The Gulf of Thailand is undoubtedly home to some of South-East Asia’s top island destinations. With plentiful sunshine, turquoise waters and an abundance of fertile coral reef it’s easy to understand why. One destination in the region which remains widely unknown to many is Phú Quốc, pronounced "foo kwok”, a territory of Vietnam and also the largest island in the gulf. Previously the site of one of Vietnam's most notorious prison camps, tourism is now transforming it's war torn past into a unique tropical getaway. Interestingly, unlike mainland Vietnam, Phú Quốc is a visa-exemption zone so travelling here is a breeze. Already boasting dozens of beachfront resorts with many more in development this sleeping beauty looks set to become a prized getaway destination.
Phú Quốc is home to about 100,000 locals with an economy largely sustained by their dynamic fishing community. Vendors line the streets offering their catch of the day with much of it still alive. Many restaurants also exhibit their live produce in large tanks out front ensuring it’s freshness. Not surprisingly fish sauce remains one of their main exports and is considered some of the best in the world. There are over 80 producers on the island and tours of the factories are possible for those interested. If you’re fond of seafood this place has no shortage of weird and wonderful offerings.
There are three townships on Phú Quốc, the main being Duong Dong which is home to the largest and most popular beach on the island, Long Beach. It is here you will find the vast majority of hotels, bars and restaurants. If you’re into sampling as many local establishments as you can squeeze into your trip this is the place to be. The main strip presents dozens of food options ranging from humble street food vendors to rooftop fine dining. One of the best meals I had was from Bún Chả Hà Nội, the most unassuming little homestyle kitchen which I would have likely walked past if it weren’t for the rave TripAdvisor reviews I had sought earlier in the day. They only serve one dish (Bún chả) so there’s no menu, you just sit down and they bring you what they do best.
At dusk Rory’s beach bar is a definite hotspot, here you can catch the sunsetting over the sea whilst enjoying a cold beer or cocktail and their lounge chairs go right to the waters edge, pure bliss. Eating out is generally very affordable with most meals likely to set you back somewhere between $3-$8. Beers usually go for about $1 and cocktails start around $4. Perhaps a sign of it’s immaturity though, there isn’t yet much in the way of shopping. Unlike Thailand or Bali where market stands and merchants line the footpaths these tourist-centric stalls are few and far between here. It’s likely however this may in fact come as music to the ears for some travellers.
Unknown to many Vietnam is actually the world’s second largest producer of coffee so finding a cup of Joe is no challenge. It is however almost entirely Robusta coffee which is typically regarded as inferior to Arabica because of it’s increased bitterness. The Vietnamese seem to have overcome this undesirable trait by favouring condensed milk over fresh to introduce a balancing sweetness.
The greater Phú Quốc region is an island district housing 28 unique destinations. Most are uninhabited and considered national park. It is the islands just off the southern tip of Phú Quốc where you will find the best snorkelling and fishing spots and day trips can be arranged with ease. Prices for group tours generally start from about $25pp and include lunch. Private tours on fast boats are also possible but are considerably more expensive. It would almost be a crime to visit Phú Quốc without seeing these picturesque tiny islands so considered this a must do.
Getting around the main island is quite easy with many modes of transport at your disposal. If you’re feeling adventurous most resorts and guesthouses offer scooter hire for around $8/day. Zipping up the coast on two wheels to visit the laid-back Ong Lang Beach was such a good time we did it twice. There a two great beachfront cafes right on the sand offering simple but tasty local cuisine and free to use sun lounges. A scooter is an excellent option getting there. The traffic can seem a little daunting at first, technically it’s right hand drive but even that seems more like a guideline than a rule. You’ll soon learn chaotic flow reigns supreme but for some reason it seems to work here. For the more conservative folks there’s no shortage of taxis which are generally quite affordable; having a downloaded offline Google map of the island will likely prove beneficial.
Learning some of local language when travelling is inspiring, often humorous and always challenging. Phú Quốc proved to be particularly difficult for me as the Vietnamese language is phonologically complex incorporating sharp tones and vowels not present in English. My attempts were almost always met with looks of confusion so I decided to stick to what I knew. Being the hidden gem that it is does have it’s shortfalls though and English adoption is one of those. Ordering a meal or a drink here is usually never a problem but otherwise the level of English spoken here is very basic.
As with most tropical regions the summer months typically attract a lot of rain and often menacing storms. As a precaution the best time to visit is during the dry season; for Phú Quốc this is December to April. Temperatures remain consistently warm throughout the year with the average monthly high barely moving a few degrees either side of 31.
If you're wondering where to go for your next getaway consider Phú Quốc. It may be a few years behind neighbouring hotspots when it comes to internationally recognised luxury hotel brands or shopping but when it comes to creating wonderful memories Phú Quốc has got you covered.