Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the top choices for tourists looking for some relaxation because it has some of the best beaches in Vietnam. If you are planning to visit this island, check out our travel guide on things to do at Phu Quoc.
Transportations to Phu Quoc:
From Ho Chi Minh City or the neighboring provinces, traveling by plane or bus is an appropriate choice. If you are in Hanoi or the nearby places, you may go directly to Phu Quoc by plane or go to Ho Chi Minh City and then catch a bus to the ferry and high-speed boat ports such as Rach Gia, Can Tho, and Ha Tien.
By plane: Currently, there are two airlines for your option: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air.
- Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc: 60 minutes
- Hanoi to Phu Quoc: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Can Tho to Phu Quoc: 45 minutes
- Rach Gia to Phu Quoc: 25 minutes
By high-speed boat:
- Rach Gia to Phu Quoc:
Operating hours: 8 AM – 3:20 PM
Journey time: 2.5 hours
Ticket: VND 300,000 – VND 320,000 ($15 – $16)
- Ha Tien to Phu Quoc: Super Dong & Ngoc Thanh
Operating hours: 7 AM – 2 PM
Journey time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Ticket: VND 230,000 ($11.5)
Recommended boat lines: Superdong, Savana Express, Hong Tam
By bus:
If you would like to reach Phu Quoc by bus, there are two phases of the journey:
- Phase 1: travel by bus from Ho Chi Minh
To Rach Gia within 5 – 6 hours
Ticket: VND 110,000 – VND 120,000 ($5.5 – $6)
Recommended bus lines: Mai Linh, Phuong Trang, Tuyet Hon, Chau Ha
To Ha Tien within 8 – 9 hours
Ticket: VND 180,000 – VND 220,000 ($9 – $11)
Recommended bus lines: Kumho
- Phase 2: take a high-speed boat from Rach Gia/Ha Tien as mentioned above to get to Phu Quoc Island
Vehicles to Travel Around Phu Quoc
By bicycle: Commonly, your hotel or resort has bicycles to borrow for you to wander around.
By jeep: You can contact your travel agency to book a jeep.
By motorbike: Hire one from the locals or your hotel. You will need to leave a deposit or your passport as collateral for the motorbike. Best to rent directly from the hotel as they already keep your passport.
By taxi: Some of the recommended taxi brands are as follows: Mai Linh, Hoang Long Phu Quoc, and Sasco Phu Quoc.
By boat: Contact your travel agency or hotel, they can help you book a boat tour to do scuba diving, snorkeling, or go deep-sea fishing.
On foot: If you would like to take all of your time to enjoy the environment with the lowest cost of transportation, walking is a choice! We recommend choosing a hotel centrally located in the middle of the island, so it’ll be easier to walk around.
Recommended Accommodations at Phu Quoc:
There are some of the hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Phu Quoc:
- JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa: Bai Khem Phu Quoc District, An Thoi Town
Booking link: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
- Famiana Resort & Spa: Cua Ap, Duong To, Bai Dai, Phu Quoc
Booking link: Famiana Resort & Spa
- Orange Resort: 85/5 Tran Hung Dao, Bai Dai, Phu Quoc
Booking link: Orange Resort
- Thien Phu Nghia Guesthouse: 30/04 Stress, Duong Dong, Duong To, Phu Quoc
Booking link: Thien Phu Nghia Guesthouse
- Lang Cau Homestay: Tran Hung Dao, Bai Dai, Phu Quoc
Booking link: Lang Cau Homestay
Places to Visit at Phu Quoc
The North of the Island:
Pepper Garden at Suoi Da Hamlet, Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc
Nguyen Trung Truc Temple
Ganh Dau Cape
Hon Thom (Pineapple Island)
Dinh Cau Cape Rock
Suoi Tranh Waterfall (From May to October)
Da Ban Stream
Bai Dai (Long) Beach
Coi Nguon Museum
Vinpearl Safari
Ham Ninh Fishing Village
The East and South of the Island:
Phu Quoc Prison
Read more on Vietnam War tours
Bai Sao (star) Beach
Khem Beach
Fish Sauce Factory
Pearl Shops
Foods to Try at Phu Quoc
Being at Phu Quoc, there are several MUST-TRYs that visitors cannot miss, such as herring salad, Ham Ninh crab, strombidae (sea snails), cuttlefish, cobia, thorny snails, grilled “song” fish, grilled triggerfish, sea urchins, steamed chicken with green pepper, etc.
Cobia Hotpot
These Phu Quoc specialties are much diversified and exceptionally tasty and you will never forget them after the first bite.
Phu Quoc Souvenirs
Besides the spectacular scenery and delicious food, tourists can find a lot of special presents to bring home.
Rose Myrtle (sim) liquor: this is one of the specialties of Phu Quoc. It is made of the ripened fruit of the myrtle, which is good for helping with digestion and reducing physical aches. This liquor is not just the same as an alcoholic beverage but also a medicinal drink.
Fish sauce: In Vietnam, Phu Quoc is famous as one of the top fish sauce producers nationwide. For locals, bringing home a bottle of fish sauce from Phu Quoc is great for food preparations or souvenirs.
Fresh peppers: Besides fish sauce, Phu Quoc is also known as the “kingdom of pepper”, which is the largest pepper-growing region in Vietnam. As usual, visitors can come to see the garden and buy some packaged fresh peppers to bring home as a souvenir.
Dried seafood: Apart from fresh seafood, the dry ones are another option added to your list. You may enjoy it on the spot or take it away for later use as a traveling gift for your loved ones.
Phu Quoc Travel Tips
When visiting Phu Quoc, keep in mind these pieces of information:
- Bring an island map
- Have a closer look at the quality of the pearl products to avoid fake products
- Only go to the recommended sites and do not head to the forbidden areas
- Bring the contact of your hotel/guesthouse in case of emergency
Conclusion on What to do at Phu Quoc Island Travel Guide
This comprehensive Phu Quoc Island Travel Guide has been put together by our local travel guides, so we hope these pieces of information will be helpful for you to discover the island of pearls. If you have Phu Quoc Island travel experiences you would like to share, let us know in the comments!