Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island and its easiest beach escape: clear water, seafood straight off the boats, and roads quiet enough to explore by motorbike. The island splits into three parts - the north with Rach Vem's starfish beach and the big theme parks, Duong Dong town in the middle with the night market and sunsets, and the south with Sao and Khem beaches, the Hon Thom cable car and the An Thoi islands. Base yourself in Duong Dong and take one area a day.

When to go

Climate

Monthly climate averages for Phu Quoc
Month	Avg temp (°C)	Rainfall (mm)	Rainy days (≥1 mm)
January	25.9	28	4.6
February	26.6	27	3.7
March	27.8	61	6.6
April	28.5	148	11.7
May	28.6	281	19.0
June	28.0	382	21.0
July	27.6	419	22.5
August	27.5	486	23.6
September	27.2	474	22.8
October	26.8	354	21.5
November	26.9	164	13.8
December	26.3	59	6.2

Data: long-term station averages from the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology (IBST). Rainy days as reported by the station.

Best Months to Visit

Best time: Nov-Apr dry season is the main window: calm seas on the west coast (Long Beach, Duong Dong) and the best time for island tours and snorkelling. May-Oct the southwest monsoon makes the west coast rough and murky, but the east and south beaches (Bai Sao, Bai Khem) stay calm and clear, with far fewer crowds. The rainy season has its upsides: streams like Suoi Tranh and Suoi Da Ban only run properly after the rains start, prices drop Jun-Sep, and tram mushrooms, a local specialty, appear for a few weeks early in the rainy season. Early Apr and late Oct are good shoulder weeks; book ahead for Christmas and New Year.

Highlights

What To Do

Nature & Outdoors

Swimming
Kayaking
Wildlife

Culture & History

Photography
Culture
Walking Tour
History
Religious Site Visit

Activities & Adventure

Cable Car

Chill & Relax

Beach
Boat Tour

Food & Local Life

Food
Markets
Nightlife
Shopping

Route Map

Suggested Itineraries

2D1N

Island highlights

Day 1South: Ho Quoc Pagoda, Khem and Sao beaches

Hộ Quốc PagodaKhem BeachBãi Sao BeachPhú Quốc Night Market

Duong Dong to Bai Sao is about 26km, 40min-1h by motorbike, with Ho Quoc Pagoda on the way - go early before the heat. Khem and Sao are a few minutes apart and both free to access. Back to Duong Dong for the night market.

Day 2East and north: Ham Ninh and Rach Vem starfish beach

Hàm Ninh Fishing VillageRạch Vẹm Fishing Village & Starfish Beach

Morning at Ham Ninh for the pier and fresh crab. Ham Ninh to Rach Vem is about 31km, 40min-1h. Rach Vem back to Duong Dong is about 20km, 30min.

3D2N

One area a day

Day 1Duong Dong: sunset and night market

Phú Quốc Night Market

Settle in around Duong Dong or Long Beach. Sunset at Dinh Cau rock, then dinner at the night market.

Day 2South: beaches, Hon Thom cable car, Sunset Town

Hộ Quốc PagodaKhem BeachBãi Sao BeachHòn Thơm Cable Car

Ho Quoc Pagoda first thing, then Khem and Sao beaches and lunch at Sao. The cable car runs in the afternoon from 13:30 and starts at Sunset Town, so stay on for sunset there. Duong Dong to Bai Sao is about 26km, 40min-1h.

Day 3East and north: Ham Ninh and Rach Vem

Hàm Ninh Fishing VillageRạch Vẹm Fishing Village & Starfish Beach

Ham Ninh in the morning, then Ham Ninh to Rach Vem is about 31km, 40min-1h. Rach Vem back to Duong Dong is about 20km, 30min.

4D3N

Add the An Thoi islands

Day 1Duong Dong: sunset and night market

Phú Quốc Night Market

Settle in around Duong Dong or Long Beach. Sunset at Dinh Cau rock, then dinner at the night market.

Day 2South: beaches, Hon Thom cable car, Sunset Town

Hộ Quốc PagodaKhem BeachBãi Sao BeachHòn Thơm Cable Car

Ho Quoc Pagoda first thing, then Khem and Sao beaches and lunch at Sao. The cable car runs in the afternoon from 13:30 and starts at Sunset Town, so stay on for sunset there.

Day 3East and north: Ham Ninh and Rach Vem

Hàm Ninh Fishing VillageRạch Vẹm Fishing Village & Starfish Beach

Ham Ninh in the morning, then on to Rach Vem's starfish beach, about 31km, 40min-1h.

Day 4Boat trip around the An Thoi islands

Worth it if you have the time: a boat tour from An Thoi to the small southern islands for snorkelling. Prefer theme parks? Swap this day for Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders in the north, and book Safari a day ahead.

Places to Visit · 10 spots

Beach

Bai Truong (Long Beach)

Bãi Trường (Long Beach) is a roughly 20 km stretch of sand on Phú Quốc's west coast, from Dương Đông down towards An Thới - known for some of the island's best sunsets, beach bars and fire shows, with conditions that vary a lot by section.

Oct - May

Village

Hàm Ninh Fishing Village

Hàm Ninh Fishing Village on Phú Quốc's east coast is the island's oldest surviving fishing community - wooden stilt houses over the water, fresh crab and oysters straight off the morning boats, and a world away from the resort side of the island.

Nov - Apr

Pagoda

Hộ Quốc Pagoda

Hộ Quốc Pagoda (officially Thiền Viện Trúc Lâm Hộ Quốc) is the largest Buddhist temple complex on Phú Quốc - a 110-hectare site in Dương Tơ commune, in the island's south near Bãi Sao, built in Lý-Trần dynasty style with mountains behind and the sea in front.

Nov - Apr

Cable Car

Hòn Thơm Cable Car

Hòn Thơm Cable Car is the world's longest non-stop three-rope cable car - 8km across open sea from Phú Quốc's southern tip to Hòn Thơm island, crossing at up to 174 metres above the water with panoramic views of the southern archipelago, fishing villages, and on clear days the sea floor visible below.

Nov - Apr

Beach

Khem Beach

Khem Beach on Phú Quốc's southeast coast is one of the island's most beautiful beaches - a long arc of fine white sand with clear turquoise water, best visited May-September when the southeast-facing coast is sheltered from the northeast monsoon. The name likely comes from 'kem' (cream) - a nod to the soft, white, cream-like sand underfoot.

May - Sep

Market

Phú Quốc Night Market

Phú Quốc Night Market (Chợ Đêm Bạch Đằng) in Dương Đông is the island's most well-known evening market, formerly known as Chợ Đêm Dinh Cậu before relocating - grilled seafood, souvenirs, and pearl stalls fill a riverside street, though the footprint has shrunk in 2026 due to ongoing riverside redevelopment.

Nov - Apr

Village

Rạch Vẹm Fishing Village & Starfish Beach

Rạch Vẹm on Phú Quốc's northern coast combines two experiences: a traditional stilt-house fishing village built over the sea, and Starfish Beach (Bãi Sao Biển) where hundreds of large red starfish are visible in shallow clear water. One of the last untouched corners of Phú Quốc - under redevelopment pressure as of 2026.

Nov - Apr

Beach

Bãi Sao Beach

Bãi Sao Beach on Phú Quốc's southeastern coast - over 2km of fine white sand in a sheltered bay with calm turquoise water. Unlike most Phú Quốc beaches, Bãi Sao is at its best June-October when the southwest monsoon keeps the bay sheltered and the water crystal clear.

Jun - Oct

Photo coming soon

Theme Park

Vinpearl Safari

Vinpearl Safari is Vietnam's first and largest open-format wildlife park - 380 hectares of savannah and jungle habitat on Phú Quốc Island housing over 3,000 animals including lions, giraffes, white rhinos, zebras, and orangutans in semi-open enclosures.

Nov - Apr

Photo coming soon

Theme Park

VinWonders Phú Quốc

VinWonders Phú Quốc is Vietnam's largest theme park - a 50-hectare resort complex on the northern coast with water parks, rides, aquarium, live shows, and a private beach. Best suited for families with children.

Nov - Apr

Getting There

Ho Chi Minh Cityfly

45 minutesfrom 600,000 VND

Multiple daily flights. Most convenient option. Airport is in the south of the island.

Hanoifly

2 hoursfrom 900,000 VND

Rach Giaferry

2.5 hours200,000-250,000 VND

Superdong or Phu Quoc Express ferry. Slower but scenic. Good if you want to avoid flying.

Ha Tienferry

1-1.5 hours150,000-200,000 VND

Closest mainland port. Good option if coming overland from Cambodia.

Emergency & help

112Emergency (all services)
113Police
114Fire and rescue
115Ambulance

Free from any phone. National emergency line since 2025, routes to police, fire or ambulance.