Best Things to Do in Phu Quoc: Beaches & Cable Car
Compiling the best things to do in Phu Quoc takes you across 574 square kilometers of pristine island geography in the Gulf of Thailand. Once an isolated fishing territory famous primarily for pungent fish sauce and black pepper, Vietnam’s largest island has evolved into a dynamic tropical playground featuring world-record sea cable cars, secluded coral archipelagos, vibrant sunset cocktail lounges, and dense primary rainforest.
The Concierge Verdict
Plan for three to four full days to appreciate both northern and southern ends of the island. Spend your opening day riding the spectacular Hon Thom cable car from An Thoi and snorkeling the An Thoi archipelago. Reserve day two for scooter touring through pepper plantations up to the floating seafood shacks at Rach Vem. Save afternoons for sunset lounging at beanbag beach bars along Long Beach, followed by evening street dining at Duong Dong Night Market.
Top Phu Quoc Experiences Comparison
| Attraction / Activity | Location / Region | Cost Range (VND) | Suggested Duration | Best Time of Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hon Thom Sea Cable Car | An Thoi (Southern Station) | 650,000 VND (Round-trip) | Half-day (4-5 hours) | Morning departure (9:00 AM) |
| An Thoi 4-Island Snorkel Tour | Gam Ghi, May Rut, Fingernail | 650,000 – 1,200,000 VND | Full day (6-7 hours) | Early morning boat (8:30 AM) |
| Sunset Beach Lounging | Long Beach (Bai Truong) | 100,000 VND (+ drinks) | 2-3 hours | Sunset (5:00 – 6:30 PM) |
| Duong Dong Night Market | Central Town (Bach Dang) | Free entry (Food costs) | 2 hours | Evening (7:00 – 9:30 PM) |
| Starfish Beach (Rach Vem) | Northern Cape | Free (+150k scooter) | 2-3 hours | Morning before midday low tide |
| Khu Tuong Pepper Plantation | Cua Duong (North-Central) | Free | 45 minutes | En route north |
| Phu Quoc Prison Museum | An Thoi (DT46 Highway) | Free (Donations welcome) | 1.5 hours | Midday cultural stop |
1. Riding the Hon Thom Sea Cable Car
Holding the Guinness World Record as the longest non-stop three-rope sea cable car on earth, the Hon Thom aerial tramway spans 7,899.9 meters across the open sea. Departing from an Italian-inspired Mediterranean terminal in An Thoi town, the thirty-passenger cabins glide 160 meters above turquoise waters, revealing clear aerial perspectives over colorful wooden fishing fleets, coral heads, and emerald islets.
The 15-minute crossing lands at Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park on Pineapple Island. Tickets cost 650,000 VND. This pass includes unlimited access to the Aquatopia Water Park and Exotica theme park. Board early around 9:00 AM to beat midday coach crowds. Bring swimwear. You can change into swimming gear and head straight for the water park slides upon arrival.
2. Island Hopping in the An Thoi Archipelago
Scattered off the southern coast lies the An Thoi archipelago, a cluster of fifteen limestone and granite islands sheltering Vietnam’s healthiest southern coral gardens. Speedboat excursions depart from An Thoi port, stopping at Gam Ghi Island (celebrated for shallow coral formations and sea anemones), Hon May Rut Trong (a white-sand lagoon with coconut palms), and Fingernail Island (Hon Mong Tay).
Skip crowded wooden tour vessels and join small-group speedboat trips (roughly 750,000 VND to 1,100,000 VND per person, including snorkeling gear, fresh fruit, and seafood barbecue lunch). Private boat charters for families cost approximately 2,500,000 VND to 3,500,000 VND, granting full freedom to linger at empty sandbars away from tour groups.
3. Sunset Drinks along Long Beach
Facing due west over the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc’s western coastline offers premier sunset viewing. Along the northern stretch of Long Beach (Bai Truong), open-air beach clubs set up low wooden tables, bamboo lanterns, and beanbags directly on the sand as dusk approaches.
OCSEN Beach Bar & Club on Tran Hung Dao is renowned for chilled electronic beats, fire-spinning performances, and craft cocktails (averaging 120,000 VND to 160,000 VND). Further south, Sunset Sanato Beach Club charges 100,000 VND admission to photograph whimsical seaside art installations, including monumental split-face statues and surreal long-legged metallic elephants standing in the surf.
4. Seafood Feasts at Duong Dong Night Market
Running nightly from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM along Bach Dang Street in downtown Duong Dong, the night market represents the island’s sensory center. Stalls display fresh seafood caught hours earlier: live squid, mantis prawns, barracuda, and local sea urchins (nhum biển).
Order fresh sea urchins grilled over hot charcoal with scallion oil and crushed roasted peanuts for 35,000 VND each. Try local herring salad (gỏi cá trích, 120,000 VND), made with raw fish strips tossed in fresh lime juice, grated coconut, mint, and toasted peanuts, wrapped tightly in rice paper. Finish your evening stroll with sweet rolled ice cream (35,000 VND) and jars of Phu Quoc wild sim berry wine.
5. Coastal Discovery at Rach Vem (Starfish Beach)
Located on the remote northern coast twenty-five kilometers from Duong Dong, Rach Vem is a traditional floating fishing village where wooden footbridges extend hundreds of meters into calm, shallow waters. During the dry season from November to April, thousands of bright orange and crimson cushion starfish gather in the warm knee-deep shallows along the white-sand shoreline.
Crucial eco-travel reminder: never lift starfish out of the sea or hold them above water for photos. Exposing starfish to air causes rapid asphyxiation and stress, which kills these fragile marine organisms. Walk peacefully in the shallows to observe them on the seabed, then enjoy lunch of steamed crab at stilted wooden shacks like Quan Con Sao for 250,000 VND.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to ride a scooter in Phu Quoc?
Yes. While local rental shops rent 125cc scooters for 150,000 VND daily without strict document checks, police checkpoints occasionally verify valid licenses and helmets. Drive defensively on sandy corners.
Is Phu Quoc safe for swimming year-round?
Western beaches (Long Beach, Ong Lang) are calm and safe from November through April. During the southwest monsoon (May to October), western shores develop strong shorebreaks and currents; swim instead at sheltered eastern bays like Bai Sao and Khem Beach.
How much time is needed for the cable car?
Allow at least four to five hours. The round-trip ride takes thirty minutes, leaving three to four hours to enjoy the Aquatopia Water Park and lunch on Pineapple Island.