Introduction to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is rapidly becoming Asia’s next hot tropical island destination, with it’s Sao Beach widely considered to be Vietnam’s best beach.
At Sao Beach.
The island lies in the Gulf of Thailand and is only a short flight away from Saigon. It actually lies closer to Cambodia’s coast (4 km away) than to Vietnam’s (45 km away).
More and more countries offer direct flights to Phu Quoc nowadays.
You can also get there by ferry, by the way.
Tourism is growing fast at the moment
The island has roughly 110.000 residents. It receives around 1.4 million tourists per year, 80% of those is Vietnamese. Three years ago that number was only 550.000, so tourism is indeed growing super fast on the island.
Looking out over the Gulf of Thailand from a bench in Duong Dong town.
What is there to see and do?
Half of the island is a National Park and a UNESCO site, part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.
Taken from our hotel. Salinda Resort lies directly at the beach. As you can see, the centre of the island is one big jungle.
The island has pepper plantations, fish sauce factories, pearl farms, day- and night markets and an old prison.
There are some temples, a few waterfalls and a fishing town called Duong Dong.
Fishing boats in Duong Dong’s harbour.
As usual we visited quite some temples. I brought sandals with laces, so there was a lot of tying shoelaces, untying them, tying them again etc. going on. Not a handy choice of shoes.
Being a fishing industry island, you often find references to that in temples, street lightning or other decorations.
Pretty beaches and no visa required
But most tourists go there for the beaches. The island does have some beautiful, picture-perfect beaches.
Panorama of Sao Beach, made by the hubby.
The sunsets are pretty, food and drinks are cheap (at least they can be, depending on where you stay and go) and it’s good for water sports.
Sunset from the hotel pool.
Another reason why tourists go to Phu Quoc is, that Vietnam’s visa process does not apply to the island. There is a 30-day visa-exemption. Saves you not only money, but also a lot of hassle and time.
Go now! Or is it too late already?
When you read up about the island, you often read that you better visit the island NOW, before it’s too late. Meaning: before mass tourism arrives on the island.
Let me first show you around on the island, and then, after my upcoming mini-series about Phu Quoc, I will reveal my opinion about the island: should you visit Phu Quoc fast? Are you still in time? Or are you too late already?
Dig deeper
At the end of my Phu Quoc mini-series, I’ll also refer you to some blogs and websites that provide all the information about Phu Quoc that you need.
Here’s a cool infographic by PhuQuocIslandGuide to get you started:
Phu Quoc, here we come!
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