BEACHES & COAST
Cua Can Beach
Beach
North-coast beach near a small estuary where the Cua Can river meets the sea. Good for kayaking and exploring the mangrove channels inland. A handful of basic restaurants. Very local atmosphere.
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Ganh Dau Beach
Beach
Remote beach at the island's northwestern tip with views to Cambodia. Very few tourists and no resort development. The drive north through the national park is itself an attraction.
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Long Beach (Bai Truong)
Beach
Phu Quoc's longest beach -- 20 km of west-facing sand ideal for sunsets. The main tourist strip with hotels, beach bars, and watersports. Calm water in dry season (November to April) but waves pick up in low season.
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Ong Lang Beach
Beach
Quiet beach north of Long Beach. Rocky outcrops and several boutique eco-resorts line the shore. Calmer and more natural-feeling than the main strip, popular with travellers seeking seclusion.
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9Rach Vem Beach & Starfish Sandbank
Beach
A sandbank accessible by longtail boat from Rach Vem village. Historically famous for sea stars (starfish), now protected. The surrounding clear shallows and the remote village make it a worthwhile half-day trip.
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8Sao Beach (Bai Sao)
Beach
Widely considered the most beautiful beach on Phu Quoc -- powdery white sand and vivid turquoise water in a sheltered bay on the southeast coast. A row of seafood shacks lines the shore. Best visited on weekdays.
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Vung Bau Beach
Beach
Secluded north-coast beach backed by casuarina pines. A few fishing boats and a simple seafood restaurant. The water is clear with some coral near the rocks. Rarely crowded even in peak season.
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Hon Thom (Pineapple Island)
Snorkel spot
Tropical island accessible by the world's longest non-stop three-rope cable car from An Thoi. Beautiful beach on arrival, snorkel reefs offshore, the Sun World Hon Thom aquatic park, and jungle trails inland.
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North Islands Snorkel (Hon Mong Tay)
Snorkel spot
Small island near Ganh Dau with clear water and coral formations rarely visited by tour groups. Day trips from the north of the island offer a more exclusive snorkelling experience than the busy An Thoi routes.
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Turtle Island (Hon Rua) Snorkel
Snorkel spot
Small island in the An Thoi chain with healthy coral and frequent sightings of sea turtles, giant clams, and reef fish. Included in most snorkelling day-trip itineraries from An Thoi pier.
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NATURE
3Phu Quoc National Park
Nature
Primary rainforest covering about 31,000 hectares -- more than a third of the island. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Trails through jungle, streams, and hills with diverse wildlife including macaques and monitor lizards.
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4Phu Quoc Pepper Farm
Nature
Phu Quoc black pepper is one of Vietnam's most prized exports. Several working pepper farms open to visitors, particularly in the Kien Giang district. Short tours explain cultivation from flowering vine to dried corn.
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Suoi Da Ban Waterfall
Nature
A series of rock pools and cascades deep in the national park, reached by a 30-minute jungle hike. Far fewer visitors than Suoi Tranh. Water flow is best in September and October.
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10Suoi Tranh Waterfall
Nature
A natural freshwater waterfall 10 km from Duong Dong, accessible via a short jungle walk. Swimming holes beneath the falls. Popular on weekends. Best flow from June to October during the wet season.
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Vinpearl Safari & Nature World
Nature
Open-plan safari park with free-roaming animals including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and white tigers. Part of the large Vinpearl resort complex in the island's north. Guided safari vehicles and walk-through enclosures.
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CULTURE & HISTORY
2Coconut Prison Museum (entry area)
Historic site
Supplementary historical exhibits at the Phu Quoc Prison site covering the island's broader history under French colonial rule and the Vietnam War. English-language placards. Free entry to exterior grounds; small fee for the main museum.
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5Dinh Cau Rock Temple
Historic site
A small but revered temple built atop a rock formation at the mouth of Duong Dong river, dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau who protects fishermen. Best visited at sunset. Surrounded by boats moored in the harbour.
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7Duong Dong Town Centre
Historic site
Phu Quoc's main town and administrative centre. The old market, Dinh Cau temple, fish sauce factories, and the night market are all within walking distance. More authentic daily life here than on the resort strip.
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1Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Historic site
Phu Quoc's oldest fishing settlement, perched on stilts above the east-coast shallows. Wooden houses connected by jetties, fishing boats moored below, and fresh seafood cooked in simple riverside restaurants.
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6Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison)
Historic site
A former French colonial, then American-backed prison from 1953 to 1975. One of Vietnam's most significant war memorials. Life-size dioramas, guard towers, and original cells document conditions for political prisoners.
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ACTIVITIES & LOCAL
Cua Can River Kayaking
Activity
Paddle through mangrove channels and along the Cua Can river through jungle-fringed banks. Half-day tours available from Cua Can beach. Quiet and peaceful -- a stark contrast to the busier coastal attractions.
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Sun World Hon Thom Cable Car
Activity
The world's longest non-stop three-rope cable car -- 8 km connecting An Thoi to Hon Thom island. The 15-minute crossing offers aerial views of the An Thoi archipelago and the Gulf of Thailand. The cable car ticket includes access to the Hon Thom water park.
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Sunset Sailing (Long Beach)
Activity
Several operators on Long Beach offer sunset sailing trips on traditional wooden boats or modern catamarans. Departures around 16:00 for the 1.5-hour cruise. Snacks and drinks included. The west-facing coast makes Phu Quoc's sunsets spectacular.
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Vinwonders Phu Quoc
Activity
Large theme park on the An Thoi peninsula with roller coasters, a water park, the Aquatopia water world, and evening shows. Vietnam's largest entertainment complex. Full-day experience; shuttle from main resorts available.
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Ben Tram Pearl Farm
Local producer
Phu Quoc has a long pearl farming tradition in the calm eastern bays. Several farms open to visitors show the cultivation process from seeding to harvest. Pearl jewellery sold on site at reasonable prices.
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Duong Dong Night Market
Local producer
The most popular evening market on the island, running nightly along the riverfront near Dinh Cau temple. Grilled seafood, pho, bun quay (local noodles), and tropical fruit. Best from 18:00. Haggling expected at craft stalls.
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Hung Thinh Fish Sauce Factory
Local producer
Phu Quoc's famous fish sauce is one of Vietnam's most prized condiments -- made by layering anchovies with salt in large wooden barrels for 12-18 months. Short factory tours explain the process and offer tasting. Free entry.
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Pepper Village & Local Markets
Local producer
The villages around Kien Giang and central Phu Quoc have small local markets selling fresh produce, dried seafood, and locally grown pepper. Visiting in the morning brings the most action. Cash only; no tourist prices.
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Rach Vem Floating Village
Local producer
A community of around 100 families living on floating houses in the north of the island. Reached by a dirt track and a short boat crossing. Residents farm pearl oysters and sea cucumber. One of Phu Quoc's most authentic sights.
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GETTING THERE
An Thoi Pier
Transport
Main southern pier for high-speed ferries to the mainland (Ha Tien, Rach Gia) and the starting point for boat trips to the An Thoi archipelago. Also serves as the base for the Hon Thom cable car crossing.
Bai Vong Pier
Transport
East-coast pier with frequent car and passenger ferries to Ha Tien and Rach Gia on the mainland. The shortest sea crossing to the mainland from Phu Quoc. Most ferries take about 2 hours.
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)
Transport
Modern international airport serving Phu Quoc, opened in 2012. Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and several international destinations. Car rental desks and taxi kiosks in arrivals hall.