48 hours in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is currently experiencing its most beautiful time of year, with the rainy season ending, mild sunshine, and plenty of breeze, making it ideal for recreational activities.

This week's 48-hour trip to Phu Quoc is for travelers seeking a luxurious experience, who enjoy photography and relaxation rather than activities and travel. The main destinations are concentrated in the south of the island. This experience is suggested by a VnExpress reporter and Ms. Hoang Huong, a tourist from Hanoi who visited Phu Quoc in mid-November, along with Cam Nhung, a local tour guide.

Day 1

Morning

Your Phu Quoc adventure begins in Duong Dong town, the island's center. It takes less than 10 minutes by car from the airport to Duong Dong town. One must-try breakfast dish here is "bun quay" (stirred noodles). This dish is special because of its unique preparation, the delicious and sweet broth, and the dipping sauce that diners can adjust themselves using readily available ingredients. Each bowl costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND.

Some addresses: Kien Xay Stir-fried Noodles (Bach Dang, Tran Phu, and 30th April branches) and Thanh Hung Stir-fried Noodles.

Kien Xay's Stir-fried Noodles. Photo: Nguyen Chi — Kien Xay's Stir-fried Noodles. Photo: *Nguyen Chi*

After breakfast, visitors can visit the Cao Dai Temple, located right in Duong Dong town. Many religious ceremonies are often held here in the morning. The temple features intricately carved pillars, floor-to-ceiling murals, and colorful embroidered curtains. If you wish to participate in the morning ceremony at the Cao Dai Temple, remember to choose modest attire.

On the way from Duong Dong town south of the island, tourists should stop at a Phu Quoc pepper plantation to learn about the most widely grown crop on the island, which is also a highly valuable economic crop. At the pepper plantations, visitors can take beautiful photos and buy pepper as souvenirs. Phu Quoc pepper has three main product lines: dried peppercorns (white pepper, pink pepper, black pepper), fresh peppercorns in bunches, and processed pepper products such as pepper salt, ground pepper, and candied pepper.

Noon

Ham Ninh crab. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Luan — Ham Ninh crab. Photo: *Nguyen Thanh Luan*

Head to Ham Ninh fishing village to enjoy seafood. This is a must-visit spot if you love seafood, as it's a major source of seafood for the entire Phu Quoc island. When eating seafood in Ham Ninh, visitors should definitely try the famous green crab, a specialty closely associated with this fishing village. Other dishes include grilled or raw sea urchin, Tram mushroom soup, crab blood pudding, and grilled abalone. A meal costs around 500,000 VND per person.

Afternoon

Check in at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa and relax in the southern part of the island, at Khem Beach. The resort's spaces tell the story of Lamarck University, named after the famous French scientist Jean Batiste Lamarck, from the early 20th century, designed by world-renowned architect Bill Bensley. Room rates start from 6 million VND per night, depending on the time of year.

After resting, visitors should stroll around the resort and Sunset Town. Every corner of this area offers beautiful photo opportunities, with landmarks such as the Love Slope, the Pen Tower, the Clock Tower, the Cable Car Station, the Colosseum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pompeii Ruins, the Ceramic Road, the Mediterranean Village, and the Dragon Stairs.

In the late afternoon, don't miss the opportunity to watch the sunset at Sunset Sanato Beach Club, about a 20-minute drive from the resort.

"You should come here before 5 PM to enjoy the most beautiful moments of the sunset. The sunset here is later and lasts longer than elsewhere in Phu Quoc because the view isn't obstructed," Ms. Huong said, adding that the sun doesn't completely set until around 6:30 PM.

Watch the sunset at Sunset Sanato Beach Club at 5:30 PM. — Watching the sunset at Sunset Sanato Beach Club at 5:30 PM. Photo: *Provided by the owner.*

Most tourists who come here to watch the sunset also take the opportunity to have dinner, with the most popular option being a BBQ buffet right on the beach. The place also has a stage, live music, and a bar. "The food is of average quality, but the atmosphere is fun and pleasant," commented Ms. Huong.

Evening

On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, visitors can relax with the Kiss The Stars multimedia show (fire, water, lasers, lights) and fireworks display at the Kiss Bridge area in Sunset Town. The show starts at 8:30 PM, and a 3-minute fireworks display concludes around 9:00 PM.

If you're not ready to go to bed yet, stop by the Department of Chemistry Bar right on the beach, enjoy a Ridgeback's Rules cocktail and listen to live music.

Department of chemistry bar. Photo: JWM — Department of chemistry bar. Photo: *JWM*

Day 2

Morning

Wake up a little early to take a stroll or jog around the grounds of the adjacent JW Marriott or Premier Residences Phu Quoc. Enjoy breakfast at Tempus Fugit restaurant with traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi, pho bo, banh cuon, bun moc, mien ga, and sticky rice with savory sauce. Choose a table on the balcony if you want to enjoy the fresh air and admire the sea view at the start of the day in the cool breeze.

midday and afternoon

Tourists visiting Hon Thom Island usually travel by cable car or speedboat. The cable car will resume operation from December 21st, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM daily. Currently, tourists can travel by speedboat, which takes about 20 minutes and is available at three times a day, starting at 10:00 AM and returning no later than 5:30 PM.

Viewing coral reefs at Hon Thom Island. Photo: Phu Quoc Tourism. — Viewing coral reefs at Hon Thom Island. Photo: *Phu Quoc Tourism* .

The island is 3.5 km long and 1.2 km wide, located about 10 km from the resort. On the island, visitors can continue by boat or canoe to experience the "3-island tour," snorkeling to admire coral reefs and explore May Rut Trong Island, Gam Ghi Island, and Mong Tay Island. Other activities include parasailing, jet skiing, inflatable water parks, and a water park. "Those who have never been here should definitely experience the SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) tour to admire the coral reefs and take photos from a drone; you'll have some unforgettable pictures," Ms. Huong said.

Hon Thom Island also has restaurants and cafes for tourists. It's recommended to have lunch and rest here. The cost ranges from 500,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND.

Return to the main island in the afternoon. The length of time on the island depends on your needs.

Some alternatives: Enjoy fun activities and photography at Sao Beach and savor the famous Phu Quoc herring salad. Within a 3km radius of the resort, you should visit Phu Quoc Prison, the Phung Hung fish sauce factory, and pearl production facilities. If you have more time on the island, head north to visit Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc and Rach Vem Beach, which is home to many starfish.