Long Beach
First-timersThe west coast, with hostels, bars and the sunset.
Phu Quoc island guide
Things To Do In Phu Quoc
Vietnam's biggest island, in the Gulf of Thailand: long beaches with sunsets, coral islands to the south reached by one of the world's longest sea cable cars, and a lively night market.
1
Hostels in the city
Largest
Island in Vietnam
7.9 km
The Hon Thom cable car
30 days
Visa-free on direct arrival
The island in the gulf
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, closer to Cambodia than to the Vietnamese mainland. Its west coast has long beaches facing the sunset, and much of the north is national park.
The island is developing fast, with big resorts and theme parks, but the beaches, the islands to the south and the night market remain the draw.
Foreign visitors flying directly to Phu Quoc can enter visa-free for thirty days. Three or four days is right.
Where to stay
Long Beach, on the west coast south of Duong Dong, has most of the hostels, bars and sunset views. Duong Dong, the main town, is cheaper and has the night market. The south, around An Thoi, is quieter and closer to the island-hopping boats and the cable car.
Duong Dong
ValueThe main town and night market.
An Thoi
QuietThe south, near the boats and the cable car.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, off the southern coast near Cambodia. Its beaches are the main draw. Long Beach, on the west coast, has the best sunsets; Sao Beach, on the south-east coast, has white sand and clear, shallow water.
Island-hopping boat trips from An Thoi, in the south, visit the small An Thoi islands for snorkelling over coral reefs and swimming off quiet beaches.
The Hon Thom cable car, about 7.9 kilometres long, is one of the longest over-sea cable cars in the world, crossing the islands to a water park and beach on Hon Thom. Sunset Town, beside it, has Mediterranean-style streets and the Kiss Bridge.
The island's fish sauce is famous: visit a fish sauce factory to see the wooden barrels, and a pepper farm. The Coconut Tree Prison, a former prisoner-of-war camp, is a sobering museum. The national park covers the forested north of the island.
Free things
Free things to do in Phu Quoc
The beaches are free, and sunset on Long Beach is the best free thing on the island. The Duong Dong night market is free to wander, and the pepper farms and fish sauce factories usually let you look around for free.
The Coconut Tree Prison museum is free, though donations are welcome.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a seafood island. The Duong Dong night market and the seafood restaurants along the coast grill fish, squid, sea urchin and lobster, priced by weight; agree the price first.
The local specialities are goi ca trich, a raw herring salad wrapped in rice paper with herbs, and bun quay, noodles stirred to order. The island's fish sauce is used in everything.
A meal is €2 to €8, more for seafood.
Nightlife
Going out in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc's nightlife is mostly beach bars on Long Beach, with sunset drinks and occasional parties, and the night market in Duong Dong.
Sunset Town, in the south, has evening shows, including a fireworks and water show.
A beer is €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Airport has domestic and international flights. Visitors flying in directly from abroad can stay 30 days visa-free on the island.
The island is large, so rent a scooter or use Grab; distances between the north and south are long.
Ferries run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien on the mainland.
Costs
What Phu Quoc costs
Phu Quoc is mid-priced, more expensive than the mainland. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €25 to €35.
The Hon Thom cable car is the main expense, several tens of euros including the water park. Snorkelling boat trips are €15 to €30. Scooter hire is about €5 a day.
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND); prices here are euro equivalents, at roughly 30,000 VND to the euro. There are ATMs in Duong Dong and the resort areas.
Safety
Staying safe in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is safe. On the roads, take care on a scooter: traffic is fast and some roads are unpaved.
From May to October, the rainy season, the sea on the west coast can be rough; swim only where it is calm.
At seafood restaurants, agree prices by weight before ordering.
Emergency: 113 police, 115 ambulance, 114 fire.
Day trips from Phu Quoc
Snorkelling islands, a record cable car and the forested north.
Hon Thom
A record cable car to a water park and beach.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season.
Staff pick
29 Oct – 2 Nov
Phu Quoc Summer Latin Festival
The Phu Quoc Summer Latin Festival brings together SBK enthusiasts for an immersive celebration of Latin dance and music on the stunning shores of…
12 May – 7 Nov
Kiss Of The Sea: Sunset Town Phu Quoc Show
Experience the enchanting fusion of sunset, music, lights, and sea at the Kiss of the Sea show. This event is perfect for a relaxing…
12 May – 31 Oct
Show Symphony Of The Sea
Symphony of the Sea is a multimedia extravaganza that combines music, light, water, and art, designed to leave a lasting impression on its audience.…
12 May – 7 Nov
French & Co. Afternoon Tea Set
Stepping into this event, attendees will be greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and newly baked bread. It's the perfect…
14 May – 9 Nov
Food Tour By Bicycle
Embark on a thrilling cycling tour that takes you through the bustling city, sampling culinary delights such as Banh Mi and Bun Quay, a…
14 May – 9 Nov
Sunset With Night Squid Fishing & Dinner
Experience a serene sunset over the open water, capturing the changing sky colors and feeling the cool sea breeze. Engage in a fun, family-friendly…
14 May – 9 Nov
Amazing South Island Phu Quoc Full Day Tour
Embark on a journey through Phu Quoc Island's southern treasures, starting with a visit to the renowned Pearl Farm to learn about pearl cultivation…
8 Jul – 3 Jan
Street Food Tour
Embark on a flavorful journey through a vibrant island's street food scene, guided by a local who shares the island's history and its evolution…
Hostels
Where to stay in Phu Quoc
The top-rated places to stay in Phu Quoc right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
November to April is dry and calm.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Tet
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot
May
Rains begin
Jun
Wet
Jul
Wet
Aug
Wet
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drying
Dec
Dry
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in dong locally; these are euro equivalents.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Phu Quoc travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Do I need a visa?
Visitors flying directly to Phu Quoc from abroad can stay 30 days visa-free on the island. Travelling on to the mainland needs a Vietnamese visa or e-visa.
Which is the best beach?
Sao Beach for white sand and calm water; Long Beach for sunsets.
How do I get around?
By scooter or Grab; the island is large.
How many days do you need?
Three or four: two for beaches, one for island-hopping and one for the cable car or the north.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, the dry season, when the sea is calm.
Is the cable car worth it?
For the views across the islands, yes; it is expensive but includes the water park on Hon Thom.
What should I eat?
Goi ca trich, seafood at the night market, and anything with the island's fish sauce.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Phu Quoc hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.