Phu Quoc Island

Vietnam's largest island has transformed from a sleepy fishing outpost to an...

Vietnam's largest island has transformed from a sleepy fishing outpost to an emerging luxury destination—think early-stage Bali. White sand beaches face spectacular sunsets, night markets overflow with grilled seafood, and the world's longest cable car soars over turquoise waters. Come for the beaches, stay for the fish sauce factory tours (yes, really), and time your sunset wine perfectly at Dinh Cau temple.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

12 experiences 🇻🇳 Vietnam challenging 1-2 weeks

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
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    Phu Quoc Sunset at Dinh Cau

    The iconic rock temple where fishermen pray before going to sea. Sunset here is legendary - the sky turns impossible colors as the fishing fleet returns.

    adventure $
  2. 2
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    Phu Quoc Night Market Wine

    Vietnam's best night market for fresh seafood. Pick your fish, watch it grilled, and pair with wine. The chaos and freshness are intoxicating.

    adventure $
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    Long Beach Sunset Wine

    20km of white sand facing west. Beach bars dot the shore, but bringing your own wine to a quiet spot beats any bar. The most relaxed sunset in Vietnam.

    adventure $
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    White Sand Dunes Sunrise Wine

    Vietnamese Sahara. White sand dunes stretching to the horizon with a freshwater lake at their base. Sunrise here is otherworldly - pack wine and witness it.

    adventure $
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    Fairy Stream Wine Walk

    Wade ankle-deep through a stream flanked by red and white sandstone cliffs. It's kitsch but beautiful - Vietnamese Grand Canyon in miniature.

    adventure $
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    Imperial Citadel Sunset Wine

    The walled fortress city of Vietnamese emperors. UNESCO-listed ruins of palaces, temples, and gates. Stay until sunset when the crowds leave and the stones glow gold.

    adventure $
  7. 7
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    Hue Street Food Wine Crawl

    Vietnam's culinary capital. Royal cuisine adapted for the streets. Bun bo Hue, banh khoai, nem lui - every dish has a story. Pack wine and graze through history.

    adventure $
  8. 8
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    Phu Quoc Sunset Beach Wine

    Vietnam's largest island has the country's best sunsets. Watch from Long Beach with wine as the sky turns orange over the Gulf of Thailand.

    adventure $$
  9. 9
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    Nha Trang Diving Celebration

    Complete a diving trip to the colorful reefs around Hon Mun Marine Protected Area, then celebrate with wine at beachfront as the sun sets.

    adventure $$
  10. 10
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    Mui Ne Sand Dunes Wine Sunrise

    Wake at 4am for the desert-like red and white sand dunes at sunrise. The otherworldly landscape glows gold and orange - toast with wine as the colors peak.

    adventure $
  11. 11
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    Quy Nhon Beach Wine Escape

    Vietnam's next undiscovered beach town. Long crescent bays, zero tourists, and morning seafood markets. Wine on the beach with only locals for company.

    adventure $
  12. 12
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    Con Dao Prison Wine Reflection

    Vietnam's former brutal colonial prison is now a pristine island paradise. Walk the haunting prison museum, then swim in turquoise waters and reflect with wine on history's irony.

    adventure $$

Plan the trip

Getting there and around

Car required
No
Parking
Free parking everywhere. The island is still low-key about this.
Nearest airport
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) - direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hr), Hanoi (2 hr), and some international routes
Drinking and driving
If you're drinking: use Grab or hire a driver for the day ($30-50). Scooter + wine is a bad combo on any island. Many travelers just scooter to sunset spots sober, then walk/taxi back.
Other airports
  • Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) - then 1-hour domestic flight
  • Ferry from Ha Tien (2.5 hours) or Rach Gia (2 hours)
Without a car
Scooter rental is the island way—200,000-300,000 VND/day ($8-12). Traffic is light and roads are good. Grab works but waits can be long. Taxis available but expensive. Most hotels rent scooters.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Duong Dong (town) or Long Beach (resort strip)
Why there
Duong Dong puts you near the night market and Dinh Cau temple—the heart of island life. Long Beach is better for beach-focused stays with resort amenities.
Booking tip
High season (December-March) books up fast—especially Christmas/New Year and Tet. Shoulder season (April, October-November) offers 30-50% discounts.
Nightly range
$15-300/night
Peak season
Tet holiday (late January/early February) brings domestic tourists en masse. Prices double and beaches get crowded.

Recommended stays

Shoestring
9Station Hostel ($8-12/dorm, pool, social scene) or Boho Boutique ($10-15/dorm, near night market). Guesthouse doubles from $15-25.
Wanderer
Salinda Resort ($60-90, beachfront boutique), Mango Bay Resort ($70-100, eco-friendly, private beach), or La Veranda ($80-120, colonial charm). Most include breakfast.
Flashpacker
JW Marriott Phu Quoc ($200-400, the flagship luxury), InterContinental ($250-500, private beach), or Regent ($300+, newest five-star). Book direct for best rates.

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation, scooter, meals, activities, wine
Wine prices
Wine selection is limited but improving. Supermarkets (CoopMart, Winmart) have basics—Chilean/Australian bottles from 150,000 VND ($6). Nicer restaurants carry better selections at 3x retail. BYOB is widely accepted at casual spots. Don't expect fine wine—this is beer and cocktail territory.
Meals
Night market seafood feast: $8-15/person. Beach restaurant lunch: $10-20. Resort dining: $30-60. Street food: $2-5.
Per person
$40-100/day (backpacker) / $100-250/day (comfort)
Ways to spend less
  • Night market is cheaper than restaurants for the same (or better) seafood
  • Buy wine at supermarkets—beach bars charge 3x markup
  • Book cable car tickets online for 10-20% discount
  • Scooter rental is the single biggest money saver
  • Skip overpriced beach chair rentals—bring a sarong and sit on sand
Tasting fees
N/A - no wineries on island
Transport
Scooter: $8-12/day. Grab to Sao Beach: $8-10 one-way. Cable car: $20. Snorkeling trip: $25-40.

Booking and timing

Lead time
Walk-in OK for most things. Cable car and nice restaurants benefit from 1-day advance booking.
Visas
Phu Quoc has special visa-free access for 30 days for most nationalities—no visa required if flying directly and staying only on the island. If continuing to mainland Vietnam, standard visa rules apply.
Walk-ins accepted
Yes
Closed days
Nothing really closes. Night market operates daily. Beaches are 24/7.
Peak season
December-February is peak season. Vietnamese holidays (Tet, April 30, September 2) are intensely busy with domestic tourists.
Best time of day
Beaches: morning for photos, afternoon for swimming, sunset for wine. Night market: arrive 6-7 PM.
Group size
The island handles groups fine. Night market is walk-up. Cable car has capacity for crowds.
Rainy season
May-October is rainy season—afternoon storms are common but usually brief. Prices drop 30-50%. Still very doable, just plan for rain. September-October is wettest.

Where to eat

Wine bars
  • INK 360 at InterContinental - rooftop bar, best wine list on island, sunset views
  • Tempus Fugit bar - Duong Dong, decent wine selection in casual setting
  • JW Marriott Red Rum - upscale bar, good wine but premium prices
Lunch
  • Sao Beach restaurants - overpriced but the setting is worth it once
  • Rory's Beach Bar - Long Beach, relaxed vibes, decent wine
  • Mango Bay Restaurant - eco-resort dining open to non-guests
Street food
  • Night market grilled seafood - the main event, choose your fish live
  • Bánh canh cua - crab noodle soup, local breakfast specialty
  • Gỏi cá trích - herring salad wrapped in rice paper, Phu Quoc signature dish
  • Bún quậy - stirred noodles, unique to Phu Quoc
Dinner
  • Night market - the authentic experience (BYOB wine)
  • On The Rocks at Mango Bay - romantic beachfront
  • Xin Chao - contemporary Vietnamese, good for wine pairing
Restaurants
  • Crab House - upscale seafood in a beautiful setting, Long Beach
  • Pepper Tree at La Veranda - romantic fine dining, French-Vietnamese
  • Ganesh Indian Restaurant - when you need a curry break
  • Sailing Club - sunset cocktails and wine list, Long Beach

If your time is short

Do not miss
  • Sunset at Dinh Cau temple with wine and a view of the fishing fleet
  • Night market seafood feast - walk it first, then choose your table
  • Long Beach sunset - any evening, any spot, west-facing perfection
If you only have one day
Dinh Cau sunset temple + night market seafood dinner. This combo captures the soul of Phu Quoc in one evening. Add Long Beach afternoon if arriving early.
If it rains
Fish sauce factory tours work in any weather. Or embrace it—rainy beach walks have their own beauty. Shopping at Duong Dong markets is another option.
Skip if time is short
  • Hon Thom cable car - spectacular but half-day commitment
  • Fish sauce factory - fascinating but only for the curious
  • Safari/amusement parks - the Vinpearl developments feel generic

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't visit during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) unless you love crowds and 2x prices
  • Don't rent a scooter if you plan to drink - island roads + wine + scooter = disaster
  • Don't pay beach chair premiums at Sao Beach - bring a towel and walk further down
  • Don't buy wine at night market prices - stock up at supermarkets earlier
  • Don't skip the fish sauce factory because it 'sounds boring' - it's genuinely interesting
  • Don't stay at the northern resorts if you want island atmosphere - they're isolated
  • Don't swim at Long Beach south of the resorts - currents can be strong

Worth stopping for

  • Dinh Cau temple: Position yourself on the rocks south of the temple for the classic shot with boats and sunset
  • Night market: The steam and flames from grilling stations create magical light—shoot around 6:30 PM
  • Long Beach: Walk south for uncrowded shots. The leaning palm trees are iconic.
  • Sao Beach: Go before 10 AM for empty beach shots. The water color is Vietnam's best.
  • Cable car: Best photos from the gondola at peak height. Morning light is cleaner.
  • Fish sauce barrels: The rows of clay pots at traditional factories are surprisingly photogenic