Visitors to Vietnam itching to hit up the beach should head south to Phú Quốc, with its large dive-friendly coasts and fresh seafood markets. But there’re many more things to do in Phú Quốc besides swimming and surfing – the island is packed with heritage attractions to discover that will reveal a side of Vietnamese culture and history you can’t find in the big cities.
Here are 19 things to do in Phú Quốc for your next relaxing coastal vacation, including natural sights, museums, and amusement parks for everyone in your travel crew to find something they enjoy.
We’ve organized this list by geographical location, starting from Dương Đông Town, the west coast, east coast, south, then north.
Image credit: @karinost1969
Despite being just a teeny temple on an odd-shaped rock, Dinh Cậu Temple is a good place to get a generous view of the harbor. Locals and tourists also drop by to get blessings from the sea goddess Thiên Hậu whom the temple is dedicated to. This dates back to its history since it was built in 1937, when local fishermen began coming here to pay their respects to the goddess before heading out to sea.
The lighthouse beside the temple
Image credit: Tuan Anh
To get to Dinh Cậu Temple, walk up the 28 winding steps to find a stubby little shrine coupled with a bright blue and white lighthouse.
Image credit: @night2stay
Take a moment to enjoy the charming view of the sea and the harbor below, or lounge about the beach till sunset to snap those Phú Quốc sunset photos.
If you’re lucky enough to be here during Tết (the Lunar New Year) or the Dinh Cậu Festival (falling on the 15th and 16th days of the 10th lunar month, usually in November), you’ll find the place teeming with festive activity. Fishermen will gather to pray for a large catch and for their safety at sea, and locals hold games such as boating and stilt-walking races that you can cheer on.
Tip: As with all sites of worship in Vietnam, be sure to dress appropriately when visiting the temple.
Address: Khu phố 2, Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 13′ 1.9806″N, 103° 57′ 23.0106″E
Opening hours: 7AM-6PM, Daily
Entrance fee: Free
Image credit: @tom_leiby
After the sunset at the Dinh Cậu Temple, walk 5 minutes inland and fill your stomach at the Dinh Cậu night market. You’ll find tables laden with all kinds of raw seafood. Choose whatever catches your fancy, and it will be cooked for you right in front of your eyes. You can pick whole live fish, crabs, or shrimps from the tanks as well.
Image credit: @edyta2106
To quench your dessert cravings, head to the ice cream stalls for Thai-style rolled ice cream.
Tip: Unless you have an iron stomach, pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene. Check the smell and color of seafood to find the freshest picks.
Address: 30 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, TT. Dương Đông, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 12′ 49.0458″N, 103° 57′ 31.2762″E
Opening hours: 5PM-12AM, Daily
Image credit: @ashleechil
For an authentic local market experience, don’t miss out on the Dương Đông Market. This is the busiest outdoor market in the area where locals get their daily groceries. You’ll also find vendors selling famed Phú Quốc products, ranging from fish sauce and dried fish to pepper and cashew nuts.
Fishing boats docking on the Dương Đông River
Image credit: @lotusnapper
The stretch of the market by the Dương Đông River is the wet market section. Come early in the morning and see swarms of fishing boats pulling in to drop off their daily catch.
Grilled sea urchins (left) and sea urchin porridge (right)
Image adapted from: @phamduchuy1688 and @anbitran1261997
When you’re done exploring, stop for a cheap breakfast at the food and dessert stalls. Must-tries include echinus porridge (cháo nhum) made with a kind of sea urchin, and cylindrical sticky rice cakes.
Address: 21 Đ. Trần Phú, TT. Dương Đông, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 13′ 14.4978″N, 103° 57′ 34.8948″E
Opening hours: 7AM-late, Daily
Image credit: yves frombelgium
If you see a temple in Vietnam with a bright technicolour exterior, chances are that it belongs to the Cao Đài religion. Also known as Caodaism, it’s a syncretic religion founded in Vietnam in 1926, combining Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, and Islam.
Image credit: Tuấn Ngô Anh
Even if you’re not religious, history and culture buffs will have much to see at the Cao Dai Temple of Phú Quốc (Thánh Thất Cao Đài Dương Đông), such as images of its patron saints such as Vietnamese poet Trang Trinh, the Republic of China’s late president Sun Yat-Sen, French poet Victor Hugo, and Jesus Christ. Visitors are allowed to watch morning worship ceremonies from a respectful distance to see the proceedings.
Address: 40 Nguyen Trai Street, Dương Đông Town, Phú Quốc
GPS coordinates: 10° 13′ 3.8136″N, 103° 57′ 35.6718″E
Opening hours: 7AM-6PM, Daily
Entrance fee: Free
Curious culture buffs and archaeology fans should head for the Cội Nguồn Museum (Bảo tàng Cội Nguồn), the Mekong Delta’s first private museum opened by private collector Huỳnh Phước Huệ.
Image credit: Bernard_Sierentz
Here you’ll find displays showing the history of Phú Quốc Island, such as medicine, ancient tools, ceramics and shipwreck artefacts, and a quirky set of shiny shell-covered furniture.
Image credit: Helen C
Head up to the observation deck on the top floors to take in a 360-degree view of the island. A hotel and small souvenir shop that visitors can poke around are also attached to this building.
Address: 149 Trần Hưng Đạo, Khu phố 7, Thị trấn Dương Đông, Huyện Phú Quốc, Tỉnh Kiên Giang, Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 11′ 34.3206″N, 103° 58′ 1.8294″E
Opening hours: 7AM-5PM
Entrance fee: VND20,000 (~USD0.86)
Image adapted from @ngoclinh.pham and @hngocanhh
You’ll be able to practice safe distancing while working on your tan on this beach, aptly called the Long Beach (Bãi Trường Phú Quốc) for its 20KM length stretching from Dương Đông to An Thoi. Plenty of unblocked sunset photography ops can be found here.
Those who see themselves spending a lot of time on the beach can pick from the many resorts located here, such as the InterContinental Phú Quốc Long Beach Resort and Long Beach Resort Phú Quốc, to make the most of the yellow sand, palm trees, and calm water in the dry season from November to May each year. Seafood restaurants with ocean views are also aplenty.
GPS coordinates: 10° 6′ 47.0592″N, 103° 58′ 52.8276″”E
Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm’s gallery
Image credit: Tuan Tran
With plenty of beaches, it’s no surprise that Phú Quốc boasts pearls as one of its famous products. Head to any pearl market or farm on the island – Ngọc Hiền Pearl Farm (Ngọc trai Ngọc Hiền) and Quốc An Pearl Shopping Mall (CS Nuôi Cấy Ngọc Trai Quốc An) are two famous stops – and you can be treated to a live introduction of how pearls are cultivated.
Quốc An Pearl Shopping Mall
Image credit: Phát Thái
Of course, this is also your chance to shop for souvenirs that include not just your usual earrings and necklaces, but also sculptures made with pearl shells.
Image credit: @anuhyun
We recommend coming with a guide or trusted local, as prices may be exaggerated and product demonstrations may be rushed – so this is best for folks who already know what they’re prepared to buy and who already have some knowledge of the market.
Ngọc Hiền Pearl Farm
Address: Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 10′ 12.1902″N, 103° 58′ 14.1564″E
Opening hours: 8AM-10PM, Daily
Quoc An Pearl Shopping Mall
Address: Suối Mây, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 11′ 12.6846″N, 103° 59′ 32.2686″E
Opening hours: 7.30AM-7.30PM, Daily
Image credit: @hungvu_21
Past visitors to the east coast of Phú Quốc would probably have stopped by the Hàm Ninh Pier and fishing village with seafood restaurants, but the area’s authentic charm has faded.
So skip the seafood touts and instead head for the 4-meter-high Suối Tranh Waterfall, where you can camp among a lush rainforest, caves, and rock pools. Bring along swimwear, plenty of mosquito repellent, and food, and visit closer to rainy season when the falls are more majestic.
The adventurous can hike 15 kilometres further in to reach Hang Dơi (Bat Cave), a cave formation 200 metres in height with stalactites.
Address: Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 11′ 1.5534″N, 104° 0′ 56.4618″E
Entrance fee: From VND10,000 (~USD0.44)
Image credit: @kevinhjung
Turns out, Phú Quốc isn’t all about beaches and seafood after all. Forest hiking fans should pack for Tiên Sơn Đỉnh (Mount Heaven), or Hàm Ninh Mountain.
Here, a challenging four-hour trek through the evergreen forest awaits, ending with a climb up a 10-meter bamboo ladder for a magnificent view from the 565 m-high peak.
The final part of the hike is a ten-meter ladder climb to the top
Image credit: Huong Nguyen
To get here, bike from Hàm Ninh fishing village and park at any local business that offers parking spots that you’re comfortable with. Do skip the flip-flops and come in hiking shoes, and bring along trash bags to keep the environment spotless after you leave.
Address: Hàm Ninh, Tp. Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 10′ 55.6062″N, 104° 1′ 32.5266″E
Image credit: @rieke.mit.ie
A popular alternative to Long Beach on the west, Sao Beach (Bãi tắm Sao) boasts fine white sand and rows of palm trees. You can spend all day here thanks to the rental sunbeds and refreshments from beachside restaurants and roving vendors.
Image credit: @juggiggo
An easy stop after you take the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car ride – for deets, see #11 below – the beach is best visited from November to March to avoid the summer rainy season tourist crowds.
There are a few guesthouses here such as My Lan Hotel & Restaurant, but the fewer accommodation choices here mean Sao Beach will be more of a day-trip destination rather than your Phú Quốc base.
Address: Bãi tắm Sao
GPS coordinates: 10° 3′ 25.9956″N, 104° 2′ 10.9422″E
View facing the Sun World Hòn Thơm Nature Park cable car departure terminal
Image credit: @sheepoying
A steal compared to other famous cable car rides, the Hòn Thơm Phú Quốc Cable Car is the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car ride – as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records on 3 January 2018, at 7.899.9 m long.
Image credit: Huyen Trang Chu Thi
It’ll take you from Phú Quốc to Hòn Thơm, the largest of the An Thới Islands, on a trip lasting 15 minutes each way. After catching this birds-eye view, you can shop at Sun World Hòn Thơm Nature Park’s Roman castle-like cable car terminal and European seaside resort-like buildings.
Image credit: Duc Hung Nguyen
Rest assured that the cable cars, which can seat 30 people each, are made by global manufacturer Doppelmayr that’s also built many Austrian, Swiss, and US ski lifts.
Address: Bãi Đất Đỏ, Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates (Sun World Hòn Thơm Nature Park departure terminal): 10° 1′ 41.4366″N, 104° 0′ 29.556″E
Ticket price: VND150,000 (~USD6.60)/adult or child over 1.3m tall, round trip
VND100,000(~USD4.40)/child from 1-1.3m tall
Free for children under 1m
Opening hours: 8AM-12PM, 1.30PM-5.30PM, Daily
Image credit: @zhuk_sergey_travel
Snorkel, swim, or fish your way around the An Thới Islands (Quần đảo An Thới), a group of 15 islands off Phú Quốc’s southern shore. Here, private island-hopping tours are available from USD139 per group, and usually come with hotel pick-ups, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, and fruit for your final sunset viewing stop.
Image credit: @lorenzachiarello
Ask your guide to take you beyond the more popular islands of Coconut Island (Hòn Dừa) known for its coconut tree forests and shipwreck off its western beach, and Rơi Island (Hòn Rơi) with as-yet-undisturbed coral reefs. There are smaller, uninhabited islands that are less frequently visited but better for diving thanks to their clearer waters – worth the longer trip.
Address: Quần đảo An Thới, Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 9° 59′ 41.1246″N, 104° 0′ 36.381″E (Coconut Island)
Live-sized figurines depicting prison torture
Image credit: @tram_ngoc96
Built by the French in 1949, the Phú Quốc Prison (Nhà tù Phú Quốc) is where then-North Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam War, and now serves as a museum. Once holding over 32,000 prisoners, the prison also was the site of crude torture and punishments by colonial forces from 1967 to 1973 that led to many deaths and also permanent disabilities among its living survivors.
Image credit: @koganei_kr
History buffs can browse the exhibits of torture instruments, photographs of former prisoners, and graphic life-size mannequins set up to show how prisoners were treated in wartime. Do dress conservatively – as this is a solemn, historical site despite being on a holiday island – and bring plenty of sun protection as it can get hot here.
Address: 465, ĐT46, An Thới, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 2′ 41.8344″N, 104° 1′ 7.989″E
Opening hours: 7.30AM-11AM and 1.30PM-5PM, Daily
Admission fee: Free
Image credit: @_dasha_shch_
Located in the island’s largest Buddhist temple and monastery complex Thiền viện Trúc Lâm Hộ Quốc that was opened on 14 December 2012, Hộ Quốc Pagoda is located on a mountain on Phú Quốc’s eastern coast, facing the sea. This means excellent sunrise views for early risers to visit and get their snaps in.
Image adapted from @caohathuy and @imisna_
Those needing a dose of spiritual healing can tour the temple grounds dedicated to the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist sect of Trúc Lâm. Here, you’ll find a Jade Buddha statue, a gigantic Guan Yin statue, an outdoor dragon staircase, and a huge worship bell.
Image credit: @___celinus___
As photogenic as the temple is, do dress appropriately for the religious site, and bring easily removable shoes as you’ll need to slip them off when entering any building.
Address: Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 6′ 37.281″N, 104° 1′ 43.7232″E
Opening hours: 6AM-6PM, Daily
Admission fee: Free
Image credit: @eveabsentia
Bees are crucial to our ecosystem, enabling a wide variety of plants to grow thanks to their role as pollinators. See them up close and personal by touring Phú Quốc’s bee farms, where you can learn how honey is made.
Image adapted from Worldschooling with Queenie Tan and Dano
You can sample honey drinks and snacks here, and buy the hardworking bees’ fresh honey as a souvenir.
Pepper farms
Image adapted from @bilazism and @von_hannover_nach
Pepper farms are also dotted all over the island – so it’s no wonder why pepper is a major Phú Quốc export. The island’s quartz-rich soil makes it well-suited to grow the essential crop, which you can of course buy on-site.
You can enquire with most hotels and travel agencies about bee and pepper farm tours, and they’ll be happy to set one up for you. We recommend Phú Quốc Bee Farm for its sustainable farming practices and stance against destructive honey-gathering methods. Plus, it’s conveniently located near a pepper farm too so you can hit up both spots in one trip.
Phú Quốc Bee Farm
Address:Ap 2, Cua Can, Phú Quốc
GPS coordinates: 10° 18′ 53.3478″N, 103° 56′ 28.1178″E
Opening hours: 9AM-5PM, Daily
Admission fee: Free
Image credit: @mie_nguyen03
Located in a less-developed part of the north coast, Rạch Vẹm fishing village (Làng chài Rạch Vẹm) and beach are best known for its floating fish farms and seafood restaurants – another alternative spot where you can experience simple village life and eat fresh seafood on the island.
It doesn’t hurt that the beach offers white sand and shallow waters with lots of starfish you can see up close. Do avoid picking them up and if they are stranded, release them back into the water quickly and gently.
Wooden walkway to the floating fishing village
Image credit: @aleks.koziura
Take a walk on the wooden walkways of the village and catch the sunset views here too.
Address: Rạch Vẹm, Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 21′ 53.9958″N, 103° 55′ 52.7052″E
Admission fee: Free
Image credit: @michaelkey10
Located 30 minutes’ drive from Ganh Dau, Phú Quốc National Park occupies most of the northern part of the island, boasting evergreen forest and dense mountains. It is part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve that in 2006 earned its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status and was formally awarded in 2010.
Image credit: @thewilddaisylover
Most of the park’s over 314,000 square metres of flora and fauna are strictly protected by the government, aside from the trail open to visitors. Here, you can camp, hike, and animal-watch and spot long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, slow lories, otters, hornbills, and more wildlife. Jeep tours are also available for people who’d like to go further into the reserve.
Do check with your local tour guide before visiting Phú Quốc if the park will be open, as intermittent closures have been observed by visitors in 2021.
Address: Huyện Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 19′ 54.897″N, 103° 58′ 26.8068″E (Guardhouse)
Admission fee: Free
Image credit: @lucilermn
Located on Phú Quốc’s extreme northwestern tip, Ganh Dau Beach (Bãi biển Gành Dầu) is removed from modern amenities and relatively undeveloped. Just 4km away lies the Cambodian coast that you can spot on the horizon from the beach.
While here, drop by the fishing village and market, and also a small temple dedicated to national hero Nguyễn Trung Trực who fought against the French in the 1860s. Admission to this spot is free.
Mun’s Cafe
Image credit: Kyle Byrnes
A few cafes and restaurants have also taken advantage of this view and set up shop in the scenic area. We recommend Mun’s Cafe, a beachside spot with open-air seating, pina coladas, and sunset views.
Address: Bãi biển Gành Dầu, Kien Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 22′ 21.4536″N, 103° 50′ 17.8368″E
Image credit: Vinpearl Land Phú Quốc
Touted as the country’s first “sleepless city”, Phú Quốc United Center comprises theme parks such as Vietnam’s largest theme park VinWonders Phú Quốc, shopping areas, casinos, golf courses, resorts, hotels, and even a safari called Vinpearl Safari promising non-stop fun.
Image credit: Phú Quốc United Center
VinWonders Phú Quốc might be the main draw, thanks to its 6 component parks including a European street recreation, a water park, Viking-inspired village, and a fantasy-themed area.
Image credit: Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc
We have to give Vinpearl Safari a shoutout for being Vietnam’s largest zoo, home to indigenous and rare plants and animals, including endangered species that you can see on foot or via their zoo and safari rides.
Animal shows start at 10AM and 2PM besides Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and visitors can also dine in a restaurant right beside curious giraffes.
Image credit: Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc
You’ll have no problem heading to Phú Quốc United Center if you’re staying at Dương Đông town, thanks to its free shuttle service from the town to the park. Alternatively, if you want to make the complex your base for a few days so you can explore it thoroughly, there are over 12,000 hotel rooms here across multiple accommodation options ready for you to rest in.
Admission fee (VinWonders Phú Quốc): VND500,000/adult, VND400,000/child (1-1.4m tall) or senior citizen
Admission fee (Vinpearl Land & Vinpearl Safari combo ticket): VND900,000/adult, VND750,000/child or senior citizen
Address: ĐT45, Gành Dầu, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
GPS coordinates: 10° 19′ 40.2888″N, 103° 51′ 55.839”E
Telephone: 90 699 41 13
Phú Quốc United Center website | Facebook page
Although Vietnam isn’t the first place Southeast Asia’s tourists think of when it comes to beach holidays, the island of Phú Quốc will make you think otherwise.
And there’s more than just suntanning here – the nature hikes, temples, museums, and historical tours will show you a new side of Vietnam you can’t see in the big, crowded cities.
This article was originally written by Linh Nguyen in November 2019 and updated by Xin Tian Koh in September 2021.
Cover image adapted from: @ashleechil, @sheepoying, @lorenzachiarello, and Phú Quốc United Center
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