A first-time guide to Phu Quoc

12.07.2024 - 20:43 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 12, 2024 • 7 min read

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc (pronounced foo kwok) refers to an archipelago of 22 islands as well as Vietnam’s largest island. About the size of Singapore, teardrop-shaped Phu Quoc is actually closer to the Cambodian mainland (15km/9mi) than the Vietnamese mainland (45km/28mi). Blessed with 150km (93mi) of gorgeous coastline, a heavily forested interior (more than half of the island is a national park) and bountiful seafood, it’s also the only place in Vietnam where tourists of any nationality can visit for up to 30 days visa-free.

As such, the Vietnamese government has set its sights on developing the island as a premier beach playground with excellent roads, a wide range of accommodation and dining options, and lots of tourist attractions. The island is home to about 146,000 permanent residents and hosts 3-5 million visitors annually. If you’re visiting Phu Quoc for the first time, here’s everything you need to know.

Tropical Phu Quoc basically has just two seasons: six months of dry, sunny weather between November and April and six months of rain between May and October. During the wet season, southwestern monsoons bring frequent and sometimes heavy rain interspersed with sunny patches. If you choose to go during the rainy season, consider a hotel with a swimming pool to duck out for quick swims in between rain showers.

Phu Quoc also has a trash problem, producing more waste (on average 190 tons per day) than the island can process (typically by landfill or burning). Around October and November, northeast winds are known to wash garbage from fishing boats, the island itself, and other places around the Gulf of Thailand onto Phu Quoc’s eastern beaches. Most mid-to-high-end hotels and resorts do a good job of cleaning their own beaches, but the issue is something to consider.

If you’re looking for a quick beach break to perhaps end your trip to Vietnam, three days are enough to see the island’s highlights while getting in some R&R. Those looking to spend more time than that should consider breaking up their trip into two parts: a few nights in Duong Dong (the main town) and a few nights at the Vinpearl complex to the north – with its amusement park, safari, and Venice-inspired Grand – or to the south with its beautiful beaches.

There are direct domestic flights to/from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong as well as some larger cities in the region including Seoul, Taipei and Bangkok. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City take just an hour. There are also ferries from Ha Tien or Rach Gia in the Mekong Delta.

From the airport to the main town of Duong Dong is a short 15-20 minute ride (14km/9mi). Most hotels will include at least a one-way transfer; otherwise, taxis are cheap