Phu Quoc in 7 days

Vietnam's island escape: white-sand beaches, pepper farms, fish sauce heritage and sunset on Sao Beach. Best time to visit: November-March. Average daily budget: $40 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Duong Dong, The main town: night market, fish sauce factories and the Dinh Cau rock temple.

Morning: Island-hop the An Thoi archipelago. Snorkel and kayak a chain of small islands on a day boat from An Thoi.

Afternoon: Explore Duong Dong, The main town: night market, fish sauce factories and the Dinh Cau rock temple.

Evening: Sunset at Sao or Long Beach. Phu Quoc faces west, so the sundowners are the island's daily ritual.

Eat: Bun quay, the island's DIY noodle soup where you mix your own dipping sauce

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Long Beach (Bai Truong), A 20 km sunset-facing strip of resorts, beach bars and the easiest swimming.

Morning: Ride the Hon Thom cable car. Nearly 8 km over fishing boats and turquoise water, the longest sea crossing of its kind.

Afternoon: Explore Long Beach (Bai Truong), A 20 km sunset-facing strip of resorts, beach bars and the easiest swimming.

Evening: Tour a pepper farm and fish sauce distillery. The island's two great exports, explained over tastings you won't forget.

Eat: Grilled seafood at Duong Dong night market, picked live from the tanks

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: An Thoi & Sunset Town, The southern port for island-hopping boats and the world's longest sea cable car.

Morning: Rach Vem fishing village in the north, with hammock cafes over the water and starfish shallows.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore An Thoi & Sunset Town, The southern port for island-hopping boats and the world's longest sea cable car.

Evening: Ganh Dau cape, the northwestern tip looking across to Cambodia.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Herring salad (goi ca trich) with coconut and green mango

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Ong Lang & the north, Quieter, greener coves with boutique resorts and far fewer people.

Morning: Suoi Tranh and Suoi Da Ban waterfalls, best right after the rains.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Ong Lang & the north, Quieter, greener coves with boutique resorts and far fewer people.

Evening: The Phu Quoc Prison museum, a sobering counterpoint to beach days.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sim wine, made from the island's rose-myrtle berries

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Bai Sao & Bai Khem, The famous powder-white sand beaches on the southeast coast.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Bai Sao & Bai Khem, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Bai Sao & Bai Khem, The famous powder-white sand beaches on the southeast coast.

Evening: Dinner at Bun quay, the island's DIY noodle soup where you mix your own dipping sauce, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Bai Sao & Bai Khem.

Eat: Bun quay, the island's DIY noodle soup where you mix your own dipping sauce

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Duong Dong, The main town: night market, fish sauce factories and the Dinh Cau rock temple.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Duong Dong, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Duong Dong, The main town: night market, fish sauce factories and the Dinh Cau rock temple.

Evening: Dinner at Grilled seafood at Duong Dong night market, picked live from the tanks, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Duong Dong.

Eat: Grilled seafood at Duong Dong night market, picked live from the tanks

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Long Beach (Bai Truong), A 20 km sunset-facing strip of resorts, beach bars and the easiest swimming.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Long Beach (Bai Truong), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Long Beach (Bai Truong), A 20 km sunset-facing strip of resorts, beach bars and the easiest swimming.

Evening: Dinner at Herring salad (goi ca trich) with coconut and green mango, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Long Beach (Bai Truong).

Eat: Herring salad (goi ca trich) with coconut and green mango

Hidden gems

Rach Vem fishing village in the north, with hammock cafes over the water and starfish shallows.
Ganh Dau cape, the northwestern tip looking across to Cambodia.
Suoi Tranh and Suoi Da Ban waterfalls, best right after the rains.
The Phu Quoc Prison museum, a sobering counterpoint to beach days.

Getting around

Phu Quoc International Airport receives direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour), Hanoi and several regional hubs, and many nationalities get a 30-day visa exemption for the island specifically. Fast ferries run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien. On the island, rent a scooter, use Grab in the main towns, or hire a car with driver for a full-day loop, distances are longer than they look.

Safety

Phu Quoc is safe, with petty theft on beaches the main risk, so don't leave bags unattended. Scooter accidents are the biggest real danger: roads are improving but sandy and fast, so wear a helmet and check your travel insurance covers riding. Swim between flags and beware strong currents in the rainy season. Jellyfish appear at times, and sun protection is essential this close to the equator.

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