Phu Quoc is an island of 574 km2.2Located in the Gulf of Thailand, this place welcomed about 2.5 million tourists in 2018, an increase of 25% compared to 2017. When coming here, most tourists look for beautiful beaches such as Sao beach, Dai beach or Ong Lang beach, but in fact, this paradise on earth still has many things waiting to be discovered.
Some of the most popular activities for visitors here include kayaking through fishing villages or enjoying fresh seafood on a floating pontoon, going squid fishing or visiting a pearl farm - why Phu Quoc is nicknamed "Pearl Island."
Anna Nguyen, a local travel expert, said: "I grew up on this island and although it has changed a lot in the past 10 years, its natural beauty is still intact. Many people come here for weekend getaways, as it is a quick flight from Ho Chi Minh City and there is so much to experience. You could live here your whole life like me and still not see everything."
Here are some experiences not to be missed when coming to Phu Quoc:
go diving
The waters surrounding Phu Quoc are rich in marine life, most of which are concentrated around Phu Quoc Marine Park in the south or Ganh Dau Coral Reef just off the northwest tip. This makes it a great place for snorkeling or scuba diving.
In addition to crabs, squid and hundreds of reef fish, you might also be lucky enough to spot a hawksbill or green sea turtle – two endangered species of sea turtle. It is advisable to dive during the dry season, from October to April, for the best visibility.
dine at Ham Ninh fishing village
A combination of open-air restaurants and seafood markets, Ham Ninh fishing village promises a fun night out at affordable prices. Located on the east coast, the village is dotted with stilt houses, colourful boats and floating restaurants.
Seafood is plentiful here, you can find crabs, clams, oysters and even sea urchins. But if you like fish, be sure to try the cobia (also known as cobia/cobia) - a white, soft, black-scaled fish. For lunch or dinner, tourists can choose from fresh seafood caught daily by fishermen along with cooking methods such as grilled, steamed, hot pot or stir-fried with local peppers, garlic and Vietnamese herbs.
kayaking
In the north of Phu Quoc, the 14km long Cua Can River gently meanders from the sea into the center of the island. It is a hidden gem of tranquility and tranquility. With its calm waters and dense forests, it is an ideal place for kayaking, especially for beginners.
At the end of the river, where the white sands glisten in the sunlight, is a small fishing village with wooden bridges and simple stilt houses - the ideal place to stop for a break and lunch. If you are confident in your kayaking skills, you can paddle out to sea and explore the coral reefs and islets nearby.
hiking
Part of the UNESCO-recognized Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, the island boasts an incredibly diverse flora and fauna. In fact, around 70% of the island is covered in pristine forests and mountains. Phu Quoc National Park is home to hiking trails, trees that look as if they’ve grown from the Jurassic period, over 200 species of wildlife, and rare birds like the hornbill.
Tranh Stream, Phu Quoc
For the full hiking experience, you should head up into the mountains. However, you should also exercise caution as the trails often lack formal signs and pathways.
One of the best routes starts right at Suoi Tranh Waterfall in the south of the island center. First, you will have to walk for about 30 minutes through a peaceful forest to reach the waterfall. From there, continue your journey on a small trail leading up the mountain for about 2 hours. Once you reach the top, you will be able to admire the panoramic view of the natural beauty with the green canopy below and the vast ocean in the distance.
farm tour
Although tourism has grown, Phu Quoc is still a highly agricultural society. The island produces a variety of valuable souvenirs from pepper to honey to pearls. For food lovers, the Khai Hoan fish sauce factory is said to produce some of the best fish sauce in the country. This is because Phu Quoc always has fresh fish, along with great weather and sunshine. All of these combine to create a product of extremely high quality.
Khai Hoan factory's ships go out to sea to catch fish to produce fish sauce.
If you have the chance to visit the Phu Quoc bee farm, you can learn about the essential role of honey bees in the ecosystem. After the tour, sip some lemongrass honey tea to gain energy and stop by Ngoc Hien pearl farm, where you can learn about the history and process of pearl farming in Phu Quoc, and then go shopping at the adjacent market for high-quality souvenirs. The company uses whole oyster shells to create impressive boxes, buttons, furniture and art products.
The island's pearls are usually white, but you can also find some black, grey and yellow varieties. Of these, yellow and grey are the rarest and most expensive.
Finally, don’t miss out on picking up some Phu Quoc sun-dried peppercorns – a product considered to be one of the finest peppercorns in the world. At the pepper farm, you can enjoy a taste of the countryside through a farm tour, a cooking class, craft beer making or a tasting of the famous sim wine (made from the fruit of the sim tree).
watch the sunset
Phu Quoc's sunsets are famous throughout Vietnam - not only for their warm shades but also for their variety.
Sunsets on Phu Quoc Island are considered to be unique. Some days the sky appears purple, others orange or yellow. You will never get bored watching sunsets in Phu Quoc, even if you stay here for a month because it is different every day, extremely dramatic.
And to fully immerse yourself in the sunset, head to Bai Dai to listen to live music while sipping on some cold beer in a romantic setting. Alternatively, you can also head to Chuon Chuon Bistro & Sky Bar - the highest restaurant on the island - to watch the sunset in the most perfect way, as well as see the whole world from the vast jungle to the deep ocean and the vast sky.
night squid fishing
After sunset, try squid fishing. Squid fishing trips depart from various locations around the island, but they all follow the same itinerary: After about 30 minutes out at sea, the fishermen stop the boat and turn on the lights to attract the squid, then catch them with nets. After the catch, the fishermen will have a BBQ party on the boat, right under the romantic starry sky.
visit the night market
Visiting Dinh Cau night market in the western coastal town of Duong Dong (the largest urban center of Phu Quoc) is an experience not to be missed. This can be considered a food paradise for those who are passionate about cuisine with dozens of restaurants. In addition, this market also sells a lot of black pepper, coffee, tea leaves, peanuts, chocolate and many other items for visitors to buy as gifts. In addition, a series of small bars along the riverbank are also ideal stops for you to enjoy cold beer or coconut ice cream for dessert after eating and drinking to your heart's content in the market.
Taking the cable car may be a commercial tourist attraction, but it would be a shame to come to the Pearl Island without admiring it from above. In operation since last year, the Hon Thom cable car uses modern and safe 3-wire cable car technology with a total length of 8km. The cable car will take you from a station on Phu Quoc Island to see the beautiful islands as well as the splendid coral reefs under the sea.
After about 15 minutes, you can go down to Hon Thom Island, south of Phu Quoc, to explore Hon Thom Nature Park and relax on the beach.
