Traveling to Phu Quoc Vietnam on your own—it sounds hard, but it’s easy. Save these self-guided travel tips to freely explore the beautiful nature of the “Pearl Island.”
Many tourists feel confused when visiting Phu Quoc Vietnam for the first time on a self-guided trip. The reason is that the island has a fairly large area (589.23 km² – equivalent to the entire island nation of Singapore), with many historical sites, scenic spots, and diverse activities for entertainment, fun, and natural discovery. How can you explore all of Phu Quoc Vietnam when your time is limited? Let Klook share some useful self-guided Phu Quoc travel tips with you.
Where is Phu Quoc Island?
A part of Kien Giang province, Phu Quoc is about 45km from Ha Tien and 120km from Rach Gia. Nicknamed the “Pearl Island,” Phu Quoc is the largest of the 22 islands in Phu Quoc Archipelago, hosting millions of tourists every year for relaxation, visiting amusement parks (most famous being VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, Sun World Hon Thom…), backpacking to Sao Beach, Long Beach, or diving to see coral.
According to self-guided Phu Quoc travel tips shared by many, a 3-day, 2-night or 4-day, 3-night trip is ideal enough to experience the unique beauty of the Pearl Island.
When is the Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc?
When planning a trip to Phu Quoc, you can comfortably choose any time of the year because the average temperature here is around 28°C. However, from April to September is slightly more crowded because it’s the summer vacation season. The period from October to March of the following year is considered the most beautiful time for Phu Quoc, but you should still check the weather forecast to avoid stormy days.
There are many attractions in Phu Quoc that have been effectively developed for tourism. Therefore, no matter when you choose to travel to Phu Quoc on your own, you can find a satisfying travel experience. Plus the advantage of affordable service costs, Phu Quoc deserves to be a destination that “millions love” throughout the year.
Which Hotel Should You Choose for a Self-Guided Trip to Phu Quoc?
Along with the potential for tourism development, the rate at which hotels, resorts, and homestays appear is also extremely impressive. This means you can freely enjoy a stay at accommodations with modern infrastructure, good locations, and competitive prices.
You can freely experience luxury services at 5-star resorts that are meticulously invested with very friendly costs, compared to other domestic travel hotspots. This is also why many people choose to experience “resort-hopping” or “resort backpacking” when traveling to the Pearl Island.
Oh, don’t forget to book Phu Quoc hotels on Klook Vietnam to get attractive discounted prices. Many great value options are waiting for #teamKlook.
Transportation Guide for a Self-Guided Trip to Phu Quoc
1. Traveling to Phu Quoc by Sleeper Bus & High-Speed Ferry
Image source: Unsplash
If you are starting from Central Vietnam or Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a sleeper bus to Rach Gia or Ha Tien City in Kien Giang province. Ticket prices range from 120,000 VND/one-way/person, and the travel time is about 4-6 hours. From Rach Gia or Ha Tien port, you continue by hydrofoil to Phu Quoc Island; the travel time is 2 – 3 hours, and the ticket price is around 340,000 VND/adult.
If you are starting from Northern Vietnam or Hanoi, you should choose to fly to Phu Quoc because traveling by bus would be very long, exhausting, expensive, and potentially risky.
2. Traveling to Phu Quoc by Plane
Currently, quite a few airlines operate domestic flights to Phu Quoc. Round-trip airfare to Phu Quoc ranges from 1,500,000 VND – 3,000,000 VND depending on the airline (according to Skyscanner data); the flight time is only about 55 minutes – 1 hour. You should try to book your flight tickets 2 to 3 months in advance to get the most economical price.
3. Once You Arrive, Rent a Motorbike to Explore Phu Quoc Vietnam!
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If you are traveling to Phu Quoc alone or with your “other half,” renting a motorbike in Phu Quoc is the most economical travel option. With your “iron horse,” you can freely travel to almost all famous destinations on the Pearl Island, go to Duong Dong Market, and flexibly change your itinerary as you wish.
4. Rent a Private Car to Explore Phu Quoc Island
Image source: Unsplash
Transportation is always a difficult problem for those traveling with family or in groups of 4 or more. Rent a private car now to “luxuriously” explore Phu Quoc at a super affordable price. With this option, you not only easily master your Phu Quoc travel journey but also receive many useful tips from local drivers.
What is There to Do in Phu Quoc? Save These Famous Phu Quoc Tourist Attractions!
How to enjoy all of Phu Quoc without breaking the bank? The best trick is the all-in-one travel card, which opens a magical gate to the local top entertainment parks. #teamKlook shouldn’t miss it.
1. Explore the colorful animal world at Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc
Covering an area of up to 380 hectares, Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is a rare zoo in Vietnam designed according to the world-famous safari model. Simply put, Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is a semi-wild zoo where visitors can see over 3000 individuals belonging to more than 150 different animal species in a habitat that closely simulates nature.
Most of the lovely “animal friends” here originate from Europe, America, South Africa, etc., including many rare and protected animals such as the Arabian oryx, flamingos, black-necked white swans, etc. A trip to Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc will surely be a memorable journey, bringing many valuable lessons about nature for children and the whole family.
2. Visit Hon Mong Tay – Hon Dam Ngang – Hon May Rut
According to the self-guided Phu Quoc island travel experience of many people, the “specialty” here is scuba diving to see coral, swimming, and exploring the magical underwater world. Phu Quoc three-island day tour is the highlight. You will feel lost in a tropical paradise as you experience an adventure around the 3 beaches considered the best in Phu Quoc. Immerse yourself in the cool water and relax under the cool trees; this is truly “where time stands still” for visitors to enjoy moments of relaxation.
3. Explore the world of bees at the Bee Farm
If you like nature and want to discover the world of bees, pepper farms, and fruit gardens, come to the Phu Quoc Bee Farm. With this tour, you have the opportunity to learn about the daily life of farmers who make a living by raising and selling bee products, enjoy a superb lunch, and participate in activities like swimming, sunbathing, or kayaking along the Cua Can River.
4. Night squid fishing with local fishermen
This is one of the outdoor recreational activities that many self-guided tourists enthusiastically join when they come to Phu Quoc. By choosing a Phu Quoc night squid fishing tour, local fishermen will share their fishing experience with you; when night falls, it’s time for you to experience squid fishing. The “trophies” you catch will be processed and eaten right on the boat! Isn’t that great?
Here are a few reasons why you absolutely cannot miss Klook’s night squid fishing tour.
5. There is a dazzling Hon Thom at Sun World Hon Thom Phu Quoc
Who says you can’t go to a theme park if you want to explore nature? Located on the sunny Hon Thom, one of the islands with the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, Sun World Hon Thom Phu Quoc offers visitors an experience close to the waves. First, you will admire the panoramic view of the Pearl Island’s nature from the height of 174m on the Sun World Hon Thom cable car (a.k.a the world’s longest sea-crossing cable car).
Next, get ready to participate in countless exciting water games like scuba diving to see coral, parasailing by canoe, kayaking, inflatable float games, etc. Sun World Hon Thom Water Park or Aquatopia Water Park always welcomes “adrenaline junkies” with heart-stopping but refreshing winding water slides.
6. Discover the most beautiful coral reefs on the Pearl Island
Phu Quoc Island attracts a large number of foreign visitors thanks to its beautiful, enchanting white-sand beaches. In addition, there is a diverse Coral ecosystem, which gives you a multi-dimensional view of the Pearl Island’s nature. In the Phu Quoc coral sightseeing tour, you will explore Coral Mountain, the Northeast Coral Reef, or the famous Crescent Coral Reef. This is definitely an inspiring Phu Quoc travel experience for active #teamKlook members.
7. Experience local life at Ham Ninh Fishing Village
If you want to experience real fishing village life for yourself, you should visit Ham Ninh Fishing Village – a place that still retains its almost complete pristine beauty. The main occupations of the villagers here are pearl diving, sea cucumber catching, and crab netting. Visit Ham Ninh early in the morning to watch the sunrise, or admire the moon here at night, to fully feel its beauty. Oh, don’t miss the specialty of fresh boiled crab with firm, sweet meat, dipped in excellent salt, pepper, and lemon sauce. Choose a Phu Quoc one-day tour now to have the opportunity to visit Ham Ninh Fishing Village!
8. Enjoy the cool green space at Ganh Dau Cape – Phu Quoc
Many self-guided tourists to Phu Quoc know about Sao Beach, Long Beach, etc., but few pay attention to the place called Ganh Dau Cape. Stepping onto this place, you will be amazed as you immerse yourself in an extremely cool green space. The crescent-shaped beach hugs the surrounding trees. The shimmering white-yellow sand under the sunlight seems so clear that you can look into it and forget all your worries. Especially from here, you can see the maritime boundary of neighboring Cambodia.
9. Explore the primeval forest on Phu Quoc Island
Oh, adventurous souls, don’t miss the opportunity to explore North Phu Quoc Island, or visit the Da Ngon Mountain Ecological Reserve or Ganh Dau. You can choose to go on your own or hire a local tour guide throughout your journey. The primeval forests with their pristine scenery are waiting for you!
10. Overnight camping on Hon Mong Tay
Hon Mong Tay is quite pristine and uninhabited, without convenient services from the mainland. You can camp on the beach or go into the forest to explore the wild nature here. Another interesting activity is scuba diving to see the extremely rich coral ecosystem, along with many kinds of colorful sea anemones.
If you have an underwater camera, remember to take advantage of the opportunity to capture amazing images of the colorful and sized coral reefs. Book a Phu Quoc three-island tour now, and you will have the chance to visit up to 4 locations: Hon Mong Tay, Hon Dam Ngang, Hon May Rut, and Hon Dua.
11. Organize a picnic in the forest next to Suoi Tranh
One of the quite interesting activities when traveling to Phu Quoc on your own is organizing an overnight camp in the forest next to Suoi Tranh. Suoi Tranh (Tranh Stream) is located in the Ham Ninh range, northeast of Phu Quoc Island. Suoi Tranh is formed from small streams, winding through the forest and mountains to form a cool, poetic stream. The natural scenery with flowers, grass, mountains, and forests is an ideal place to organize a picnic.
A small tip: besides Suoi Tranh, Suoi Tien and Suoi Da Ban are also ideal suggestions for eco-tourism and trekking in the area.
12. Enjoy the Kiss of the Sea show in Phu Quoc
Kiss of the Sea is a unique and magnificent outdoor performance, combining water music and multimedia art with unprecedented technology and scale.
Come to Sunset Town to immerse yourself in a beautiful love story told in a profound and natural way, and be captivated by the vivid visual, light, and water effects, designed by the producer of the famous Wings of Time show.
13. Backpacking Phu Quoc with a Phu Quoc island canoe tour
The Phu Quoc 4-island tour by canoe is a popular set of experiences for self-guided travelers. With Klook’s tour, you will freely travel to the most beautiful beaches on the Pearl Island like Hon May Rut, Hon Mong Tay, Hon Gam Ghi, and Hon Thom, participate in diving to see coral, enjoy fresh seafood on the boat, try fishing, and admire the romantic red sunset… All in one day.
14. Check-in at Ice Jungle Phu Quoc Park
Ice Jungle Phu Quoc, the largest light-interactive art park in Vietnam, will take you into a fairy tale about a white Arctic bear named Winter and his friends.
Here, young #teamKlook members will immerse themselves in Winter’s story, experience a technological ecosystem of light and sound performances, and a unique pure environment. Come join the fairy tale world and enjoy impressive entertainment moments.
15. Explore the brand-new Sunset Town in Phu Quoc
Sunset Town, also known as Thị Trấn Hoàng Hôn, is a new and notable destination in Phu Quoc. Located on the gentle hillside of the island’s Southwest, the place offers a high-class living space and unique entertainment experiences, making many liken it to a “Mediterranean town” in the heart of the Pearl Island.
The town is divided into three main areas with separate themes: Sun Premier Village Primavera (The Prosperous Port), Sun Grand City Hillside Residence (The Rising Symbol), and Central Village (The Heart of Sunset Town). Of course, you cannot miss the Kiss Bridge – an architectural work considered the most romantic and unique on the Pearl Island.
Delicious Phu Quoc Specialties You Can’t Miss
Your love for food is just as great as your passion for exploring nature, right? If so, you must fill your “hungry belly” with Phu Quoc specialties that sound delicious just by their names, according to Klook’s suggestions.
1. Crab Blood Pudding (Tiết canh cua)
Source: Afamily
Crab blood pudding is taken from the legs of a fatty-roe-rich crab, then mixed with spices to create a characteristic savory and delicious flavor. The deliciousness of crab blood pudding is undeniable; you’ll remember it forever after one bite. Enjoy it with a bit of the famous Sim wine, and it’s absolutely “the cat’s meow.”
2. Kèn Noodle Soup (Bún kèn)
If Quang Nam has Quang noodles, Phu Quoc attracts tourists with the simple Kèn noodle soup. Fresh needlefish or mackerel is ground, deep-fried until crispy, and then cooked with fish bone broth and coconut milk, served with shredded papaya, herbs, and red chili, creating a unique and delicious flavor. This is a common Phu Quoc local dish, widely sold in Duong Dong town.
3. Ham Ninh Crab (Ghẹ Hàm Ninh)
Source: Unsplash
Ham Ninh crab is naturally sold at Ham Ninh fishing village, about 20km from the center of Duong Dong town. The crab is freshly caught, not too big but very thick and sweet. With a simple preparation method like boiling or steaming with lemongrass, the exquisite taste of Ham Ninh crab is enough to make any food lover fall in love.
