Rạch Vẹm Fishing Village & Starfish Beach

Rạch Vẹm is a working fishing village on Phú Quốc's northern coast, approximately 25km from Dương Đông, where the island's mangrove-fringed coast faces the Gulf of Thailand and the distant Cambodian coastline. The village consists of simple wooden stilt houses built directly over the sea - each with a fish cage below and a small boat for daily inshore fishing.

It is one of the last stretches of Phú Quốc that looks the way the whole island did before large-scale resort development, and as of 2026 it faces rezoning pressure that may transform it significantly in the coming years. Offshore from the village, Starfish Beach (Bãi Sao Biển) is a shallow tidal flat where large numbers of Protoreaster nodosus - red horned sea stars up to 30cm across - congregate in clear water of 30-80cm depth, visible without snorkeling gear.

From Dương Đông, take the northern coastal road approximately 25km - about 35-40 minutes by motorbike. The main road is paved, but the final access road into the village is red dirt and can be dusty or muddy depending on conditions. From the village at Mũi Hàm Rồng, speedboats run to Starfish Beach (100,000 VND/person return). Alternatively, continue past the village by motorbike directly to Starfish Beach and walk along the shoreline - recommended for independent travelers. Grab is available but less reliable this far north.

The visit naturally divides into two parts. The fishing village is a short walk or boat ride from the main road: wooden stilt houses over the water, fish cages visible below, small boats, drying fish. The atmosphere is genuinely working-village rather than tourist attraction. Starfish Beach is a shallow tidal flat where the starfish are visible in calm clear water - most concentrated at low tide.

The beach itself is relatively short and unmanicured, with some litter present. No facilities: no toilets, no showers, no changing rooms as of 2026. The floating restaurants moored near the village serve fresh seafood - the standard itinerary is beach in the morning, then lunch at the floating restaurant on the return. Recommended dishes: gỏi cá trích (herring salad) and cơm chiên ghẹ (crab fried rice).

Rạch Vẹm is worth visiting specifically because it has not yet been absorbed into Phú Quốc's resort circuit - but that window may be closing. Visit in the morning for the best conditions and to follow the natural rhythm: beach first, floating restaurant lunch, then head back south. Combine with Gành Dầu village (5km away) for a full northern Phú Quốc half-day. Come prepared: bring water, sunscreen, and a change of clothes since there are no facilities at the beach.