Phu Quoc is about 50 km from north to south, and the best things to do are spread across the whole island. The south has the islands, coral and the cable car. The north has the quiet beaches, Starfish Beach and the big attractions. The west coast has the sunsets.
That is why this guide is organised by area. Pick one area per day and you will spend your time doing things instead of sitting in traffic.
Top 5 for a first visit
- A day at sea around the southern islands, with snorkeling (December to April is best).
- The Hon Thom cable car, about 8 km over the sea and islands.
- Sao Beach, the island's best-known white-sand beach.
- A west-coast sunset at Ong Lang, Long Beach or Sunset Town.
- An evening at Grand World or out on the water squid fishing.
All 20 things to do at a glance
Prices for our tours are per adult. Ticket prices for attractions change often, so check the official site before you go.
| Activity | Area | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Island hopping and snorkeling | South | Full day | Tours from 800,000đ |
| 2. Hon Thom cable car | South | Half day | Ticketed |
| 3. Sunset Town and Kiss of the Sea | South | Evening | Free to walk; show ticketed |
| 4. Khem Beach | South | Half day | Public beach; access varies |
| 5. Coconut Tree Prison | South | 1 hour | Low cost |
| 6. Sao Beach | South-east | Half day | Free |
| 7. Ho Quoc Pagoda | South-east | 1 hour | Free |
| 8. Pepper, fish sauce and local producers | South-east / centre | 1–2 hours | Free to low cost |
| 9. Duong Dong town and Dinh Cau | West | 2 hours | Free |
| 10. Seafood and the night market | West | Evening | From a few dollars |
| 11. Sunset on the west coast | West | 1–2 hours | Free |
| 12. Night squid fishing | West / south | 3.5 hours | Tour from 330,000đ |
| 13. Suoi Tien forest and stream trek | Centre | 7 hours | Tour from 950,000đ |
| 14. Waterfalls and streams | Centre | Half day | Low cost |
| 15. Starfish Beach (Rach Vem) | North | Half to full day | Tour from 1,050,000đ |
| 16. Vinpearl Safari | North | Half day | Ticketed |
| 17. VinWonders | North | Full day | Ticketed |
| 18. Grand World at night | North | Evening | Free to walk; tour from 890,000đ |
| 19. National Park and the quiet north coast | North | Half day | Free to low cost |
| 20. A day or night with locals | Islands / coast | Full day or afternoon to night | Tours from 2,140,000đ |
South: An Thoi, the islands and Sunset Town
The south is where most visitors spend their best day. Boats to the islands leave from the An Thoi area, the cable car starts here and Sunset Town is next door.
1. Go island hopping and snorkeling
The small islands south of An Thoi, such as May Rut, Mong Tay and Gam Ghi, have the clearest water and the best coral around Phu Quoc. A day at sea usually combines a boat or speedboat ride, two or three swimming and snorkeling stops, and lunch.
When: December to April for calm sea and good visibility. From May to October, boat trips can be changed or cancelled when the sea is rough. See our month-by-month weather guide.
- Snorkeling Tour: Dancing with Coral: the most time on the coral. From 1,700,000đ, lunch included.
- 3 Island Speedboat Tour: May Rut, Mong Tay and Gam Ghi. From 800,000đ, about 8 hours.
- 4 Islands & Cable Car Tour: islands plus the cable car in one day. From 1,300,000đ.
2. Ride the Hon Thom cable car
The cable car crosses about 8 km of sea from An Thoi to Hon Thom island, with views over the fishing boats and the southern islands. It is one of the longest sea-crossing cable cars in the world. On Hon Thom there is a beach and the Aquatopia water park.
Tip: go in the morning on a clear day for the best views. Tickets are sold by Sun World and packages change, so read our Hon Thom cable car guide before you go, or combine it with islands on the 4 Islands & Cable Car Tour.
3. Walk Sunset Town and watch Kiss of the Sea
Sunset Town is a new Mediterranean-style resort town near An Thoi, built for photos and sunset walks. In the evening, the Kiss of the Sea show (water, light and fireworks) is the main draw. It is quiet and hot during the day, so come late afternoon. Sunset Town guide.
4. Spend a morning at Khem Beach
A calm, pale-sand bay on the south-east coast, mostly lined by resorts, so access to some sections goes through them. Good for a slow morning and easy swimming in the dry season. Khem Beach guide.
5. Visit the Coconut Tree Prison
The former prison near An Thoi is now a war history museum. It is a serious, sometimes graphic visit that shows a very different side of the island. Allow about an hour. Phu Quoc Prison guide.
South-east: Sao Beach and local life
6. Swim at Sao Beach
Sao Beach is the island's best-known beach, with fine white sand and shallow turquoise water. It is busy in the middle of the day, so arrive early. Access to the beach is free; sunbeds and drinks are paid. Sao Beach guide.
7. See the view from Ho Quoc Pagoda
A large Buddhist temple on the hillside above the east coast, with sea views from the steps. Free to enter. Cover shoulders and knees.
8. Meet the island's producers: pepper, fish sauce and more
Phu Quoc is famous in Vietnam for its fish sauce and its black pepper. Stopping at a pepper farm or a fish sauce house is a quick way to understand how the island lives beyond tourism.
- South-East Phu Quoc Tour: Sao Beach, Ho Quoc Pagoda and local stops by road. From 690,000đ, about 6.5 hours. A good choice in the rainy season too.
Duong Dong, the west coast and the forest
9. Explore Duong Dong town and Dinh Cau
Duong Dong is the island's main town: a fishing port, a busy river, a morning market and Dinh Cau, a small temple on the rocks at the river mouth. It is the most local part of the island. Duong Dong guide.
10. Eat seafood and try the night market
Grilled seafood, herring salad (goi ca trich) and bun ken noodles are the island dishes to try. The night market has moved and changed in recent years, so check what is open before you go. Night market guide and food guide.
11. Watch the sunset on the west coast
Phu Quoc faces west, so almost every beach on that side has a sunset over the sea. Ong Lang is quieter, Long Beach is closest to most hotels. Best from November to April, when the sky is clearer. Sunset guide.
12. Go night squid fishing
An easy evening on a local boat: the crew shows you how to fish for squid under the boat lights, and dinner (squid congee and fruit) is served on board. If you catch something, it may be cooked for you. A catch is never guaranteed. Pickup is between 17:00 and 17:30 and you are back around 21:00. Night Squid Fishing Tour, from 330,000đ.
13. Trek through the forest to Suoi Tien
A guided 3 to 4 km walk through the forest to a stream where you can cool off. A good active day and one of the best options when the sea is too rough for boats. Suoi Tien Trekking Tour, from 950,000đ with pickup, entrance ticket, snack and lunch.
14. Find a waterfall in the rainy season
Phu Quoc's streams and waterfalls, such as Suoi Tranh, depend on the rain. From about July to November they have water; in the dry months they can be almost empty. Waterfalls guide.
North: Starfish Beach, Safari and Grand World
15. See Starfish Beach at Rach Vem
Rach Vem is a quiet fishing village in the north with shallow, calm water where starfish live. Look at them in the water, but please do not lift them out: they die quickly in the air. Starfish Beach guide.
- North Island Starfish Tour: Rach Vem and local stops in the north, with lunch. From 1,050,000đ.
16. Drive through Vinpearl Safari
An open-range wildlife park where you ride a bus through areas with free-roaming animals, plus walking zones. Popular with families. Half a day is enough. Vinpearl Safari guide.
17. Spend a day at VinWonders
One of Vietnam's largest theme parks, with rides, a water park and an aquarium, next to the Safari. It needs a full day. In October 2026 the official site listed a one-day VinWonders and Safari combo at about US$59; check current prices before you buy. VinWonders guide.
18. Spend an evening at Grand World
A Venice-style "sleepless city" with canals, gondolas, bright buildings and evening shows. It is free to walk around and best after dark. In the daytime it feels empty. Grand World guide or the Grand World Evening Tour, from 890,000đ with dinner.
19. Explore the National Park and the quiet north coast
More than half of Phu Quoc is protected forest. Roads through the north lead to quiet beaches and fishing villages such as Ganh Dau, far from the resorts. Check which trails are open before going. National Park guide.
20. Spend a day or a night with locals
For something less touristy: a day with local island hosts, with speedboat, snorkeling and a seafood lunch, or an afternoon and evening camping on the coast with a campfire dinner.
- Local Experience with Island Hosts: about 8.5 hours, lunch included. From 2,500,000đ.
- Phu Quoc Camping Experience: set up camp on the coast with local organisers, campfire dinner and music, from 12:00 to 22:00. From 2,140,000đ.
How to plan your days
Group activities by area. A simple plan we often suggest:
- 2 days: a sea day in the south (1, 2) and a south-east day with a sunset (6, 7, 11).
- 3 days: add a north day: Starfish Beach in the day, Grand World at night (15, 18).
- 5 days: add VinWonders or Safari (16, 17), Duong Dong and squid fishing (9, 12), and one free beach day.
Put your sea day early in the trip, so you can move it if the weather is bad. Getting around: Grab cars work across most of the island; taxis are easy to book through hotels; renting a scooter needs a valid licence and good experience. Full day-by-day plans in our Phu Quoc itinerary and where to stay guide.
Honest tips from a local team
- Don't try to see north and south in one day. You will spend most of it in a car.
- Don't book a sea day in the rainy season without a backup. Rough sea means poor visibility and possible cancellations.
- Sunset Town and Grand World are for evenings. By day they are hot and quiet.
- Leave the starfish in the water and do not touch the coral.
- Waterfalls need rain. In the dry season, choose the forest trek or the sea instead.
Tell us your dates, hotel area and what you enjoy. We will suggest a realistic plan and the tours that fit, with no obligation.
4 Islands & Cable Car Tour
If you only book one day, make it the south: island stops plus the Hon Thom cable car.
- From 1,300,000đ per adult
- Full day
Also worth a look: South-East Phu Quoc Tour, from 690,000đ.
FAQ
What is Phu Quoc best known for?
Phu Quoc is best known for its beaches, the islands and coral around An Thoi in the south, the Hon Thom sea-crossing cable car, sunsets on the west coast, seafood, fish sauce and pepper.
How many days do you need in Phu Quoc?
Four to five days is a good length: one day at sea around the southern islands, one day in the north, one south-east or local day and time for beaches and evenings. Two or three days is enough for the highlights if you plan by area.
What can you do in Phu Quoc for free?
Public beaches such as Sao Beach, Long Beach and Ong Lang, sunsets on the west coast, Duong Dong town and Dinh Cau, Ho Quoc Pagoda, Rach Vem and walking around Grand World and Sunset Town cost nothing apart from transport.
What is there to do in Phu Quoc at night?
Grand World with its canals, lights and shows, Sunset Town and the Kiss of the Sea show, night squid fishing on a local boat, seafood dinners and the night market.
Is Phu Quoc good for families?
Yes. VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, the Hon Thom cable car, calm west-coast beaches in the dry season and short boat trips all work well for children. Choose December to April for the easiest sea conditions.
Do I need a tour in Phu Quoc?
Not for beaches, towns or theme parks. A tour makes most sense for the southern islands and snorkeling, which need a boat, and for the north and south-east, where distances are long and the best stops are spread out.