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Once you've experienced the charm of Phu Quy Island, you'll easily be captivated by its pristine and alluring beauty.
Discovering the Wonders of Phu Quy Island: Your Ultimate Handbook
Where is Phu Quy Island Located?
Situated approximately 56 nautical miles from the center of Phan Thiet city, Phu Quy (also known as Thu Islet or Khoai Xu Islet) is a stunning island covering an area of nearly 16.4km², within the province of Binh Thuan.
Best Time to Embark on a Journey to Phu Quy Island
The best time to explore Phu Quy Island is from December to June. During this period, the sea is relatively calm and crystal clear, making it more enjoyable for those prone to seasickness when traveling by boat.
Modes of transportation
• Getting to Phan Thiet
To visit Phu Quy Island, you need to travel to Phan Thiet first. Depending on your budget and time for the trip, you can choose the most suitable means of transportation.
– High-quality passenger vehicles
From Ho Chi Minh City, you can travel to Phan Thiet by high-quality passenger vehicles, with ticket prices ranging from 130,000 to 150,000 VND depending on the carrier. Some reputable bus companies include:
For Kumho Samco Bus Service in Ho Chi Minh City, contact: (08) 3511 6861, (08) 35.112.112. In Phan Thiet: (062) 38.34.000 – 22.00.620.
Travel options like Phuong Trang and Sinh Cafe also serve routes to Phan Thiet, but note that they drop off passengers at Mui Ne, which may not be convenient for you.
- Convenient Door-to-Door Service
Some excellent door-to-door services include Trung Nga, Cao Lam, Hoang Kim, and more.
Advantages of these services include the ease of booking a pickup around 4 – 5 hours prior to departure, ensuring a prompt arrival at your location.
Drawback: Most of these vehicles offer seating for 16 – 30 passengers, typically in smaller-sized buses.
– Train Journey
If you wish to travel by train, you have two options. Firstly, you can directly purchase train tickets to Phan Thiet. There is usually an SPT train departing at 6:50 am daily, and a PT express train only runs at 5:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with the route from Saigon to Phan Thiet. Secondly, you can choose to buy SE or TN express train tickets to reach Binh Thuan station (formerly known as Muong Man station). This station is 12km west of Phan Thiet, and from here, you can take a taxi, motorbike taxi, or bus to reach the city of Phan Thiet.
From Hanoi, considering the considerable distance of around 1500km, you might want to take a train or opt for a sleeper bus to reach Phan Thiet. However, most travelers from Hanoi prefer flying to Saigon and then continue their journey to Phan Thiet by train or bus. Alternatively, you can fly from Hanoi to Cam Ranh Airport in Nha Trang and then proceed to Phan Thiet by a high-quality bus.
From the city of Phan Thiet, you can take a motorbike taxi or a taxi to the Phan Thiet port to catch a boat to Phu Quy Island.
How to get to Phu Quy Island
There is only one way to reach the island, and that is to go to the Phan Thiet city port and board a boat to Phu Quy. Previously, travelers had to spend 6 hours on either the Binh Thuan 16 or Binh Thuan 18 trains to reach the island. However, nowadays, there are high-speed trains like Hung Phat 26 and the SAVANNA Phu Quy – Khai Thinh KG, significantly reducing the travel time from Phan Thiet to the island to 3.5 hours for high-speed trains and 2.5 hours for express trains. A crucial point to note is that not every day has boats going to the island, as the schedule depends on the weather. Therefore, before traveling, it's advisable to contact the port to check the boat schedule.
For train ticket reservations during office hours, including Sundays and holidays, please contact directly:
Phu Quy Port Authority (062) 3 506 374.
Phan Thiet Port Authority (062) 3 506 358.
Transportation on Phu Quy Island
With a spacious area of nearly 16.4 km², the best way to explore the island is to roam on a motorbike. The rental price for a motorbike on the island is from 100 – 120,000 VND/day, depending on the quality of the vehicle. You can easily rent a motorbike at the guesthouse where you stay, as every guesthouse on the island provides this service.
Another unique feature here is that despite being a small, untouched island without the presence of traffic police, the locals strictly adhere to traffic laws. Therefore, wherever you ride your motorbike on the island, always remember to wear a helmet.
Discovering the Charm of Phú Quý Island
Currently, the island doesn't boast luxury resorts; instead, it offers cozy guesthouses, hostels, and charming homestays. Consider options like Trường Huy Guesthouse (012 176 90910), Phú Quý Homestay (0937194908), Long Vĩ Guesthouse (0918680344), and Hoàng Phú Guesthouse (0919709550), for a local experience.
Highlight Attractions on Phú Quý Island
Captivating visitors with pristine beaches and ancient temples, Phú Quý is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Triều Dương Bay: Familiar to locals and travelers alike, this bay boasts expansive, fine white sand, crystal-clear water, and a shaded forest area—perfect for outdoor excursions.
Nhỏ Beach – Gành Hang: One of Phú Quý's beautiful beaches, it features a distinctive crescent shape framed by rocky outcrops. Though small, the beach is tranquil and serene, offering clear blue waters, minimal anchored boats, and a refreshing atmosphere—a haven for nature enthusiasts.
Linh Quang Pagoda: A nationally recognized historical site situated on a hill in My Khe village, Tam Thanh commune. The pagoda was built in the 8th year of Canh Hung era and has been standing for over 250 years. It preserves the majestic architecture from the Nguyen dynasty era.
Van An Thanh: Located on a white sandy beach adjacent to the coastline of Trieu Duong village, Tam Thanh commune, Phu Quy district. Van An Thanh currently houses nearly 100 sets of bones (including whales and sea turtles), making it a marine biology museum with a rich collection of whale specimens.
Master Nai's Tomb: Built in the 17th century, this is considered the spiritual anchor for the coastal residents.
Sea Lighthouse – Forbidden Mountain: Phu Quy Sea Lighthouse is perched on Forbidden Mountain, standing at an elevation of 108 meters above sea level, 3 kilometers west of the port in Ngu Phung commune. The summit of the mountain hosts the largest lighthouse in Vietnam.
Linh Son Pagoda – High Sand Mountain: A scenic beauty spot of Phu Quy. High Sand Mountain is viewed by the islanders as a sacred peak, located in the northern part of the island. Here, the statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am is placed atop the mountain. From the summit of High Sand Mountain, visitors can overlook a vast expanse of space around the island.
Marvel at the Giant 'Wind Palaces': 'Wind Palaces' are gigantic wind turbines built to generate electricity for the island's residents. There are currently 3 wind turbines on the island, each towering at a height of 60 meters, with rotor blades spanning 37 meters. From the lighthouse and the summit of Linh Son Pagoda, you can easily spot these colossal wind turbines. The route to visit these wind turbines is particularly scenic, with the sea on one side and rows of pine trees planted along both sides of the road, creating a visually pleasing scene.
Apart from that, Tranh Rock, Trung Rock, Den Rock, and the Ngũ Phụng embankment are also captivating attractions on Phu Quy Island.
Irresistible Delicacies on Phu Quy Island
When visiting the island, seafood is undoubtedly a must-try for most tourists. However, when it comes to choosing a dish that will make you remember this island, nothing surpasses Huynh De Crab. On Phu Quy Island, you have the opportunity to savor this delicious specialty crab, still alive, at prices ranging from 350,000 to 400,000 VND per kilogram. In addition, snail salad is also an exquisite dish on the island.
Things to Note When Traveling to Phu Quy Island
Although the roads on the island are wide and empty, the locals strictly adhere to traffic laws. Therefore, when moving by motorcycle, remember to wear a helmet and avoid speeding. Moreover, on the island, the variety of food stores, grocery stores, fruit shops, and cafes is abundant, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Hence, there's no need to bring many supplies from the mainland.
By San San
Unlock the magic within
Explore with insights from Mytour
DiscoverMytourDecember 30, 2015
