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Phu Quy is a small island belonging to Lam Dong province (formerly Binh Thuan), located about 120km southeast of Phan Thiet coast. The island has an area of nearly 16 km², with a terrain mainly consisting of low hills and coastal cliffs, and a monsoon climate typical of the East Sea.
About a decade ago, Phu Quy was still a military island, almost completely isolated from mass tourism. Trips back then involved fishing boats lasting dozens of hours, suitable only for a small group of adventurous tourists. The turning point came between 2016 and 2018 when high-speed ferry services began operating, shortening travel time to the island to about two to three hours.
Phu Quy was formerly just a small island inhabited primarily by people who made their living from fishing.
However, the name Phu Quy only truly exploded into a "craze" from 2020 onwards, when cinematic films flooded social media and travel from the mainland became more convenient thanks to the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway opening in 2023.
From a once deserted coastal area, Phu Quy Island is now covered with various types of homestays and recreational services such as SUP paddling and tours to smaller islands, with the peak season lasting from after Tet (Lunar New Year) until the end of summer.
Today, Phu Quy Island has developed a diverse range of tourism activities, from land-based to water-based.
Ideal travel time
Due to its location in the middle of the South China Sea, getting to the island is entirely dependent on high-speed boats. If the sea is rough, the boats will stop operating, causing people to be stranded on the island or resulting in last-minute cancellations.
The ideal time to depart is from December to June of the following year. During this period, the sea is most stable, with calm winds, allowing for smoother sailing, minimizing seasickness, and creating the most favorable conditions for activities such as canoeing or scuba diving.
April to June is the peak tourist season when Phu Quy Island is at its most beautiful time of year.
Conversely, from September to November is the stormy season with frequent typhoons. Strong winds not only make traveling by motorbike difficult but also completely restrict water activities due to large waves and murky water.
Book your trip in advance and travel to the island.
Phu Quy Island is currently a popular destination every summer, so tourists should book ferry tickets, homestays, hotels, or restaurants in advance to ensure the best experience.
Phu Quy Island currently has no airport, so transportation is entirely by boat or canoe. The most common way to get there is to go to Phan Thiet port and then take a speedboat to the island; the journey takes about 2-3 hours depending on weather conditions.
Currently, Phu Quy Island has three main high-speed ferry companies: Superdong, Trung Nhi, and Phu Quy Express, with ticket prices ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 VND depending on the class. Tourists who wish to bring their motorbikes to the island should use Superdong's service, which costs approximately 300,000 VND per motorbike per way.
Besides renting a car on the island, visitors can also contact bus companies to purchase tickets to the island if needed.
Ferry tickets and return tickets should be booked at least 1-2 weeks in advance through the ferry company's official website because tickets often sell out very quickly, especially on weekends. Ferry schedules change depending on tides and weather forecasts, so passengers should monitor announcements from the ferry company to avoid missing their trip. It is advisable to arrive at the port 30 minutes before departure time to secure your seat.
The Phan Thiet - Phu Quy route has very strong cross-water waves. To ensure your health while enjoying activities on the island, tourists should monitor the weather and choose days with waves below 2 meters for travel. They should also prepare patches and strong motion sickness medication, taking them 30 minutes before boarding. Eat light meals, avoiding being too hungry or too full. Choose a seat in the middle of the boat or on the lower deck to reduce rocking.
Train schedules and price lists are updated on each company's website.
Essential items
When preparing for a trip to Phu Quy Island, luggage should be selected based on the island's weather and terrain characteristics, which include intense sunshine, strong winds, and many sharp rocky surfaces. Proper preparation will make the journey more comfortable and minimize risks during travel and exploration.
The sun at Phu Quy Island is intense with a high UV index, so waterproof sunscreen and sun-protective clothing are essential to protect your skin. In the evening, the sea breeze is often strong and the temperature drops quickly, so a light jacket will be useful when going out at night.
Prepare some sun protection items such as hats, light jackets, gloves, and sunscreen when traveling around the island.
Many coastal areas consist of sedimentary rocks and eroded coral, with sharp and slippery surfaces, so wear footwear with good grip. Basic medications such as stomach ache and fever reducers should be prepared for unfamiliarity with the local water or food. Saline solution is also necessary for cleaning eyes and nose or soothing skin irritation from the slightly brackish water on the island.
When participating in activities at sea, tourists should bring waterproof bags to protect their phones and electronic devices. Although there are ATMs and some money transfer points on the island, carrying cash is still necessary to avoid situations that may arise if the machine runs out of money or the connection is unstable.
Accommodation and transportation on the island
For convenient transportation around Phu Quy Island, renting a motorbike is recommended. With an area of only about 16 km², motorbikes are the most practical option. Most homestays offer motorbike rental services or deliver them directly to the port as soon as guests disembark. Rental prices range from 100,000 to 200,000 VND per day, depending on the type of motorbike. Guests should fill up the gas tank immediately upon receiving the motorbike; a major gas station is located in the center of Tam Thanh commune.
Regarding accommodation, it's recommended to book a hotel or homestay in Tam Thanh commune, the center of the island, near the port, market, and restaurants. Room rates range from 300,000 to 800,000 VND per night depending on the room type and location.
Must-visit attractions
To avoid the intense heat and crowds at check-in points, visitors should start their itinerary early in the morning before 8 am or after 4 pm.
The Teacher's Tomb is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise, offering panoramic sea views from dawn. Afterwards, visitors can head to the "Hillside Pass" with its winding cliffs, enjoying the sea views and taking photos. For sunset, visitors should go to the Ngũ Phụng embankment or Linh Sơn Pagoda on Cao Cát Mountain. However, climbing Cao Cát peak at midday should be avoided due to the intense sun and lack of shade.
Watching the sunrise on Phuot Hill
If you want to go snorkeling or paddleboarding, you can join a canoe tour to Hon Tranh Island for about 250,000 VND per person.
Another distinctive feature is the Gành Hang - Bãi Nhỏ area, home to the "Infinity Lake" and "Blissful Stream". Visiting this area depends entirely on the tides, as the natural pools are only beautiful and safe at low tide. Visitors should absolutely not swim or take photos close to the rocks during high tide, as strong waves crashing against the sharp sedimentary cliffs can easily cause accidents.
Hon Tranh is a small island near Phu Quy that attracts tourists.
At the end of the day, visitors can enjoy hot beef specialties or seafood at the floating restaurants in the Lach Du area to fully experience the local flavors.
Enjoy fresh seafood on a floating raft prepared by local people.
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