Sao Beach Phu Quoc

Area: 589.27 km2 (227.52 sq mi)
Population: 179,480
Dialing code: 855

GEOGRAPHY
Phu Quoc Island is located in the West of Vietnam about 45kms from the coastline of Ha Tien City and the South of Cambodia , Phu Quoc District includes 22 Islands and Islets. Phu Quoc Island is considered the biggest Island in Vietnam.
  Phu Quoc Island is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic age, including heterogeneous conglomerate composition, layering thick, quartz pebbles, silica, limestone, rhyolite and felsite. The Mesozoic rocks are classified in Phu Quoc Formation. We can also call Phu Quoc is a green Island because most of the island is covered by the National Park.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Phu Quoc Island has tropical monsoon climate with two distinctive seasons: Dry season from November to next April and rainy season from May to October. Based on weather change, it can be classified into three seasons as below:
Dry Season: November - March, This is the nicest weather season of the year. The average tempreture is about 31°C, sometimes peaks up at 38°C, the average precipitation is from 30 mm to 60 mm/month. This is also the highest tourist season of the Island
Hot season, April: April and May are the hottest months with the average temperature is about 37°C and the average precipitation is from 150 mm to 250 mm/month. There are usually rain in late afternoon.
Rainy Season: From June to October, a lot of heavy rain most of days a month. the average temprature is about 33°C, the average precipitation is from 400 mm to 550 mm/month.

TRANSPORTATION
By Air: Phu Quoc International Airport was upgraded to handle millions of passengers per year, by now There are some direct flights from Asia Countries and Russia to Phu Quoc, but next years There are more direct flights from Western Countries to Phu Quoc Island because this place has been approved to be the non visa destination for the foreign tourists.
There are also dozens of flights a day from domestic airports by Vietnamairlines, Vietjet Airs, Bamboo Aiways...
By Sea: It's easy to take a speed boat from Rach Gia Port and Ha Tien Port to Phu Quoc Port. It takes 2,5 hours from Rach Gia Port and 1,5 hours from Ha Tien Port to Phu Quoc. You can also go by Ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc but It takes much more time.

SEE & DO
There are for sure numerous things to see and to do in Phu Quoc. Among them are some must-sees that you should know before planning an itinerary to the pearl island.
   

Long Beach: Located to the north west of Phu Quoc Island, Long Beach is the cleanest and most beautiful beach in the island yet still reserves untouched. With 15km in length, Long Beach is a truly paradise of any traveller for its yellow sand, crystal blue water and exotic tranquil ambiance. You can find any beach resort in this beach from standard to luxury ones.

Phu Quoc National Park: The area was recoginsed as an Unesco Biosphere Reserve in July 2010. The forest covers more than 50% of the Island's area and mostly concentrates in the northern half of Phu Quoc. You can join a half day tour through the national forest and feel the diversity of the plantation here. This massive natural attraction spans over an area of 31,422 hectares, which includes 8603 hectares of strictly protected area, 22,603 hectares of biological restoration area and 33 hectares for administration and services. An additional 6,144 hectares is dedicated to a land-buffer zone and around 20,000 hectares of sea-buffer zone, though the final Marine protection zones are yet to be declared.

Sao Beach: Sao Beach is located in An Thoi town, about 25 kms from Phu Quoc Central. Being one of the most ravishing beaches in Phu Quoc, Sao Beach possesses creamy white coast with over 7km in length. There are few hotels and resorts in this beach so you can stay in Duong Dong town then go by shuttle bus from you hotel to this destination., the beach is well worth seeing and one of Top 10 Best beaches in Vietnam

Ganh Dau Cape: The Cape is located at the north west of the island attracts visitors for its wild and picturesque natural beauty. From here you can have a panoramic view of Cambodia's sea region. Ganh Dau Cape has a luring arched shaped beach at 500m long. This is a best destinations for fising tours, diving and snorkeling tour, this is also a wonderful destination for any seafood lover.

Hon Thom Island: Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, these 15 islands and islets can be visited by chartered boat. It’s a fine area for sightseeing, fishing, swimming and snorkelling. Hon Thom (Pineapple Island) is about 3km in length and is the largest island in the group.

Khem Beach: Stretching a curved shape in the coast of Phu Quoc island, Bai Khiem beach owns a beautiful smooth sandy shore nestled in the green color of the pristine forest. This is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Phu Quoc with the white sand, crystal-clear sea water. This private beach is such an ideal place for relaxing family or friend trips.
It is not spacious and long as Bai Truong beach or other beaches in the island, Bai Khem beach with its curse that seduces tourist’s heart with the pure white sandy which is metaphorically compared to the ice-cream.

                                                                  Khem Beach

Suoi Tranh & Suoi Da Ban (Tranh Spring and Stony Surface Spring): The rarely seen springs in Phu Quoc lie on the North of the island. There is beautiful stream of water from the mountain ravine. The best time to visit these places is during May to September when the springs are full of emerald water - by the end of the dry season there’s little more than a trickle.

Pepper garden: Phu Quoc's pepper is well-known for its outstanding taste and nice fragrance. You are always welcome to visit the luxuriant pepper gardens of the local farmers.

Phu Quoc Prison or Cay Dua Prison: Being a prison built by the French colonialist to imprison Vietnamese people which was known as Coconut Tree Prison, in 1967, Saigon Government rebuilt the Coconut Tree Prison into Phu Quoc communist prisoner prison in an area of 400ha, also known as Phu Quoc war prisoner prison, or Phu Quoc prison. This was the largest place to keep communist soldiers in the South with more than 32,000 prisoners. Sometimes, this number was up to 40,000 people including political prisoners in several periods.

Fish Sauce Factories: Phu Quoc is the homeland of fish sauce  and fish sauce in Phu Quoc is considered the best fish sauce in Vietnam  having created the brand for more than 200 years, which is made from the fresh anchovies rich in protein. This is Why you should visit fish sauce factories to see how they make fish sauce. Now there are about more than 100 big factories in Phu Quoc

                                                Fish Sauce Factory

Phu Quoc Night Market: Apart from other night markets in Vietnam, Phu Quoc night market is bustling nightly with various kind of souvenirs made from sea products. Besides, don't forget to try some dishes cooked from fresh seafood chosen directly by yourself.
There are 3 nights markets in Phu Quoc Island offering a plethora of dining and shopping opportunities until late. Visitors can find hudreds of stalls  which sell fresh seafood, street snacks, and beverages at affordable prices. you can also see many food stalls that offer the Phu Quoc specialities and Korean or Japanese cuisine.
Dinh Cau Night Market: 30 Tran Hung Dao Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
Bach Dang Night Market: Bach Dang Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Night Market: 54 Nguyen Trai Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

Duong Dong Market is located on the bank of Duong Dong River, in the central of Duong Dong Town. It's the biggest and busiest local market in Phu Quoc Island. like other local markets in Vietnam, They are selling alot of local products, local foods, seafoods and souvenirs but the best things you should buy are fresh seafood those have just arrived from Duong Dong port.

Vinpearl Land Amusement Park of Phu Quoc: Located in Bai Dai, Ganh Dau, Phu Quoc This is the largest theme park in Vietnam that ranks to Asia. in area of ​​170,000m² Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc Amusement Park offers a full range of entertainment services for visitors at different ages including an outdoor water park, outdoor and indoor arcade centres, an aquarium, and shopping street.

Beach Activities: Being on this paradise island you can not forget beach activities such as fishing tours, sknorkeling tours, diving tours, skate board... You can do this easily by booking tours from local travel agencies

EAT AND DRINK

Phu Quoc pepper: Phu Quoc pepper is famous for its big seed, thin husk, strong and spicy taste, and solid core.
The favourable land and weather and long-standing experiences, pepper trees in Phu Quoc grow well covering a large area.
Peppers choosen to air are called the ripe while ripe peppers with rubbed off husk are called white ones. The remains of pepper bunch are brought for threshing and classified into root, ordinary, shiny and deflated pepper. To get hot- smelling peppers, locals have to make a lot of efforts and accumulate experiences because if carefully and properly taken care of, pepper trees can be harvested for around 20-40 years, if not they will easily die soon.
 

Local Myrtle Wine: Another specialty of the island is the Rose Myrtle Fruit Wine, which is actually quite drinkable compared to the other local wine that contains a wild mixture of herbs and sometimes snakes resembling the taste of kerosene.

Crab Blood Soup: Crab soup is a rather strange dish for first-time visitors to Phu Quoc, but it is a very familiar dish of fishermen here. Crab blood soup is strange, the soft crab meat eaten with crab blood, plus the fatty sweetness of the crab bricks gives us a strange but passionate feeling.
Ra Khoi Restaurant: 133, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

Kheo Cake : Kheo Cake means Skillful cake which is one of the specialities of Phu Quoc. They are beautiful little cakes with attractive colors, They have lovely shape and the inside is filled with coconut, green beans, taro.. The cake has sweet taste, many people like to eat while drinking Vietnamese tea.
Co Dung Restaurant: No 43, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
 

Phu Quoc Fish Sauce: Like pepper, fish sauce is another speciality in the pearl island. Phu Quoc fish sauce has high protein content (360­­-400), delicate and balanced flavour and strong smell of anchovies mixed with the special pepper that can only be found in Phu Quoc. The longer the fish sauce is stored, the more delicious it is.

Fried with Sea Crabs: Main ingredients for this dish are rice, ocean crab, egg, veggies (tomato, cucumber, coriander), fish sauce. To cook Fried rice with ocean crab, choose alive ocean crabs, prepare and boil them, get the flesh out of the shells and shred them into small pieces. Then stir-fry steamed rice, the ocean crab flesh, thinly sliced onion, egg, cubed carrot, chopped green onion.
You can order it at any restaurants or night markets

Bien Mai scallop speciality: Bien Mai is a kind of scallop with unique shape- trangle shape, big as a back of adult hand, deeply plunging into the sea bed. However, Bien Mai is different from other scallops that we can’t eat up its meat but eat only a round small sinew which is white and small as a coin. The cover must be broken and the sinew is taken out for cooking. Since Bien Mai tastes sweet, benign and have good smell, locals greet tourists with this special dish. It is one of main courses of a meal.

Goi Cá Trích (dish made of herring fish and vegetables): The fresh herring fishes are processed by fishermen and decorated with strange kinds of vegetables with different flavors. The sauce is prepared with good quality Phu Quoc fish sauce. All the material are combined together to make a delicious dish called “Gỏi cá trích” (can be found in Phu Quoc only). Gỏi Cá trích is a delicious and unique dish that you may hardly have chance to enjoy in any other places except for in this beautiful island district.

Bun Ken:  Bun Ken Noodle is a speciality of Phu Quoc Island. The fish-based broth also contains coconut milk and lemongrass, giving it a thicker consistency, an amber colour, and a distinctive tang. The broth is poured over BUn (white rice noodles), on top of which go a variety of fresh herbs, pulverized fish, bean sprouts, and a crunchy mixture of shredded green papaya and cucumber. A little bit of fresh red chilli and a squeeze of lime ties all these flavours together.
Bun Ken Ut Luom: 42, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
 

Sea Urchin:  Sea urchin is a world-class delicacy that only appears in the menus of top restaurants. This is one of favourite food for men as they heard this kind of food can make the man stronger at night :) .The dish is quite simple as they only grill them timely on the oven then add a little local pepper and lime, but you will definitely be astounded by that unique taste.
Add: You can order it at any restaurants or food stalls night markets, or at 343, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

                                  Sea Urchin

Grilled Abalone: This is one of the most expensive seafood in Phu Quoc but the dish is worth trying. Abalone after processing, sauce prepared from ginger, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, chili and pepper vapor permeability of about a few minutes to set up fever, red charcoal fire. Wait until the steam hypertrophy, mouth slightly boiling abalone is able to enjoy.
Best places to try this food
Ngeu So Oc Hen Restaurant: 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
Song Bien Restaurant: 161, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island
Nho Restaurant: inside Dinh Cau Night Market, 87, 30/4 Str, Phu Quoc Island

Crab Noodle Soup: This is one of the best noodle soup in Vietnam. The broth is cooked from pork bone, dried shrimp, mackerel head, the soft white noodles with delicious broth are served with herbs and fish sauce, one big sea crab on top make the you bowl of noodle amazing and worth trying.
Huynh Nhu Crab Soup Restaurant: 14 Tran Hung Dao Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

Please click this link for the list of restaurants in Phu Quoc Island

BARS & CAFE
Rock Island (Nam Nghi Resort Phu Quoc): The first of its kind in Vietnam, Rock Island Club, with its chic interior, waterfront lounge deck and picturesque beach area, is located on its own private island, a stone’s throw from Mong Tay peninsula. Its unparalleled, 360-degree panorama of Phu Quoc’s bountiful coastline and mesmerizing ocean views complement the venue’s sophisticated natural setting, while Rock Island Club’s team of expert mixologists and chefs craft innovative, signature cocktails and contemporary cuisine to elevate your experience.
Add: Hamlet 4 , Cua Can Commune, Phu Quoc Island

                                      Rock Island Beach Bar

Sunset Beach Bar & Restaurant
Sunset Beach Bar, located on the beach, right beside the outdoor swimming pool, is the most original signature of Sunset Beach Resort & Spa. Opened in late 2016, Sunset  Beach Bar has constantly been considered one of the best beach bars in Vietnam. Customers are served various kinds of drinks and simple but fresh food. Tasting Sunset Beach Bar’s specials by the beach will certainly wake up all of your culinary senses. The popular selection is fresh caught seafood fusion dishes , paired with cold beer and sunset signature cocktails.
Add: 100C/2 Tran Hung Dao Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

PH Rooftop Bar & Lounge: PH Rooftop Bar & Lounge has a modern design with a classic touch along with a spacious ocean and cable car view, located at the Southern Phu Quoc Island. The bar serves Asian and Western dishes for all day meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks etc...We also serve coffee, non-alcohol and alcohol drinks. You can enjoy the ocean air with signature, mixed drinks and popular international beers and wine all over the world which will extremely touch your feelings and keep fabulous memories about Phu Quoc
Add: 60-62D Nguyen Van Cu Str, Ward 3, Phu Quoc Island

Chuon Chuong Bistro & Bar : Our Bistro & Skybar is located on a hilltop overlooking the ocean and Duong Dong town. The view from our open-air terrace is absolutely stunning. We cater a fusion of international & Vietnamese cuisine. Lovely dishes, artsy cocktails, cappuccino and more
Add: Sao Mai Hill, Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Sailing Club Phu Quoc:  The ultimate all-day beach club destination. Join and experience thr delicious food, innovative drinks and prime beach location on the tropical island of Phu Quoc. ​ Lounge by the pool or on the beach with a refreshing cocktail and treat yourself to a delicious, skillfully prepared lunch or dinner. ​ Once the sun sets, prepare to party as our beach club transforms into Phu Quoc’s newest and hottest entertainment venue!
Ad: Lot 7, Bai Truong Complex, Phu Quoc Island

Istanbul Beach Club: Istanbul Beach Club is a beach front venue with private beach, Serving world famous Turkish, live music
Add: Alley 118, Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Boroda Bar : A night bar with cool drinks, music on request, singout out
Add: 102 Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

OCSEN Beach Bar & Club: Set on the shores of Long Beach, Oc Sen beach bar & club is one of Phu Quoc's prime gathering places. Here one finds lavish day beds, tasty bites and refreshing cocktails to break up the dips in the ocean, all while listening to sunset music, Daily Bonfires on our beach from 6pm until late into the night. Live DJ starts from 9.30pm.
Add: 118 Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Xom Coffee & Bar: This is a special bar with traditional Vietnamese wooden house, open for coffee in the morning, Cocktail and Wisky at night.
Add: 149 Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Queen Night Club: A good place for the youngster night out with DJs
Add: 88 Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Quoc Quynh Night Club:  A good place for the youngster night out with DJs
Add: 49 Ngo Quyen Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

Island Coffee: A decent place for the Vietnamese Coffee and special egg coffees
Add: 85 Tran Hung Dao Str, Phu Quoc Island

Tarapaca Cafe: Best place for Vietnamese coffee, smothies and snack
Add: 106A Tran Hung Dao Str, Duong To, Phu Quoc Island

Dang Cafe: Close to Phu Quoc Night Market, this is a good place for you to take a coffee, beer or cotail after the market.
Add: 104 Bach Dang Str, Phu Quoc Island

The Coffee Garden: A beautiful Cafe with 2 areas, indoor with air conditioner and outdoor with garden. Interior is very beautiful, menu is variety with reasonable prices. There are also many dishes for the breakfast.
Add: 110 Ly Thuong Kiet Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

Like Coffee Phu Quoc: Located in a large area of the central of Duong Dong Town, a nice garden cafe with playground for children. This is one of the best place for families to enjoy Vietnamese coffees or other drinks in Phu Quoc
Add: 162, 30/4 Str, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island