30-Day Guide to Exploring Phu Quoc

As the only place in Vietnam with a visa-free policy of up to 30 days for all tourists worldwide , Phu Quoc Island – the “rising star” of Southeast Asia – offers many exciting experiences that will make your extended vacation always vibrant.

This year's holiday season is witnessing a new phenomenon in Southeast Asia – Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, which has been unanimously named among the top amazing islands in Asia and the world by the most prestigious travel magazines, surpassing other popular names in the region such as Phuket, Koh Samui (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia)...

Recharge your energy at Bai Kem - one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.

In July, Travel+Leisure ranked Phu Quoc as the second most beautiful island in the world, behind only the renowned Maldives, in the World's Best Awards 2024.

DestinAsian included Phu Quoc in its top 10 list of the most amazing islands in Asia. Most recently, Condé Nast Traveler announced that Phu Quoc achieved a hat-trick, being the only Vietnamese representative to be included in the list of the world's most amazing islands for three consecutive years, ranking second among the top 10 Asian islands with a very high score: 95.36/100 points.

It's no coincidence that Phu Quoc is called the "hidden gem" of Southeast Asia, and below is a suggested 30-day itinerary that's anything but boring and always busy, ensuring a truly adventurous trip to the Pearl Island.

Week 1: Enjoy the "tropical paradise" in the South Island

Phu Quoc is the first coastal city and the largest island in Vietnam, possessing invaluable natural conditions for tourism development such as a mild climate, warm sunshine all year round, rolling hills, 28 islands of varying sizes, and 14 wide, gently sloping beaches.

If Phu Quoc is known as a beautiful gem, then the southern part of the island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet and the largest coral reef conservation area in Phu Quoc.

In the southern part of the island, the two most prominent beaches are Bai Kem and Bai Sao, both ranked among the most beautiful beaches on the planet thanks to their wide shorelines and distinctive creamy white sand.

You'll be surprised the first time you set foot on the sand at Bai Kem, feeling its smooth, creamy texture and cool, refreshing feel. Bai Kem is also impressive for its gently sloping shoreline; you can walk 300-400 meters from the shore and the water will still only reach your knees.

Explore Bai Kem in various ways and divide your days: one day to fully enjoy the tranquility by sunbathing all day; one day to make friends with the locals and play sand sports like volleyball; one day to kayak or other adventurous sports like canoeing or jet skiing…

For a change of scenery, you can head to Bai Sao Beach nearby, swim in the sea and watch the fishermen heading out to sea every sunrise, or enjoy a cup of authentic Vietnamese iced milk coffee at Highlands Coffee.

If you want to venture further out to sea to explore the fascinating ocean, you can join clubs like Eco Beach, Ngoc Hien… and become an "astronaut" of the ocean.

If you prefer a more "wild" travel style, you'll definitely enjoy the three-island tours in Phu Quoc, where you'll be guided to the most beautiful free-diving spots in Phu Quoc, and play the role of "Robinson Crusoe on a deserted island" when visiting offshore islands.

La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton offers guests a unique and personalized experience, connecting you easily to the top shows in Sunset Town.

While staying in the South Island, you can choose from luxury resorts in Bai Kem such as JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, and New World Phu Quoc.

If you want peace and quiet and a truly "getaway" vacation, head to Premier Village Phu Quoc in Mui Ong Doi - a secluded spot and the only resort on Phu Quoc Island where guests can witness both sunrise and sunset.

If you want to save money, you can consider staying at mini-hotels nearby, or a little further away in Sunset Town, with prices starting from just 500,000 VND/night or 7,000,000 VND/month.

Week 2: Immerse yourself in local life in Duong Dong

Say goodbye to the tranquility and beautiful nature of the southern part of Phu Quoc Island, and experience a vibrant and exciting second week on the Pearl Island in Duong Dong - the island's central district. This is where visitors can best experience the life of the local people.

Phu Quoc is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood.

Rent a motorbike to explore Duong Dong early each morning, observing life at the colorful seafood markets. Then, each morning, take time to discover the local eateries and cafes.

In Duong Dong, co-working spaces (cafés specifically for working professionals) are starting to appear. For lunch and dinner, experience some of the most popular specialty restaurants among Western tourists, such as Kien Xay AC Noodle (selling stir-fried noodles), The Home Pizza (selling traditional Phu Quoc wood-fired pizzas combined with Italian flavors - their specialty is durian pizza), Japanese noodle shops, and Hanoi and Nam Dinh pho restaurants…

One highlight of Duong Dong is its collection of bars perfect for relaxing at sunset and in the evening. Among them, Oc Sen Beach Bar is ideal for sipping drinks, listening to relaxing music, and burying your feet in the sand while watching the sunset. Chuon Chuon Bistro & Bar, with its rooftop terrace, offers a fantastic vantage point for enjoying panoramic views of Phu Quoc.

In the evening in Duong Dong, don't forget to explore Phu Quoc night market, or visit King Kong supermarket to buy souvenirs at very reasonable prices.

Besides culinary and entertainment experiences, if you are a culture enthusiast, take the time to explore the spiritual life of the people of this coastal region at Dinh Cau.

With a history spanning approximately 100 years, this is where fishermen worship the Ghost Boy, the God of Wealth, and the Goddess Ngoc Nuong Nuong to pray for safety on their fishing trips and good fortune for their families.

Besides its renowned sacredness, thanks to its prime location on a rocky outcrop extending into the sea, Dinh Cau is also visited by tourists to admire the majestic scenery and enjoy the cool, pleasant sea air.

Week 3: Discover the unique features of the North Island

The journey of exploring Phu Quoc becomes increasingly surprising as you move from the South to the North of the island. You will see the changing colors of the sand.

While the beaches in the south of the island have creamy white, soft sand, the central area like Bai Truong has darker sand, gradually turning yellow, and Bai Dai in the north has orange-yellow sand with a distinctive crunching sound when you step on it.

In the northern part of the island, a week is the perfect amount of time to explore everything. Spend one or two days exploring the primeval forests of Phu Quoc National Park, participating in tours to find the island's purple "treasure" - the Melaleuca mushroom, and discovering picturesque streams.

After that, spend the next one or two days exploring the pristine beaches of Ganh Dau and Rach Vem. This is also an area with a high concentration of starfish in Phu Quoc; you can rent a canoe to go to Ham Rong beach to see these beautiful marine creatures up close.

The pristine beauty of Bai Dai Beach.

The northern part of the island offers not only unique natural experiences but also attractive entertainment areas, perfect for families. Notable examples include the Safari Zoo, VinWonders theme park with its fairytale theme, and Grand World, which recreates Venice with its characteristic gondola boats.

Week 4: A Multi-Experience in Sunset Town

Sunset Town in the south of Phu Quoc Island is the place with the most fascinating experiences on the Pearl Island, proving this statement to be true.

Most praised by international media is the Guinness World Record-breaking three-wire cable car ride to Hon Thom Island, where visitors can admire the panoramic view of Phu Quoc's sky and sea from a bird's-eye perspective.

Inspired by the islands of Polynesia, Hon Thom Island treats you to lively Kaya dance performances with greetings from the indigenous people, and vibrant pool parties with DJs...

Here, you should spend at least a whole day playing at the water park, and then experience the thrill of the only wooden roller coaster in Vietnam, which offers a truly unique experience.

The Hon Thom cable car is an experience that has consistently received praise from international media.

After that, spend about two days exploring every corner of Sunset Town with its streets overflowing with bougainvillea, and fascinating murals that you'll want to stop and photograph and interpret.

In the afternoon, head to the Kissing Bridge with your loved one – the world's only "touchless" bridge, praised by CNN, and a destination for couples to express their affection and watch the most beautiful sunset in Phu Quoc.

As the sun sets, a series of artistic performances unfolds, and it's highly unlikely that a single day will be enough to fully appreciate them all.

The Symphony of River show, performed at Sunset Beach, combines jetskis and flyboards, lighting effects, Vietnamese flags, water cannons, and artistic fireworks to create an explosive experience.

The emotions will explode even more with the Kiss of the Sea show at Asia's largest floating theater, featuring performances by 60 international artists and a combination of 8 performance styles.

Moreover, every night at 10 PM, Sunset Town treats visitors to spectacular fireworks displays, making each evening of your vacation unforgettable.

Symphony of the Sea offers visitors a feast of extreme sports, light, music, and especially water fireworks at Sunset Town.

Don't forget that Phu Quoc is also an island of intoxication, with a beer festival 365 days a year featuring the very special craft beer - Sun KraftBeer - and the Sun Bavaria Bistro beer restaurant.

Sun Bavaria Bistro is the most fun destination in Phu Quoc and boasts the best view of the Symphony of the Sea show. With a capacity of nearly 1,000 guests both indoors and outdoors, the restaurant features a multi-story glass roof and large windows creating an expansive space that maximizes views of the sky, the blue sea, and the iconic Kiss Bridge.

Every evening, guests can immerse themselves in vibrant DJ music, sizzling dances by international performers, exquisite cuisine, and draft beer poured directly from 14 giant beer tanks right inside the restaurant.

Sun KraftBeer is brewed according to strict German regulations, allowing only natural ingredients: water, barley, hops, and yeast. Unlike industrial beers, Sun KraftBeer is unfiltered and unpasteurized. This preserves the delicious and healthy proteins while ensuring a fresh and delicious taste.

Interestingly, each type of Sun KraftBeer has its own distinctive flavor, with Lager, Ale, and Wheat beers combined with iconic images of Phu Quoc.

The suggested 30-day itinerary in Phu Quoc is actually not enough to explore the entire Pearl Island. Once you visit Phu Quoc, you'll be hooked and want to return many times.

The island still has other unique experiences waiting for you to discover, such as visiting fish sauce factories, exploring Phu Quoc ridgeback dog farms, visiting historical sites, or touring pepper gardens… One thing is certain: Phu Quoc will always surprise you every time you return.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/cam-nang-30-ngay-kham-pha-phu-quoc-192241128145824969.htm