TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN PHU QUOC ISLAND, VIETNAM
20-03-2019TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN PHU QUOC ISLAND, VIETNAM
EXPERIENCES IN phu quoc island
EXPERIENCES IN phu quoc island
Located 10-degree North latitude, Phu Quoc is a tropical island whose closest landing point in Vietnam by sea is the town of Ha Tien, also in Kien Giang province and is 46 km away. Rach Gia city, the capital of the province is 120 km away and be reached by sea (2.5 hours) and by air (25 minute fly). Ho Chi Minh City is some 500 km away and is accessible by air (60 minutes fly).
How to get there?
By air: flights to and from Phu Quoc, flight times, booking and more.
By sea: all speed boat operators to and from Phu Quoc island, times and cost
When to visit?
High Season: The island Phu Quoc’s monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is at its best in the November to March period. Sunny skies and consistent temperatures of 25 - 28 Celsius (77-82 Fahrenheit) and lower humidity make it a good time to be here. On the down side, prices are high and the island becomes more congested. You won’t be alone in finding your way to Sao Beach and many of the most popular hotels and resorts are heavily booked long in advance. Flights can also be a real problem.
Shoulder Season: April - June and Sept - Oct can be good with less crowding, cheaper prices and reasonable odds of good weather. You will find that April and May are the hottest months with temperatures reaching 35 degrees and humidity around 80% to 85% that worth paying for air conditioning at this time of the year. June and late Sept can be good depending on luck with rain. In October many resorts schedule annual maintenance so check before you book.
Low Season: July and August is dominated by the monsoon and unless you enjoy some muddy adventure, it get can rather wet at times, though you can get lucky of course and have intermittent good weather. Monsoon seasons can be very wet and wild, with the continual rain during this time. Under prolonged deluges the red dirt roads turn to slippery sludge and roads become impassable. You may get lucky with some sun and prices are generally more competitive.
How to get there?
By air: flights to and from Phu Quoc, flight times, booking and more.
By sea: all speed boat operators to and from Phu Quoc island, times and cost
When to visit?
High Season: The island Phu Quoc’s monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is at its best in the November to March period. Sunny skies and consistent temperatures of 25 - 28 Celsius (77-82 Fahrenheit) and lower humidity make it a good time to be here. On the down side, prices are high and the island becomes more congested. You won’t be alone in finding your way to Sao Beach and many of the most popular hotels and resorts are heavily booked long in advance. Flights can also be a real problem.
Shoulder Season: April - June and Sept - Oct can be good with less crowding, cheaper prices and reasonable odds of good weather. You will find that April and May are the hottest months with temperatures reaching 35 degrees and humidity around 80% to 85% that worth paying for air conditioning at this time of the year. June and late Sept can be good depending on luck with rain. In October many resorts schedule annual maintenance so check before you book.
Low Season: July and August is dominated by the monsoon and unless you enjoy some muddy adventure, it get can rather wet at times, though you can get lucky of course and have intermittent good weather. Monsoon seasons can be very wet and wild, with the continual rain during this time. Under prolonged deluges the red dirt roads turn to slippery sludge and roads become impassable. You may get lucky with some sun and prices are generally more competitive.
THINGS TO DO:
Sao Beach
Located on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand is Bai Sao Beach. It is declared as one of the best beaches of Vietnam. Its clear and clean turquoise water and the palm trees that follow the sea will make you love it! If you get lucky enough, you can have it for yourself. Just rent a motorbike and follow the road going to the south of the island, and there on the side of the road a wooden sign will guide you to this marvelous place.
Sao Beach
Located on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand is Bai Sao Beach. It is declared as one of the best beaches of Vietnam. Its clear and clean turquoise water and the palm trees that follow the sea will make you love it! If you get lucky enough, you can have it for yourself. Just rent a motorbike and follow the road going to the south of the island, and there on the side of the road a wooden sign will guide you to this marvelous place.
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Vinpearl Phu Quoc
Vinpearl is a hotel system with world-class 5-star services and facilities in the UNESCO heritage or world famous beaches. Each of Vinpearl's condominiums has its own creativity and design, but we try to bring the best experience to our customers.
Suoi Tranh Waterfalls
A short, uphill walk from an eclectic sculpture park leads to this small waterfall with rocky pools.
A short, uphill walk from an eclectic sculpture park leads to this small waterfall with rocky pools.
Cau Temple
A short, uphill walk from an eclectic sculpture park leads to this small waterfall with rocky pools.
Historial Phu Quoc Prison
The coconut tree prison which is also known as “Phu Quoc Prison” is located in An Thoi Village, Phu Quoc. The name “coconut tree” originated from the Indochina War; when French colony was dominating Vietnam and the resistant war against French becomes very strong. At this time, the prison had four areas named “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”; which was believed to keep over 14,000 prisoners. However, when the Indochina War finished, most of the prisoners returned to their families according to the Geneva Accords.
As the Vietnam War started, the U.S troops rebuilt the place into a new prison but kept the same name. The new prison had separate areas for men, women and the elder. As time passed by, until 1966, a new part of the prison was built to imprison more Vietnamese soldiers. The new part of the prison had 12 main areas. Each area was divided into four different sub-areas “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. The protection security was very strict with tight supervision all the time.
Nowadays, “The coconut tree prison” has become a place for tourists to visit since 1996. In the same year, it was recognized as a “national historical heritage”.
The coconut tree prison which is also known as “Phu Quoc Prison” is located in An Thoi Village, Phu Quoc. The name “coconut tree” originated from the Indochina War; when French colony was dominating Vietnam and the resistant war against French becomes very strong. At this time, the prison had four areas named “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”; which was believed to keep over 14,000 prisoners. However, when the Indochina War finished, most of the prisoners returned to their families according to the Geneva Accords.
As the Vietnam War started, the U.S troops rebuilt the place into a new prison but kept the same name. The new prison had separate areas for men, women and the elder. As time passed by, until 1966, a new part of the prison was built to imprison more Vietnamese soldiers. The new part of the prison had 12 main areas. Each area was divided into four different sub-areas “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. The protection security was very strict with tight supervision all the time.
Nowadays, “The coconut tree prison” has become a place for tourists to visit since 1996. In the same year, it was recognized as a “national historical heritage”.
Phu Quoc National Park
Phu Quoc National park covers more than 50% of the island so it is definitely worth considering a visit, especially if you would like to escape the heat of the daytime sun, a walk along a park trail or motorbike ride on one of roads in the north will give you a taste of this natural environment on Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc National Park was established by the Vietnamese Government in 2001 after upgrading the previous Natural Protection Area and Nature Reserve to include an area of 31,422 hectares, which includes 8603 hectares of strictly protected area, 22,603 hectares of biological restoration area and 33 hectares for administration and services. An additional 6,144 hectares is dedicated to a land-buffer zone and around 20,000 hectares of sea-buffer zone, though the final Marine protection zones are yet to be declared.
Phu Quoc National park covers more than 50% of the island so it is definitely worth considering a visit, especially if you would like to escape the heat of the daytime sun, a walk along a park trail or motorbike ride on one of roads in the north will give you a taste of this natural environment on Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc National Park was established by the Vietnamese Government in 2001 after upgrading the previous Natural Protection Area and Nature Reserve to include an area of 31,422 hectares, which includes 8603 hectares of strictly protected area, 22,603 hectares of biological restoration area and 33 hectares for administration and services. An additional 6,144 hectares is dedicated to a land-buffer zone and around 20,000 hectares of sea-buffer zone, though the final Marine protection zones are yet to be declared.
Fish Sauce Factory
or a completely unique experience visit one of the many fish sauce distilleries in either Duong Dong or An Thoi towns. Phu Quoc is famous for its production of very high quality fish sauce which is exported worldwide and is a major contributor to the islands economy. Fish sauce or nuoc mâm is a dipping sauce which complements most Vietnamese meals to add a saltiness flavour. It is made from combining anchovies, salt, and water and sometimes the pepper grown on the island and fermented through various stages for six months up to a year before being drained from the large barrels into different grades from the top quality lighter coloured sauce to the basic cooking sauce, both of which are high in protein. Phu Quoc produces over an incredible 12 million litres of fish sauce each year and has around 85 factories on the island, so it’s well worth visiting one of the many factories on the island.
Most factories in Duong Dong are located along the river and they will let you have a look at the large storage barrels which flow into smaller vats and then plastic containers to the bottling process. Some of the organised tours visit these fish sauce factories, however if visiting on your own there’s no admission charge, however you may need a Vietnamese speaking guide. Some factories also have a small shop selling different grades of fish sauce. Please note that when departing Phu Quoc by air, carrying fish sauce on the airplane is not allowed and some airlines have banned it altogether because of risk of breakage and the pungent fumes that are extremely difficult to remove. You can however purchase some fish sauce at the airport in the departure lounge, and they currently organise delivery for you to Ho Chi Minh (somehow).
or a completely unique experience visit one of the many fish sauce distilleries in either Duong Dong or An Thoi towns. Phu Quoc is famous for its production of very high quality fish sauce which is exported worldwide and is a major contributor to the islands economy. Fish sauce or nuoc mâm is a dipping sauce which complements most Vietnamese meals to add a saltiness flavour. It is made from combining anchovies, salt, and water and sometimes the pepper grown on the island and fermented through various stages for six months up to a year before being drained from the large barrels into different grades from the top quality lighter coloured sauce to the basic cooking sauce, both of which are high in protein. Phu Quoc produces over an incredible 12 million litres of fish sauce each year and has around 85 factories on the island, so it’s well worth visiting one of the many factories on the island.
Most factories in Duong Dong are located along the river and they will let you have a look at the large storage barrels which flow into smaller vats and then plastic containers to the bottling process. Some of the organised tours visit these fish sauce factories, however if visiting on your own there’s no admission charge, however you may need a Vietnamese speaking guide. Some factories also have a small shop selling different grades of fish sauce. Please note that when departing Phu Quoc by air, carrying fish sauce on the airplane is not allowed and some airlines have banned it altogether because of risk of breakage and the pungent fumes that are extremely difficult to remove. You can however purchase some fish sauce at the airport in the departure lounge, and they currently organise delivery for you to Ho Chi Minh (somehow).
Coi Nguon Museum
Coi Nguon Museum in Phu Quoc is a small museum that depicts the history, flora, and fauna of the island. It also houses a large collection of local antiques.
An Thoi Island
Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, these 15 islands and islets can be visited by chartered boat. It’s a fine area for sightseeing, fishing, swimming and snorkelling. Hon Thom (Pineapple Island) is about 3km in length and is the largest island in the group.
Coi Nguon Museum in Phu Quoc is a small museum that depicts the history, flora, and fauna of the island. It also houses a large collection of local antiques.
An Thoi Island
Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, these 15 islands and islets can be visited by chartered boat. It’s a fine area for sightseeing, fishing, swimming and snorkelling. Hon Thom (Pineapple Island) is about 3km in length and is the largest island in the group.
Most boats depart from An Thoi on Phu Quoc, but you can make arrangements through hotels on Long Beach, as well as dive operators. Boat trips generally do not run during the rainy season.
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