Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam | Endless Sunshine | Asia Tour 2017

Coconut Prison heartache, dream Beaches, friendly People, Fabulous prices, delicious Seafood, Markets and more. This is our Phu Quoc, Vietnam experience!

Palms and Sunshine at Sao Beach - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Palms and Sunshine at Sao Beach

From Ho Chi Minh, we had planned to go to Hue, Vietnam, but it was pouring rain as far as the weather app could see (2 weeks)?, so we looked for sun and found we had to book a trip to the sun island of Phu Quoc!

Skyscanner quickly located 2 Tickets from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc on Jestar Airlines via Vueling for  1,555.000 dong or USD$66 ($33 ea.). As seems to be the theme, we had a 1/2 hour delay.

Upon arrival, we walked out the door and headed to the parking lot across the road.  As there is no Uber on the island yet, we spoke with a taxi driver and paid the 150,000 dong from the airport to our hotel, Gia Thanh Phu Quoc Guest House.  Read my independent review here.

Our Room - Gia Thanh Guest House - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Our Room – Gia Thanh Guest House

The restaurant adjacently joining the guest house is called Acerola Bar and Restaurant and this is where we had breakfast – every morning. We bought a jackfruit at the market and they prepared us a wonderful smoothie- we left a generous tip for their kindness.  Can’t say enough good about this family!

Pho Bo Soup at Gia Thanh - Phu Quoc
Breakfast Pho Bo Soup at Acerola Restaurant

Dinner found us at a little restaurant just off the main street and a short walk to the beach called Thu Phuong. Read about what we ate, how much it cost and how it tasted here: Thu Phuong Restaurant Review.  A romantic walk along the beach helped with digestion!

Barbecued Shrimp at Thu Phuong Restaurant - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Barbecued Shrimp at Thu Phuong Restaurant

The next day, after a breakfast of beef noodle soup and an iced coffee to the sound of Vietnamese music, we walked down to the corner street and rented a moped for 122.000 per day, and filled in 60.000 dong of petro.

Our first stop was the Mui (Peninsula) Dinh Cau Buddhist Temple, located on a small cliff on the beach adjacent to a fishing village. We climbed the few stairs to the top, took some pictures and were on our way!

Gorgeous Water at Dinh Cau - Phu Quoc
Gorgeous Water at Dinh Cau

45 minutes later found us at Bãi tắm Sao / Sao Beach, also known as Paradiso beach. This is an unfortunate stretch of a beautiful, long, white sand beach which is strewn with garbage and many people. Too bad they do not clean this up!

Lunch found us on the beach at a restaurant called Nha Hang My Lan – Not memorable, not great food, but a fabulous view.
Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup) 60.000 dong / €2.25 / USD$2.65, Mi Xao Rau (Noodles w/ vegetables) 80.000 dong / €3 / USD$3.50, Coke 20.000 dong / €0.75 / USD$0.90, Beer 25.000 dong / €0.94 / USD$1.10   Total: 185.000 dong / €7 / USD$8

Yellow Noodles Dish - Vietnam
Mi Xao Rau Noodle Dish

A glorious, relaxed drive back through mountains followed the beach lunch. In the evening we went to the Phu Quoc Night Market for Dinner. After walking the market twice to see the offerings and prices, we settled on Quan An Mien Trung Restaurant.  The very friendly owner is from Da Nang, speaks English a little and understands a lot!

Seafood at the Nightmarket - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Seafood at the Nightmarket
Night Market - Dong Duoang, Phu Quoc
Street action at the Night Market

Day 3 found us checking out Long Beach, about a 5 minute drive from our hotel. Trip Advisor had great reviews for RoRy’s Bar, so eventually we headed there to chill. It is a beautiful and popular location, but…

Long Beach - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Long Beach

For Lunch we went to the Fabulous Bun Cha Ha Noi. This would become our favourite go to when it was open!

Bun Cha Ha Noi - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Bun Cha Ha Noi

My husband hit the Barbershop Duy for a 50.000 dong much needed shave.

After dinner, we went back to Rory’s Beach Bar for drinks on the beach. Fabulous atmosphere, bonfire, lots of people and a good DJ.

On Day 4, when looking for a local dinner spot, we discovered the restaurant Quán Ốc Bình Dân and this is where we ate every night after! Simply put, the food flavours are a music explosion on the tongue!!!!

Starters at Quán Ốc Bình Dân Restaurant - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Starters at Quán Ốc Bình Dân Restaurant

By Day 5 we had so fallen in love with Vietnam, we were frantically looking for an option to extend a visa, only to discover it can not be renewed easily ( German husband had only 15 days). If we would have pushed it, you need 3 days and $75. So we were sad to decide we would leave Vietnam after our Phu Quoc stay – very disappointed as Hue, Da Nang, Halong Bay were high on the top of our Vietnam list of where to go.

Drive to Kem Beach & Emerald Bay was on our 6th day in the morning. We had a backpack packed with drinks to take to the beach. We found our way in through the jungle on a dirt path and a big, almost private beach opened up. Only some fishermen shared the stretch of sand, trees and gorgeous water. We headed to a private spot and enjoyed the seclusion and scenery stretching through the bay.

Fishermen Sort their Catch at Kem Beach - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Fishermen Sort their Catch at Kem Beach

After the beach, we stopped at a roadside restaurant called Bia Ruou Phu Quoc / Bia Tuoi Phu Quoc Craft BeerIt is located close to Coconut Prison and Emerald Bay so it was a perfect stop while waiting for the prison to open.

Bia Tuoi Phu Quoc Restaurant - Rice and Shrimp - Vietnam
Bia Tuoi Phu Quoc Restaurant – Rice and Shrimp

After our delicious lunch, we went to the Coconut Prison; the entrance fee of 20,000 dong was worth every penny. The perspective does not change the the horror of what took place in this prison. There are plaques throughout describing what is happening.

Outer Perimeter at Coconut Prison - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Outer Perimeter at Coconut Prison

The next day found us at the huge Day Market in the streets by the fishing harbour. It was an interesting walk and we bought a Jackfruit (mit Thai) for 40.000 & a pear like bag of fruit called Rose Apple 25.000.

Meat Vendor Sits on her Stand Eating an Egg - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Meat Vendor Sits on her Stand Eating an Egg

Our 8th day found us at Suoi Tranh Waterfalls. The Entrance fee was 10.000 dong per person plus a parking fee of 2000 for our moto. It is really nice gardens, a restaurant, colorful sculptures of animals and people throughout. We did the 1/2 hour hike over stones and rocks up to the waterfall. Not a lot of water this time of year, but it is a nice hike and pretty.

Almost Dry Suoi Tranh Waterfalls - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Almost Dry Suoi Tranh Waterfalls

Back in town we found a restaurant called Quan Ra Koi. It was packed with locals so we decided it must be good; we walked in and found ourselves a seat. Based on all the shocked and smiling stares, I do not think they are used to foreigners! Read about our experience here.

Ladies Selling Fish at the Market - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Ladies Selling Fish at the Market

Day 10 we went to get our Passport photos for our visa on arrival in Laos. Pho Bien, down by the Dinh Cau temple did our pictures for us. 200.000 for 10 photos – overpriced, but necessary. Our guest house said he ripped us off. The rest of the day was spent visiting our favourite spots and saying our goodbyes.

Fruit Lady - Long Beach - Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Fruit Lady – Long Beach

On the Last day, we had lunch at Acerola Bar Restaurant – read about prices and my review – before regrettably heading out. 

MORE picture here

Our Taxi to the Airport was 110.000 dong. We were very sad to leave Vietnam and have vowed we will return!

Next stop: Vientiane, Laos via Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok

Flight Jetstar Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh: 1,876.000 for 2 €77.49 or €38.75
1 hour delay
Flight Air Asia Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok: 3,024.000 for 2 €124.90
Flight Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos: $50 pp

Note: 2 weeks is NOT long enough in Vietnam- all nationalities with "free" visa, apply for minimum 1 month visa
Note:
 It seems most locals speak NO English, not even in tourist places - everything works with pointing, calculators and smiles

Costs:
Flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc: €32.23 per person
Taxis: €10.75
Lodging: €21.50 per night (€215 for our 10 nights)
Moped: €5 per day or €45 for the stay
Petro / Gasoline: €6.25
Entry Fees: €2.56
Food, Drink & Snacks: €211.19

Our Total Cost for 2 persons, 10 days in Phu Quoc, excluding flight: €490.75

Phu Quoc island on an extreme budget? Yes!  For example:
– Stay at Langchia Hostel for $7 per night (includes breakfast & swimming pool)
– Buy fruits and veggies at the market
– Buy Noodles in the store & make your own noodles with a kettle and big bowl (borrowed or bought) – throw on market herbs and spice for great flavor
– Buy all beverages at the market (side street)
– Take towel and own food / beverages to beach
Maybe $10 per day???

Tip: book flights at least 4 days out for best prices!

Next Stop: Vientiane, Laos

Another great place:
Langchia Hostel & Bar
– Chicken & Chips 80.000 dong / €3 / USD$3.50
– Fried Seafood, Salad & Steamed Rice 85.000 dong / €3.20 / USD$3.75
– Coke 20.000 dong / €0.75 / USD$0.90
– Saigon Beer 20.000 dong / €0.75 / USD$0.90
– Happy Hour250.000 dong / €9.35 / USD$11.00 for 3 Singapore Slings & 2 Saigon


Links of possible interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat: Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan An Mien Trung (at the night Market)
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Rory’s Beach Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Thu Phuong Restaurant


Check out our other Asia Travels!


Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  > tỉnh Kiên Giang >  Phu Quoc

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Diane Misol

Canadian living in Germany - Enjoying Travel & Documenting as I go! My goal is to bring you honest reporting based on my experience. As blogging took over the internet, so did glossy photos and life is perfect mentality. The world is now officially viewed through rose coloured glasses. I aim to bring you a truer, more realistic version. Hope you enjoy and please share if you do.

Reader Comments

  1. Sam

    Wow! Phu Quoc on a budget. Love it. Wonderful to read about and look at these pictures. Thanks for that. What an amazing place this must be. One day I will go there and all your wonderful inside knowledge and tips will come in very handy. Keep up the great blogging.

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