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Your First Introduction to Phu Quoc

Posted by

Yunus

26/12/2025

On 06/12/2024

Phu Quoc is one of the newest travel destinations of 2024 and is still relatively unknown to many travelers from Kazakhstan. The Vietnamese government aims to turn the island into a leading beach resort by developing modern roads, a wide range of accommodation and dining options, and numerous attractions for tourists. Phu Quoc is famous for its milky-white beaches, which is why it is often called the “Pearl Island.” The island successfully combines natural beauty with modern tourism infrastructure, making it an appealing destination for travelers. Read more in our article about what to do in Phu Quoc to make your trip truly unforgettable.

Diving

Phu Quoc is surrounded by coral reefs, making it an excellent destination for diving. Even near the popular Long Beach, you can find stunning reefs that are perfect for snorkeling. Underwater visibility reaches up to 12 meters thanks to the clear and transparent water. Diving is possible year-round, but the best period is considered to be from late December to May. The average water temperature ranges from 27 to 30°C.

One of the most popular diving spots in the north is Turtle Island (Hon Doi Moi). The island gets its name from the green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) that inhabit the nearby waters. Divers can observe these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. In addition to turtles, the area is home to barracudas, lionfish, rays, butterflyfish, swallowtail fish, and various small mollusks.

The An Thoi Archipelago, located in the south of the island, consists of 15 small islets and forms the main diving area of Phu Quoc. Its crystal-clear waters create ideal conditions for underwater photography. One of the highlights is Fingernail Island, whose underwater world features a complex labyrinth of underwater caves.

About 8 kilometers from An Thoi lies Pineapple Island, a must-visit spot for experienced divers. Its deep waters provide ideal conditions for advanced dives. Strong currents are common here, so extra caution is required. The area is home to a wide variety of marine life, including large tuna, barracudas, and, if you’re lucky, whale sharks. The island is famous for its rocky formations and underwater caves and is also a great place to capture impressive photos for Instagram.

Unique Cuisine

Phu Quoc is famous for its distinctive local dishes, such as nem — Vietnamese rice paper rolls. On Phu Quoc, it’s worth trying versions filled with shrimp, squid, and fish, which are pan-fried until the wrapper becomes crispy. Fried nem is served with sauce, while fresh rolls are wrapped in herbs or eaten right away with nuoc cham (fish sauce).

Fish sauce is the soul of Vietnamese cuisine, giving dishes their deep and distinctive flavor. Nuoc mam is produced by fermenting anchovies with salt for several months, and sometimes even years. This process creates an amber-colored liquid with an intense yet balanced taste. The sauce is known for its clarity and a mild, slightly sweet aftertaste. Phu Quoc is especially famous for its fish sauce, which is considered the best in Vietnam thanks to the island’s clean seawater and traditional production methods. That’s why it is often brought home as a souvenir.

Another iconic dish of Vietnamese gastronomy is banh xeo, or the “sizzling pancake.” It gets its name from the sound the batter makes when it hits a hot pan. Banh xeo is made from a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, and is filled with chicken or pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, green onions, and mushrooms.

To fully immerse yourself in local food culture, we recommend visiting night markets in the evening. One of the most popular is Phu Quoc Night Market, favored by tourists for its convenient location. Here you’ll find more than 50 stalls offering fresh seafood and local specialties such as fried sticky rice, silk candies, and black pepper.

Historical Temples and Pagodas

The island is home to several Buddhist temples and pagodas, including Ho Quoc Pagoda, which offers magnificent views of the sea. At the entrance to the temple complex stands a three-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, carved from deep green jade. The path to the pagoda leads up 77 steps, along which figures of four dragons serve as decorative railings. The pagoda impresses with its intricate carvings, and at its highest point there is an observation deck with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Ho Quoc is an ideal place for quiet reflection and for discovering Vietnam’s spiritual culture.

One of the oldest pagodas on the island is Sung Hung Co Tu Pagoda, which was restored in the 1920s and 1960s. Behind its walls rise elegant gates adorned with wave-shaped tiles decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns. The interior space is filled with finely carved statues that seem to come alive in the soft light. Sung Hung Pagoda is a true treasury of rare artifacts. Here visitors can see an ancient bell, graceful calligraphic couplets, gold-painted plaques, and vibrant decorative panels.

In the center of the island, on a rocky cliff near the night market, stands the small 300-year-old Dinh Cau Temple. It is worth visiting at least for the breathtaking sunsets visible from this spot. Dinh Cau is especially revered by local fishermen. According to legend, fishermen who once lived on the island often perished during severe storms at sea. One day, a tall rocky cliff suddenly appeared in the middle of the sea, becoming a landmark that helped fishermen find their way home. Today, island residents honor the temple and pray there for calm waters, especially during the Lunar New Year.

Stunning Beaches

The most picturesque beach on Phu Quoc Island is Long Beach, which is divided into Bai Dai and Bai Truong.

Located in the southwest of Phu Quoc, Bai Truong Beach stretches for almost 20 kilometers. Its coastline is divided into several sections adorned with rocky outcrops, lush green groves, and charming fishing villages, creating a varied and scenic landscape.

Bai Dai Beach, situated in the northwest of the island, is known for its unspoiled natural beauty. Its golden sand and crystal-clear waters make it one of the most peaceful corners of Phu Quoc. Tran Hung Dao Street, which runs along the beach, is famous for its resorts, restaurants, and hotels, making this area one of the most vibrant and lively on the island.

Travelers from all over the world come here, as the sunsets are considered among the most beautiful in Vietnam. Watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, as if disappearing into the sea, while sitting on the sand or in a beach bar, is an unforgettable experience.

Starfish Beach is regarded as the most famous beach in Vietnam. Stretching for 7 kilometers, this crescent-shaped beach features snow-white sand that is soft and smooth, resembling cream—some visitors even take a small amount as a keepsake. Its true uniqueness lies beneath the water: the seabed is covered with beautiful orange starfish. Touching or picking them up is strictly prohibited. It is worth noting that this is the only beach on Phu Quoc with an ivory-colored shoreline, rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Entertainment

Phu Quoc Island offers a wide range of family-friendly entertainment at the VinWonders theme park. VinWonders Phu Quoc is the largest amusement park in Vietnam, located within the Phu Quoc United Center complex. Covering an area of 46.7 hectares, the park is divided into six unique themed zones inspired by world civilizations. Visitors can experience a medieval European atmosphere, a vibrant water world with tropical water parks, a mysterious Viking village, a fairy-tale land full of adventures for children, and even majestic palaces of ancient cultures. One of the park’s main highlights is the Neptune Palace, which ranks among the five largest aquariums in the world. VinWonders Phu Quoc is an ideal destination for families and friends, offering endless excitement and memorable experiences.

Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s first semi-wildlife park, stretching across 380 hectares. It is home to more than 150 animal species and 1,200 plant species from around the world. The park consists of two main zones: an open zoo, where visitors can see rhinos, white lions, and lemurs up close, and a safari park, where guided tours take place in buses while animals roam freely in their natural habitat. Guests can also enjoy interactive shows such as Kid Zoo for children, energetic Zulu dance performances, and wildlife observation featuring tigers, lions, and leopards.

These unique activities and attractions make Phu Quoc not only a beautiful island, but also a destination filled with diverse and unforgettable experiences.

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