Are you in desperate need of a vacation? The enchanting island paradise of Phu Quoc off the southwestern coast of Vietnam is the ideal holiday destination for budget-conscious individuals looking to get away from it all.
Enjoy low prices on flights and accommodations by booking a Phu Quoc travel combo with a reputable travel company that can help you find the cheapest ways to get there and the most bang-for-your-buck places to stay! Afterwards, make sure to check out our favorite ways to unwind in Vietnam’s famed Pearl Island. Here are some of them.
Hit the beaches
Phu Quoc is home to some of the best beaches in Vietnam. For instance, there’s Long Beach, a 20-kilometer stretch of white sand south of the town of Dương Đông that is very popular with tourists. Much of the beachfront real estate here have been snapped up by resorts and hotels, but this only means convenient access to restaurants, bars, and cafés, as well as essential amenities that ensure a comfortable beach stay.
If you’d rather skip the crowds or are seeking a quieter experience, however, Thom Beach along the northeastern coast of the island should suit your needs. In stark contrast to Long Beach, which is almost always crowded, this rocky beach is more likely to be less visited. There are a handful of establishments here that sell food and drinks so you can still enjoy a leisurely meal by the water, and there’s even a couple of accommodation options if you’d really like to immerse yourself in the laidback vibe of the place.
Ganh Dau Beach is another popular option among travelers. It is the perfect compromise between the hustle and bustle of Long Beach and the tranquility of Thom Beach. Here you’ll find plenty of beachfront accommodation options at much more reasonable prices. There’s also the charming fishing town of Ganh Dau nearby, which offers a glimpse of the island life as it’s lived by locals.
Go sightseeing—underwater
As a premier scuba diving and snorkeling destination, Phu Quoc offers plenty to see beneath the surface of the waters surrounding it. Most dive sites here feature calm waters that are well-sheltered from strong currents, ensuring a smooth experience if you’re a first-time scuba diver or new to the sport.
The 15 islets off the southern tip of Phu Quoc—called the An Thoi archipelago—are part of the UNESCO-designated Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve. The island reefs there are recovering from decades of abuse from dynamite fishing and are now teeming with marine life, including a multitude of colorful fish. You might even spot bluespotted ribbontail rays or bamboo sharks!
Go on a relaxing kayak ride
Enjoy gorgeous views of the mountains and the surrounding jungles while drifting along the Cua Can River on your very own kayak. The Cua Can River is the second-largest river in Phu Quoc and was historically used to transport food, supplies, and weapons to insurgents who fought the French colonists in and round the Mui Ong Quoi mountains.
Today, the river is a tourist attraction that draws hundreds of nature lovers daily. Guests have described the experience to be very peaceful and calming. The river meanders hither and thither, but the water remains quite still, even as it empties out into the Gulf of Thailand.
Have a seafood feast
The fishing village of Ham Ninh is one of the oldest of its kind in all of Vietnam. It’s 30 minutes away by car from Dương Đông and is the place to go if you’re craving fresh seafood or are looking to taste authentic local cuisine.
Here, you can gorge on boiled Ham Ninh flower crabs, slipper lobsters, sea urchin, and many more varieties of seafood, all fresh off the boat and prepared the way you like it. For the best experience, head to the pier and choose from a number of floating restaurants set up right over the water for an atmospheric lunch while enjoying the cool sea breeze coming up from the ocean.
Enjoy spectacular views from the world’s longest oversea cable car
The Sun Resorts cable car from Phu Quoc to Hon Thom has been a major tourist draw for the area ever since it opened in 2018. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for longest non-stop three-rope cable car at 7,899.9 meters. The fifteen-minute ride takes you high above the ocean and offers unrivaled 360-degree views of Phu Quoc and the An Thoi archipelago.
The journey ends in picturesque Hon Thom, where Sun Resorts is currently in the process of building Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park. There might not be much to see on the other side yet, but we all agree that the journey of getting there and back is well worth your time.
The best and most fun way to see and get around the island of Phu Quoc is by renting a motorcycle or scooter. Many hotels and resorts offer them at $5 to $12 to take out for the entire day. If you don’t know how to ride, you can flag down motor taxis to ferry you around instead. Many of these drivers will also offer their services as tour guides. Take advantage of their local knowledge to seek out lesser-known gems. We hope you’ll enjoy your stay in Vietnam!