Phu Quoc 2026: the complete guide — weather, beaches, hotels, prices
Vietnam's largest island, 574 km² in the Gulf of Thailand. A 30-day visa exemption for foreigners of any nationality, an international airport, 20 km of beach, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and the longest over-sea cable car in the world.
Best time to visit Phu Quoc: weather month by month
Choosing the right month is the first real decision when you plan a trip to Phú Quốc. The island sits in a tropical monsoon climate with two clear seasons: dry (November–April) and wet (May–October). The sea averages 28 °C, so you can swim year-round — but what the water actually looks like depends heavily on the season.
The sweet spot — November to March
The dry season runs November through April. Phu Quoc is one of Vietnam's headline beach destinations (see Vietnam's official tourism board). The best months are December, January, February and March: little rain, plenty of sun, humidity around 75–78%, and the clearest visibility for diving (up to 15 metres). February is the driest month of the year, with just three or four rainy days.
Rainy season — May to October
On Phu Quoc the rain mostly falls in the evening and overnight; daytime is often sunny. The key twist: the west and east coasts behave very differently.
- West coast (Long Beach) — murky water, chop, swimming is unpleasant
- East coast (Bãi Sao, Bãi Khem) — sheltered from the monsoon by the mountain ridge, clearer water, almost no waves
How to get to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc airport (PQC)
Phú Quốc International Airport (code PQC) sits in the middle of the island, 10 km from Dương Đông. One terminal with domestic and international sections, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange and baggage wrapping.
Most foreign visitors arrive by connecting through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, or on a direct regional flight (there are seasonal links from cities in East Asia). The most reliable route is a domestic hop from the mainland.
Domestic flights within Vietnam
| Route | Airlines | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc | Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo | ~1 h | 700,000–2,500,000 VND (~$28–100) |
| Hanoi → Phu Quoc | Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet | ~2 h 15 min | 1,000,000–4,000,000 VND (~$40–160) |
From the airport to your hotel
| Option | Price | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered taxi | 150,000–300,000 VND (~$6–12) | 15–30 min | To Long Beach ~150,000 VND |
| Grab / Maxim | 120,000–250,000 VND (~$5–10) | 15–30 min | Price shown up front |
| VinBus #17 / #19 | Free | ~30–40 min | Every 15–20 min |
| Hotel transfer | Free or $5–10 | 15–30 min | At 4–5★ hotels |
Ferry from the mainland
| Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Rạch Giá → Phu Quoc | 2.5–3 h | 290,000–400,000 VND (~$12–16) |
| Hà Tiên → Phu Quoc | 1–1.5 h | 185,000–300,000 VND (~$7.50–12) |
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerMap of Phu Quoc: areas and orientation
- Duong Dong (Dương Đông): Main town, port and markets — Center of the island's daily life
- Sao Beach (Bãi Sao): White sand, turquoise water — The best beach on the island
- Vinpearl Safari (Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc): 3,000+ animals, 150 species — 09:00–16:00 | open-bus safari
- VinWonders (VinWonders Phú Quốc): Vietnam's largest theme park — 09:00–21:00 | water park, rides
- Dinh Cau Temple (Đình Cậu): Shrine-lighthouse on a rock by the port — Free, open around the clock
- Night Market (Chợ đêm Phú Quốc): Seafood, souvenirs, street food — 18:00–23:30 | free entry
- Hon Thom Island (Hòn Thơm): 7.9 km cable car over the sea — Beaches, Sunset Town
Phu Quoc runs north to south: about 50 km long and up to 27 km wide. A central mountain ridge splits it into a west and an east coast. Almost all the tourist life is concentrated on the west coast and in the south.
Dương Đông — the island's capital
The one place on Phu Quoc with full everyday infrastructure: Vietcombank and BIDV ATMs, exchange counters, the King Kong Mart supermarket, pharmacies.
- Good for: travellers on a 3–5 day trip who want to be in the thick of it
- Key spots: the Bạch Đằng night market, Dinh Cậu temple, the daytime fish market
- Pros: everything close by — market, shops, cafes, port
- Cons: noisy, densely built, the beach isn't the best
Long Beach — the tourist heart
20 km of beach running south from Dương Đôngalong the west coast. This is where 95% of the island's hotels sit — from hostels at 150,000 VND (~$6) to the InterContinental and Novotel.
- North stretch — cheaper, closer to the night market
- Central — the InterContinental and Novotel zone, the main tourist strip
- South / Ba Keo — quieter, near the night market
Ông Lang — the calm north
A quiet beach 7–8 km north of Dương Đông. A string of sandy coves closed off by rocky headlands, with clear water even in the rainy season. Boutique resorts here — Mango Bay, Chen Sea, Peppercorn Beach ($80–200/night).
Bãi Dài — the Vinpearl zone
The northwest coast, 6 km of beach. Home to the Vinpearl Resort, Safari, VinWonders and a golf course.
The south (An Thới / Bãi Sao / Bãi Khem)
The most beautiful part of Phu Quoc: Sao and Khem beaches, the JW Marriott, Premier Village, the cable car to Hòn Thơm, Sunset Town and Grand World.
- Sunset Town — a Mediterranean-style district, the cable car's lower station, the Kiss Bridge
- Grand World — a 24/7 entertainment town: Venetian canals, parades, the VUI-Fest night market
Phu Quoc beaches: which one to choose
Phu Quoc has a dozen beaches, and picking the right one is half the battle. They're all free to enter (sun loungers cost extra).
Bãi Sao — the best beach on the island
Powder-white sand, turquoise water, the famous photo swings. Bãi Sao lands regularly on lists of Asia's best beaches. It sits in the southeast, 25 km from Dương Đông.
- Pros: Vietnam's prettiest beach, gentle entry, sheltered from the monsoon
- Cons: packed December to February; far from infrastructure
- Sun lounger: 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4)
"Sao Beach is the one from the postcards — flour-white sand, turquoise water, palm trees. Get there by 8 a.m. and you'll have it to yourself. By 11 the tour buses roll in and there's a half-hour queue for the photo swings."
Traveller review, TripAdvisor, 2025
Long Beach — the main beach
20 km of shoreline down the west coast, with all the infrastructure right there. The main reason to come in the evening is the sunsets. Phu Quoc faces west, and sundown here is a proper show.
Bãi Khem — the secluded south
"Cream Beach" — white sand, clear water, quiet. Right next to the JW Marriott, the most luxurious hotel on the island, and a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons.
Ông Lang — for calm swimming
A series of small coves sheltered from the waves by rocky headlands. The water stays clear even in the rainy season — one of the few beaches you can swim at year-round.
Starfish Beach (Rạch Vem)
Shallows dotted with hundreds of live starfish. They're only visible in the morning at low tide, so arrive before 10:00. Don't lift the starfish out of the water — it harms them.
Beaches compared
| Beach | Coast | From town | Good for | In the rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bãi Sao | East | 25 km | Photos, scenery | Clear |
| Long Beach | West | 0–15 km | Everyone | Murky |
| Bãi Khem | South | 32 km | Quiet, luxury | Clear |
| Ông Lang | West | 7–8 km | Couples, families | Clear |
| Rạch Vem | North | 25 km | Starfish | Accessible |
Phu Quoc attractions: what to see
The Hòn Thơm cable car — the island's icon
The longest over-sea cable car in the world at 7,899 metres (a Guinness World Record). In 15 minutes it carries you above the southern islands to Hòn Thơm, home to the Aquatopia water park (21 slides), a beach and a wooden roller coaster.
- Ticket: 690,000–750,000 VND adult / 560,000–600,000 VND child (~$28–30 / ~$22–24)
- Combo (cable car + lunch): 1,000,000 VND (~$40)
- Hours: 8:30–17:30
Vinpearl Safari — Vietnam's biggest safari park
380 hectares, over 3,000 animals and 150 species: tigers, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephants. The park splits into a Safari zone (drive-through by bus among free-roaming animals) and an Open Zoo (on foot).
- Ticket: 650,000 VND adult / 500,000 VND child (~$26 / ~$20)
- Hours: 9:00–16:00
VinWonders — the theme park
Vietnam's largest theme park: a water park, VR rides, roller coasters and a turtle-shaped aquarium.
- Ticket: 880,000 VND adult / 680,000 VND child (~$35 / ~$27)
- Combo (VinWonders + Safari): 1,350,000 VND adult / 1,000,000 VND child (~$54 / ~$40)
- Hours: 9:00–21:00
Grand World and Sunset Town
Grand World is a Venice-themed entertainment town: canals with gondolas, street parades, the VUI-Fest night market. Open around the clock, free entry.
Sunset Townis a Mediterranean-style district by the cable car. The Kiss Bridge, plus the "Kiss of the Sea" show (from 700,000 VND / ~$28, 60+ performers, fire and water effects).
The national park and other sights
- National park — a UNESCO biosphere reserve, trekking, Tranh waterfall. Free entry
- Coconut Tree Prison (Nhà Tù Phú Quốc) — a museum from the Vietnam War era. Free, 7:30–11:00 and 13:30–17:00
- Hộ Quốc pagoda — the island's largest Buddhist temple (110 ha), panoramic sea view. Free, 6:00–18:00
- Dinh Cậu temple — the symbol of Dương Đông, a shrine on a rock by the sea. Great sunsets
- Pepper farms — a ~30-min tour with tasting, pepper from 50,000 VND/bag
- Fish sauce factory — the home of Vietnam's best nước mắm. Free entry
- Pearl farms — Ngoc Hien (the largest), Phu Quoc Pearl. Free tours
Things to do and activities on Phu Quoc
Boat tours
- Southern islands tour — snorkelling, fishing, a seafood lunch. From 600,000 VND (~$24), full day
- Night squid fishing — fishing by lamplight, dinner from your catch. From 400,000 VND (~$16), 4–5 hours
- Sarita catamaran — a sailing trip, snorkelling, BBQ. From 1,500,000 VND (~$60)
- Three-beach tour — Bãi Sao, Starfish Beach, Ông Lang. From 500,000 VND (~$20)
- Basket boat — bamboo boats, a spring-roll class. From 300,000 VND (~$12)
Diving and snorkelling
Best season: November–April (visibility up to 15 metres). Sites: the southern islands Hòn Thơm, Hòn Mây Rút and the An Thới reef. English-speaking dive centres are easy to find.
| Type | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkelling (part of a tour) | from 600,000 VND (~$24) | Mask, fins, boat included |
| Try dive | from $50–70 | 1 dive with an instructor |
| Certified (2 dives) | from $80–100 | Morning and afternoon dive |
"Snorkelling around the southern islands is the best I've seen in Southeast Asia. Water clear to 12–15 metres, living coral, clownfish, moray eels and even a small turtle. Everything included, about $70 a dive."
Traveller review, TripAdvisor, 2025
Spa and mud baths
- Versailles Mud Bath Spa — mud baths, sauna, massage. Package ~500,000–700,000 VND (~$20–28)
- Galina Mud Bath & Spa — a mud-therapy spa on the beach. From 300,000 VND (~$12)
- Phu Quoc Day Spa — massage and beauty treatments. From 200,000 VND (~$8)
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerPhu Quoc hotels: budget to luxury
Top five 5★ hotels
| Hotel | Where | Per night | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| JW Marriott | Bãi Khem | from $250–500 | The most luxurious; Bill Bensley design |
| InterContinental | Long Beach | from $200–400 | Best sunset view; infinity pool |
| Vinpearl Resort | Bãi Dài | from $130–300 | Next to Safari and VinWonders; all-inclusive |
| Novotel | Long Beach | from $100–200 | Best value for the class |
| Premier Village | An Thới | from $200–450 | Villas with a private pool |
3–4★ hotels — the sweet spot for most people
Cost: 1,200,000–3,000,000 VND/night (~$48–120). Reliable choices: Best Western Premier Sonasea, Salinda Resort, Sol by Melia, Cassia Cottage. On Ông Lang — the boutique resorts Mango Bay, Chen Sea, Peppercorn Beach ($80–200/night).
Budget options
- Guesthouse / mini-hotel in Dương Đông: 300,000–600,000 VND/night (~$12–24)
- Hostel (dorm): 150,000–300,000 VND (~$6–12)
- Budget hotel on Long Beach: 400,000–800,000 VND (~$16–32)
Food and markets on Phu Quoc
Dương Đông night market
On Bạch Đằng street in central Dương Đông, daily 18:00–23:30. Grilled seafood everywhere: oysters, prawns, scallops, squid, barracuda. You pick your live seafood at the stall and they cook it in front of you.
- Prices: from 20,000 VND (~$0.80) for skewers up to 400,000 VND (~$16) for big dishes
- Dinner for two: 300,000–700,000 VND (~$12–28)
"The night market was the food highlight of Phu Quoc. You pick live prawns and scallops off the counter and they grill them right there over coals. Dinner for two with beer came to about 500,000 dong. The cheese oysters at 10,000 each are a must."
Traveller review, TripAdvisor, 2025
What to try
| Dish | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bún quốc | Phu Quoc's signature fish-and-herb noodle soup | 40,000–60,000 VND (~$1.60–2.40) |
| Sea urchin | An island delicacy, raw or baked | from 80,000 VND (~$3.20) |
| Cheese oysters | Baked with melted cheese | 10,000–15,000 VND/piece (~$0.40–0.60) |
| Grilled squid | Freshly caught, over coals | from 100,000 VND (~$4) |
| Coconut coffee | With coconut milk | 25,000–40,000 VND (~$1–1.60) |
Where to eat
Premium: On the Rock (Mango Bay) — a terrace over the sea; The Pepper Tree (La Veranda) — refined Vietnamese cooking; Chez Carole — French-Vietnamese.
Mid-range:Crab House — spiced crab; Itaca Resto-Lounge — tapas and Vietnamese dishes; Rory's Beach Bar — barbecue and sunsets.
An average cafe bill runs 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8). Food on Phu Quoc is 15–25% pricier than on the mainland.
Phu Quoc prices in 2026: how much to budget
Real price table
| Item | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese coffee | 25,000–40,000 | ~$1–1.60 |
| Street food (a soup) | 40,000–80,000 | ~$1.60–3.20 |
| Beer at a cafe | 30,000–60,000 | ~$1.20–2.40 |
| Seafood (for two) | 400,000–800,000 | ~$16–32 |
| Scooter rental (per day) | 120,000–250,000 | ~$5–10 |
| Cable car | 690,000–750,000 | ~$28–30 |
| VinWonders | 750,000 | ~$30 |
| Vinpearl Safari | 750,000 | ~$30 |
| Island tour | from 600,000 | from ~$24 |
| Massage (1 hour) | 200,000–400,000 | ~$8–16 |
| Budget hotel | 300,000–600,000 | ~$12–24 |
| 3–4★ hotel | 1,200,000–3,000,000 | ~$48–120 |
| 5★ hotel | from 3,500,000 | from ~$140 |
Trip budgets (7 days, one person)
| Level | Per day | Per 7 days |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ~$40 | ~$280 |
| Mid-range | ~$100 | ~$700 |
| Comfort | ~$200 | ~$1,400 |
| Luxury | from $400 | from $2,800 |
Budgets exclude flights. Roughly 25,000 VND = $1 — carry cash for markets, stalls and taxis, and keep a card for hotels and the parks.
Getting around Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has no proper public transport. Without a scooter or taxi you won't see much of the island. Distances are big: Dương Đông to Bãi Sao is 25 km, and so is Vinpearl Safari.
Renting a scooter
Taxis and Grab
| Type | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grab car | from 12,000–20,000 VND/km (~$0.50–0.80) | Price shown up front |
| Maxim / InDrive | 10–20% cheaper than Grab | Alternatives |
| Car with driver for a day | ~1,000,000–1,500,000 VND (~$40–60) | Handy for a full island loop |
"We wintered on Phu Quoc for four months. Rented a house with a pool near Ong Lang for $600 a month. Peace and quiet, five minutes to the beach by scooter, sunsets every evening that never get old. The downside: everything shuts after 10 p.m., so if you're used to city life it can feel slow. But for a reset it's perfect."
Expat review, 2025
Free shuttle buses
- VinBus #17: Airport → Dương Đông → Grand World (every 15–20 min)
- VinBus #19: Airport → Long Beach → Grand World
- SunWorld: Long Beach Mart → Sunset Town (with a cable-car ticket)
Shopping: what to buy on Phu Quoc
Pearls — the signature souvenir
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's biggest producer of sea pearls. The best farms: Ngoc Hien (the largest) and Phu Quoc Pearl. Tours are free.
- Jewellery: from $10; pearl strands 850,000–2,200,000 VND (~$34–88)
- How to spot the real thing: rub it against your teeth — a real pearl feels gritty and scratches; a fake is smooth
What else to buy
| Product | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Black pepper | Farms, night market | from 50,000 VND (~$2) |
| Fish sauce (nước mắm) | Factories, market | from 30,000 VND (~$1.20) |
| Sim wine (Rượu Sim) | Market, shops | from 80,000 VND (~$3.20) |
| Coffee beans | Markets, supermarkets | from 60,000 VND (~$2.40) |
Phu Quoc's three "brands" are pearls, pepper and fish sauce. You'll pay less at the farms and factories than at the night market.
Phu Quoc for foreign travellers: practical tips
Visa
Phu Quoc has a rare perk: a 30-day visa exemption for foreigners of any nationality, as long as you fly in directly and stay only on the island. Step off the island onto the mainland and you need a regular entry — most travellers use the e-visa.
| Type | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Island visa exemption | 30 days | Free |
| E-visa (single entry) | up to 90 days | $25 |
| E-visa (multiple entry) | up to 90 days | $50 |
Apply on the official portal evisa.gov.vn, and always check the current rules for your passport before booking.
Money and cards
Bring USD in 100-dollar bills for the best exchange rate; exchange counters cluster in Dương Đông. ATMs — Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank — charge around 50,000 VND (~$2) per withdrawal.
Cards: hotels, resorts, the theme parks and larger restaurants take Visa and Mastercard. The night market, street stalls, taxis and small cafes are cash-only, so always keep some dong on you.
Safety
Phu Quoc is one of the safest resort destinations in Southeast Asia.
Connectivity and SIM
4G covers the whole island. A local SIM is cheaper at the official offices in Dương Đông than at the airport (~30% markup at arrivals); bring your passport to buy one. Viettel has the best coverage. An eSIM from Airalo or Holafly — handy to set up before you fly — runs from about $1.20/GB. WhatsApp works normally, and locals use Zalo.
Health
Phu Quoc has the international Vinmec Phu Quoc hospital (150 beds, 10 departments) and a Vinmec Dương Đông clinic in the town centre. A large new multi-specialty hospital, the International Sun Phu Quoc Hospital, opens in March 2026. For serious cases, evacuation to Ho Chi Minh City is about an hour by plane.
Phu Quoc pros and cons
Pros
- Vietnam's best beaches. Bãi Sao lands regularly on lists of Asia's best
- World-class attractions. Vinpearl Safari, VinWonders, the cable car, Grand World
- Nature. 70% of the island is tropical jungle, a UNESCO reserve
- Unique activities. Pearl farms, pepper plantations, night squid fishing
- Safety. One of the calmest resorts in Asia
Cons
- Hard without a scooter. No public transport, distances of 10–30 km
- Long Beach turns murky in the rains. The west coast catches the monsoon swell
- Fast development. The wild feel is slowly fading
- Pricier than the mainland. 15–25% more than Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City
- Getting there takes effort. Most foreigners connect through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi
FAQ — common questions about Phu Quoc
Do I need a visa for Phu Quoc?
Phu Quoc has a special 30-day visa exemption for foreigners of any nationality who fly in directly and stay only on the island. For the rest of Vietnam, most travellers use the e-visa (up to 90 days) from evisa.gov.vn, and several nationalities also get a standard visa-free stay. Check the rules for your passport before you book.
Can I pay by card on Phu Quoc?
Hotels, resorts, big restaurants and the theme parks take Visa and Mastercard. Street stalls, the night market, taxis and small cafes are cash-only, so carry dong. ATMs from Vietcombank, BIDV and Agribank are in Dương Đông; withdrawal fees are around 50,000 VND (~$2). Bring USD in 100-dollar bills for the best exchange rate.
How do I get around without a scooter?
Grab and Maxim work across the island (150,000–300,000 VND / ~$6–12 a ride), free VinBus shuttles connect the airport, Dương Đông and Grand World, and you can hire a car with driver for a day (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND / ~$40–60). That covers the main sights, but wild beaches, Tranh waterfall and the far north really need a scooter.
What mistakes do first-time visitors make?
Booking a Long Beach hotel in the rainy season (the water turns murky — pick Ông Lang or the east coast), riding a scooter at night on unlit dirt roads, buying pearls at the night market rather than the Ngoc Hien farm (2–3x markup), and turning up at Bãi Sao after 11:00 when the tour buses arrive. Come by 8 a.m. instead.
Phu Quoc or Mui Ne — which is better for 7–10 days?
Phu Quoc if you want to mix beach time with attractions (Safari, VinWonders, island hopping, diving). Mui Ne if your main goal is surfing, kitesurfing or a budget beach stay. Phu Quoc runs 20–30% pricier but is far more varied; Mui Ne is simpler logistically — four hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City.
What should I do if I get sick or injured?
Go to Vinmec Phu Quoc, which accepts travel-insurance policies. Serious cases can be evacuated to Ho Chi Minh City in about an hour. Make sure your insurance covers evacuation and, if you rent a scooter, motorbike cover. Without insurance a consultation at Vinmec starts around 500,000 VND (~$20).
How do I prepare kids for the flight and acclimatisation?
Acclimatising takes two to three days, so keep the first days light on active excursions. Pack a strong kids' SPF 50+ (local brands are weak), powdered electrolytes (dehydration) and a mosquito net for the stroller. If you connect through Ho Chi Minh City, allow at least three hours — the terminal is cramped and family facilities are limited.