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Phu Quoc Travel Guide

Travel to Phu Quoc - Island Beach Retreat

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Looking for an island retreat that has stunning beaches, mountains and forests, traditional fishing villages and great food? Then head to Phu Quoc. Yet to be truly discovered by the masses and yet with enough infrastructure to make a stay pleasantly relaxing the island is a great destination for those seeking R and R at the end of their Vietnamese adventures.

Just 48km long the tapering island of Phu Quoc was once a desolate area where Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants earned their living from sea cucumbers. Between 1782 to 1786 Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, later Emperor Gia Long, in his confrontation with the Tay Son Rebels. In 1869, the French occupied the island and set up rubber and coconut plantations and from 1967 to 1972 a P.O.W detention camp of 40,000 inmates was built at An Thoi by the Saigon regime.

Today the island has recognised its potential as a Vietnamese Ko Samui and has embraced tourism and yet it remains to be spoilt. There is accommodation for all budgets but as ever during the high season (Nov to April) accommodation can be in short supply, especially at weekends. Much of the island was made a National Park in 2001 and this park covers around 70% of the island. The island’s capital is Duong Dong where there is an airport linking it to Saigon whilst An Thoi is the port for the sea link to the mainland.

Attractions in Phu Quoc

The island’s beaches are the main draw but there are other things to see to. The best beaches are on the west coast, south of Duong Dong. Long Beach (Bai Truong) is the busiest with the most accommodation. The beaches north of Duong Dong are more rugged – Ong Lang Beach is quieter and has coral to snorkel over. On the east coast at the southern tip of the island are beautiful Bai Sao and Bai Dam – both have white sand and are very quiet.

There are islands scattered offshore which can be visited on a boat trip and make for a great day out snorkelling and exploring these relatively little-visited gems; boats depart from the harbour at An Thoi at the southern tip of the island but you’ll get transport thrown in if making arrangements from Duong Dong.

Activities in Phu Quoc

Biking, kayaking and – in season – diving are all excellent on the island.

Relaxing

The beaches are idyllic but if all that gets too much how about a boat trip to snorkel or dive off the nearby islands?

Getting Around

The island can be reached by air from Saigon and by boat from the Mekong Delta port of Rach Gia (the boat journey is around 21/2 hrs and they leave the mainland in the morning returning at lunchtime). If here for a beach holiday you’ll do little than walk between your accommodation, the beach and a restaurant or two so you won’t really need any transport, but it would be a shame not to explore further. Bikes can be hired but it’s hard going on the island’s rough roads and tracks in the heat; buses are infrequent at best which leaves xe om motorbike taxis and motorbike hire.