Destination Guide

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Posted on 14/04/202014/05/2024 by Sai Gon Web Co., Ltd

14
Apr

PHU QUOC AT-A-GLANCE

Location / Geography Vietnam’s largest island located in a 22-island archipelago Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, just south of Vietnam and Cambodia coastlines Lined with beaches, both developed and rustic, with a heavily forested interior Easy 50 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Climate Steady, year-round temperatures of 24-34 C with two distinct seasons Dry Season: November to April with lots of sun and low humidity Wet Season: May to October with sometimes heavy rains and high humidity Phu Quoc Highlights Known for peppercorns, fish sauce, fresh seafood, Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs, colonial-era prison, beautiful beaches, laid-back island vibe Approximately 100,000 islanders Phu Quoc Beaches Prettiest Beaches: Sao Beach, Ganh Dau Beach Closest Beaches to Town: Truong Beach (Long Beach), Cua Can Beach, Ong Lang Beach Best Beaches in Phu Quoc for Families: Sao Beach, Truong Beach (Long Beach), Dai Beach Best Beaches in Phu Quoc for Swimming: Sao Beach, Ganh Dau Beach, Ong Lang Beach, Vung Bau Beach Best Beaches in Phu Quoc for Nature Lovers: Ong Lang Beach, Thom Beach Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Beaches: Vung Bau Beach, Rach Tram Beach, Rach Vem Beach, Thom Beach Best Low-Key Beaches: Ong Lang Beach, Ganh Dau Beach Destination Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, just 45km southwest of the Vietnamese mainland. In Vietnamese, the island is spelled Phú Quốc and pronounced roughly as “Foo Kwok” or “Phu Coc”.The island is also known as Koh Tral by Cambodia, as it lies just 15km off the Cambodian coast. The tear-shaped island of Phu Quoc has in recent years been touted as the next “It” destination in Vietnam (also known as “Viet Nam”). With beautiful beaches, lush forests and picturesque hills, this idyllic paradise island offers something for everyone. (Zolpidem) At about 580 sq km, Phu Quoc is roughly the size of Singapore, making it the largest of the islands in Vietnam. In 2001, a national park was established on Phu Quoc and up to 70% (31,422ha) of the interior is densely forested. This unique combination of wild, rustic beaches on its perimeter, coupled with forests and hills in the interior, is ideal for nature and adventure lovers who like hiking, walking and exploring nature. While exploring the forest along dirt roads is itself enjoyable, it’s really the Phu Quoc beaches, some of the prettiest in the country, and its laid back way of life which hold appeal for couples and families alike. The island has about 100,000 inhabitants, mostly involved in tourism and a mix of fishing and farming, and based in 6 major towns and villages. On Phu Quoc’s west coast, Duong Dong is the island’s main town and home to restaurants, guest houses and some of the best beach resorts in Vietnam. Families will especially enjoy the convenience of beaches, hotels and restaurants all within easy distance of each other. From La Veranda Phu Quoc, head clockwise to the north, and you’ll come across Cua Can, a small, picturesque fishing village where the Cua Can River meets the sea, then the fishing towns of Ganh Dau and Rach Vem on the northern end of the island. Coming down to the eastern shores, there’s Ham Ninh, another fishing village backed by forested mountains and finally An Thoi to the very south of the island, the jumping off point for off-island tours. Phu Quoc’s relatively secluded location also means that it has played a fascinating role in the history of Vietnam. It’s served as a refuge for some, like Vietnam’s Emperor Gia Long in the late 18^th century who fled there ahead of a rebel rebellion, as well as forced imprisonment for others, when the island housed a prison known as the Coconut Tree Prison during more recent French colonial times and subsequently by the Americans and South Vietnamese until the conclusion of the Vietnam War. The intoxicating mix of some of the best of Vietnam beaches, historical sites, national park and superb year-round weather in Phu Quoc make it one of the top destinations in Vietnam for anyone looking for a slice of paradise.

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South of Vietnam

SOUTH OF VIETNAM – HO CHI MINH CITY Summary Area: 2,095.5 sq. km Population: 9,396,000 (2011) Administrative divisions: – Urban districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu. – Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham Geography – Ho Chi Minh City is nestled within the Mekong Delta, where Saigon River flows through – The city is an important economic and political center of Vietnam Climate – Saigon climate is hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the wet season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. There is sunshine all year round. History – In the 19th century, Saigon was under the French control and was the biggest and busiest city in Indochina. – In April 1975, the North and the South of Vietnam reunified, and Saigon was renamed into Ho Chi Minh City. Tourism Ho Chi Minh City is an important tourist attraction of Vietnam as it contains many vestiges of the past. It shows the cluster of Eastern and Western cultures via the architecture, costumes, and customs. The historical relics in the city attracts a large number of tourists each year. General information Ho Chi Minh City – the center of Southern Vietnam covers an area of 2,095.5 sq. km and has the population of 9,396,000 (2011). It consists of 19 urban districts (District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan, and Tan Phu) and 5 rural ones (Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, and Binh Chanh). Similar to Hanoi and Da Nang, the majority of the population is the Kinh people. There are also citizens from Hoa, Khmer, and Cham ethnic groups. Geography Along with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is one of the two important cities of Vietnam. It is the center of economy and entertainment. The city is nestled within the Mekong Delta, where the Saigon River flows through. The Saigon Port, which was founded in 1862, is a big inland river port. Climate In general terms, Saigon climate is hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the wet season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27⁰C. The city receives sunshine all year round. History This land was used by the Khmers as a hunting area 500 years ago. In late 19th century, the French colonizers invaded this area, and turned Saigon into a bustling city, and the economic center of Indochina. Traders from different countries came and established the major trading center there. Saigon became the largest city in Indochina in 1874, when the China Town (Cho Lon) merged into. It was considered the Pearl of the Far East. In April 30, 1975, the Viet Cong tanks hit the gates of the Independence Palace and marked the reunification of the North and the South of Vietnam. Since then, Saigon has been renamed into “Ho Chi Minh City”, under the name of the great leader of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City still is a crowded and bustling city. The past and the present stay together in the city, where you can easily find the ancient French architectural works stand next to new skyscrapers. Tourism Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large number of visitors to Vietnam. The City has various attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum, formerly known as Dragon House Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, system of museums, theatres, and cultural houses. Recently, many additional tourist areas evolved with significant investment such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa, which draw numerous people from all over the world. Despite its quite recent past, Ho Chi Minh City still possesses various beautiful buildings, displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European cultures. These include Nha Rong (Dragon House Wharf), Quoc To Temple (National Ancestors Temple), Xa Tay (Municipal Office), Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre as well as many pagodas and churches (Vinh Nghiem, Giac Vien, Giac Lam, Phung Son pagodas, Notre Dame Cathedral). After more than 300 years of development, Ho Chi Minh City presents many ancient architectural constructions, famous vestiges and renowned sights. It is remarkable for its harmonious blending of traditional national values with northern and western cultural features. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SOUTH Reunification Palace The Reunification Palace – Dinh Doc Lap is absolutely a must-visit stop for any Saigon Travel Tour. It is considered a landmark of Saigon. Similar to the United States’ White House, Dinh Doc Lap was the home and the workplace of Southern Vietnam Governors during the Vietnam War. During the Fall of Saigon, the palace marked the end of the War when the Northern Vietnam Army tanks crashed its main gates on April 30th, 1975. The Reunification Palace is not only an extremely important historical site but also a masterpiece of architecture. It is a combination of Eastern and Western styles. Nowadays, it has become a meeting place of the Government and also a national historical and cultural site which attracts a huge number of tourists from every part of the world each year. Address: 106 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, HCMC Opening hour: Everyday, 7.30 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 20,000VND/adult Notre Dame Cathedral This is the city’s Catholic Church built in 1880, which has become the worship place of a large Catholic Community in Saigon. Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed with French-imported materials only. The twin towers of the church is a distinctive feature which are approximately 60 meters high. In 2005, there was a miracle in the church that the statue of the Virgin Mary shed tears. With its distinctive Western design as well as religious value, the Notre Dame Cathedral is regarded a must-stop place that every traveler should visit. Address: Han Thuyen Street, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: If you visit on weekdays, use the side gate (if the main gate is close) to get inside the church Museum of Ho Chi Minh City Also known as The Museum of the Revolution, the museum is placed in a beautiful French palace (Gia Long palace), which used to be the home of French Governors and President Ngo Dinh Diem – the final residence of the South Vietnam Government. That museum displays the developments of Saigon as well as the revolutionary movement. Visiting the museum, travelers will get exposure to the history of the past Vietnam, to see what happened in Vietnam War through photos, and see how Saigon has changed time after time. Especially, there is a corridor leading the way from that palace to the Reunification Palace. Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m – 6:00 p.m Entrance fee: Free War Remnants Museum Once known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes’, the Museum was first opened to the public in 1975. It offers a shocking reminder of the long and brutal Vietnam War, with many graphic photographs and American military equipment on display, including a helicopter with rocket launchers, a tank, a fighter plane, a single-seater attack aircraft, and a 6,800kg conventional bomb. Address: 26 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3 Opening hour: Everyday, 7.30 am – 12.00 pm, 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 15.000VND/guest Cu Chi Tunnels Nestled about 40 kilometers from the city center of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels is the underground tunnel which was used by Vietnam Army during Vietnam War. It was a 250 kilometer-long tunnel bug by elementary tools and bare hand and was the place where the Vietnamese stay and live during the War. It was later the Viet Cong base during Tet Offensive event – a major military campaign on January 1968. It was used to store weapons and food, as a hospital and a hiding place and living quarters for Viet Cong armed forces. The tunnel, therefore, played a vital role in the victory of Vietnam during the War. Nowadays some plots are open for tourism. Visitors can come inside the tunnel and experience how Vietnamese people did to survive during the War. Address: Ben Dinh, Nhuan Duc, Cu Chi Ward Opening hour: Everyday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 80.000VND/guest Central Post Office Located at Paris Commune Street, District 1, Saigon Central Post Office is a must-stop destination for Saigon City Tours. It is a typical colonial French Building. The post office was built in 1891, based on the design of Eiffel – the globally famous French architect and has become the busiest post office in the city. As a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and French influences, the post office attracts tourists with typical characteristics of French-style architecture. Walking into the Central Post Office, visitors would feel like they are brought back to a 20th-century building in Europe rather than an Eastern post office. Nowadays, the post office still offers all kinds of traditional postal services such as mailing, selling postcards or stamps, and exchanging foreign money. Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 7.00 am – 8.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Jade Pagoda The Pagoda was built in 1892 and is dedicated to Taoism and Buddhism. This pagoda was an important meeting place of Chinese secret societies who planned to overthrow the government in Peking during the Manchu Dynasty. The pagoda is filled with incense, candles, and statues of various divinities and heroes. Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, District 3 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: Visitor can make donation. Giac Lam Pagoda It is the oldest pagoda in the city which has more than 250 years of history. The pagoda make tourists feel that they are entering a different world with its pungent incense, funeral tablets, and carved inscriptions. Carved wooden pillars describe the lives of the monks whose portraits adorn the walls. This pagoda also consists of many beautifully carved wooden statues of the Buddha, reincarnations of Buddha, judges, guardians from Hell, and the Buddha of Mercy. Address: 118 Lac Long Quan Street, District 3 Opening hour: everyday, 5.00 am – 8.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Thien Hau Temple This Temple was built by Cantonese fishermen in late 18th century and is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The altar for the Goddess features three statues of the goddess “Thien Hau”. Votive paper offerings are burned in a large furnace at the entrance. Address: 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 4.30 pm Entrance fee: Free Ben Thanh Market It is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City which has gone through a hundred year of history. The market is highlighted with French-style decoration with an outstanding clock tower at its entrance. Visitors can find a wide range of products in the market such as garments, textile, handicrafts, flowers, and vegetables. It is also a good place to try the authentic Saigon Cuisine. Address: Le Loi Street, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 6.00 am – 6.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: Ben Thanh Night market, which flanks the 2 side roads of the Ben Thanh Building, comes on at about 5 pm and all the way to 12 midnight Chinatown – Cho Lon Cho Lon is the largest China town in Vietnam. Not only does Cho Lon sell a wide range of product, it also displays the influences of Chinese culture in the architecture and customs. The majority of people living there is Chinese-Vietnamese people. The ancient works are well preserved. Visiting Cho Lon, tourists can take a glimpse at the life of the Chinese-Vietnamese community and the cluster of the past and the present. Address: District 5, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hour: 24/7 Entrance fee: Free TRANSPORTATION Ho Chi Minh City is the hub of the South. It is the main junction for railway, road, air, and water transportation systems for both domestic and international routes. Saigon is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot. The National Highway 13 is the main road connecting Vietnam and other Indochinese countries. Regarding railway transportation, Thong Nhat Express Train is the biggest railway system in Vietnam which comes throughout the whole country. Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is a big domestic and international airport. Flights within Vietnam and towards other countries are available there.

How to get to Phu Quoc from Multiple Locations

Phu Quoc International Airport is the hub connecting the island with Vietnamese mainland and several international destinations such as Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai (China), Seoul, Siem Reap, Bangkok, and Singapore. Best of all, because Phu Quoc is classified as a Special Economic Zone, visitors of all nationalities flying in/ out of Phu Quoc only (and not visiting the Vietnamese mainland) are granted a visa exemption to stay up to 30 days. Please check with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country for additional requirements including having a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay and a round-trip ticket to/ from Phu Quoc. If traveling from Cambodia, Ha Tien is easily accessible from the seaside resort towns of Kep (25 km) and Kampot (66 km). Most fast and slow ferries will take you to Bai Vong Port on Phu Quoc, close to Long Beach. Again, groups with aged people and children should not look for this route to avoid seasickness and any misadventures. From there to the main town of Duong Dong, there are multiple transportation options, including motorcycle taxis (each able to carry one passenger with minimal luggage), taxis and shared mini-buses.

Discover Tranquility and Wellness at The Award Winning Spa Tinh Wellness

[row] [col span__sm="12"] The La Veranda spa retreat in Vietnam has been beautifully constructed in the French Colonial style to emanate the luxury of years gone by. Tinh Wellness Sanctuary, with its 8 luxurious treatment rooms, offers uninterrupted ocean views from the purpose-built yoga deck, where you can relax into one of the six wellness journeys available to enhance your luxury spa experience. Being honored with the Best Oceanview Spa in Asia Award at the 2023 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards is a testament to this exceptional boutique hotel in Phu Quoc that offers incredible spa experiences on your journey to wellness. [/col] [/row] Relax into the time spent at this blissful wellness resort in Vietnam [row] [col span__sm="12"] Sometimes we need to step away from the pressures of daily life and allow ourselves the time to reconnect. A retreat for the mind, body, and soul is precisely what La Veranda by MGallery offers with its wellness retreat in Vietnam. Daily Yoga and Tai Chi allow you to wake each morning and enjoy the harmonious sound of the waves as you move through poses with our qualified instructors. The collection of treatments provides you with restorative choices for your body that will serve to enhance your feelings of relaxation and wholeness, complemented beautifully by the incredible setting of one of the most revered 5-star hotels in Phu Quoc Island. [/col] [/row] [row] [col span__sm="12"] [ux_image id="7232"] The wellness journeys available at the La Veranda Wellness Resort Phu Quoc include: Detox Back to Health Burnout Recovery Tension Relief Spa Indulgence Beauty & Vitality No matter what path you choose to take with your personal wellness, our expert team is here to guide you to peace and restoration during your stay at one of the most beautiful Phu Quoc luxury hotels. Our highly trained team takes great pride in delivering a wellness experience that is unlike any other and will ensure that, with your personal goals in mind, they can be a positive part of your experience to ultimate well-being. [/col] [/row] A spa in Phu Quoc with the widest collection of treatment choices [row] [col span="6" span__sm="12"] As spas have evolved over the years, so too have the range of treatments on offer. The massage offerings span from Swedish to Thai to traditional Vietnamese allowing you to experience the world through relaxation techniques, at the hands of a qualified and experienced therapist. As an internationally awarded wellness resort in Phu Quoc, the treatment options extend beyond a typical massage to encompass healing and restorative treatments for the face and body that will leave you feeling blissfully pampered in a setting that is beyond compare. A diverse collection of choices on the Tinh Spa menu mean that everyone can enjoy the time spent at the best ocean-view spa Phu Quoc and Asia has to offer. With treatments spanning children from 4-12 years of age and designed to utilize gentle coconut oil blends for calm and serenity to experiences that work to guide guests back to their natural state of wholeness, there is no better choice for a beach resort in Phu Quoc that can provide an expertly guided journey to wellness. [/col] [col span="6" span__sm="12"] [ux_image id="7233"] [/col] [/row] Celebrate exceptional wellness experiences with La Veranda Wellness Resort Phu Quoc [row] [col span="6" span__sm="12"] [ux_image id="7231"] [/col] [col span="6" span__sm="12"] In celebration of the honored award bestowed on the Tinh Wellness Sanctuary, La Veranda is offering an Ongoing Wellness Package that will allow you to experience all the most wonderful parts of the best ocean-view hotel spa in Vietnam. Complete with a half-day experience at Tinh Wellness Sanctuary as part of a 3 day/2 night stay, this His and Hers Wellness promotion creates the opportunity for you to experience all that makes La Veranda one of the best Phu Quoc luxury resorts to relax, unwind and reconnect with your inner-self. Make the choice to value your health and well-being when you book your stay at La Veranda Wellness Resort in Phu Quoc. Experience all this luxury spa has to offer as you take the truest journey back to yourself at one of the most beautiful luxury resorts that Vietnam has to offer. [/col] [/row]