Phu Quoc Backpacking Guide

Located in the southern coastal region of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island is one of the most fantastic destinations for sightseeing and relaxation. When traveling to Phu Quoc, you can immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters, breathe in the fresh sea breeze, find serenity at Tranh Stream, and indulge in delicious seafood... With useful information from the guide below, Mytour believes you will have a joyful trip to Phu Quoc.

Favorable Climate for Your Phu Quoc Trip

Phu Quoc Island has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: dry season from November to April, rainy season from May to October. You can confidently travel to Phu Quoc at any time of the year as the average temperature is around 28°C, providing comfortable weather all year round.

Accommodation Options in Phu Quoc

The accommodations in Duong Dong town are quite diverse, ranging from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses for backpackers. On Mytour, Phu Quoc hotel rooms are priced from 278,000 VND/room/night. Some hotel options you can consider include:

• Eden Phu Quoc Resort (Cua Lap Hamlet, Ward Duong To, Phu Quoc) priced from 1,173,000 VND/room/night
• Castaways Phu Quoc Resort (143 Tran Hung Dao Street) priced from only 695,079 VND/room/night
• Thien Thanh Phu Quoc Resort (KP 7 Tran Hung Dao Street, Bai Dai) priced from only 1,269,975 VND/room/night

Before booking, you should inquire whether the hotel offers airport shuttle service and if there are any additional charges. During peak seasons, remember to book your room 1-2 months in advance.

International guests and those who prioritize relaxation often choose the tourist street along Tran Hung Dao Road, which boasts many resorts along the most beautiful beach area of the town. If staying elsewhere but wanting to visit the beach along Tran Hung Dao Road, you'll need to travel more than ten kilometers to reach the beach. For cheaper accommodations closer to entertainment areas, tourists can rent hotels or guesthouses along Nguyen Trung Truc, Bach Dang, and 30/4 streets.

How to Get to Phu Quoc

Direct Flights to Phu Quoc

Currently, there are two airlines operating flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc: Vietnam Airlines and VietJetAir (formerly Air Mekong). The routes include Hanoi - Phu Quoc and Saigon - Phu Quoc.

Vietnam Airlines

– Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc: 1,050,000 VND

Flight duration: 60 minutes, with 10 flights per day

Departure times: 06:00, 06:40, 07:20, 09:20, 10:00, 10:40, 12:10, 12:40, 13:05, 13:15

Return times: 07:35, 08:15, 08:55, 09:30, 10:55, 12:15, 14:15, 14:30, 14:40, 15:35

– Hanoi – Phu Quoc: 2,997,000 VND

One flight daily on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Flight duration: 2 hours and 25 minutes

– Rach Gia – Phu Quoc: 1,606,000 VND

Flight duration: 40 minutes, with 1 flight per day

Departure time: 08:15

Return time: 13:45

Vietjet Air

– Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc: 731,000 VND/one way

Departure time: 7:15 AM

Arrival time: 8:05 AM

Note: Ticket prices are for reference only and may vary depending on the time. Phu Quoc Airport is located near Duong Dong town, quite close to the city center. If your hotel does not provide shuttle service, you can take a taxi.

Traveling to Phu Quoc by road + sea route

Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia – Phu Quoc

It's recommended to take Mai Linh bus (Tel: 08 39292929) or Phuong Trang bus (Tel: 08 3833 3468) from the passenger pick-up point on Le Hong Phong Street, District 10. Departing from the Western Bus Station, there are Tuyet Hon and Chau Ha buses. The bus will arrive at Rach Gia Bus Station (Kien Giang). Ticket price: approximately 110,000 – 130,000 VND/one way, with a travel time of about 7 hours.

It's advisable to purchase tickets for the 45-seat bus as it provides a more comfortable journey, allowing you to easily recline and have a good rest. To save time, choose a bus departing around 10:00 PM, arriving in Kien Giang around 5:00 AM. Before getting off the bus, remember to ask the driver for the location of the transfer bus to avoid additional fees. Don't let the motorcycle taxis pull you, just head straight to the transfer bus. When boarding the transfer bus, inform the driver that you want to go to the pier for Phu Quoc.

Usually, the high-speed ferries depart for Phu Quoc at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM (if you don't want to stay and explore Rach Gia, book the 8:00 AM ferry). If you haven't purchased ferry tickets, you can buy them near the pier area, where there are many ticket offices.

You can buy tickets from the following ferry companies:

• Savanna Ferry (No. 12 Freedom Street, Vinh Thanh, Rach Gia, near the pier; Tel: 0773.692.888). Adult ticket price: around 270,000 VND/one way, children aged 6-12: 200,000 VND/one way.
• Superdong II Ferry (No. 14 Freedom Street, Vinh Thanh, Rach Gia; Tel: 077 877742 – 077 877 741). Adult ticket price: around 270,000 VND/one way.

The ferry journey from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the weather conditions. Tickets for shuttle buses from Bai Vong ferry terminal to the center of Duong Dong town are available onboard, priced around 20,000 – 30,000 VND, with a travel time of 30 minutes. If it's crowded, you can opt for a taxi to the town center; the ferry terminal is about 12 – 13 km away. Alternatively, a motorbike taxi costs around 30,000 VND per person for the journey to the town center.

Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc

The buses from Saigon to Ha Tien include: Nguyen Dung bus (464 Kinh Duong Vuong, Tel: 08 37520126), Co Ba Ho bus (397 Trung tam van hoa the thao, near Western Bus Station, Tel: 0919.514006 – 0913.637232), Ngoc Trinh bus (Tel: 0918.258.169 – 0903.746.128), Kumho bus (Western Bus Station: 08 3752 7878; 490 Le Hong Phong: 08 3833.8180 – 3833.8190). Ticket prices range from 140,000 – 160,000 VND/one way.

From Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, you can take a ferry from Thanh Thoi ferry terminal (Ha Tien) to Da Chong port (Bai Thom, Phu Quoc). The ferry has a large capacity and can carry various types of vehicles. The ferry ride from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc takes about 2 hours. From Da Chong port to the center of Duong Dong town is about 20 km, where you can take a bus or motorbike taxi (taxis are not very common in this area).

High-speed ferries: Departing from Ha Tien ferry terminal and stopping at Ham Ninh ferry terminal (An Thoi, Phu Quoc). It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Phu Quoc by high-speed ferry. Here are some options:

• Hong Tam 1: Departure time: 08:45 to 10:30 – Ticket price: around 215,000 VND
• Hong Tam 2: Departure time: 13:30 to 15:00 – Ticket price: around 215,000 VND
• Superdong 1: Departure time: 13:15 to 15:00 – Ticket price: around 230,000 VND
• Thanh Thoi: Departure time: 08:20 to 10:50 – Ticket price: around 165,000 VND

From Ham Ninh port (or Bai Vong port), it's about 15km to reach the center of Duong Dong town. You can take a motorbike taxi or a taxi.

Transportation for Tourists in Phu Quoc

Taxi fares for going to the market and night entertainment are 15,000 VND per kilometer (Sassco, Hoang Long, Mai Linh: 0773979797)

If traveling in a group, it's advisable to rent a 7-seater car to explore Phu Quoc. A full-day tour to either the Southern or Northern Island costs around 650,000 VND for rental. Inquire at your hotel for car rental services.

Similarly, you can ask the hotel receptionist for motorbike rental services. The rental price is about 30,000 VND per hour, 120,000 – 150,000 VND per day, excluding fuel (there are many motorbike rental points along Tran Hung Dao street). Note when exploring Phu Quoc: the road from An Thoi to Ham Ninh to Duong Dong is narrow and paved, so drive close to the edge. Also, remember to bring your driver's license.

Main Roads in Phu Quoc

Tran Hung Dao Street: This road boasts the most hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc, starting from the intersection all the way to the end of the beach, reaching An Thoi. Along this road, you can visit exhibition rooms like Coi Nguon, Ngoc Trai, Phu Quoc Prison, Khem Beach (locals call it Kem Beach), Sao Beach, and Yen Cave.

30/4 Street: This is the dining street of Phu Quoc with numerous restaurants and eateries. It leads to Sung Hung Co Tu Pagoda, Tranh Stream, Ham Ninh Fishing Village, and Bai Vong Bridge. You can take this road through An Thoi to visit Sao Beach and Khem Beach.

Hung Vuong Street: This street intersects with 30/04 Street, passing by Viet Xua Restaurant, Khai Hoan Fish Sauce Factory + eatery (Hai Tram), Hung Vuong Bridge, and Nghieu So Oc Hen eatery. Continuing straight to the first intersection, Nguyen Trung Truc Street turns left to the airport and right towards Da Ban Stream, Khu Tuong Pepper Farm, National Park, Ganh Dau, Ong Nguyen Temple, Vung Bau Tourist Area.

Must-Visit Places in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc still retains its pristine charm despite the increasing number of tourists. Your trip to Phu Quoc will be a memorable experience as you explore famous landmarks on the Pearl Island. These include: Ham Ninh Ancient Fishing Village, Sao Beach, Khem Beach, Tranh Stream, Da Ban Stream, Khu Tuong Pepper Farm, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, Ganh Dau Cape, Long Beach, Fish Sauce Factories, Japanese Pearl Cultivation Area, Phu Quoc Prison Historical Site, and more.

Entertainment Activities in Phu Quoc

Entertainment activities in Phu Quoc embrace the island's maritime charm. Try your hand at night squid fishing, explore the deserted islands, dive to admire coral reefs, venture into the primeval forests, or shop at the Dinh Cau Night Market.

Local Culinary Delicacies

Don't miss out on these delicacies when traveling to Phu Quoc: Grilled sea urchins, Ham Ninh razor clams, herring salad, fried sea urchin with rice, grilled sea snails with salt and chili, fermented shrimp paste, and more.

Scenic Photo Spots in Phu Quoc

Long Beach

From Duong Dong Pier, hop on a boat to Long Beach to immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters and marvel at the pristine white sands of one of the world's top 100 beaches. It's an ideal spot to capture memorable photos for yourself or with your loved ones.

Sao Beach

Located approximately 28km from Duong Dong town, Sao Beach is one of Phu Quoc's most famous beaches, renowned for its picturesque scenery with clear blue waters and smooth white sands. Sao Beach is at its best from June to October when despite being the rainy season, the wind direction shields the area, resulting in calm waves and crystal-clear water.

Tranh Stream

Dubbed as the 'paradise of the lower realm,' Tranh Stream will leave you mesmerized by its stunning natural landscape with flowers, grass, mountains, and streams surrounded by foliage, both charming and poetic. Not only an ideal spot for photography, Tranh Stream also offers opportunities for exciting outdoor adventures.

An Thoi Archipelago

Situated in the southern part of Phu Quoc Island, the archipelago boasts a pristine and romantic beauty with its turquoise sea and rocky outcrops on sandy shores. The An Thoi Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand consists of 15 large and small islands, making it a must-visit destination for capturing stunning photographs.

Ham Ninh Fishing Village

Ham Ninh Fishing Village is an ancient fishing village that has existed for centuries on Phu Quoc Island. This village still retains the pristine beauty of a traditional Vietnamese fishing village. Ham Ninh Fishing Village has long been a popular tourist destination in Phu Quoc, loved by many domestic and international tourists. Today, it is also a favorite spot for tourists to take photos when visiting Phu Quoc.

Ganh Dau Cape

Ganh Dau Cape is located in Ganh Dau commune, Phu Quoc district, about 15-20km north of Duong Dong town. Ganh Dau Cape is a promontory jutting out into the northwest sea of Phu Quoc Island, with a natural beauty that is rugged and magnificent. With a crescent-shaped beach stretching about 500m, this is a popular stop for many tourists and young couples to pose for photos.

Khem Beach

Khem Beach, also known as Kem Beach, is located in the southern part of Phu Quoc Island, 25km from Duong Dong and 5km from An Thoi port. It is named after its long, white sandy shore resembling flour. This beach is still quite pristine and peaceful in Phu Quoc, attracting many recent tourists for photo opportunities.

Resort Areas

Phu Quoc boasts numerous beautiful, luxurious, and modern resort areas. Therefore, you can take advantage of the fantastic spaces, surroundings, and interiors of hotels or resort areas to capture photos.

Souvenirs to Bring Home When Traveling to Phu Quoc

What makes travelers feel very excited are the 'specialties' of fishing villages such as sea ​​cucumber soaked in wine, Tram mushroom - a special mushroom of the island district, very nutritious (more abundant and cheaper in the rainy season), sea grapes, and sea almond fruits for medicinal wine soaking... These are specialties unique to Phu Quoc and are popular choices for souvenirs.

Moreover, on the way to Ham Ninh, there is the Duc Ninh pepper garden, located on the right-hand side. Mature black pepper is priced at 200,000 VND/kg, while mature white pepper is priced at 260,000 VND/kg. Phu Quoc pepper is very fragrant and, when ground, has a reddish-pink color, so it is also called pink pepper. This place also offers a new product, pepper salt, which is equally delicious. If you stop by to buy, you will be invited to taste some guava and star fruit with pepper salt, which is very delicious.

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Source: Travel Guide from Mytour