Top 15+ Best Things to Do in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is expected to be a hot trend for traveling to Vietnam in the next few years. As the largest island in the country, there are a lot of things that you can expect for your vacation here. To help you plan your trip easier below is our top list for the best things to do in Phu Quoc!

1. Relaxing at Phu Quoc’s Beaches

Phu Quoc is an offshore island which means there is no doubt that its beaches are all stunning. Beaches surround Phu Quoc which means you can find a beautiful beach on any side of this island. Let's find out about 15 beaches in Phu Quoc and its nearby island.

Only a few beaches in Phu Quoc are popular with tourists, most of them are only local-known and stay wildly. Therefore, depends on what atmosphere you want, crowded or tranquil, you can always find a suitable beach on this island.

Ong Lang one of most beautiful beach in Phu Quoc

 

2. Grab a Bike around Phu Quoc

Don’t miss a cycling tour in Phu Quoc! Although this island is the biggest island in Vietnam, it is not that hard to bike around it and admire its beauty slowly. You can hire a bike anywhere in Phu Quoc, especially in Duong Dong town - the center of this island or some hotels and resorts here also provide this service. If you are not confident enough to bike and explore Phu Quoc on your own, you always can buy cycling tours here at very reasonable prices which allow you to join a biking team and help a tour guide to support you during your trip. 

Grab a Bike around Phu Quoc

 

3. Learn history at Phu Quoc Prison

For anyone who is fond of Vietnam history, there is an important relic with high historic value on this island: Phu Quoc Prison. Was built in 1953, this place was one of the biggest prisons in Vietnam during the French colonial time and also Vietnam War. At its peak, Phu Quoc Prison had 14 zones with 32000 prisoners, most of them were injured strongly and at least 10% of people imprisoned here are confirmed dead. Up until now, this site is well reserved and most of the details inside are kept perfectly and draw a panoramic picture represent how horrible the war was in the last century. 

Learn history at Phu Quoc Prison

 

4. Taste Phu Quoc street food at the Night Market

Located on Bach Dang Street in Duong Dong town, Phu Quoc Night Market stays at a perfect location, not only in the center of the island but also right at Duong Dong seafood market. You definitely should spend at least one night to have dinner here and enjoy the tasty street foods sold by friendly locals. 

Since 6 pm, you can smell the attractive flavor from many food stalls in the night market where you can find a full course meal from the appetizers to main dishes and desserts. Seafood is definitely a must-try here as they are all newly caught and sold at cheap prices. In addition, desserts here are also impressive with local flavor icecreams and traditional sweets.

Taste Phu Quoc street food at the Night Market

 

5. Enjoy spectacular view at Phu Quoc Cable Car

Phu Quoc Cable Car is a brand new experience for tourists here. Established in 2018, this site immediately voted for being a must-try on this beautiful island. With a total length of 7,899.9m, the Phu Quoc Cable car travels between An Thoi Archipelago and Hon Thom Islet which allows you to admire fully the most stunning area of this island from above.

On the other hand, the only problem with traveling by cable car is that it is quite expensive with the ticket prices are VND 400,000/adult (USD 17.5) and VND 300,000/child (USD 13) included the waterpark entrance fee.

Enjoy spectacular view at Phu Quoc Cable Car

 

6. Check-in at Starfish Beach (Bai Sao)

Starfish Beach (Bai Sao) is the most beautiful and famous beach on Phu Quoc. Located in the South of the island, which is almost 30km far from the center, this beach still can keep its natural beauty even when has been being the most popular check-in point of the island for such a long time. As its name, you can find many starfish living underwater here; however, to help the reservation, it is recommended that you shouldn’t disturb them.

Starfish Beach

 

7. Take a Scuba Diving or Snorkeling

If you have heard about or try scuba diving and snorkeling in Nha Trang (Vietnam), you still be amazed when trying these interesting activities in Phu Quoc. Located so far from the mainland, the sea around this island has its own sexy scene which is hidden deep down under the water.  As to try diving or snorkeling here, you should book a tour which will bring you to further islet, accompanied by professional trainers, and included lunch to enjoy a full day explore the colorful underwater world safely.

Take a Scuba Diving or Snorkeling

 

8. Don't forget to taste Seafood at the Ham Ninh Fishing Village

Seafood at Ham Ninh Fishing Village is not cooked in the same way as the one in Phu Quoc Night Market. If you want to try the original local taste of seafood here, you can’t miss a trip to Ham Ninh. This site is the biggest fishing village in Phu Quoc where provides a huge amount of seafood for people here. Seafood in this village is newly caught every day.

However, to find the freshest ingredients, you will have to come here in the early morning when the boats come back after a long night fishing in the sea. Seafood bought in this village is extremely cheap, you always can choose and buy them yourself and then bring it to a nearby restaurant and ask them to help you cook a simple tasty meal like a local. 

Don't forget to taste Seafood at the Ham Ninh Fishing Village

 

9. Go Fishing & Catch Your Own Fish!

Fishing is one of the most interesting things to do in Phu Quoc. However, it’s not an easy challenge that requires much patience to sit all day in one spot to catch some fish (or maybe only 1 fish). There are many tours in the daytime or nighttime for you to choose from if you want to try the fishing experience in Phu Quoc. However, if you are not a professional, you should choose the night fishing tour which allows you to join the squid fishing trip in a few hours. On the other hand, fishing in the daytime may cost you at least a half-day on the sea, try to catch a fish offshore. The most interesting feature of join these tours is that you can choose to taste your own fishes after catching them and there will be a cooker who help you to cook your fishes in a local way: simple but tasty.

Depending on the quality and the difficulty of each tour, the prices for fishing tours in Phu Quoc are varied. If you are a newbie and just want to try something different, you can join a night squid fishing tour at the price of around USD 35/person. On the other hand, a day fishing tour for professionals may cost at least USD 150/person.

Go Fishing & Catch Your Own Fish!

 

10. Discover Suoi Tranh Waterfall

Only 9km far from Duong Dong town is Suoi Tranh Waterfall - a small but lovely natural fall stay quietly at the East of Phu Quoc Island. Swimming, fishing, and camping are some most interesting activities that you can do at Suoi Trang Waterfall. However, as the fall is quite small and closed at night, it is recommended that you should enjoy it in the daytime only and visit it in the rainy season (from June to October) which is the most beautiful time of it.

Discover Suoi Tranh Waterfall

 

11. Amazing Sunset at Mango Bay

Just nearby Duong Dong town (only around 6.5km) is Mango Bay - the best place to admire the sunset in Phu Quoc Island. You can book a table at the restaurant of Mango Bay resort and come here at 5.30 pm to enjoy a cafe or cocktail and watch the gorgeous sunset scenery before having a romantic dinner on the beach. It may cost you around USD 100 - 200 for a luxury dinner here but if it’s your anniversary, so it may be not so expensive for a night for two right? On the other hand, if you want to save money, only a cocktail is enough and then you can have dinner anywhere else at a more reasonable price.

Amazing Sunset at Mango Bay

 

12. Visit Coi Nguon Museum

• Address: 149 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
• Opening hours: 7.30 am - 5.30 pm (every day)
• Ticket price: VND 20,000/person

Coi Nguon Museum is a personal gallery of Mr. Huynh Phuoc Hue - a local in Phu Quoc. The museum is not so big and well designed; however, if you want to have a general view of this island, it is a reputable address. Come to Coi Nguon Museum, you will have a chance to explore 7 exhibitions with 3 collections as below:

• Phu Quoc sea and forest collection, include 20 artifacts from sea cow bones, whales, wild boar's fangs and 90 kinds of snails and shells, 10 types of coral, 20 rocks, fossil mosses, and introduction of marine artifacts.
• Collection of driftwood, mountain apricot, bamboo, gong, mountain guava, includes 64 sets of chairs and 30 artworks on display, collected and crafted by the facility for nearly 10 years, illustrating artworks. 
• The collection of Phu Quoc country and people through the periods, include: 300 bibliographies, documents in English, Vietnamese and French, is the database to learn and research about Phu Quoc's history throughout the process. preserve, build and protect the people of the island.

Visit Coi Nguon Museum

 

13. Try the Fish & Chips at Rory’s

You can’t come to Phu Quoc without spending at least one night at Rory’s Beach Bar - the most famous site for nightlife on this island. It is a romantic beachfront bar for those who want to watch the sea and the evening sunset. The bar serves Western dishes such as wine, cocktails, hamburgers, etc. Self-service is mainly, you go to the counter to order drinks and then find a seat yourself.

According to most visitors, the quality of food and drinks here is very good, commensurate with the price and beautifully presented. The signature dish here is the Fish & Chips which are made from everyday fresh fish in Phu Quoc and say no with frozen ones to guarantee the best quality of food. If you need a lovely place to chill in Phu Quoc, don’t forget Rory’s with its famous Fish & Chip.

Try the Fish & Chips at Rory’s Bar

 

14. Refresh yourself at Da Ban Spring

You are an adventurer and miss a trek? Well, Da Ban Spring welcomes you. Don’t be so surprised if you can go trekking instead of lying on a beach on an island like Phu Quoc. This destination owns a huge national park also. Da Ban Spring is a highlight of Phu Quoc National Park which is only 10km from Duong Dong Town. You can reach the gate by car or motorbike; however, after that, you will have to walk to the spring. 

The best time to visit Da Ban Spring is from May to November when it’s full of water during the rainy season. There are many rocks scattered on the stream, creating a unique and beautiful scene that can’t be found anywhere else. When coming here to visit, you will be able to see the poetic natural scenery, immerse yourself in the cool fresh air. In particular, this place is also very suitable for camping, outdoor BBQ parties right next to the stream, and of course, swimming.

Refresh yourself at Da Ban Spring

 

15. Visit Pepper Farm

Pepper is the most important specialty of Phu Quoc. This island provides the best-qualified pepper not only in Vietnam but also in the worldwide market. Usually, a short trip to a pepper farm is included in most of Phu Quoc day tour, especially the one which take you to explore the South area of this island where you can find most of the pepper farms here. Visiting a pepper farm in Phu Quoc, you will have a chance to learn about how to raise pepper trees, try to harvest them, taste and buy some as a souvenir. 

Visit Pepper Farm

 

16. Taste Wine at the Sim Wine Factory

Sim is a fruit that you can find wildly almost everywhere in Vietnam. It is super cheap, looks like a type of blueberry, has light sweetness, and is a familiar snack for children in the countryside. On Phu Quoc island, the value of Sim is higher as people here plant Sim trees on a big scale, make it become of type of fruit wine that is tastier than the popular grape wine.

When the Sim is ripe, people will pick up the ripe berries and bring them home to wash, puree, and then ferment with sugar in a certain ratio. The incubation time takes about 1 month until fermentation and the wine has a pinkish pink color like wine, taste the sweetness and add a bit of acrid taste. Come to the Sim wine factory, you will have a chance to explore the Sim garden, taste this lovely fruit, learn more about the process of making Sim wine, try the wine, and buy some to chill later. 

Taste Wine at the Sim Wine Factory

 

17. Come and see Ho Quoc Pagoda

Although Ho Quoc Pagoda is not an ancient site; however, it’s is the biggest religious construction on Phu Quoc Island. Was built in 2011 and opened in 2012, Ho Quoc Pagoda (also called Truc Lam Ho Quoc Monastery) is 12ha large and located in a good position due to the “feng shui” theory. As this site is around 25km far from Duong Dong town, it may take you around 35 minutes to get to the pagoda. Although it stays quite far, if you are interested in Vietnamese religious architecture or have any wishes, Ho Quoc Pagoda is definitely a suitable place.  

Ho Quoc Pagoda

 

18. Buy Fish Sauce at Factory

Fish Sauce is the specialty of all coastal citíes and islands in Vietnam; of course, Phu Quoc island is not an exception. In fact, Phu Quoc owns the best fish sauce in Vietnam which contains high protein with the taste and smell are all perfect. You might be amazed to know that Phu Quoc fish sauce has the largest export volume here, after the pepper.

Visiting a factory in Phu Quoc, you will have a chance to know more about how to make fish sauce from choosing fishes step, to fermented and bottled. Also, buying fish sauce in a factory is the best choice to avoid the fake one that can be found anywhere else even in Phu Quoc. The only problem is that if you are not a fan of fish sauce, come to these factories may not be a good option for your trip as the smell of fermented fish may make you feel not so well.

Buy Fish Sauce at Factory

Above are more than 15 must-do activities in Phu Quoc. Of course, there are more things to experience in a big destination like Phu Quoc island that you should surprise yourself with.

Talk with us if you have any questions to organize your trip best or else you can book a Phu Quoc tour and tell us what do you want so we can try our best to help you have an unforgettable trip to this amazing Island!

MinKJ

Image source: Internet