The 7 most beautiful places to visit in Phu Quoc are Rach Vem Starfish Beach, Phu Quoc National Park with Ganh Dau Cape, Duong Dong Market with Dinh Cau Temple, Sao Beach, Phu Quoc Prison, Sunset Town with Kiss Bridge, and Hon Thom Cable Car with the An Thoi Archipelago.
I just got back from another tropical getaway to Vietnamโs “Pearl Island,” and Phu Quoc never fails to charm. From quiet fishing villages and dense primeval jungles in the north to world-record cable cars and powder-white beaches in the south, this island has evolved into a world-class destination.
Whether you plan to cruise along the coastal roads on a rented scooter or hop between islands on a speed boat, this guide walks you through the top 7 places in logical geographical order from North to South, complete with exact entry costs, road conditions, and my personal insights fresh off the island.
๐ Phu Quoc at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| ๐ Location | Kien Giang Province, Gulf of Thailand (~1-hour flight from Hanoi/HCMC) |
| ๐ค๏ธ Best Time to Visit | NovโApr (Dry season: clear turquoise waters & sunny days) |
| โ๏ธ Getting There | Direct flights to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) or speedboats from Ha Tien/Rach Gia |
| โฑ๏ธ Recommended Duration | 3 to 4 full days to cover the north, center, and south |
| ๐ฐ Estimated Budget | 4,000,000โ6,500,000 VND ($160โ$260 USD) per person (excl. flights) |
| ๐ฃ๏ธ Transport Options | Scooter rental (120kโ150k VND/day), Grab, or private car charter |
๐ What Makes Phu Quoc Unique?
Phu Quoc is Vietnamโs largest island, sitting in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Recognized as part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, over half of the island is protected national parkland filled with evergreen tropical forests.
What sets Phu Quoc apart is its dual personality: up north, you’ll find laid-back fishing villages, red-dirt roads, and quiet sanctuaries; down south, you are treated to striking coastal architecture, luxury beach clubs, and translucent waters reminiscent of the Maldives. Add world-famous fish sauce, black pepper farms, and fresh seafood to the mix, and you have an unbeatable tropical getaway.
๐ Top 7 Beautiful Places in Phu Quoc
Here is the ultimate list, arranged in a seamless North-to-South route so you can easily plan your day trips without zig-zagging across the island.
1. ๐ด Rach Vem Starfish Beach โ The Hidden Northern Gem
Rach Vem is a secluded fishing village famous for floating wooden seafood restaurants and shallow, clear waters filled with red red-knobby starfish. Tucked away on the northern coast, it offers a glimpse of the islandโs authentic, rustic charm before major resort developments took over.
- ๐ Location: Northern Phu Quoc (~25 km north of Duong Dong Town)
- ๐ต Road Condition: Partially paved; the last 5 km consists of bumpy dirt tracks
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Free (Boat transfer to Starfish Beach: ~50,000 VND/person)
- โณ Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours (ideal for lunch)
๐ก My Personal Experience: “We rode our scooter up to Rach Vem around 11:00 AM. Walking along the wooden plank bridges out to the floating restaurants for fresh squid, while watching red starfish resting in crystal-clear knee-deep water, felt like stepping back in time.”
Note: Please do not lift starfish out of the water, as exposure to air harms them!
2. ๐ฟ Phu Quoc National Park & Ganh Dau Cape โ Lush Greenery & Coastal Views
Phu Quoc National Park covers over 31,000 hectares of dense tropical forest, ending at Ganh Dau Cape where you can look directly across the sea to Cambodia. It is the green lung of the island, perfect for shaded forest drives and quiet coastal sunsets.
- ๐ Location: Northwestern tip of the island (~30 km from Duong Dong)
- ๐ต Road Condition: Smooth paved highway cutting through the canopy
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Free
- โณ Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
๐ธ Road Tip: Drive along the forest road between Bรฃi Thฦกm and Gร nh Dแบงu for a cool, shaded ride under giant dipterocarp trees. When you reach Ganh Dau Cape, stop by a oceanfront cafeโon clear days, the Cambodian coastline is visible just a few kilometers across the blue water! ๐ฐ๐ญ
3. ๐ฎ Duong Dong Market & Dinh Cau Temple โ The Island Heartbeat
Duong Dong Market is the buzzing commercial hub of the island, paired with Dinh Cau Templeโa historic seaside shrine where local fishermen pray for safe voyages. Located in the central town, this area comes alive at sunset as the nearby Night Market opens up.
- ๐ Location: Duong Dong Town Center
- ๐ต Road Condition: Easy town roads (busy during evening hours)
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Free
- โณ Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours (late afternoon to evening)
๐ Insider Insight: Visit Dinh Cau Temple around 5:30 PM. Climb the short stone staircase to watch the sun drop directly into the Gulf of Thailand behind the lighthouse, then stroll 5 minutes to the Night Market for grilled sea urchin and coconut ice cream ๐ฅฅ.
4. ๐๏ธ Sao Beach (Bai Sao) โ Powder-White Sand Paradise
Sao Beach is world-famous for its 7-kilometer crescent of snow-white, fine silica sand and calm, turquoise waters. Tucked away on the southeastern coast, the water here is remarkably shallow and wave-free during the dry season, making it Phu Quoc’s most postcard-perfect beach.
- ๐ Location: An Thoi Commune (~25 km south of Duong Dong)
- ๐ต Road Condition: Paved main road with a narrow concrete alley leading to the shore
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Free (Beach lounger rental: ~50,000โ100,000 VND)
- โณ Time Needed: Half-day (2 to 4 hours)
๐ Traveler Tip: Head to the far northern end of the beach (near Paradiso Restaurant) for cleaner sand, fewer crowds, and palm trees swaying over the waterโideal for photos!
5. โ๏ธ Phu Quoc Prison โ A Sobering Glimpse into History
Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison) is a historical museum detailing the stark conditions faced by political prisoners during the Indochina and Vietnam Wars. Through preserved watchtowers, tiger cages, and life-sized mannequins, it offers an educational and sobering counterpoint to the island’s resort vibe.
- ๐ Location: An Thoi Town (~3 km from Sao Beach)
- ๐ต Road Condition: Excellent (located on the main DT46 highway)
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Free (Donations appreciated)
- โณ Time Needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
๐ก My Personal Experience: “Walking through the reconstructed escape tunnels and reading the historical accounts gives you a deep appreciation for the resilience of the Vietnamese people. It’s a quick but essential stop on your southern island route.”
6. ๐ Sunset Town & Kiss Bridge โ Mediterranean Vibes
Sunset Town (Thแป trแบฅn Hoร ng Hรดn) is a striking pastel-colored hillside town designed in Mediterranean architectural style, anchored by the iconic Kiss Bridge (Cแบงu Hรดn). It offers high-altitude viewpoints, vibrant street art, coastal cafes, and nightly multimedia fireworks shows over the sea.
- ๐ Location: An Thoi, Southwestern tip of the island
- ๐ต Road Condition: Easy, paved urban roads
- ๐๏ธ Entry Fee: Town access is free; Kiss Bridge walking ticket: ~100,000โ200,000 VND
- โณ Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours (Late afternoon until night)
๐ Evening Recommendation: Walk onto Kiss Bridge around 5:15 PM for an unobstructed view of the sunset between the two bridge spans, then stay in town for the evening Kiss of the Sea fireworks performance ๐.
7. ๐ก Hon Thom Cable Car & An Thoi Archipelago โ Island Hopping
The Hon Thom Cable Car holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car, spanning nearly 8 km over the sea. It connects southern Phu Quoc to Hon Thom Island (Pineapple Island), floating above emerald waters, fishing boats, and coral reefs.
- ๐ Location: Departure station in Sunset Town, An Thoi
- ๐ต Road Condition: Excellent
- ๐๏ธ Cable Car Ticket: ~600,000โ650,000 VND (~$25 USD, includes Sun World Waterpark access)
- โณ Time Needed: Half-day to full-day
๐ค Island Hopping Tip: Combine your cable car ride with a 3-island or 4-island speedboat tour to Hon May Rut and Hon Gam Ghi for some of the best snorkeling and coral viewing in Vietnam!
โ๏ธ Comparison Table
| Location | Type | Highlights | Time Needed | Entry Fee |
| ๐ด Rach Vem Beach | Secluded Beach | Starfish, floating seafood rafts | 2โ3 hrs | Free |
| ๐ฟ National Park & Cape | Nature / Viewpoint | Forest drives, Cambodia view | 2 hrs | Free |
| ๐ฎ Duong Dong Market | Culture / Shrine | Sunset temple, night market, street food | Evening | Free |
| ๐๏ธ Sao Beach | White Sand Beach | Powder-white sand, calm swimming | 3โ4 hrs | Free |
| โ๏ธ Phu Quoc Prison | Historical Site | War history museum, tiger cages | 1 hr | Free |
| ๐ Sunset Town | Coastal Town | Kiss Bridge, sunset views, fireworks | 2โ3 hrs | Free (Bridge ~100k) |
| ๐ก Hon Thom Cable Car | Cable Car / Islands | 8km oversea cable car, waterpark | Half-day | ~650,000 VND |
๐บ๏ธ How to Visit All 7 Places
๐๏ธ Recommended 4-Day Route (North to South)
Plaintext
๐ Day 1: Arrive โ Check-in Duong Dong โ Dinh Cau Temple & Sunset โ Duong Dong Night Market
๐ Day 2 (North): Scooter to Rach Vem Starfish Beach โ Phu Quoc National Park drive โ Ganh Dau Cape
๐ Day 3 (South): Sao Beach โ Phu Quoc Prison โ Sunset Town & Kiss Bridge sunset โ Fireworks
๐ Day 4 (Islands): Hon Thom Cable Car ride & Aquatopia Waterpark โ Island Hopping Tour โ Departure๐ต Estimated Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 4 Days)
- ๐ต Transport: Scooter Rental + Gas: ~600,000 VND ($24 USD) Car Rental With Driver: ~1.300.000 VND ($50 USD)
- ๐ก Accommodation (Ngoc Viet Bungalow) (3 Nights – Mid-range): 1,500,000โ2,500,000 VND ($60โ$100 USD)
- ๐ฒ Food & Seafood Dinners: 1,200,000โ1,800,000 VND ($48โ$72 USD)
- ๐๏ธ Tickets (Cable Car, Kiss Bridge, Starfish Boat): ~850,000 VND ($34 USD)
- ๐ฐ Total Estimate: ~4,150,000โ6,820,000 VND ($166โ$250 USD) (Excl. flights)
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Sao Beach is famous for its powder-white sand, while Sunset Town paired with the Hon Thom Cable Car ride offers the most dramatic coastal views.
You need at least 3 to 4 days to comfortably explore both the tranquil north and the vibrant southern attractions of Phu Quoc.
The dry season from November to April brings calm, clear blue waters, ideal swimming conditions, and sunny skies across the island.
Renting a scooter (120,000โ150,000 VND/day) offers great freedom on paved main roads, though ride-hailing apps and private taxis are widely available.
A standard 4-day trip costs around 4,000,000 to 6,500,000 VND ($160โ$260 USD) per person, excluding flights.
โ๏ธ Final Thoughts
Phu Quoc perfectly balances tropical island relaxation with world-class sights. If you are short on time, do not miss Sao Beach for a classic beach day and Sunset Town at golden hourโthese two experiences capture the magic of the island best.
Pack your sunscreen, rent a scooter, and enjoy exploring Vietnam’s tropical paradise! โจ
About the Author: Hoang Phan is a Vietnam travel enthusiast and founder of Route Vietnam. Having explored Phu Quoc across different seasons, he shares practical, field-tested guides to help travelers discover Vietnam authentically and hassle-free.