Phu Quoc Destination Guide

Phu Quoc Island is located 15 kilometres from the Cambodian coast, in the gulf of Thailand. The centre of the island features mountainous terrain and natural forest reserves, while the flatter coast is ringed by long stretches of spectacular sandy beaches and crystal clear water. There are a number of small towns and ports located around the island.

Phu Quoc is also known as the 'Emerald Island', due to its stunning natural beauty!

This Phu Quoc Destination Guide gives some general information about the island, including a little on its geography and the best time to visit. Useful information about Vietnam can be found by going to our Vietnam Country Guide. To read up on some of the best things to see and do whilst on Phu Quoc, check out our Phu Quoc Tours page.

Things to See & Do in Phu Quoc

They are famous for their cleverness and are listed the world’s rare dogs in French dictionary-Larousse. Here are some features of Phu Quoc dogs.

The hair of Phu Quoc dogs: genuine Phu Quoc dogs have silky hair and are close to their skin. They just shudder and slightly wag their body when coming back from water, their body will immediately be dry.

The dog hair color is commonly auburn (like alum color) well matching the red color of soil, which is convenient when going hunting or hiding.

Feet of Phu Quoc dogs: the hair on feet of dog is normally gathered because of close position of four separate toes. However, Phu Quoc dogs have webbed-feet like duck’s feet. Phu Quoc dog’s toes lie a bit farther than that of normal dogs. When they swim in water, their toes stretch like an oar pushing the whole body forward.

The dog’s race maintenance: when nearing their due date, the mother dog goes to the forest to dig a hole and to take care of herself. When the puppy is strong enough, the mother takes her babies home. If a litter consists of 10 puppies, there will be 6-7 ones with “wearing” claw (good hunting dogs).

Phu Quoc dogs have big snouts, long and proportioned bodies and legs, straight tails, large chests and slim bellies. They can run as fast as a squirrel or swim well like an otter.

The largest town on the island is Duong Dong, which is also Phu Quoc's main fishing port. Located on the central west coast, it features and airport and most of the island's accommodation. Although the town itself does not have that many attractions, many people choose to base themselves here due to the relative abundance of accommodation and dining options.

The town does, however, have a few things of interest. The main amongst these is probably Dinh Cau (Cau Castle). Consisting of a temple and a lighthouse, it was built in honour of the goddess Thien Hau, protector of fishermen and sailors. A visit to the castle gives good views of the entrance to the harbour.

An unusual but popular tourist attraction in Phu Quoc is a visit to one of the fish sauce factories. The Nuoc Mam Hung Thanh distillery is the largest, and is located a short distance from the Duong Dong markets. Although there is no entry fee, it is advisable to take a guide with you in order to interpret and translate things for you. It is possible to purchase some of the fish sauce at the shops in town.

Bai Truong

This is the most popular beach on Phu Quoc, due to its size and proximity to Duong Dong. It stretches almost 20 kilometres southwards from Duong Dong, almost reaching An Thoi. Palm trees sway over the spectacular white sand beach, with crystal clear water beckoning you in for a swim.

From Duong Dong the beach is accessible by foot, starting just south of Cau Castle, but the more deserted and remote stretches further south can only be reached by motorbike or bicycle. There are some small shacks which sell drinks along the beach.

Bai Khem

Perhaps the most stunning of all the beaches is Bai Khem, which literally means 'cream beach'. It is located around a cove on the southeastern side of the island, which is part of the military zone. Civilians are allowed to enter the region, however the beach is completely undeveloped, and also severly lacking in shade.

Motorbike is the best way to get there, as the cove is located about 28 kilometres from Duong Dong. Bring a lock to chain your motorbike to a tree, as you'll have to leave it out of sight of the beach.

Bai Sao 

With its white sand and crystal clear water, Bai Sao Beach is one of the most picturesque pieces of coastline on Phu Quoc. Bai Sao is about 30km from Duong Dong by road; the road to the east is paved and provides a more comfortable journey. Hire a motorbike and take in the scenery yourself. Alternatively, you could hire a driver or even stop off at the beach as part of a snorkeling boat tour.

Other Beaches

Some remote beaches in the north of the country include Bai Dai, in the northwest, and Bai Thom, in the northeast. Both require long, dusty motorbike rides over roads in extremely poor condition. They are both in the military zones, and, although open on Sundays, require you to leave your passport at the entrance.

A more accessible beach in the northwest is Bai Cua Can, located 11 kilometres from Duong Dong. Another beach in the south to consider visiting is Bai Dam, which is just north of Bai Khem.

Suoi Da Ban is a creek that originates in the hills of Phu Quoc, and leads downstream to the point where it runs over some large, granite boulders. There are a number of deep pools here as well, and it is an enjoyable place to go for a swim, especially on a hot day. It is located in the south-central area of Phu Quoc. Entrance is free, although there is a 4,000d charge for parking a motorbike.

Forests make up almost 90% of the island, and this is the last extensively forested area left in southern Vietnam. The thickest forest can be found in the northern half of the island, where the terrain is also more mountainous. The region was declared a nature reserve, and a motorbike or mountain bike are essential in order to get into the reserve. There are some dirt roads available to riding along.

Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc are 15 tiny little islands. Hotels and tour companies in Duong Dong and An Thoi are able to organise cruises out to these islands on chartered boats, with the options of activities including sightseeing, swimming, snorkelling and fishing.

Shop around for the best price, and be aware that the cruises are seasonal, and as such do not usually run during the rainy season.

As famous as the fish sauce, Phu Quoc pepper is also a popular specialty, and a valuable spice in the country.

Phu Quoc pepper is famous for its big seed, thin husk, spicy taste, and solid core.

The favorable terrain and weather allow pepper trees in Phu Quoc to grow well, and they cover a large area. Pepper was brought by the Chinese from Hai Nam and has been planted here since the 19th century. The secrets of growing pepper were exclusive to the Chinese until in 1946, when the French army came to invade Vietnam and many Vietnamese were evacuated to gardening areas. That was when they learned how to grow pepper.

Today, pepper trees are planted throughout the islands such as the North Island, Bung Goi, Gio fall, Can Mouth and Lap Mouth. However, the trees mostly flourish in the Khu Tuong region. The area is famous for a series of pepper gardens that stretch beyond measure as pepper trees grow on the red land near the foothills and on the slopes of streams. Pepper cultivation takes a lot of time and effort; the crop can only be harvested after three years of growth.

In order to grow get hot-smelling peppers, locals must work hard and attain years of experience. If carefully and properly taken care of, pepper trees can be harvested for 20-40 years; otherwise they will easily die.

The tomentose rose myrtle fruit is a special one, which is present throughout Vietnam; but in Phu Quoc, it is “sublimated” into a special alcohol with a fascinating violet hue.

Tomentose rose myrtle alcohol is considered a Phu Quoc’s specialty thanks to its especially good smell and smooth taste. It is made of tomentose rose myrtle fruits and mostly produced by a manually fermented method. This alcohol has a very beautiful clear yellow-turned violet colour and the typical smell of tomentose rose myrtle fruits. It tastes delicately sweet mingled with acrid. The alcohol is good for digestion and can treat some aches and pains of the elderly.

In the island district Phu Quoc, there are now many tomentose rose myrtle hills within the protective forest areas of Ham Ninh, Duong To commune, and Duong mouth.

Tomentose rose myrtle blossoms and fruits almost all year round; but, according to the experience of alcohol producers, the spring crop offers the best quality fruits with a lot of honey – the best material for good alcohol.

Today, there are some brands of this alcohol which passed the quality test of the State’s medical organizations such as: “Ruou Sim Rung” (Tomentose rose myrtle alcohol) and “Mat Sim Rung” (Tomentose rose myrtle honey) with the beautiful packing. They are the products of Vuon Tao Phu Quoc, developed by Mr. Trinh Cong Phat in accordance with the wine production technology.