Vietnam Travel Information
First Time at Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam belonging to Kien Giang Province in Southeast Vietnam.
Population of Phu Quoc City: 146,000 (2019); Kien Giang Province: 2.1 million (2019)
Ethnic groups: Kinh (Viet)
Highlights: beaches, Phu Quoc Prison, Phu Quoc National Park, wildlife, fishing and snorkeling, etc.
Climate
The average annual temperature is 27.1oC (80.8oF). The warmest month of the year is May, with an average temperate of 28.3oC (82.9oF), and the coolest month of the year is January with temperatures averaging 25.6oC (78oF).
With a generally hot and temperate climate, the summer has a good amount of rainfall with precipitation of about 3,029 mm (119.3 inches) per year. Most of the precipitation is in August.
Transport
Phu Quoc is 45 km from Ha Tien (a coastal city of Kien Giang), 120 km from Rach Gia (Kien Giang's capital city).
Most people will travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc through 2 options:
1) Take a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat Airport to Phu Quoc International Airport
2) Take an express boat to Phu Quoc
Look for discounted travel tickets below for your first time in Phu Quoc:
Air
Phu Quoc Airport in Phu Quoc Island (view map) has flights connecting with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, Seoul (Korea), Guangzhou (China), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Boats
Ho Chi Minh - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc
From Ho Chi Minh, you can take a bus to Rach Gia and then take an express boat or ferry to travel to Phu Quoc. See Rach Gia Harbor's map.
Carriers and prices:
| Carrier | Duration | Price (VND) |
| Superdong | 2 hours 45 minutes | 330,000 |
| Phu Quoc Express | 1 hour 45 minutes | 340,000 |
| Thanh Thoi Ferry | 3 hours | 270,000 |
| Hoa Binh Ship | 2 hours 15 minutes | 330,000 |
From Rach Gia, you can also take a speedboat ride to travel to Nam Du Island - a lesser-known natural attraction of Kien Giang Province. Tickets range from VND 210,000 - 220,000/pax.
Ho Chi Minh - Ha Tien - Phu Quoc
Another option is taking a bus from Ho Chi Minh to Ha Tien to catch a boat to Phu Quoc. See Ha Tien Ferry Terminal's map and one speed-boat trip should take no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Carriers and prices:
| Carrier | Price (VND) |
| Phu Quoc Express | 250,000 |
| Superdong | 230,000 |
| Thanh Thoi Ferry | 185,000 |
| Superdong Ferry | 185,000 |
Motorbikes
You can drive yourself from Ho Chi Minh to Kien Giang and send your motorbike on the boat when traveling to Phu Quoc, which can cost around VND 100,000 - 200,000/bike depending on the motorbike's type
At Phu Quoc City, motorbikes for rent are available for around VND 150,000 per day at the hotels or hostels.
Taxis
Taxis are available almost everywhere in the city. Some of the taxi brands are Mai Linh, Phuong Trinh.
Most hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc also provides airport transfer upon your arrival, and the receptionists can also help you arrange a taxi.
Get a travel insurance plan upon your first time in Phu Quoc:
Phu Quoc Travel Guides:
Ways to Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc
Accommodations in Phu Quoc City:
Phu Quoc is home to many luxurious resorts as well as affordable hotels (View more on Agoda)
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa (Check price and availability)
Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island (Check price and availability)
Or search for the best hotels for your first time in Phu Quoc here:
Attractions in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc National Park
(view map)
Situated in the northeast of Phu Quoc Island and surrounded by the coastline, Phu Quoc National Park has a total of 31,422 ha, owns a rich ecosystem of primeval, secondary, and indigo forests. The park is not only an ideal preservation center but also a fantastic destination for camping, trekking, and studying about the environment.
The flora system in the park is incredibly plentiful with hundreds of exotic species, including wood, orchids, herbal species, etc. Additionally, the fauna system is also diversified with 30 species of mammals, 5 of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Book such as wolfs, white monkeys, and pileated gibbons. There are also 200 bird species, 50 reptile species, and hundreds of coral species varied in different shapes and sizes.
Phu Quoc National Park, U Minh Thuong National Park, and Kien Luong - Kien Hai Protection Forest are core areas of Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2006.
Phu Quoc Prison Relic
(view map)
Along with the infamous Con Dao Prison, Phu Quoc Prison was another "living hell" that was built by the French colonists in the 1950 and then managed by the American-Saigon puppet government. Various forms of inhumane tortures were carried out to subdue the fighting spirits of the Vietnamese revolutionaries prisoners.
Now, the relic consists of a monument displaying testimonies of the prisoners and stories inside the prisons, a martyrs cemetery, a house of artifacts, and an outdoor exhibition area. Phu Quoc Prison Relic was recognized as National Historical Relic in 1996 and Special National Relic in 2015.
Cau Temple
(view map)
Cau Temple was built in 937 dedicated to Cau, the God of the Sea, who protects fishermen and sailors from natural disasters and accidents. The temple still retains its original structure and visitors can enjoy a magnificent sea view from the temple.
Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery
(view map)
Truc Lam Ho Quoc is the largest Buddha temple in the entire Kien Giang Province, and where lots of pilgrims would frequent to practice learn about Buddhism and practice meditation. Visitors coming here can pay respect to the holy figures, admire the grandeur architecture, and enjoy the stunning sea view of Phu Quoc.
Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc Amusement Park
(view map)
Covering a total area of 170,000 m2, Vinpearl Land Phu QuocAmusement Park offers a full range of entertainment services for visitors of all ages, including the indoor game area, the outdoor amusement park, the water park, Vinperarl Aquarium, restaurants, and shopping streets.
Opening hours: 9 AM - 9 PM daily
Tickets: VND 500,000/person from 1.4m tall; VND 400,000/person shorter than 1.4 m
Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc
(view map)
Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is the first and only world-safari model in Vietnam to take care and conserve the natural wildlife. With a total area of 40 ha, Vinpearl Safari gathers about 3,000 animal individuals belonging to 150 endemic species in 2 main zones: the open zoo and the safari park where visitors can observe wildlife from specialized vehicles.
Opening hours: 9 AM - 4 PM daily
Tickets: VND 500,000/person from 1.4m tall; VND 400,000/person shorter than 1.4 m
Phu Quoc Beaches:
- Ganh Dau Beach (view map): mid-range to luxury hotels and resorts, beautiful beaches, fishing villages
- Ong Lang Beach (view map), good for swimming, eating and drinking
- Cua Can Beach (view map): gaining in popularity thanks to the crystal blue seawater and beautiful scenery
- Thom Beach (view map): calm and shallow water, good seafood
- Vung Bau Beach (view map): quiet beach with soft and gentle tides
- Sao Beach (view map): smoothly white sand, lots of lounging options
- Long Beach (Bai Truong) (view map): good for kayaking, amazing sunset
- Starfish Beach (Rach Vem) (view map): lots of starfish, clear water, stunning marine view to Cambodia
- Dai Beach (view map): part of Vinpearl Land, but you can do some sightseeing around the area
- Bai Khem Beach (view map): beautiful scenery, newly-built infrastructure
Golfing in Phu Quoc: Vinpearl Resort & Golf Phu Quoc
Other popular activities in Phu Quoc: night squid fishing, visiting pepper farm, watching sunset,
Eating and Drinking on Your First Time in Phu Quoc:
- Seafood (fish, crabs, shrimps, sea urchins)
Phu Quoc is a heaven for seafood lovers
- Bun Quay Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli soup with seafood)
Shrimps and baby octopus and popular toppings of Bun Quay
- Tapioca Noodle Soup with Fish Cakes
- Raw Herring Salad (Goi Ca Trich)
Shopping in Phu Quoc:
Duong Dong Market, Ham Ninh Market at Ham Ninh Pier, Cau Temple Night Market are where you can find cheap souvenirs and try local street food
What to buy in Phu Quoc: pepper, fish sauce, pearls, rose myrtle (sim) wine
Festivals in Phu Quoc
Vu Lan Festival in Phu Quoc happens in the 7th lunar month, which is believed to be the month of evil spirits. Locals would gather in pagodas and temples to commemorate past ancestors and pray for good luck.
Dugong Awareness Festival is usually held towards year-end annually to highlight the protection of the rare species of Dugong (or also known as "the mermaid fish") which can only found in Vietnam at Con Dao Island and Phu Quoc Island.
Vietnam Music Festival in Phu Quoc is the biggest seaside music festival in Vietnam that lasts up to 12 - 14 days, featuring underground and popular artists.
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