Top beaches in Vietnam: Discovering Phu Quoc

Image credit: Simply Doozy

Top beaches in Vietnam: Discovering Phu Quoc 

With some of the best beaches in the world, affordable accommodation and great food, it's no wonder why Vietnam is getting so much love from travelers.

We traveled extensively around the country and after much reflection and debate, we finally agreed on the 4 top beach destinations in Vietnam. 

Our first installment on the best beaches in Vietnam, starts in the island of Phu Quoc

Our arrival by ferry

50 Km long by 25 Km wide the island of Phu Quoc is just big enough to make your beach holiday come to life! 
The island is reachable by ferry and by plane (about 1h direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City).  

The biggest town on the island is Duong Dong on the West coast which is primarily living off fishing and tourism. 

---

---

PHU QUOC ISLAND

Being that Phu Quoc is an island, you can have your pick at which beach to lounge. 

You can even choose golden or white sands, it's up to you. If you then feel adventurous, hire a scouter and venture out of town.

If you play your Google Maps right, you get to drive across areas that are off the beaten track as they are off limits for cars, but can be accessed by two wheels.

You'll get the chance to see gorgeous sights like the ones you see in the photos on the right.

To the North on Duong Dong you'll come across places like Chez Carole on Cua Can beach.  or keep going and a 5-6 Km after Chez Carole you'll find Mui Ong Quoi: a stretch of free beach with white sand, where both, locals and tourists stop to get sun kissed.  You can continue North and do a loop of the top of the island.

A village off the beaten track

Chez Carole - a resort with an idyllic private beach about 20 Km north of Duong Dong

During the day Duong Dong comes across as a sleeping fishing village, where life goes by slowly under the hot sun.

At night, however, the town comes to life and the night market becomes the main attraction, with a main road sided by restaurants. 


Here, hordes of locals and tourists sit at communal tables and enjoy local fish and seafood delicacies going for dirty cheap prices. 

If you are after a more secluded and romantic dinner, then all you have to do is take a walk by the beach and pick any of the restaurants, many have buffet nights as well as live music, just be aware that dinner with a show comes at higher prices.

Night Market in Duong Dong - Vietnam

Deliciously fresh for only 2$

The village just before Sao Beach

View of the beach from the bike's parking

Venturing South of Duong Dong instead, the number one beach to go to is Sao Beach. Famous for its white sands and sweeping palm trees, the shore boasts crystal clear waters and offers both a busy party side as well as a quiet suave part depending on your mood. 

Blissful time to be had on Sao Beach - Phu Quoc

Mui Ong Quoi

Directions to Sao Beach

There is a straightforward way to reach Sao Beach from Duong Dong. Head south towards the airport and at the Airport road intersection turn left (East) to follow the signs as if you were going to the airport itself.
 
Once on the airport road, ignore the airport entrance and keep going straight until the road ends and reaches another T junction with TL46. Here turn right to head south again on TL 46  and drive for several Km's. It's probably a 15-20 minutes drive. Once you reach the only real village on this stretch of road, you'll see a sign on the left side of the road indicating for Sao Beach. 

If like us, instead you wish to channel you inner Indiana Jones and opt for a more scenic, adventurous route, made of uncompleted roads, encounters with remotly living locals, then, follow the directions that Google Maps offers and be sure not to be short of surprises.

Remote Country side in Phu Quoc

Despite stopping several times thinking, why, oh why did I come this way, we promise you that you are going to be blessed with views like the one below and you might even get lucky to have the best Pho you ever had, as we did!

Best Pho Bo in Vietnam!

WHERE TO STAY IN PHU QUOC ISLAND

Really, it's up to your own budget.Phu Quoc has accommodation that fits all budgets and expectations. 
Booking.com has a great selection of hotels and guest houses and of course, you may read lots of reviews on Trip Advisors. This last one is a particular favorite among Vietnamese hospitality sector so if you like your stay and wish to review it on Trip Advisor they will be more than thankful. 

We stayed at thePhu Quoc Bien GuestHouse (starting from $18 a night inclusive of breakfast)  which is less than 5 minutes walk from the beach. The staff is very helpful and you can hire a scooter or bicycle directly through them.  Besides being in a great spot for the beach it's also in a nice lane full of bars and restaurants, so if you don't feel like going into the center of town you can perfectly enjoy your daytime or evening locally.

Simply Doozy recommends:

We recommend purchasing a local Vietnamese pre-paid SIM card at $10 for unlimited data for 30 days (ensure your phone is unlocked) and use Google Maps app as your sat nav, because it proves to be invaluable in occasions like this and will give you total independence to explore the surroundings at your own pace and desire. 

Editor's Note: We've been informed by our industry's contacts, that several hotel plans have begun in Phu Quoc and will complete in the next 18to 24 months, which means this jewel will soon be spoilt by high street tourism, so try to visit it sooner rather than later.