Beach a dreamland of every photographer.
On the other hand, here tourists can snorkel, swim, kayak, and more. For those who want to relax on the beach and have suntan, they could opt for one of so many resorts found along the beach which offer sun loungers. For more relaxation, tourists can also enjoy a lovely massage on the beach for just a few dollars offered by one of the seasoned masseuses.
2. Ganh Dau Beach (Bãi Gành Dầu)
Ganh Dau beach is an ideal place for tourists to observe the sea eagle flying high above them. Under the water, you will find a variety of fish and marine species like crabs, clams, parrot fish, and so on. Especially, hard coral is abundant in this beach. From the shore, visitors could see two different islands, including Fortuneteller Island (Hòn thầy Bói) and Ban (Bần) Island (Hon Ban). In addition to enjoying the great view and comfortably swimming, tourists could also rent a boat and then take a simple tour along the coast, or snorkel at two points. Thanks to the convenient conditions for water sports like healthy hard coral and calm water, it is very ideal for you to snorkel here. Basing on the season as well as ocean currents, you could also rent a boat to see the two islands mentioned above.
Though by the Ganh Dau village, there is another beach facing Cambodia, it is not as clean and nice as Ganh Dau Beach because that beach has become a parking place for fishing boats.
3. Sao Beach (Bãi Sao)
Located on the east side of the island, Sao Beach is another beach that attracts a large number of tourists worldwide annually. In reality, Sao Beach ranks high amongst best beaches in Vietnam as well as Southeast Asia. Also known in Vietnamese as Bãi Sao, this beach is about 7 kilometers of white sandy area. Being famous for the white sand, Sao Beach features with warm, calm and distinctive turquoise clear blue color. The sand here is a little slope but no sudden drop. Besides, because the ocean here is rather shallow, it is safe for non-swimmers and children to play around. Moreover, during low tide, tourists could see sand ripples that resemble a sand bar. This destination is also great for photo taking, especially during low tide in the morning.
Under the water, there are a lot of types of small fish, shell fish, a small squid and needle nose fish. For those who want to snorkel, there are some areas at the north and south end of the beach which are ideal for snorkeling. In September and October, tourists will find a variety of starfish near the seashore. Sometimes, you can even see a sea urchin, yet they might be rare here.
4. Dinh Cau Rock (Cau Temple) (Đền Dinh Cậu)
This odd shaped rock lies at Duong Dong River’s mouth. It is said that no trip to Phu Quoc Island is complete without visiting this little oddity.
Actually, this is the most popular Phu Quoc island attractions majorly because it is situated near the Long Beach – maybe the most worth-visiting Phu Quoc island attractions that no tourists can overlook.
Dinh Cau Rock is often mentioned to as “the symbol of Phu Quoc as well as Phu Quoc locals”. Before every fishing trip, Phu Quoc locals come to this temple to burn those incense sticks and then pray for a safe trip.
Here, you can see spectacular sunsets that is great for taking photos. At the base of the temple, you can relax on a plastic chair, then order sugar cane juice and witness the sunset.
5. Vung Bau Beach (Bãi Vũng Bầu)
Vung Bau Beach, also known as Circling Beach, lays in-between Cua Can (Cửa Cạn) Beach in the south and Long Beach in the north. It is about 10 kilometers from Duong Dong town. Actually, this 4.5 kilometer-in-length beach is rather remote that makes travelers feel like they have the area all to themselves, but it is still close enough to several resorts if they want to stay overnight or grab something to eat.
White sand, calm clear blue water and thick tall grass developing close to the seashore make this a private and peaceful beach, so many foreign tourists who make a trip here might not feel the demand to take swimwear. For those who are looking for some adventure, there is dive shop along the major road that will take them to the nearby islands for a small fee.
6. Rach Vem Beach And Rach Tram Beach (Bãi Rạch Vẹm Và Bãi Rạch Tràm)
These are two little-known beaches in Phu Quoc Island. Located in remote north area of Phu Quoc, calm and quiet, these beaches are wonderful and the forested hills backdrop is spectacular. Nonetheless, Rach Vem (Rạch Vẹm) Beach and Rach Tram (Rạch Tràm) Beach are “working” ones where fishermen along with their families reside. Some fun activities to do for tourists are fishing, trekking, and hiking. You can ask local fishermen to take you out for fishing either in the river or in the sea for a small fee, yet you might need to be able to speak Vietnamese or Khmer (Cambodia). For hiking or trekking, a few small trails taking you into the forest are available here. It is really worth exploring for both domestic and international tourists.
7. Ham Ninh Fishing Village (Làng Chài Hàm Ninh)
Situated about 20 km northeast of the Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc district, Ham Ninh village is well-known for its wonderful natural scenery as well as peaceful life of local fishermen. Actually, no one knew when this village was built, just know that, whilst Phu Quoc Island deserted, some people from land go to the exploitation of marine resources, and then built up the village.
In fact, fishing used to be the sole method of earning living of locals in Ham Ninh village, yet recent years, thanks to the development of tourism, tourist service becomes a main source of their income, like from selling seafood or handmade souvenir for travelers.
8. Ho Quoc (Hộ Quốc) pagoda
also known as Truc Lam Ho Quoc (Trúc Lâm Hộ Quốc), this pagoda is part eco-tourism spot, part monastery, and part Buddhist temple. About 18 km away from Duong Dong Town, situated in Suoi Lon (Suối Lớn) hamlet within Duong To (Dương Tơ) village, this temple has a variety of Buddha statues and a giant bell. Visiting here at about 5:30 am, you will witness the spectacular sunrise view that will stun you so much. It is said that Ho Quoc Pagoda is considered among best sites to watch the sunrise in this island. There is a lush mountain behind this temple complex, which has rich wildlife. If you are lucky enough, you might see macaques.
9. Pepper Plantations (Trang Trại Tiêu)
One of the most recommended Phu Quoc island attractions is Pepper gardens. Phu Quoc is well-known for pepper, especially red pepper. The heat and spice of Phu Quoc pepper is very special. Local farmers here do not use chemical fertilizers yet organic fertilizers when processing pepper as in other areas. There are about 385 ha of pepper plantations on this island, majorly in Cua Can (Cửa Cạn) and Cua Duong (Cửa Dương) villages. During the major harvesting period, from February to July, ripe peppercorns are carefully collected by famers’ hands, and divided into 3 types: the red type, the black type and the white type. Today, tourists could easily visit one of many pepper plantations on the island. It is estimated that there are 3 main plantations here which are very easily accessible. If you are going to travel around Phu Quoc, you should not miss visiting a pepper plantation. Those people who are interested in culinary could have a guided tour of pepper plantation to see the complete process in detail.
9. Tranh (Tranh) waterfall
though it is not the most dramatic waterfall in Phu Quoc, Tranh waterfall still shines its own charms over others. With the peaceful surrounding forest, this waterfall also contains a few other smaller waterfalls as well as streams. Looking into the stream, you can see freshwater shrimps and little fish. Within the forested region around, you can also see exotic mushrooms, wild orchids, and diversified moss and lichens. Here, tourists can throw themselves into some activities like picnicking or soaking into the stream. There are some small shops for snacking that have been built along the trail and sell the quail eggs, drinks, fruits, rice and pork in case tourists get hungry.
11.Fairy stream falls (Aka Suoi Tien (Suối Tiên))
similar to Da Ban waterfall, Suoi Tien is a small stream situated close to Duong Dong Town. Despite it is not easy to get there, but if you have a chance, it is definitely worth your visit as the lush forest scenery here is very stunning. The natural scenery here is rather peaceful and nice. You can explore the region and find ginseng, orchids, and myrtle fruit tree. Like two waterfalls above, there are some activities for tourists to enjoy here, including soaking into the stream and picnicking.
12. Cashew Nut Plantations
One of the lesser-known Phu Quoc island attractions is cashew nut plantations. Actually, cashew nut is grown in a fair abundance on this island. If you travel to the more remote areas of the north around Bai Thom (Bãi Thơm), you can see many cashew nut trees with the huge pear shaped husks upon in season.
13.Phu Quoc Prison (Nhà Tù Phú Quốc)
When it comes to Phu Quoc Prison, it might not be one of the most renowned Phu Quoc island attractions, yet is still worth a visit. Located in An Thoi (An Thời) town, Phu Quoc prison, aka Coconut Tree prison, was once an active prison established and initially used to the French and by the Americans after that. According to reports, it once housed over 40,000 Vietnamese soldiers who were tortured and beaten there during the period of American- Vietnam war. Nowadays, it becomes one of historical Phu Quoc island attractions and was formally recognized as the special Vietnamese national heritage site. Travelers when visiting this Phu Quoc Prison will witness an actual outdoor prison setup with tiger cages, barb wire, and mannequin prisoners and guards. In addition, you can have an opportunity to go through the escape tunnel which is underground.
14. Sunset Sanato Club
Sunset Sanato Beach Club Phu Quoc is a private beach entertainment service complex. With a length of 400m including bars, food court. Entertainment area to serve domestic and foreign tourists to Phu Quoc. . With many exciting and spectacular activities.
15. Phu Quoc national park
Phu Quoc National Park comprises more than half of Phu Quoc Island’s northern region, where adventurous travellers can enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits throughout their tropical vacation. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, this massive natural attraction spans over 314, 000 square metres of unique flora and fauna, evergreen forest, and dense mountain ranges.
While the majority of Phu Quoc National Park is strictly protected by the Vietnamese government for research purposes, visitors can make their way to the Khu Rung Nguyen Sinh Forest Reserve via Ganh Dau Village as it’s accessible for camping, hiking, bird-watching, and photography. Nature lovers can also spot rare wildlife such as long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, slow lories, otters, and hornbills.
16. Hon Thom Ísland
The cable car runs from Robin Hill to the Truc Lam Monastery and was built by an Austrian company. The ride covers 2,3km, with 50 brightly painted cabins spanning the distance. The panoramic views of Dalat are worth the effort.
THINGS MUST KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO PHU QUOC
- How to get there?
+ By airplane
This is the fastest way to go to Phu Quoc from Hanoi, Saigon, or Can Tho. There are three airlines that operate a direct flight from these cities to Phu Quoc. You can choose to fly with Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air….Depending on your departure location, date, and the airline, a one-way ticket will cost upwards of 700,000 VND (32 USD).
Phu Quoc airport is only 10 kilometers away from Duong Dong town (the center). Therefore, you can catch a Mai Linh or SACO taxi to go there after arrival.
+ By sleeper bus & Speedboat
From Saigon, you can travel for six to seven hours on a sleeper bus to get to Rach Gia or Ha Tien then take a speedboat to Phu Quoc
- Transportation around Phu Quoc
+ Bus There is a basic bus service that runs every couple of hours between An Thoi and Duong Dong. When ferries arrive at An Thoi Port, there is usually a bus waiting to take visitors to Duong Dong. Just look out for buses displaying “Huong Toan”. Many of the better resorts provide a shuttle service to and from the airport. Resort buses will be waiting at the airport for you if you have a booking in advance.
+ Car Rental Renting a self driven vehicle on Phu Quoc Island is not possible unless you have a Vietnamese driver’s licence and a permanent registered address on the island. The best option is to hire a car or 4WD with a driver/guide. There are a number of private owners willing to offer their services which can be found at the airport. Alternatively www.sascophuquoc.vn has a range of vehicles with drivers for rent. Prices start from around US$25 per day, increasing depending on the size of vehicle, distances travelled and rental periods.
+ Cycling
Most hotels offer bicycle rentals which start from US$1 per day, which can be a great way to adventure around the local area. However, bike rental is complimentary at Nam Nghi Phu Quoc Island. If you plan on cycling long distances, poor road conditions and unsealed dusty roads can make this a difficult experience. We recommend purchasing a face mask before you head off on these longer journeys and take plenty of water. The coastal strip surrounding Phu Quoc makes cycling relatively easy, however the island heats up when you get move from the coast.
+ Motobike Rental
As per the information from the Police Department, Expats are allowed to drive cars or motorbikes in Vietnam if they have a valid international license or a Vietnamese driver’s license. Renting a motorbike is one of the cheapest ways to discover Phu Quoc Island and motorbikes also provide the best access if you are adventuring out to the more remote beaches beyond the main towns.
WEATHER & THE BEST TIME OF YEARS TO VISIT PHU QUOC
Phu Quoc has two distinctive seasons each year.
Dry Season in Da Lat
The dry season starts from October and continues through March. If you want to avoid the rain, you should plan your trip to Phu Quoc between November to March. However, as it is also the peak season, everything from air ticket to accommodation and more will be priced up. When October nears its end, the wet season will be almost over too. Rain happens occasionally, the sky is clear, and the ocean is calm again. Therefore you can visit Phu Quoc during this month to avoid the high season
Rainy Season in Da Lat
During the wet season (April – September), rain happens frequently on the west coast, while the east coast is calmer. Storms are not unheard of either. Big winds and heavy rain often occur in July, August, and September which will cause some disadvantage to your trip. For example, muddy roads make it more slippery to ride a motorbike, and diving and surfing will be a big no-no.
However, this time of the year, the services in Phu Quoc become a lot cheaper, which is suitable for those traveling on a low budget. All you need to do is be prepared for it. Don’t forget to carry a poncho, insect repellent, flip-flops, and a waterproof bag for your phone/backpack. By the way, girls, it is a must to use waterproof cosmetics.
Best Time to Come to Da Lat
The best time to visit Da Lat is between December and March when you can see its famous flower gardens in full bloom. Temperatures at this time of the year are ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and walking. Da Lat also hosts its biannual flower festival during this time, where you can enjoy vibrant parades, exhibitions and workshops, as well as the colourful flowers that surround Xuan Huong Lake.
FOOD & DRINK
Phu Quoc Island restaurants cater to just about any traveller, from charming local joints and traditional markets selling authentic Vietnamese dishes to expat-owned bistros and fine-dining venues with breathtaking views. Home to pristine beaches and traditional fishing villages, no trip to this island is complete without sampling regional specialities such as raw herring salad, grilled squid, fish hotpot, and shrimp sautéed with onion. Travellers looking to satisfy their cravings for comfort food can find plenty of all-day bistros and restaurants set along Ong Lang Beach and Duong Down. Offering authentic European, American and Asian favourites, diners can also enjoy imported wines, beers, and cocktails as well as live entertainment until late. To find the best places to eat throughout your tropical holiday, check out our helpful guide of where and what to eat on Phu Quoc Island.Raw herring salad (Goi ca trich)
Each area through Vietnam will be prominent in a specific specialty which may tightly cling to the memory of anyone who has ever tasted it. As a result, when it comes to some certain destinations, the outstanding dishes symbolic of those places will immediately be thought about. For instance, Quang noodle is a symbol of Quang Nam, Pho is the most famous dish of Hanoi, Hue beef noodle belongs to Hue City, or Cao Lau (pork noodle dish) is the symbol of Hoi An. Then, the Phu Quoc island is not an exception; herring salad is a stunning recipe you should try when coming here.
In the past, herring salad is served as a traditional dish of local fishermen; however, it has been now must-try food in Phu Quoc island for a Vietnam beach vacation. The basic ingredients are slices of raw herring fish, which can scare many people at the first time of experiencing the dish, but its flavor is utterly great when it is served with fish sauce. Although the locals call it as a salad, it is further different from the other Vietnamese salads in terms of the way to enjoy. The slices of raw herring fish will be combined with the grated meat of mature coconut, mint and onion. Then, wrap some from this mixture along with vegetables in rice paper and enjoy it with fish sauce of chili, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and peanuts.
Grilled Bien Mai scallop (Co Bien Mai)
Yes, the island is taken in account as the paradise of sandy beaches, seascapes and especially seafood. Then, ever wonder what is must-try food in Phu Quoc island? It is believed that you actually miss a culinary delight if not trying Bien Mai scallop – a type of sea oysters. There is more than one recipe to prepare and cook Bien Mai scallops, such as hotpot, soup, porridge, etc. However, the most wonderful way is to marinate them with suitable spices and grill with some vegetables, making them crispy and tangy to enjoy. Often, people will use spines of coconut leaves to stitch pieces of Bien Mai scallop flesh and vegetables together before putting them on the grill. A hint for you is to have some beer while savoring the dish.
Sea urchin (Cau gai bien)
Regardless of if sea urchins get people annoyed as they are pricked by the sea creatures’ spines while diving, they still love dishes made from them. To be honest, the sea urchins contribute to the value and uniqueness of the Phu Quoc cuisine. There are two ways to get full taste of this seafood. First, cut a sea urchin into two halves, and then rinse all blood vessels from its body. Put yellow roe in a bowl, and mix it with some drops of lemon and mustard. Then, it should be served with mustard greens. Nevertheless, many locals suppose that grilling is the common way the majority of travelers prefer. Just lightly grill, top them up with onion and peanuts, and then enjoy them with the mixture of salt, lime juice and pepper. It’s too mouth-watering and full of nutrition.
Ham Ninh flower crab
A Vietnam beach Vacation will be more wonderful if you choose right specialties to savor, and the must-try food in Phu Quoc island, you can’t lose out on is Ham Ninh flower crab. It is not difficult to find and taste this specialty because it is offered at many different restaurants in the island. It is not only fresh, but also cooked perfectly. With clever hands of the expert chefs at the local restaurants, lots of dishes are made from the flower crab, but in case that you are eager to get a sense of the fresh taste of seafood, just order some boiled crabs and savor them with the sauce of lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Oc nhay (a kind of sea snail)
Oc nhay is known as one of the awesome specialties at the Vietnam’s sea areas like Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang City, Phu Yen, etc. There is a variety of such sea snail, but Red and White are two typical types; in terms of use in cooking, the White is more delicious that the Red. The snail’s flesh is crispy and fat, so it is easily used to make appetizing dishes with the tantalizing aroma, such as the snails fried with sate sauce, the snails fried with garlic and onion, flower banana snail salad, the snails steamed with ginger, grilled snails with sate sauce, etc.
Grilled slipper lobster (tom mu ni nuong)
Don’t let this must-try food in Phu Quoc island slip out of your hand since it is absolutely amazing without your expectation! Although it is not a kind of ocean lobster you often see at large restaurants in the world, it is still overwhelming enough to excite you so much. There will be a mixture used to put on the top of the slipper lobster’s halves; the mixture is made from lime juice, butter, black pepper, and some herbs. Just top the halves with this mixture and then grill them until their aroma wafts in the air. Never word to totally say about the dish’s excellence.
Grilled Song fish (Ca Song nuong)
Continue your journey to explore Phu Quoc island by trying the grilled Song fish. It will bring home to you the wonderful flavor of sea and the quintessence of seafood. No need to remove the fish’s organs; just rinse it with the clean water and grill it until it is golden-brown and its fantastic flavor spreads over the space. It will be greater if you enjoy it with vegetables, rice paper, and the mixture of salt, lime juice, and pepper. Wrap some fish with vegetables in the rice paper, then dip the roll into the mixture, and savor. It will stimulate your tongue for sure.
