12 Unmissable experiences in Phu Quoc Island

Expedition in the depths of the sea or in the green of the national park, or time in historical legacies with your children at the attractive zoo and many other unmissable experiences are waiting for you. In this article, we suggest you some cooling way to enjoy every moment of your stay at Phu Quoc Island.

1. Sea bathing at Sao beach and Khem beach (also known as Kem beach)  
2. Diving to enjoy gorgeous coral reefs on An Thoi archipelago (Annam island)
3. Hon Dam - One day to be Robinson on the island
4. Sunset on Long Beach
5. An insight into Vietnam war history at Phu Quoc prison
6. Getting closer to people’s life in Rach Vem fishing village and Duong Dong market
7. Riding motorcycles through national forests
8. Night squid fishing
9. Visiting pepper garden
10. Learning about pearl cultivation
11. Exploring fish sauce tank
12. Taking your kids to the first Safari of Vietnam 

1. Sea bathing at Sao beach and Khem beach (also known as Kem beach)

Sao beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, which is home to fine curved white sandbank shaped like the moon and longer than 7 km. Sao beach is extremely popular among foreign tourists. Bai Sao is famous for its rows of coconuts stretching along the coastline and delicate powdery white sand. The sand here is so crystal clear that you can see the small fish swimming under it.

Khem Beach wins the hearts of many tourists with its iconic charming curved sandbank. Sand on the beach is not yellow or yellowish brown as that in many other beaches but it is white smooth like ice cream.

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2. Diving to enjoy gorgeous coral reefs on An Thoi archipelago (Annam island)

From An Thoi you can rent boats to the islands for fishing and diving. Tourists often choose to pay for day tours priced at 250,000 VND/person. Departing from 8 am, you will have the chance to visit Rhodomyrtus tomentosa garden, pearl farms, prisons, fish sauce factory, Sao beach, An Thoi fishing port, small islands such as Hon Thom, Hon Roi, Hon Dua, etc. Water at the archipelago is so clear that even the sea bottom can be seen. Plus, coral is brilliant and fish is countless. These tours often include lunch with signature dishes of Phu Quoc such as grilled echinus with grease and onion, fried fish, stir fried water spinach with garlic, seafood fried noodles, etc.

Coral reefs are found everywhere around Phu Quoc island and the most fascinating ones are in Hon Dam Ngang. Coral reefs in Hon Tam Ngang remain intact and never has there any other place owning that many gorgeous ones. Fish is also diverse in types and colours. As it is located in the farthest part of the An Thoi archipelago and few visitors come to this area, Hon Dam Ngang is well preserved.

In addition, diving in Hon May Rut Trong or in the North of Hon Mong Tay Island where stunning coral exists is also worth a try. 

Please note that there are two islands - Hon Mong Tay island (1) mentioned above is located in the north of the island and the other famous Hon Mong Tay island (2) (also known as Robinson Island) is located in the south of the island, near Dam Ngang Island.
You can go to Hon Mong Tay (2) by buying Hon Nong Tay island and Hon Dam Ngang one-day tour.

3. Hon Dam - One day to be Robinson on the island  

The next experience leaving a deep impression about Phu Quoc on me is when I felt as if I had ben Robinson on the desert island for one day and one night. It is completely separated from the outside and in the island exist many leaf roof bungalows. They are so close to the beach that it only takes two steps from the front door to the beach. During the night, the sound of the murmuring waves is clearer in the room than on the beach. Without wifi and with solar power electricity, All you need to do is enjoy this private - quiet - romantic space.
The bungalows just look like simple thatched leaf roof houses on the deserted island from the outside but their interiors are quite adequate and suitable for peace lovers. In addition to bungalows for couples and family, there are also collective sleeping space for road trippers.

4. Sunset on Long Beach

Sunset in Phu Quoc is nothing short of fascinating! The sun looks like egg yolk when reaching down to the horizon. Besides, Dinh Cau, Ong Lang and Mui Ganh Dau also offer tourists a spectacular view of the sunset.

   >>> Read more about Beautiful beaches in Vietnam

5. An insight into Vietnam war history at Phu Quoc prison

In addition to the story of that attractive food, an experience of War history at Phu Quoc prison is worth a try. Communist prisoners are detained in Phu Quoc during the time of South - North Vietnam war. Here you will hear the whole story from tour guides, especially about the characters in history. 

6. Getting closer to people’s lives in Rach Vem fishing village and Duong Dong market

Rạch Vẹm is a small chant in the North of the islands with only 170 households making ends meet by fishing jobs. The village is famous for the "hut restaurants" on the sea and the walkway is the small endless wooden bridges. Approximately 20km from Duong Dong town, the fishing village is in the midst of the immense nature, creating a cool green picture of nature and human life will make guests very comfortable when coming to this place...

Duong Dong Market is the central market of Phu Quoc Island that is always bustling and considered as the paradise of fish and shrimp. Fresh seafood, great energetic atmosphere, women pulling a small basket full of fish, squid and fishy smell of seafood in the air, all that draw a picture of Duong Dong Market - an ideal place to explore and see the daily life of local people.

7. Riding motorcycles through national forests
 Located at Ham Rong, Ganh Dau and Cua Can mountains, the island preserves many rare plant species with a zigzag trail of red soil. With a motorbike, you can explore the forest for several hours. The national park is famous for its picturesque landscapes and pristine beaches. A 23km-ride through the national forest would be a wonderful experience. This road is newly made, so there would be no bump whatsoever, which definitely gives you a one-of-a-kind experience to drive through the forest while listening to the sounds of nature.
 
8. Night squid fishing
If you come here in the winter, you can rent a boat to go or join a tour with other guests. This activity is not for those who are seasick because the boat would be anchored in the middle of the sea for a few hours for squid fishing. This activity usually takes place from 5-6 pm to 7-8 pm, depending on your request. If you are going on a private ship, you can make deal with the shipowner. In addition, the owner will also help you to cook the squids that you catch right on board.

Warning: This activity is not for those who are seasick.

9. Visiting pepper garden

Phu Quoc pepper acquires a reputation for its pungent aroma, which is more intense than those grown in other countries. You can buy some dried pepper as a gift for relatives. Price ranges from 250,000 VND/kg to 450,000 VND/kg)

10. Learning about pearl cultivation
Phu Quoc has two most famous pearl farms, which are Phu Quoc Pearls and Ngoc Hien. Both of them are located on Long Beach. Here, you will be guided in the process of cultivating pearls and there is also a showroom for those who want to purchase pearls as gifts or souvenirs.

11. Exploring fish sauce tank
Coming to Ngoc Phu Quoc island, visitors will have the opportunity to get to know fish sauce production lines where famous Phu Quoc fish sauce is produced. Over 200 years of establishment and development, factories in Phu Quoc have been producing fish sauce according to traditional manual process through many generations, which gives the final products excellent quality, traditional, bold and unique features.
3 biggest fish sauce factories in Phu Quoc: Thinh Phat, Khai Hoan, and Phung Hung.

12. Taking your kids to the first Safari of Vietnam

This is the first and largest semi-wild animal park in Vietnam. Just walking through the area would take the entire morning. This is a very interesting place for families, especially those with young children. The zoo possesses an eclectic mix of animals such as lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinoceros, elephants, turtles, camels, antelopes, monkeys, etc. Not only children but even adults would love this place.
 

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