Where to go in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is about 50 km from north to south, and each part of the island feels different. Here's what's in the north, the centre and the south, which beaches and sights to choose, and where to stay. Most places are 30 to 60 minutes apart by car, so you can see a lot from one hotel.
The north: theme parks, Grand World and quiet beaches
The far north has the big attractions: the VinWonders theme park and water park, Vinpearl Safari, and Grand World, a canal town with shops, cafés, gondolas and free evening shows. Plan a full day for VinWonders or half a day for the Safari, then spend the evening at Grand World.
The north-east coast is quieter. Starfish Beach (Rạch Vẹm) has shallow, clear water with red starfish, and Bãi Thơm is a wild, almost empty beach. In the north-west, Gành Dầu looks across the sea to Cambodia, and at Cửa Cạn you can kayak on the river. Much of the north is national park forest, so even the drive is green.
VinWonders · Vinpearl Safari · Grand World · Starfish Beach
The centre: Dương Đông, Long Beach and the night market
Dương Đông is the island's main town, on the west coast. Walk out to Dinh Cậu shrine on the rocks at the river mouth at sunset, then eat at the night market a few minutes away, where you choose seafood to be grilled.
South of the town, Long Beach (Bãi Trường) runs for about 20 km, with most of the hotels, restaurants and beach clubs, and a sunset over the sea every evening. North of the town, Ông Lang beach is quieter. Inland is the Suối Tranh waterfall, best in the rainy season, and on the east coast the fishing village of Hàm Ninh is known for its crabs and seafood restaurants on stilts.
Long Beach · Night market · Dinh Cậu shrine · Hàm Ninh
The south: Sunset Town, the cable car and the best beaches
The south is the place for beaches and islands. Sao Beach and Khem Beach, on the south-east coast, have the island's whitest sand and calmest water. From An Thới, boat trips go out to the small islands to snorkel, and the cable car crosses the sea to Hòn Thơm and its water park.
Next to the cable car, Sunset Town has the Kiss Bridge, an evening market and the nightly Kiss of the Sea show with fireworks. On the way south, stop at Hộ Quốc Pagoda, on a hill above the sea.
Sao Beach · Hòn Thơm cable car · Island snorkeling trip · Kiss of the Sea show
Where to stay
For a first visit, Long Beach is the easiest base: close to the airport, Dương Đông and the night market, with the widest choice of hotels. Stay in the north if you're mainly here for VinWonders, the Safari and Grand World, or with children. Stay in the south for the beaches, the island trips and Sunset Town. Ông Lang suits a quiet stay with sunsets.
When to go and how to get around
The dry season, roughly November to April, has the calmest sea and the clearest water for snorkeling. From May to October it rains more, usually in short showers, the west coast can be rough, and the waterfalls are at their best. Grab, taxis and cars with a driver are the easiest way to get from one area to another.