Have you ever imagined yourself walking along the coastal road, listening to the sound of the waves, watching the peaceful fishing village like in the movie “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”? No need to go too far, right in Vietnam there is a place that brings such a peaceful and cool feeling, that is Phu Quy Island.
This small island in the middle of the ocean not only fascinates people with its crystal clear beauty, but also with the friendliness and friendliness of the people and the slow, peaceful pace of life. If you are ready to spend money on a trip this summer, then pack your bags, find a camera with a large memory and a caring friend, here is everything you need to know about traveling to Phu Quy Island!
Phu Quy Island travel guide from AZ
Where is Phu Quy? What's special?
Located in the middle of the ocean, about 104 km from Phan Thiet city, Phu Quy island is a small island district of Binh Thuan province, with an area of only about 17.4 km². Although geographically modest, this place possesses a pristine, peaceful beauty and is rarely crowded by mass tourism.
The special thing about Phu Quy is not its luxury resorts or bustling streets, but its rustic, wild and liberal nature. The beaches with clear blue water, jagged rocky capes covered by the sun and wind, the quiet and poetic coastal roads, the green grassy hills under the sunset - a scene that seems to only exist in romantic movies.
What is the best month to go to Phu Quy?
The best time to explore Phu Quy Island is from February to May every year. This is when the weather is stable, with mild sunshine, calm seas and clear blue skies, very suitable for sea activities. From May to August, there is a little rain but not much, but in return, the weather will be very pleasant. From October to December is the rainy season on the island, when the sea is rough and there are storms. Each time of Phu Quy has its own beauty, you can choose to go at any time depending on your personal preferences - no matter what time, you will definitely find value here.
The best time to explore Phu Quy Island is from February to May every year.
How to get to Phu Quy
Currently, the only way for tourists to get to Phu Quy is by speedboat from Phan Thiet port to the island. So no matter where you start, you will have to travel at least two stages:
Stage 1: From the starting point to Phan Thiet
Buses are the most popular means of transportation to Phan Thiet. If departing from the southern provinces, there are many bus options such as Phuong Trang, Hanh Cafe, Trung Nga, ... with the lowest price from 160,000-180,000 VND, travel time is about 4-5 hours depending on the departure location.
If traveling from the north, visitors need to book a flight to Tan Son Nhat airport or Cam Ranh airport, then choose the bus routes to Phan Thiet as above.
Stage 2: From Phan Thiet to Phu Quy
Some popular high-speed ferry companies going to Phu Quy Island include Phu Quy Express, Trung Trac, Superdong I and II, travel time is about 2.5-3 hours. A small note is that ferry schedules are not fixed but can change depending on weather conditions, so you should pay attention to the ferry schedule and weather at sea to choose the appropriate departure time, and should book tickets at least 2 weeks in advance.
Tourists need to travel to Phan Thiet port and then take a speedboat to Phu Quy.
Highlights of Phu Quy
With a small area, extremely convenient for traveling between locations, visitors can flexibly choose destinations on the island to suit their interests and personal schedule. Below are some prominent places in Phu Quy that you can refer to:
Chaoyang Bay
Located in Tam Thanh commune, about 1km from Phu Quy port, Trieu Duong Bay stands out with a 2km long white sand beach and clear blue water. Surrounded by green poplar trees, this place is an ideal place for swimming, camping and watching the sunset.
Sunset on Triều Dương Bay
Ganh Hang
Ganh Hang is a coastal area with towering black cliffs, creating a wild and unique landscape. There are also famous natural lakes such as Khe Sung Suong, Ho Vo Cuc and Ho Banh Xe - hollows in the middle of the sea formed from lava, clear water and connected to the sea, creating the feeling of natural swimming pools.
Wheel Lake at Ganh Hang
Hon Tranh
About 700-800m southeast of Phu Quy main island, Hon Tranh is the largest island in the surrounding cluster. With fine white sand, clear blue water and rich coral reefs, this is a favorite destination for tourists for activities such as swimming, snorkeling and SUP.
SUP at Hon Tranh.
Grave of Master Sai Nai
The tomb of Master Sai Nai, also known as Dinh Mo Thay, is located on Doi Thay rock in Dong Hai village, Long Hai commune. This is the resting place of Master Sai Nai - a Chinese merchant who lived in the 17th century, respected by the people for his healing and helping the community. Near the tomb are abandoned fish ponds, once used by fishermen for aquaculture. With unique architecture and close to the sea, these fish ponds have become attractive check-in spots, likened to a miniature "Roman arena" in the middle of Phu Quy sea and sky.
The check-in point is likened by tourists to the "Roman arena" at Mo Thay.
Besides, visitors can also explore many other famous destinations such as Lonely Tree, Wind Power, Chi Nen Street, sovereignty flagpole, Doc Phuot or Cao Cat Mountain.
What to eat and drink in Phu Quy?
One of the most memorable experiences Phu Quy can offer you is its cuisine, from fresh seafood to local snacks with flavors unlike anywhere else:
Phu Cuc Restaurant
Phu Cuc Restaurant is a popular seafood restaurant frequented by islanders, an ideal place to enjoy fresh seafood at affordable prices. The restaurant's outdoor space, located near the sea, creates an airy feeling for diners.
Sea La Vie Restaurant
If you want to enjoy a meal in a luxurious, romantic space by the beach, Sea La Vie is a great choice for you. The restaurant's menu is diverse from seafood to European dishes such as pasta, beef jerky, grilled oysters with cheese, combined with coffee and beverage services, visitors will definitely have a memorable experience here.
Space at Sea La Vie
Hoa Thuong Hot Beef
Hot beef is a specialty that cannot be missed in Phu Quy. Hoa Thuong Hot Beef is a famous place to enjoy beef on the island with dishes such as grilled beef, vinegar-dipped beef, and beef rolls. The special thing about hot beef restaurants is that when you eat, you will be given a bowl of beef porridge, so eat while holding your stomach to enjoy all the dishes here!
Hot beef - a specialty not to be missed in Phu Quy
Visitors can also enjoy seafood at seafood restaurants on rafts. A must-visit dining destination is Tam Thanh market - the island's culinary paradise with "familiar yet very strange" dishes such as vermicelli with fish sauce, vermicelli with pork, vermicelli with grilled pork, coconut cake, banh can, rice paper with shrimp paste, banh xeo... You can also find these dishes at local restaurants.
Where in Phu Quy?
There are countless accommodation options in Phu Quy for tourists, from budget hotels to aesthetically pleasing homestays. Tourists can refer to some places such as Ri-Rao Homestay, Chanky Hotel, Aloha Homestay, La Mer, La Isla Bontina... If possible, choose a place with a sea view - the vast ocean view of the island seen from the glass window will not disappoint you!
Suggested itinerary for Phu Quy 2 days 1 night tour
Only 2 days and 1 night is not enough to explore all the beauty of the island, but if time and budget are limited, visitors can refer to the following schedule:
Day 1:
- Travel from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy Island by speedboat. Upon arrival, check in at homestay/hotel, rest and have lunch.
- In the afternoon, start exploring the island by motorbike. Visit the "hot" check-in spots including Trieu Duong Bay, Doc Phuot, Ganh Hang, the sovereignty flagpole and the panoramic view of Bai Nho from behind. If you have time, you can join the Hon Tranh tour with experiences of SUB rowing, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Have dinner at restaurants/eateries, relax or stroll around the fishing port, enjoy the peaceful night sea air.
Day 2:
- Wake up early to watch the sunrise at the beach, on one of the high mountain points or Doc Phuot area.
- Have a light breakfast, then continue your journey at Mo Thay, then you can stop by other famous check-in spots such as Co Don Tree and the fishing village “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” named after the movie of the same name. Finally, lie down on the green grass of Cao Cat mountain, breathe in the Phu Quy air for the last time before saying goodbye.
- Return to rest, have lunch and prepare luggage. Go to the port, check in to board the ship back to the mainland, ending the perfect 2-day, 1-night Phu Quy journey.
Fishing Village "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha"
Tips and notes when traveling to Phu Quy
- Travelers should book round-trip train tickets and accommodation early, especially during peak season when tickets/rooms sell out very quickly.
- To avoid seasickness leading to fatigue, affecting the travel experience, tourists should choose to book train tickets during calm seas, choose suitable seats (if possible, choose a reclining seat - sleeping during the train trip will help you forget the feeling of seasickness!), have a light meal and take anti-seasickness pills before boarding the train.
- There is only one ATM on the island so prepare cash before you go.
Amidst the increasingly bustling and noisy pace of life, the rare moments of silence to slow down, find a peaceful place of nature and experience healing are so precious. If you are looking for a pristine, peaceful island destination that feels like stepping into a movie, Phu Quy is the ideal choice in 2025.
Phu Quy Island - the dream "healing" destination for the 2025 tourist season
