Fish sauce factory (Xưởng nước mắm)

It goes without saying that the best fish sauce would be found nowhere but in Phu Quoc. It is highly recommended that travelers should spend some time exploring the factories where fish sauce is produced once they step their foot on Phu Quoc Island. The largest fish-sauce maker and distributor is Nuoc Mam Hung Thinh factory, which is a short walk from the market in Duong Dong Village. What sets Phu Quoc fish sauce apart from its counterparts is using anchovies as a unique resource for the production. Anchovies are mixed with salt taken from Vung Tau with the ratio of 3:1 on the fishing boats right after the fish are caught. This combination, usually known as “chuop”, is later fermented in gigantic wooden barrels within 12 months.

Address: 219 Ba Mươi Tháng Tư, TT. Dương Đông, Phú Quốc

Suoi Tranh Waterfall (Suối Tranh)

Moving to the south of Duong Dong Village at the distance of approximately 9km, tourists are now able to arrive at the scene which is a coalescence of indigenous tropical trees reaching for the blue sky above and undomesticated flowers along the path to the stream.

Taking a trek upstream through the forest just to sightseeing the stream cascading down the opposite direction whilst catching the sound of the birds singing is, needless to say, worth every penny. The Suoi Tranh Waterfall shall be an ideal venue to immerse yourself into the fresh water, lying comfortably on the rocks enjoying a good nap. Tourists are allowed to go picknick right by the stream, along with fishing and grilling on their own but make sure that the garbage is removed in order to keep the environment clean.

Address: Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc

Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc (Vườn thú Vinpearl Phú Quốc)

Home to roughly 3000 animals of diverse kinds and 400 species of flora and fauna, Vinpearl Safari is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm each day to all of those, children in particular, who fancy a trip for the purpose of sightseeing rare wildlife animals: Bengal tiger, pink flamingoes, black-and-white ruffed lemur to name a few. It is a safari-style conservation park divided into 2 main areas: Open Zoo, where dangerous animals are caged and visitors are freely walking around, and Safari, where animals of all types are loosely roaming in pursuit of their food.

Address: Bãi Dài, Gành Dầu, Gành Dầu, Phú Quốc

Phu Quoc Prison (Nhà tù Phú Quốc)

This time let’s take a journey back to the war-torn era to pay tribute to those who underwent such nefarious martyrdom and lost their lives in Phu Quoc Prison. 1949-1950 marked the time this “true hell on earth” was constructed under the French authority and later was changed hands to the administration of the Republic of Vietnam.

The recent Vietnamese goverment tells the story. The prision comprises 12 zones, each detained around 3000 people who were regarded as detrimental to the government. Mere words cannot, at all, capture the pain that the imprisoners had to experience since the physical and mental torture was inflicted on them on a daily basis. It was found that the captives are pierced through their flesh with 8-12cm nails, bound with jute bags before being sent onto huge boiling pans or even buried alive.

Cau Temple (Dinh Cậu)

It is somewhat easy to tell Cau Temple from other doctrinal venues on Phu Quoc Island as it was erected on a monstrous rock with a pretty quaint shape protruding into the sea. Dated back to 1937, Cau Temple came into construction to honor the goddess of the sea so that the fishermen are put under her aegis when sailing far offshore. It takes visitors exact 29 steps to reach Cau Temple whose roof is covered by red tiles, floor by cement, and 6 columns at the entrance by concrete. Inside this temple lies the altars as well as many historical objects reflecting the spiritual life of the island dwellers. It is advised that tourists visit Cau Temple in the late afternoon so that they can appreciate the spectacular view of the sunset and catch the melody of the waves splashing against the rocks below.

Phu Quoc Night Market (Chợ đêm Phú Quốc)

The night falls and you feel your stomach itching for food, then you might want to take a promenade around Phu Quoc Night Market on Bach Dang Street next to Duong Dong River. There you are offered almost everything ranging from plenty of yummy seafood dishes, namely, shrimps galore, steamed ginger squid, and even shark, to a diversification of souvenirs. Allergic to seafood? Well, don’t worry. There are plenty of chicken, beef, pork and veggie meals for you to pick. Now you are completely full, then a drink or two with your buddies would be a great idea and you will be well served at a number of pop-up bars or live lounges, one of the best is Saigon Hub. Also, beware that the prices at Phu Quoc Night Market are comparatively higher than a typical street market and always keep your bags or purses attended to avoid being pickpocketed.

Sao Beach (Bãi Sao)

Sao Beach is, beyond any doubt, a replica of the Carribean seas with a taste of Hawaiian. Here you are welcomed with a blue sky, those burning hot arrays of sunlight, the hazy wind, the pulverized grains of sand, native palm trees, and most excitingly, the crystal clear water. Strolling along the shore, you are likely to bump into numerous ocean-resided animals such as starfish, squids, or cute tiny fish.

Corals may be found at the very north or south end of the beach in case you feel like going snorkeling. What is more, seaside activities vary from a fishing excursion in which you are only allowed to catch small fish, paying a visit to Kings’ Well to taking little pleasure in sitting on the beach swing drinking coconut juice or sunbathing by the shores feeling the wind running its finger through your hair. And all of the sudden, you almost feel like you have lived your life to the fullest here in Sao Beach.

Northern Fingernail Island Phu Quoc (Hon Mong Tay)

“Serenity” is the very first word that dawns on our mind when arriving at this uninhabited island. It is a must-to-visit location when you take a vacation in Phu Quoc. Due to its inconvenient accessibility, Northern Fingernail Island is untouched by humans; thus its beauty reflects a sense of solitude, mystery, and most of all, extraordinary placidness. This so-called paradise provides you a chance of camping, going scuba-diving, fishing, kayaking, together with getting lost in the field of endless trees and grasses. Time seems to stand still and all you have to do is just letting your hair down, spending some time to treasure the very moment on this heaven-like place on Earth.

Pepper Farm Phu Quoc (Vườn tiêu Phú Quốc)

It is somewhat mesmerizing to find yourself preoccupied with thousands of rows of pepper trees bathing themselves under the bright sun reminding its visitors, to some extent, of commodious acreages of grapes in Bordeaux or Bourgogne. Widely known a center of ecotourism-related activities, these pepper plantations, which can be found in the central and northern parts of Phu Quoc Island, grant every traveler a scope into the life on the farm as you are able to stop by taking photos, viewing the entire procedures that chiefly use long-established labor-intensive practices before taking some rest in one of a few farm homestays.

As much as Phu Quoc takes pride in its fish sauce specialty,  it is expected that Phu Quoc’s peppers will soon become “the next big thing” on the national and international market. Note that January would make the best period of time to pay your visit to pepper farms since this month is around the harvest season. Chances are you will be taken aback by a locale in which hectares are enshrouded en masse in red, the color of ripe peppers.

Ham Ninh Fishing Village (Làng chài Hàm Ninh)

Beneath the foot of the Ham Ninh mountain range lies a small village overlooking the sea. Here you can effortlessly find a complete combination of a typical fishing village: the sun, the breeze, the water, the seafood, the fishermen and their fishing boats, etc.

This place does not boast as much its elegance as Sao Beach and the likes; however, its raw natural beauty hides in what it offers. Only in Ham Ninh can you feast on such authentic regional dishes as sea cucumber soup, tram mushroom, and boiled flower crab whilst having a field day with your peers or your family.

Another noteworthy feature is that the water is relatively shallow; therefore, the tides, when ebbing away, often leaves behind seaweeds and debris. Hai Tac Archipelago, also known as “Pirate Islands”, can be viewed when you stand at the pier or on the coastline. Unfortunately, unless you are a fisherman or a Vietnamese military/naval soldier, you are not given the permission to access those islands.

Ganh Dau Beach & Cape (Bãi Gành Dầu)

Driving up north out of the Duong Dong village, moving along a red-soil pathway passing through Phu Quoc National Park in the northwest direction, tourists are now arriving at the acclaimed Ganh Dau Cape. It looks just like a crescent moon embracing the sea with the waves crashing off the coastlines, altogether forming an extremely alluring and picturesque spectacle. Ganh Dau Beach is teeming with hard corals plus serene seawater which undoubtedly provide visitors with a unique experience when going snorkeling. Or, renting a boat might as well attribute to an exclusive trip offshore.  

On top of that, this tourist destination has also gone down in history as it is where the heroic figure Nguyen Trung Truc established a military base in an attempt to fight against the French colonizers. In remembrance of the historical man and his patriotic acts, a temple named after him was set up filled with artifacts and relics.   

Vietnamese sardine salad (Gỏi cá trích)

It is guaranteed that the most mouthwatering Vietnamese-styled sardine salad can only be found in Phu Quoc Island. The dish consists of sardines, rice paper, basil, along with red hot peppers, roasted peanuts and the local fish sauce that has found its way into overseas kitchens from Japan to America. Sardines, after being caught, are thinly sliced and mixed with onions, salt, sugar and guava vinegar in a way that sets this dish apart from other herring salad in any other nationwide regions. It is recommended that while relishing the food, tourists should drink rose myrtle wine - it helps their stomach digest better.

Where to eat: Vuon Tao Restaurant
Add: 1 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Lap, Duong To, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
Opening hours: 9.00am-10.00pm
Price: 150 000vnd-300 000vnd

Crab rice noodles (Bánh canh ghẹ)

This is another specialty that includes rice noodles and of course, fresh crab meat, mackerel fried fish and pork blood blocks. One thing that is special about this food is the soup cooked with mackerel fishbone. This type of dish is generally eaten in the morning as breakfast and it can be enjoyed in various food stores and restaurants in Phu Quoc Island. But please take careful notice that prices vary from place to place, thus you ought to check out the prices carefully by asking the sellers so as to eschew from being ripped off.

Tasted it once but can’t help wanting more!

Where to eat: Lang Chai restaurant
Add: 138 Ba Muoi Thang Tu Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
Opening hours: 6.00am-2.00pm
Price: 50 000vnd-70 000vnd

Pizza taxi

If you wake up in Phu Quoc and find out that your stomach is yearning for the taste of food in your home country, Pizza Taxi is here to cater to your demands. Not only is it home to the most appealing pizzas on the island but it also serves pastas and drinks at a reasonable price. Additionally, the delivery service is always available, a perfect solution for those who are just too weary to get out of the hotel room. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and dial 02973-998777 to give it a try because it is worth it!

Add: 39 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
Price: 120 000vnd-180 000vnd

Vietnamese baguette sandwich

The baguette is light and crackly crust; the fillings are full and excellently tasty. All amalgamate just to bring about a jim-dandy kind of food here in Phu Quoc. That is the reason why Vietnamese baguette sandwich has attracted innumerable devotees over the years. It is the most suitable substitute when you lose appetite for seafood and is sold throughout the day at a price from 10 000vnd to 20 000vnd.

Where to eat: Banh Mi Cuong
Add: 74 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
Price: 15 000vnd-25 000vnd

Holiday Sense – Food Court

Holiday Sense is the grandest 3-in-1 destination which supplies a variety of ambrosial dishes with the aim of acquainting travelers with the Vietnamese cuisine. This place comprises sumo lounge, the gioi hai san, king western, ngon 3 mien restaurant, bestin coffee, winner club and queen club, all of which are assured to provide you and your beloved ones with remarkable moments.

Pay your visit to Ngon 3 mien restaurant to immerse yourself in the world of Vietnamese-styled food in an environment where “traditional” meets “modern”.

Pay your visit to bestin coffee to sip a cup of coffee whilst feeling the breeze running its fingers through your hair.

Pay your visit to Queen Club to get lost in the blasting music whilst drinking cocktails or alcohol.

Add: 97 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province

Dinh Cau Night Market

Known as a hotspot for those who seek the wondrous taste of seafood, Dinh Cau Night Market also offers tourists souvenirs which can be bought at various booths. There you can find jewelries, T-shirts, and handicrafts of numerous types. Additionally, at Dinh Cau night market, you can shop for such prepackaged snacks as dried seaweed and cashew nuts along the road while taking pleasure in down-to-earth experience visiting a typical Vietnamese market on this island.

Address: Vo Thi Sau Street, Duong Dong Town

Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm

A palace of pearls, of course! Pearl-lovers might find this place a magnificent part of the Phu Quoc tour as their boat-shaped showrooms are filled with sparkling pearl jewelries that will make visitors catch their breath at the very first sight. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and many other items of jewelries are specifically made from pearls which were derived from oysters and mussels caught off the shores. The remaining of oysters and mussels can be made into buttons or set into the surface of furniture and pieces of fine arts. Pearl power, in addition, when mixed with other ingredients, is efficiently used in traditional medicine recipes to promote tranquillizing and detoxicating effects.

Address: Duong Bao Ward, Duong To Town
Website: http://www.ngochienpearl.com/

The Green Boutique Shop

Specialized in homemade natural skin care and beauty items, The Green Boutique Shop offers a variety of products from aromatherapy oil to sun care and hair care. And sure thing, they are 100% made from natural ingredients which makes them chemical-free and preservative-free!

Address: 92D, Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town

King Mart

With the mission to “spread the best specialities of Phu Quoc around the world”, King Mart is ever increasing their reputation on creating delicious seafood snacks which they consider as “sea food gifts”. What sets King Mart apart is their incorporating Japanese technology in their production process to make sure the customers are best served with the best products that can also be brought home as gifts to families and friends.

Address: 78 Bach Dang Street, KP.2, Duong Dong Town

Q Sky Bar

Awesome view, over-the-top service, spectacular space, nice drinks, delicious dishes… All of it combines to make Q Sky Bar one of the most visited upmarket spot for nightlife activity seekers. From the rooftop, the view of the sunset has never been so mesmerizing! Get down to watching films with a companion or two, dance to good music, mingle with other patrons and so on.

Address: 118/3 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc

Coco Bar

Located on the most bustling street on Phu Quoc Island, Coco Bar has, since 2012, attracted thousands of tourists to come and enjoy its spectacular cocktails and rums. The staff are super attentive and caring, the atmosphere is great for a chat with families and friends. Herbivores beware: Coco Bar is non-vegetarian.

Address: 118/3 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc

Golden Sand Bar

If you are not the type of person who is into the indoor atmosphere in bars or nightclubs, then Golden Sand Bar is a perfect place for you to pay a visit. Famously known as “mini Hawaii” in Vietnam, this outdoor bar carries a very Western taste with colorful chairs and tables. It is ornamented with swings that tourists can enjoy their drinks on while listening to the waves and the breeze of the beautiful sea.

Address: Nhiet Doi Beach, Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc

Bittersweet cocktail bar

Surprisingly there is no menu in this bar. Instead, customers are invited to inform the bartenders of their preferred flavor and whatever they want in their cocktail and get taken aback by what is served. The setting is cozy and intimate and the vibe is great, although the space is rather small. Everything about this cocktail bar is the number one choice for those who want to spend a laidback nighttime during their vacation on Phu Quoc Island.

Address: (opposite Salinda resort) Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Lap, Duong To, Phu Quoc

Lion Garden Beer Club

Established in 2015, Lion Garden Beer Club has always been a special place for beer lovers. Here you are able to come across a wide selection of beer ranging from Larue to Zamky. The prices are within the region of $10 and $ 25, considered rather medium for a night out. It consists of 2 storeys with sizable dancefloors and sexy DJs playing EDM all night long.

Address: 7 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc

The Rabbit Hole Irish Bar

This is the only Irish Bar on Phu Quoc Island! Its menu comprises both Vietnamese and Western cuisine, beers and spirits. Come check it out during Happy Hour (every day from 6.00pm to 10.00pm) to get 20% off on your cocktails. Moreover, there are various events and parties held on such special occasions as Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day. At Rabbit Hole it is guaranteed that you will never ever get bored because almost any forms of entertainment can be found here. For example, you can sit down with your mates watching international sporting matches or you can figure out how to play a professional UK darts and then have fun playing Nintendo.

Address: 90 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong To, Phu Quoc