Soft, powdery sand beaches, cotton candy sunsets, lush green landscapes, and warm turquoise waters make up Vietnam’s island paradise, Phu Quoc. 

Sitting in the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Cambodia, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest Island. The island is big enough that it would be difficult to grow tired of its endless jaw-dropping scenery and countless stunning beaches. Yet, small enough that you can zip around its entire coastline on a scooter in just a few hours (well, depending on how many times you stop for a roadside-truck banh mi).

Days or weeks can be spent enjoying the simple, laid-back island life.

Whether it be lazing in a hammock all day under swaying palm trees, enjoying blissfully sunny scooter rides from beach to beach (or aimlessly through jungle-like backroads), or exploring the island’s rich, underwater ecosystems with a mask and snorkel.

Beaches

Starfish Beach

Bright pink starfish dot the landscape of this beach’s shallow, crystal clear waters. Within seconds of arriving at the beach, these vivid marine critters are distinctly visible from the shoreline. Wade into the beach’s waters and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded, having to rearrange your steps to avoid stepping on them.

The rickety wooden walkway through the middle of the beach leads to a quaint, family-run seafood restaurant, perched on stilts above the starfish-lined waters below. The entire kitchen operation is an unmissable experience in itself. Cooks scramble around pots boiling on propane stoves assembled on the floor, while the constant sound of coconuts being macheted is heard in the background. Even if you’re not hungry, you can make the walk over, grab a fresh coconut, and laze around in one of the hammocks overlooking the water.

Long Beach

Popular Long Beach is the island’s beach resort destination. Soft sand, towering palm trees, delightfully blue water, and glowing pink sunsets make up this 20km stretch across the west coast of the island. Beach bars, restaurants, water sports and massage huts line the busy beach, making this an ideal spot to spend the entire day.

TIP: Head to Rory’s Beach Bar for a cold beer with an awesome view of the sunset, followed by a bonfire on the beach.

Sao Beach

Looking to avoid the big resort crowds? Head to the peaceful and oh-so-beautiful Sao Beach for powdery white sand and glistening blue waters. Two, small resorts make up this more remote beach, offering food options and beach lounger rentals to guests and non-guests alike. Food vendors on scooters also zip up and down the beach, selling all sorts of snacks from ice cream to banh mi.

DIVING + SNORKELLING

Phu Quoc’s waters are abundant with marine life and activity. The island’s many reefs are swimming with a diverse range of tropical fish, with the main suspects being angel and butterfly fish. Depending on which dive or snorkel site you visit and the season, you might be in luck and encounter octopuses, seahorses, sharks, sea snakes, and barracudas.

Going with a dive centre is the way to go. Dive centres around the island know the lay of the land (well, water) and will take you to the best sites to see all of these sea critters up-close. The average cost of a snorkel trip with a dive centre runs for $40 CAD and includes lunch. Book them in advance as they may fill up quickly or may not be available during your visit.

While in Phu Quoc, I completed my PADI Open Water Diver Certification with Flipper Diving Club and had an awesome experience with them. Rainbow Divers and Vietnam Explorer Dive Centre are also highly regarded dive centres on the island that offer both snorkelling and diving.

WHERE TO STAY

Most of the island’s activity is centralized in the main city, Duong Dong. For easy access to beaches, restaurants, nightlife, scooter hires, staying near here is the best option. The northern and western parts of the island are far more calm (and arguably more beautiful), but are more limited to activities and restaurants on the resort. That being said, the island is small enough that in the end, it doesn’t really matter where you stay, as everything can be accessed by a short scooter or taxi ride.

I stayed at 9 Station Hostel located centrally in Duong Dong. Long Beach is a short, 5-minute walk from the hostel’s door and scooters can be rented out directly from reception. The facilities at the hostel were squeaky clean and there was always some sort of lively event taking place by the awesome pool or in the lobby. The hostel attracts a wide range of guests, including solo travellers and groups.

Click the picture below to book your stay at 9 Station Hostel.

WHERE TO EAT

There is no shortage of places to fill your belly in Phu Quoc. Local eats, beachfront restaurants, foreign-owned burger joints, an entire night market and even floating restaurants can be found throughout the island.

Beach Bars

Beach bars line the stretch of busy Long Beach. Many of them serve up fresh seafood, BBQ, and western fare, catering to all types of eaters. Grab a bite or drink (or both!) at one of these right before the gorgeous sunset starts. Check out Rory’s Beach Bar and Sunset Beach Bar.

Dinh Cau Night Market

All sorts of sizzling, yummy street food (with a heavy emphasis on seafood – this is an island after all!) can be found through the busy alleyways of the Dinh Cau Night Market. Located centrally in Duong Dong city, it can be accessed on foot or by a short scooter or taxi ride from most of the island’s hotels.

More Places To Eat

• Crab House
• Mango Bay
• Saigonese Eatery
• The Pepper Tree
• The Spice House
• Winston’s Burgers

HOW TO GET AROUND

By scooter, of course! Phu Quoc’s streets are tame relative to those of Saigon’s. For the week I was there, I drove alone and didn’t feel unsafe or in danger by other drivers at all. Scooters can be rented out easily from almost any hotel or hostel (or restaurant, even) on the island for about $10 CAD a day. Make sure you grab a helmet (keeping your noggin safe is cool!) and check the gas tank before leaving the main city streets, as gas stations become harder to reach when you’re scootering outside of them.

And, if Vietnam’s driving intimidates you, don’t fret! Taxis are plentiful and cheap on the island. They can be arranged through your accommodation, or grabbed easily on the side of the road in the main city, Duong Dong (you might have trouble finding them elsewhere).

HOW TO GET THERE

Fly! Multiple flights fly out of Ho Chi Minh daily, and won’t put a dent in your wallet! I snagged a roundtrip flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc for $50 CAD during high season. And, in less than an hour, you’ll be out of all the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh and find yourself relaxing beachside with a coconut.

Have you been to Phu Quoc Island? What are some of your favourite beaches, things to do, sites to see, places to eat and stay?

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