Phu Quoc Island Travel Information

Phu Quoc Island, the pearl of the Vietnamese sea

If you think of beautiful seas, white sand, clear water, and a peaceful private life, one of the destinations I, mr.hotsia, want to recommend you experience yourself is Phu Quoc Island, located in Kiên Giang province, Vietnam. Actually, this island is at the southernmost part of Vietnam, but it is very close to the Cambodian border, only about ten kilometers from Cambodia's Kep province.

Phu Quoc Island stretches about 50 kilometers from north to south and is about 20 kilometers wide at its widest point. It is large enough to spend a full day touring around the island. I once rented a motorbike to ride around the island for a whole day, stopping to take photos, swim, and eat seafood by the roadside as I pleased. Renting a motorbike here is very convenient; no complicated documents are needed, just pay and get the bike. The price is also affordable, about 150 baht or 100,000 Vietnamese dong per day.Read more about my motorbike experience touring Phu Quoc Island here

Main Towns and Beaches Not to Miss

The main town of Phu Quoc Island is called Duong Dong, which is the center for accommodation, restaurants, fresh markets, and the most populated area on the island. The old town, An Thoi Quoy, located at the southern tip of the island, has a port and a naval base. If you travel from Cambodia or Ha Tien city, you will arrive at the east side of the island by boat and then need to take a car about 16 kilometers to Duong Dong on the west side.

My favorite main beach is Long Beach on the west side of the island. The sky here, the clear sea water, and the clean white sand stretch for several kilometers. You will feel like traveling back in time to Phuket 50 years ago. The difference from today's Phuket is the tranquility and privacy, where you can walk on the beach almost without being noticed by anyone.

On the east side of the island, there are several interesting beaches such as Vong Beach and Sao Beach (though the name is hard to pronounce, the atmosphere is great). These are suitable for those who enjoy quietness and want to experience local life more closely.

Fresh Markets and Seaside Walking Streets

If you want to see the real lifestyle of the islanders, Phu Quoc has a very lively fresh market in Duong Dong town. I once visited the market in the morning where you can find fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood caught fresh daily. It is a meeting place for both locals and tourists.Read more about the Phu Quoc morning marketSo you know what to expect

In the evening, don't forget to visit the walking street commonly called the Night Market or Seafood Street. Here, there are more than 20 fresh seafood restaurants. Vietnamese people like to eat barbecue, hot pot, or what they call “Lao”. I recommend trying the mixed seafood hot pot with fish, shrimp, squid, glass noodles, and vegetables. The price is very affordable, about 150 baht only.Read about my seafood dining experience on Phu Quoc Island here

Fresh Seafood and Vietnamese Food on Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island is famous for fresh and very cheap seafood. Once, I saw locals selling almost one-kilogram large squid at the fresh market and also tried grilled sea urchin here. The taste was sweet, fragrant, creamy, and very delicious, especially when paired with Dalat wine, which is affordable and flavorful. This was a meal I will never forget.

If you stop by Ha Tien city, a border town next to Cambodia about 100 kilometers from Phu Quoc, I recommend trying the local Vietnamese-style seafood there, such as grilled conical shell and grilled blood cockle with a unique aroma.Read about the seafood I tried in Ha TienTo add variety to your trip

Accommodation and Transportation on Phu Quoc Island

Accommodation on Phu Quoc Island ranges from budget options around 500-600 baht per night to beachfront resorts with higher prices. The advantage is the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful sea views. Internet signals on the island are not as fast as on the mainland, and some areas block popular websites like Facebook. You should find accommodation with good Wi-Fi if you need to stay connected online.

Most tourists travel to Phu Quoc Island from Ha Tien or Rach Gia cities. Rach Gia is an important port city in Kiên Giang province with a pier connecting to Phu Quoc and other areas.Read about Rach Gia city and onward travel to Phu Quoc with me here

If you travel from Ha Tien, the distance is shorter and the boat fare is cheaper. But if coming directly from the Vietnamese mainland, you can also use the pier at Rach Gia. On the island, renting a motorbike is recommended for convenient exploration, but be careful of dust and road conditions, especially where roads are still uneven.

Summary of Phu Quoc Island Experience from mr.hotsia

For me, Phu Quoc Island is perfect for those wanting to escape the hustle of big cities, experience nature, and a simple lifestyle full of warmth from the locals. Combined with fresh and affordable seafood, it makes me want to return many times. If you plan to visit southern Vietnam, be sure to set aside 3-4 days to experience Phu Quoc Island yourself, and you will understand why I call this island the "Pearl of the Vietnamese Sea."