Understanding Phu Quoc better for a well-planned trip.

December is the most beautiful time of year in Phu Quoc. For those who love the sea and islands, this is the golden time to enjoy the pearl of the Gulf of Thailand. Travel blogger Tai Toi Day (Tai Pham) recently had a 20-day trip exploring the pearl island, unlike most tourists. "Many people think that going to Phu Quoc is more expensive than going abroad. This view isn't entirely wrong, but perhaps we need to look at this city from a broader perspective to have a more reasonable trip," travel blogger Tai Toi Day shared with Travellive.

Discover the pearl island from a broader perspective.

Phu Quoc Island covers an area of ​​589.27 km², with a coastline of 150 km, located off the southwestern coast of Vietnam. The island is divided into four main clusters: Duong Dong town center, North Island, East Island, and South Island.

The northern part of Vietnam's largest island boasts many attractive destinations. Ganh Dau Cape impresses with its crescent-shaped beach, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and colorful coral reefs. If you prefer a more pristine and tranquil setting, visit Rach Vem fishing village, home to local fishermen. Of course, you can't miss one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – Long Beach, and the best place to watch the sunset in Phu Quoc – Doi Moi Island...

Despite its many pristine and relatively inexpensive attractions, the southern part of Phu Quoc Island is less frequently mentioned. "For those who love beach activities, head to the south of the island. There are markets and affordable eateries here, so food will be cheaper. However, there will be fewer nightlife options," shared Tai Pham. The southern part of Phu Quoc Island boasts some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the region, such as Sao Beach, May Rut Trong Island, Dam Ngang Island, Mong Tay Island, Thom Island, and Gam Ghi Island...

On the Phu Quoc tourist map, the eastern part of the island stands out with destinations specifically for those who want to immerse themselves in peaceful nature. You can visit Tranh Stream to bask in the picturesque scenery, explore the ancient Ham Ninh fishing village, swim at the enchanting Kem Beach, or visit a Phu Quoc pearl farm...

In the center of Duong Dong town, visitors can immerse themselves in the most vibrant area of ​​the island. Its convenient location makes it easy to travel from the airport and to other destinations on the island. Duong Dong town includes Duong Dong Market, Phu Quoc Night Market, Dinh Ba - Dinh Cau Temple, Bai Truong Beach, the Coi Nguon Museum, and Su Muon Pagoda. To the east of the town center, there are also pristine natural destinations such as Tien Stream and Da Ban Stream.

How to have the most fulfilling trip to Phu Quoc?

Phu Quoc Island has no shortage of affordable accommodations, free attractions and entertainment options, and budget-friendly restaurants. However, if you only stay, eat, and enjoy activities within tourist areas, high costs are inevitable. "For example, most tourists choose large hotels in the northern part of the island. It takes almost an hour to travel to the center, so they often use the services within the hotel grounds for convenience. Of course, with this choice, the cost for tourists is not insignificant," Tai Pham explains.

In fact, having a complete Phu Quoc trip is not difficult at all. Instead of just staying and eating at designated places, tourists can choose other areas, such as the center of Duong Dong town, the East Island, or the South Island. Or they can design their own trip to explore the pearl island, tailored to their needs, purposes, preferences, and budget.

Tai Pham explored Phu Quoc for 20 days. This amount of time allowed him to leisurely enjoy and fully discover the island. He prioritized experiencing pristine nature. Near the central Duong Dong area, Tai Pham spent time enjoying the unspoiled tranquility of Da Ban Stream and Tien Stream. In the south of the island, he rented a boat to visit Hon Thom and Hon Gam Ghi. In the northwest, he visited Rach Vem fishing village and Ganh Dau, participating in activities such as paddleboarding and snorkeling. Most of the destinations he chose were beautiful, unspoiled, and inexpensive, except for the cost of renting a boat to get to the islands.

The travel blogger optimizes accommodation costs with homestays, ranging from only 300,000 to 350,000 VND per night. For food, he chooses delicious and famous local dishes such as bun quay (stir-fried noodles), bun canh (rice noodle soup with crab), and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) at affordable restaurants for only 30,000 to 70,000 VND, or he tries Northern and European dishes for a slightly higher price. Seafood at night markets is also not too expensive, costing only 600,000 to 700,000 VND for two people.

"For tourists planning to book a tour, take plenty of time to research and compare options to choose the most suitable one. Travel companies offer half-day or full-day tours of the southern part of the island, with prices ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 VND. Alternatively, independent travel in Phu Quoc is also quite simple, costing around 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day for motorbike rental. This way, you can create your own itinerary and choose services that perfectly match your personal needs," he suggested.

According to Tài, the best trip, in his opinion, is one that offers many experiences, fits his budget, and provides the most suitable experience. Don't let overwhelming opinions about a destination lead you to hastily form preconceived notions about a place. "In Phu Quoc specifically, the beauty and prices are diverse, so we can explore this island in our own way," travel blogger Tài Tới Đây commented.

Bi Le