Self-sufficient Phu Quoc travel experience for beginners from A to Z 2024

Phu Quoc, known as Vietnam's "Pearl Island," has earned numerous awards, notably in 2022, honored by the World Travel Awards as the "World's leading natural island destination." With stunning beaches, clear waters, and diverse nature, Phu Quoc offers a tranquil getaway.

Favored by nature, this place possesses beautiful white sand beaches, clear sea water, and rich and diverse nature. This creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for vacation trips.

If you are planning a trip to Phu Quoc, join Salinda Resort to save your Phu Quoc travel experiences and fully enjoy your vacation here.

Introducing the pearl island of Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Thailand in Kien Giang province, Viet Nam. With a 150-kilometer-long coastline, the island possesses many beautiful beaches and a diverse ecosystem with nearly 100 primeval mountains and hills and many rich flora and fauna species. This is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign customers.

Beyond its scenic beauty, Phu Quoc also has many entertainment and dining experiences, such as Vin Wonders Phu Quoc Tourist Area, Dinh Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc Pepper Garden and especially the cable car experience at Sun World Hon Thom.

Fishing villages are also interesting destinations, allowing visitors to learn about the culture and lives of local people, enjoy fresh seafood cuisine, and admire the peaceful and pristine scenery of the fishing villages. Small hamlet next to a fishing village.

Which season should you travel to?

The weather in Phu Quoc has a distinct tropical monsoon climate divided into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.

• Dry season: The dry season lasts from November to April of the following year, with sunny weather, little rain, and calm seas. This is the ideal season for tourist activities such as swimming and diving to see coral and sea sports. Therefore, the dry season is the ideal time to explore Phu Quoc.
• Rainy season: The rainy season usually starts from May to October. Often, rain, big waves, and tourist activities may be suspended. However, this season has its own beauty when the air is cool, there are few tourists,...

To make your trip as smooth as possible, you should check the weather forecast during your vacation, especially during the changing seasons (May and November), when the sea changes erratically.

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Beautiful Phu Quoc Tourist Destinations

What luggage do I need to prepare?

To have a smooth trip, you need to bring the following items:

• Identification documents: passport (for foreign tourists), citizen identification card,... to be able to travel, book hotel rooms.
• Personal luggage: clothes, suitcases, personal belongings, etc. are indispensable items during your trip. Depending on your itinerary, you will choose the most suitable and comfortable outfit. For example, when participating in camping activities on the beach, you need comfortable, active clothes and an extra-warm jacket.
• Cash and ATM card: You should bring cash and an ATM card to pay expenses when traveling to Phu Quoc. If you are a foreign tourist, you should exchange Vietnamese currency to be able to use more services.

How to move to Phu Quoc?

There are two ways you can travel from the mainland to Phu Quoc: by plane, bus, or ferry.

Travel by plane

Traveling by plane has the advantage of being fast and very convenient for you because domestic airlines all operate direct flights to Phu Quoc. However, traveling by plane has quite high costs, for example:

• Airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc fluctuates between 700,000 and 1,500,000 VND per way.
• Ticket prices from Hanoi to Phu Quoc range from 1,500,000 to 3,00,000 VND per way.

A few TIPS when you travel by plane:

You should book air tickets in advance to hunt for cheap tickets, especially during the tourist season.

Travel during less-crowded hours to get the best fares.

When arriving in Phu Quoc to move from the airport to the hotel, using a taxi service is the most popular and convenient option. You can book a taxi through apps like Grab, Be, etc. to avoid price gouging.

Travel by bus and high-speed ferry

Traveling by bus and high-speed ferry is an optimal and new choice for those in the South. For those of you in Ho Chi Minh City, you take a bus for about 9 hours to Rach Gia or Ha Tien. Ticket price is about 200,000 - 300,000 VND/ticket, from Rach Gia Ha Tien to Phu Quoc you have 2 options by train or by ferry.

Means of transportation in Phu Quoc

After setting foot on Pearl Island, you need to find a means of transportation to visit Phu Quoc's attractions.

Rent Motorcycles

Motorbikes are a popular means of transportation in Vietnam; you can rent them at hotels or rental services for 120,000 to 300,000 VND per motorcycle per day. To rent a motorbike you need documents because motorbikes are also a type of asset.

Rent a car

Renting a car is a suitable means of transportation for families or large groups of friends. Visitors can rent a car with a driver or drive themselves. Car rental prices in Phu Quoc range from 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND per day.

Grab

Visitors can conveniently book a car via the Grab application in Phu Quoc. Its advantage is that you can know the fare in advance and move quickly from one point to another on the island.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient and safe means of transportation. Visitors can easily catch a taxi on the street or call a taxi by phone. Taxi fares in Phu Quoc range from 15,000 to 20,000 VND/km (weekday price). Some popular taxi companies here are Vinasun (phone number: 0297 3827 727), Mai Linh (phone number: 02973 9797 97),...

Where should you stay when traveling to Phu Quoc?

Every year, the number of domestic and foreign tourists coming to Phu Quoc is very high, so the hotels and resorts here are also very diverse to suit all your needs and budgets.

Most hotels and homestays are usually concentrated in Duong Dong town, this is a convenient place for moving to other tourist destinations on the island and is also the busiest place in Phu Quoc.

If you want to enjoy a relaxing vacation at 4-5-star resorts and luxury hotels, you can consider options such as Salinda Resort, Novotel, Sol Beach,...

Although it is quite far from the center of Duong Dong town, the areas located here provide a quiet space. In particular, Vinpearl Resort, or JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, has a special location right on the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, such as Bai Khem and Bai Dai.

During the tourist season (from October to April of the following year), when coming to Phu Quoc, you need to book a room about 1-2 months in advance to avoid the situation of running out of rooms.

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Experiences not to be missed when traveling to Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy wild natural beauty and unique travel experiences. Below is a list of experiences you cannot miss when you come to Phu Quoc.

Hang Doi

Hang Doi or Cave of the bats, also known as Ba Lo Cave, is hidden among the craggy cliffs on Phu Quoc Island. Coming to the bat cave, you will admire the sight of bats hanging upside down on cliffs when sleeping, strangely shaped cliffs, and rays of light filtering through the rocks, creating a scene that is both beautiful and mysterious.

Because this place is quite wild, on the way to the hang doi, you will need to walk and climb quite a bit, but in return, the green natural scenery and the murmuring Tranh stream flow, layer by layer, layer by layer, with foam. Blowing white will make you feel like you are in harmony with nature.

Phu Quoc prison

Phu Quoc Prison is currently located about 30 km south of Duong Dong town center. This place used to be a place to hold prisoners of war of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam with brutal torture and emotional war stories.

Currently, the prison has been recognized as a national historical site and is open to visitors for free. However, you can also hire a tour guide to gain a deeper understanding of the history and important events that happened here.

Cost of hiring a reference guide: 100,000–200,000 VND/session

Address: 350 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Thoi Commune, Phu Quoc Island District, Kien Giang Province.

Opening hours: 8:00–11:30 and 13:30–17:00

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Ham Ninh fishing village

Ham Ninh fishing village is located at the foot of Ham Ninh mountain in Ham Ninh commune, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang province, about 14 kilometers east of Duong Dong Town. This place is known for its wild, idyllic beauty and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Phu Quoc.

In the late afternoon, the peaceful scene at Ham Ninh Fishing Village is very beautiful and attractive. Visitors coming here can experience the life and culture of the fishing village people, enjoy the peaceful coastal space, and enjoy the busyness of the people when fishing boats dock, making the trip interesting and more flavorful.

See coral reefs at Hon Thom

Hon Thom is one of the most beautiful islands in the An Thoi archipelago, Phu Quoc Island. This place is famous for its pristine beaches, fine white sand, emerald green sea water, and long stretches of coral.

Here, you can dive into the sea to experience the feeling of walking under the sea or take a glass boat to see colorful coral reefs and sea creatures.

Bai Sao

Bai Sao translated to English means Starfish beach, which is known as a "pristine tropical paradise" about 25 km from Duong Dong town. Famous for its fine white sand beach stretching more than 7 kilometers, it embraces the clear, emerald green seawater. The seawater here is very shallow, the waves are calm, and it is safe for tourists to swim and play.

Besides, Bai Sao possesses a diverse ecosystem with many types of flora and fauna. Visitors can easily see starfish, crabs hiding under rocks, or schools of fish swimming freely in the blue seawater.

Address: Bai Sao hamlet, An Thoi ward, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang province.

Khu Tuong Pepper Garden

Khu Tuong pepper garden is one of the largest pepper gardens in Phu Quoc, located on Nguyen Trung Truc - Bung Goi street to Bai Thom commune, Bung Goi, Phu Quoc island. This place attracts tourists with its long rows of lush green pepper trees, bright yellow ripe pepper clusters and fresh, cool atmosphere.

Besides sightseeing, the Khu Tuong pepper garden provides visitors with a variety of products such as: black pepper, white pepper, salt pepper, sugar pepper, etc. you can buy as gifts for relatives and friends.

Suoi Tranh waterfall

Suoi Tranh waterfall in Phu Quoc is a famous ecotourism destination located in Duong To commune, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang province. This place is surrounded by high cliffs, dense forest canopy, and gurgling streams, creating a wild, peaceful, and poetic beauty and an extremely impressive natural picture.

Coming here, you can easily see birds chirping on tree branches or fish swimming in clear stream water.

Da Ngon Stream

Da Ngon Stream in Phu Quoc is an emerging ecotourism destination with seven stunning, majestic, and mesmerizing waterfalls in Phu Quoc. With its location deep in the forest, rugged terrain, and difficult roads, Da Ngon Stream is not known to many tourists.

Coming here, visitors can both immerse themselves in nature and try climbing activities, exploring the diverse vegetation here such as wild orchids and precious woods (Ven Ven, Dau Song Nang, etc.). oil sand, chestnut, milk flower, etc.

Bai Dai

It is one of the most famous and attractive tourist destinations on Phu Quoc Island. Bai Dai owns a fine white sand beach stretching over 15km, winding like a soft silk strip, embracing the clear, emerald green seawater. The seawater here is very shallow, the waves are calm, and it is safe for tourists to swim and play.

Besides, Bai Dai also offers many interesting activities for tourists, including swimming, kayaking, outdoor BBQ parties, camping,...

VinWonders Phu Quoc and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc

VinWonders Phu Quoc and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc are the two largest entertainment areas in the Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc tourist complex.

VinWonders Phu Quoc is known as "Vietnam's leading amusement park." Coming to VinWonders, you will experience playing hard with more than 100 thrilling games, a water play area, an art performance area, a village area, national culture, and unique performance programs.

Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is the first semi-wild zoo in Vietnam, where visitors can explore the rich and diverse world of wildlife with more than 3,000 individuals of 150 different animal species. Visitors will experience the excitement of taking a tram to visit the zoo, watching mighty tigers, gentle elephants, glittering giraffes, and countless other wild animals.

Dinh Cau night market

Dinh Cau Night Market is one of the attractive nighttime destinations on the pearl island of Phu Quoc, located right in the center of Duong Dong town. This is a busy night market famous for its specialty dishes and souvenirs.

The night market includes two main areas: area 1 focuses on food stalls from popular dishes to specialties in Phu Quoc and area 2 focuses on stalls selling souvenirs.

Dinh Cau Night Market is always bustling and vibrant, with thousands of tourists coming to visit and shop every night. This is an ideal place for visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Phu Quoc and experience local culture.

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Ideal places to eat

If you are a lover of exploring cuisine and seafood, you definitely should not miss Phu Quoc. With the variety of cooking methods, restaurants, and freshness of seafood here, it can satisfy your stomach.

Bun Ken

Bun Ken is a popular breakfast dish among people in Phu Quoc. Ken here comes from the Khmer language and refers to dishes cooked with coconut milk.

This dish is characterized by a rich broth with a sweet taste from fish, usually barracuda, mackerel, and fresh, cleaned, and crushed flat fish; the spiciness of garlic and chili; and the richness of coconut milk.

Famous Bun Ken addresses:

• Ut Luom Restaurant: No. 87 April 30 Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province. Price range: 15,000–20,000 VND.
• Nang trumpet noodle shop: No. 9 Mac Tu Hoang Street, Quarter 3, Binh San Ward, Ha Tien Town, Kien Giang Province. Price range: 15,000–20,000 VND.
• Bun Cua Restaurant: No. 82 Chi Lang Street, Quarter 3, Binh San Ward, Ha Tien Town, Kien Giang Province. Price: 20,000 VND.

Herring salad

Herring salad is a famous specialty dish of Phu Quoc, Kien Giang. This dish is made from fresh herring, combined with raw vegetables, shredded coconut, roasted peanuts and sweet and sour fish sauce to create a unique flavor.

Address:

• Hello Restaurant: No. 66 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province. Reference price: 200,000 VND.
• Vietnamese Restaurant Phu Quoc: No. 261 Nguyen Trung Truc Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province. Reference price: 100,000 VND.

Ham Ninh crab

When talking about Phu Quoc seafood, you cannot ignore the Ham Ninh Crab. The size of the crab is not too large, but the meat is very plump, the meat fibers are very firm, and the taste is rich. That's why this is one of the Phu Quoc seafood types that are most popular with tourists.

You can eat crabs at restaurants or buy them to cook for yourself. Crabs can be made into many delicious dishes, such as crab porridge, beer-steamed crabs, crab hotpot, and steamed crabs with lemon pepper and salt.

Places to eat delicious Ham Ninh crab can be referred to as:

• Be Ghe Ham Ninh Restaurant: Ham Ninh fishing village, Ham Ninh commune, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province; opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; reference price: 100,000–500,000 VND.
• Bien Xanh Restaurant: Provincial Road 47, Ham Ninh Commune, City of Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province, Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Reference price: 500,000 VND–1,100,000 VND.
• Ham Ninh Sea Star Restaurant: Ham Ninh fishing village, Ham Ninh commune, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province; opening hours: 12:00–23:59; reference price: 100,000–1,000,000 VND.

Grilled Bien Mai with salt and chili

Phu Quoc is a destination not to be missed for those who love sea cuisine. The most special thing here is the grilled bien mai (Horn Scallop) siren with salt and chili, a unique specialty with the rich flavor of the sea. The delicate combination of sweet and chewy meat in siren bien mai, along with the spicy salt and chili flavor, creates an unforgettable culinary experience.

In addition, participating in apricot sea "hunting" tours is also a unique experience when coming to Phu Quoc. Visitors not only get to explore the underwater ecosystem but also have the opportunity to harvest sea scallops and enjoy unique dishes made from this ingredient.

Places to eat Coi Bien Mai grilled with salt and chili you can refer to:

• Huong Bien Restaurant: 1 Vo Thi Sau Street, City. Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Opening hours 10:00 – 22:00.
• Phuc Ngan Sea Restaurant: Ganh Dau Hamlet, City. Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Vietnam, Opening hours 08:00 – 23:00.
• Vietnamese Restaurant Phu Quoc: 24 Tran Hung Dao Street, City. Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Opening hours 10:00 – 22:00.

Grilled sea urchin

Known as "sea ginseng,"  sea urchin is not only a delicacy but also a valuable source of nutrients. This seafood species has a thorny and ugly appearance but hides a delicious, sweet, naturally fatty, golden egg inside that makes many diners irresistible.

Made from sea urchins, dishes such as sea urchin porridge, grilled sea urchins, and sea urchins with lemon not only have a rich taste of the sea but also help you regain strength after tiring outings.

Places to sell delicious Phu Quoc sea urchins:

• Snail 343: Street 30/4, Quarter 1, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Opening hours: 16:00–23:00, reference price: 20,000–100,000 VND.
• Blue Sea Restaurant: Ham Ninh Bridge, Ham Ninh Town (right at Ham Ninh Bridge), opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Reference price: 500,000 VND–1,100,000 VND.
• Seafood Restaurant Me: Located in Dinh Cao-Vo Thi Sau night market, opening hours are 9:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Reference price: 100,000 VND–500,000 VND.

Specialties as gifts in Phu Quoc

When traveling to Phu Quoc, of course, it is indispensable to have beautiful small gifts and local specialties for acquaintances, siblings, and friends. Below, Salinda Resort will suggest to you specialties in Phu Quoc that you can bring back as gifts.

• Phu Quoc fish sauce is one of the best fish sauces in Vietnam, made from fresh anchovies with high protein and rich flavor. You can refer to some famous fish sauce brands such as Thinh Phat, Khai Hoan, Phung Hung,...
• Phu Quoc pepper has long been famous throughout the country for its characteristic spicy flavor, thin seeds, thick flesh, spicy taste, and better taste than pepper elsewhere. Prices range from 200,000 to 250,000 VND/kg, and you can buy directly at pepper gardens such as Khu Tuong, Ngoc Ha, Dinh Cau, etc.
• Sim wine: Made from wild myrtle fruit, Phu Quoc myrtle wine has a sweet, aromatic taste, is good for blood circulation, nourishes the blood, and helps with sleep and the digestive system.
• Dried seafood: Phu Quoc possesses abundant and diverse seafood resources such as dried shrimp, dried squid, dried fish, etc. with fresh, rich flavor.
• Phu Quoc Pearls: Pearls here are extremely rare, especially black pearls, so you can buy pearls or pearl jewelry as gifts for your loved ones and family.
• Banh tet with kidney honey: Phu Quoc's specialty banh tet with meat, pork kidney, green beans, and coconut jam has a sweet and delicious taste.
• Cake: A type of cake made from glutinous rice flour, filled with green beans and shredded coconut, and baked until golden brown, with a sweet and fragrant taste.
• Sea ginseng tea: This type of tea is made from sea ginseng, has a sweet, cool taste, and is good for health.

Above, Salinda Resort only suggests outstanding specialties that you can bring back as gifts. However, in addition to the list above, Phu Quoc also has many other specialties that are not widely known that you can refer to. More opinions from people when traveling to this island.

"Pocket" Phu Quoc travel experiences

As a tourist island, when coming to Phu Quoc, you can take away the following experiences:

• Before buying souvenirs or food, ask the price first and then decide to avoid overcharging.
• Every year, Phu Quoc welcomes many tourists, especially during the tourist season, so you need to book bus tickets and hotel tickets as soon as possible.
• There are also many insects here, such as mosquitoes, so buy insect-repellent lotions and sprays.
• When coming to Phu Quoc in the dry season, prepare sunscreen for your face and body carefully because the dry season in Phu Quoc often has intense heat and you will have outdoor activities such as swimming, diving to see coral, etc.
• If you are prone to seasickness when traveling to the islands, prepare motion sickness medicine for a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience.

Phu Quoc travel itinerary: 3 days, 2 nights; you can refer to:

If the tour is longer, you can join a tour of the islands, other fishing villages or local entertainment complexes such as Ganh Dau cape, Rach Vem fishing village, fish sauce factory,...

Salinda Resort hopes that the sharing of Phu Quoc travel experiences that we provide will help you plan your trip and have an enjoyable trip on this "pearl island".

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