Phu Quoc Islands
3
Day Itinerary •
Vietnam
Three days on Phu Quoc and the surrounding islands gives you Vietnam's finest tropical island experience, a large forested island in the Gulf of Thailand with extraordinary white sand beaches, the finest snorkelling in Vietnam and the remarkable Phu Quoc National Park covering half the island in extraordinary pristine jungle. This route covers the essential Phu Quoc. The extraordinary Long Beach sunset, the remarkable An Thoi Archipelago snorkelling boat trip to the finest coral reefs in Vietnam, the extraordinary Phu Quoc pepper and fish sauce farms, the Vinpearl Safari with the finest collection of Asian wildlife in Vietnam and the magnificent Dinh Cau night market on the waterfront.
Best Time To Visit
November to April
Getting There
Fly to Phu Quoc (PQC), 1 hour from HCMC
Getting Around
Motorbike hire or taxi across the island
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 120 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy
DAY 1
PHU QUOC NORTH
MORNING
PHU QUOC EXPLORATION AND PEPPER PLANTATION
Phu Quoc is famous throughout Vietnam for two extraordinary products: pepper and fish sauce, both produced on the island using traditional methods. The Phu Quoc pepper plantations in the island interior have the finest black pepper in Vietnam, their extraordinary vines climbing poles in the red laterite soil giving a remarkable agricultural landscape. The Khai Hoan pepper farm and distillery is the finest visitor experience and the tasting of fresh green and dried red peppers is extraordinary. Entry approx 100,000 VND. Transfer: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PHU QUOC FISH SAUCE FACTORY
The Phu Quoc fish sauce is the finest in Vietnam, an extraordinary product made from anchovies and sea salt fermented for 12 to 15 months in giant wooden barrels. The Khai Hoan Fish Sauce Factory is the finest visitor experience, its remarkable rows of 30,000-litre barrels and the extraordinary production process giving the finest insight into this remarkable culinary tradition. The tasting of different grades of fish sauce is remarkable. Entry free. Transfer: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LONG BEACH AND THE EXTRAORDINARY PHU QUOC SUNSET
Long Beach on Phu Quoc's western coast is one of the finest beach sunsets in Vietnam, the extraordinary combination of the white sand, the warm Gulf of Thailand water and the sun setting directly over the Cambodian coastline giving the finest evening spectacle on the island. The sunset bar culture of Long Beach, with the remarkable beach chairs, cold Tiger beer and fresh seafood, is the finest tropical beach evening in southern Vietnam.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Phu Quoc Prison Museum documents the remarkable history of the island's use as a prisoner of war camp by the South Vietnamese and American forces, where remarkable Viet Cong prisoners were held in extraordinary conditions. The wax figure exhibits and the tiger cage replicas are the most powerful in southern Vietnam. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel on Phu Quoc Vietnamese breakfast with the tropical beach view. | Lunch: Pepper farm restaurant Local Phu Quoc food using the extraordinary island pepper. Fresh fish and pepper crab. | Dinner: Long Beach sunset bar Fresh seafood and cold beer as the extraordinary Gulf of Thailand sunset develops.
DAY 2
AN THOI ISLANDS
MORNING
AN THOI ARCHIPELAGO SNORKELLING BOAT TRIP
The An Thoi Archipelago south of Phu Quoc is the finest snorkelling destination in Vietnam, a group of 18 small islands with the most extraordinary coral reef systems in the country. The day boat trips from An Thoi port visit multiple snorkel sites with remarkable coral diversity, colourful reef fish, sea turtles and occasional reef sharks. The extraordinary combination of white sand beaches, clear Gulf of Thailand water and the remarkable coral gardens makes this the finest marine experience in Vietnam. Tour from approx 300,000 VND. Transfer: On boat
MIDDAY
SAO BEACH, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN VIETNAM
Sao Beach on the southeast coast of Phu Quoc is the most beautiful beach in Vietnam, an extraordinary crescent of extraordinarily white sand backed by coconut palms with the remarkable turquoise Gulf of Thailand water and the view over the An Thoi Archipelago. The beach is finest in the morning before the day boats arrive. The beach cafe culture of Sao Beach, with fresh coconuts and the extraordinary seafood restaurants, is the finest on the island. Transfer: 20 min drive back
AFTERNOON
KHEM BEACH AND THE SOUTHERN COAST
Khem Beach on the southern tip of Phu Quoc is the finest beach on the island for swimming, its extraordinary shallow warm water and the remarkable fine white sand giving the finest afternoon beach experience. The beach is partly occupied by the JW Marriott resort but the public section is freely accessible. The southern coastal road gives extraordinary views over the An Thoi Archipelago and the Cambodian islands visible across the Gulf of Thailand.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Coral Bay on the southwestern coast of Phu Quoc, between Long Beach and An Thoi, has the finest shore snorkelling on the main island, remarkable coral beginning just metres from the beach with extraordinary reef fish and good water clarity. Free to access, equipment hire from beach vendors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel on Phu Quoc Early breakfast before the boat departure at 8am. | Lunch: On the boat Fresh seafood lunch on the An Thoi boat trip. Grilled fish and local vegetables. | Dinner: Dinh Cau Night Market The finest seafood market in Phu Quoc. Fresh catches grilled at remarkable prices.
DAY 3
NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
PHU QUOC NATIONAL PARK JUNGLE TREK
The Phu Quoc National Park covers 37,100 hectares of extraordinary primary tropical forest in the northern half of the island, the most intact forest ecosystem in southern Vietnam. The park trails give access to remarkable old-growth forest with extraordinary biodiversity including gibbons, macaques, hornbills and the remarkable variety of endemic plant species. The Suoi Da Ban stream in the park is the finest natural swimming pool in northern Phu Quoc. Entry approx 30,000 VND. Transfer: 30 min drive south
MIDDAY
VINPEARL SAFARI PHU QUOC
The Vinpearl Safari on Phu Quoc is the finest open-plan wildlife park in Vietnam, its extraordinary collection of Asian wildlife including tigers, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and the remarkable collection of Southeast Asian species in large natural enclosures. The safari tram tour gives the finest close encounter with Asian wildlife available in southern Vietnam. Entry approx 800,000 VND. Transfer: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DINH CAU NIGHT MARKET AND DEPARTURE
The Dinh Cau Night Market on the Duong Dong waterfront is the finest food market in Phu Quoc, its extraordinary seafood stalls offering fresh grilled lobster, prawns, squid and fish at the remarkable prices of the island's extraordinary fishing economy. The market at the base of the extraordinary Dinh Cau Rock temple gives the finest farewell meal on the island before the flight back to the mainland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Phu Quoc fish sauce tasting at the night market gives the finest direct comparison of different grades of the island's most remarkable product. The 40-degree fish sauce is the most extraordinary and the Phu Quoc premium grade is the finest condiment in Vietnamese cuisine. Buy a bottle to take home.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel on Phu Quoc Tropical breakfast with fresh island fruit before the jungle trek. | Lunch: Park cafe or nearby Simple Vietnamese food after the morning forest trek. | Dinner: Dinh Cau Night Market Grilled lobster, pepper crab and fresh seafood at the finest prices in Vietnam.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Long Beach area JW Marriott Phu Quoc or Salinda Resort. Approx 80 to 250 USD per night. Mid-range option La Veranda or Mango Bay Resort. Approx 60 to 120 USD per night. Budget option Guesthouses near Duong Dong market from approx 20 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Phu Quoc in the dry season from November to April is the finest tropical island in Vietnam. The clear water and the remarkable snorkelling of the An Thoi Archipelago are extraordinary.
2. Rent a motorbike to explore the island. Phu Quoc is large enough that taxis become expensive but perfectly manageable on a motorbike with a good map.
3. The An Thoi Archipelago snorkelling boat trip is the finest experience on the island. Book directly at the port for the best price and arrive early for the finest coral reefs.
4. Sao Beach is the most beautiful beach in Vietnam. Go before 10am on any day to have it mostly to yourself before the day boats arrive from the resorts.
5. Phu Quoc pepper crab is the finest seafood dish on the island, the local black pepper combined with fresh Blue swimmer crab is extraordinary. Order it at the Dinh Cau Night Market.
6. The Phu Quoc fish sauce bought directly from the factory is the finest souvenir from the island. The premium grade in the small glass bottle costs 50,000 VND and is extraordinary.
Total Budget
50 to 120 USD/day