Introduction
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and, in the past decade, has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant new resort destinations. Located in the Gulf of Thailand just 15 kilometres from the Cambodian coast, the island’s western coast hosts Long Beach (Bai Truong in Vietnamese) — a continuous 20-kilometre (12-mile) stretch of beach that runs the length of the island’s western flank and encompasses Phu Quoc’s most beautiful and extensively developed shoreline.
Long Beach is not a single, uniform strip but a progression of distinct sections: at the northern end, close to Duong Dong town (the island’s main settlement), the beach is busy and increasingly built-up, with international resort hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants crowding the waterfront. As you move south, development becomes progressively sparser, and in the far south, particularly around the Ong Lang and Ganh Dau areas, the beach retains a quieter, more natural character with patches of forest reaching close to the waterline.
The Gulf of Thailand waters off Phu Quoc’s western coast are among the calmest and most inviting in Vietnam. During the dry season (November to April), the sea is as flat as a lake — transparent, warm (28–30°C / 82–86°F), and coloured a vivid blue-green that contrasts strikingly with the white sand. Sunsets here are spectacular: Phu Quoc’s western orientation means the sun drops into the Gulf every evening, painting the sky in extravagant shades of orange and purple with the silhouettes of distant Cambodian islands on the horizon.
The Rapid Transformation of Phu Quoc
Visiting Phu Quoc requires accepting that it is a destination in rapid transition. A decade ago, it was a remote, underdeveloped island with basic infrastructure and a small, adventurous visitor base. Today, it has an international airport, multiple five-star resort complexes, a cable car (the world’s longest over-water cable car, connecting to a theme park island off the south coast), a large casino complex, and a highway running the length of the island.
This transformation is ongoing, rapid, and divisive in travel community opinions. Those who came a decade ago grieve the loss of the quiet fishing-village character. Those visiting now find a fully functional resort island with excellent infrastructure, a wide range of accommodation and dining, and natural beauty that, while pressured, remains exceptional. Travellers should visit with this context in mind: Phu Quoc is most comparable now to an early-stage Phuket — developed but not yet saturated, with wild areas still accessible for those willing to seek them out.
Getting to Phu Quoc
By Air
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) is the island’s gateway and has direct international flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap, and several other regional hubs. From Vietnam’s domestic network, regular flights connect Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1 hour), Hanoi (approximately 2 hours), and other major Vietnamese cities. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways all serve the route.
By Ferry
High-speed ferries connect the mainland port of Ha Tien (in Kien Giang province) with Phu Quoc in approximately 1 hour. Ha Tien is accessible by bus from Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 7–8 hours). This is a budget alternative to flying but substantially slower. A second ferry route connects from Rach Gia city (slightly further from Ho Chi Minh City) to Phu Quoc in approximately 2.5 hours.
Getting Around the Island
Phu Quoc is large enough (approximately 50 km long) that internal transport requires planning.
- Motorbike/scooter rental: The standard approach for independent travellers. Scooters are available throughout Duong Dong town for approximately USD 7–12 per day. The paved main highway runs the length of the island.
- Taxis and rideshares: Grab operates on Phu Quoc and provides reliable, fairly priced rideshares. Conventional taxis are available from the main taxi companies.
- Bicycle: The northern portion of the island, including the town and northern beach areas, is manageable by bicycle if accommodation is well-located.
When to Come
Phu Quoc’s seasonality is essentially the inverse of Vietnam’s central and northern coast.
- November to April (dry season — ideal): The northeast monsoon brings clear skies, calm seas, and very low rainfall to the Gulf of Thailand side of the island. This is the prime season for beach, snorkelling, and diving. The water is at its clearest. Temperatures are warm (27–32°C / 81–90°F) with low humidity.
- May to October (wet season): The southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall and rough seas to the western coast. Long Beach faces directly into the monsoon wind and swell, and conditions can be poor for swimming and water sports. Much of the island’s beach infrastructure — particularly the beach clubs — scales back operations. The eastern coast of the island (Sao Beach, Ham Ninh) receives less of the monsoon impact and can be better in the wet season. Prices are substantially lower.
Sleeping Nearby
Phu Quoc’s accommodation landscape spans the full spectrum.
Ultra-Luxury
Several of the world’s most ambitious resort developments have established themselves on Phu Quoc’s northern coast. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is a theatrical fantasy of a resort — designed by legendary architect Bill Bensley to resemble a fictional French colonial university — with multiple pools, multiple restaurants, a world-class spa, and a private beach section. Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort and InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort represent similar luxury tiers with their own distinctive characters.
Mid-Range
The strip around Ong Lang Beach, a 15-minute drive south of Duong Dong, has developed into a pleasant cluster of mid-range boutique hotels and eco-resorts that are better value and significantly quieter than the main hotel corridor.
Budget
Duong Dong town has guesthouses, budget hotels, and hostels, though true budget beach accommodation is harder to find than on other Vietnamese resort islands like Phu Quoc a decade ago or Mui Ne today.
Highlights and Activities
Sao Beach (Bai Sao)
While Long Beach is the longest and most developed strip, Sao Beach on the southeastern coast of the island is arguably more beautiful for a pure beach day — shorter (about 1 km), with extremely fine white sand and very calm water. It is on the leeward side of the island and is unaffected by the monsoon. A motorbike or taxi ride from Duong Dong takes 30-40 minutes.
Phu Quoc National Park
Covering more than half the island, Phu Quoc National Park protects dense tropical rainforest that is home to remarkable biodiversity including the endemic Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog, hornbills, gibbons, and hundreds of bird species. Hiking trails penetrate the park, and guided treks can be arranged from Duong Dong. The contrast between the resort coast and the wild forest interior is striking and worth experiencing.
Phu Quoc Fish Sauce (Nuoc Mam)
Phu Quoc fish sauce is one of Vietnam’s most famous culinary products — widely considered the finest fish sauce in the country, produced through a traditional fermentation process using black anchovies and sea salt. Several fish sauce factories on the island offer tours of the production process, which involves enormous wooden vats of fermenting fish and is an unforgettable sensory experience (it smells exactly as you would imagine). The resulting sauce is milder, more complex, and significantly better than industrial varieties.
Snorkelling and Diving (South Islands)
The clearest waters and best coral reefs around Phu Quoc are found at the cluster of small islands off the southern tip — the An Thoi archipelago. Several boat tours run daily snorkelling and diving trips to these islands, which have healthy coral, diverse reef fish, and the occasional reef shark.
Good to Know
Do I need a visa for Vietnam? Vietnam’s visa policy has become progressively more generous. Many nationalities now qualify for a 45-day visa-free stay (as of recent policy changes). E-visa is available for most other nationalities. Check the current Vietnamese government policy for your passport before travelling.
Is Phu Quoc overcrowded? Phu Quoc’s transformation has brought significant visitor numbers, but the island is large enough that the crowds are not yet overwhelming outside the peak period of December–January and around Vietnamese national holidays. The resort clusters of the north can feel busy; the southern and eastern parts of the island remain substantially quieter.
Is the water pollution a concern at Long Beach? Rapid development has placed strain on Phu Quoc’s water quality. Some sections of Long Beach near boat harbours and high-density resort areas have intermittent water quality issues. The further south along Long Beach you go, and especially at Sao Beach on the eastern coast, conditions are generally excellent.
What currency is used? Vietnamese Dong (VND). USD is widely accepted in tourist-facing businesses, particularly on Phu Quoc, but using VND from ATMs gives better value for local food and transport.