The best attractions in Phu Quoc prove that there’s plenty of things to do during your tropical vacation besides relaxing on its pristine beaches.
Situated 45 kilometres west of Ha Tien, Phu Quoc Island is home to unique Cao Dai and Buddhist temples, vibrant markets, traditional fishing villages, and pepper plantations – perfect for travellers looking to experience the local lifestyle.
Despite the growing number of tourist accommodation and modern facilities along its expansive coastline, more than half of this tropical island is still a UNESCO-listed national park, where you can enjoy a full-day of spotting rare wildlife species, hiking, camping, photography and bird-watching. Read on for our list of the most popular things to do in Phu Quoc Island.
Phu Quoc National Park
Phu Quoc National Park takes up more than half of Phu Quoc Island, where nature lovers can spot rare wildlife and plants such as long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, otters, and hornbills. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, a part of this verdant landscape is open to a wide range of activities such as camping, hiking, bird-watching, and photography. If you’re looking to test out your endurance level, Mount Heaven in Phu Quoc National Park is accessible within a challenging four-hour trek through the evergreen forest followed by a 10 metre-tall bamboo ladder.
Dinh Cau Rock (Cau Temple)
Dinh Cau Rock is an odd-shaped natural formation beside Duong Dong Fishing Harbour, which houses a lighthouse and Buddhist shrine with a rooftop terrace. Also known as Cua Temple, it was constructed in 1937 to commemorate Thien Hau (the Goddess of the sea), whom locals believe provides protection for fishermen heading out to sea. There are 29 winding stone steps to reach the top of Cua Temple, where you will be greeted with spectacular sunset views of Dinh Cau Beach, Duong Dong Town, and neighbouring islets. Entrance to Dinh Cau Rock is free of charge, and there are plenty of food and beverage stands at the base of the temple if you’re feeling peckish.
Suoi Tranh Waterfall
Suoi Tranh Waterfall is a 4 metre-tall waterfall that’s surrounded by lush greenery, numerous walking paths, natural caves, and rock pools. Located 7 kilometres west of Duong Dong, nature lovers can enjoy recreational activities such as picnicking, jungle-trekking, camping and bird-watching. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike further up from the main waterfall site to visit Hang Doi (Grotto of Bats), which measures 200 metres in height and houses unique stalactites. Due to its close proximity to the main town, Suoi Tranh Waterfall is usually packed with locals during weekends and national holidays.
Duong Dong Market
Duong Dong Market, located along Tran Phu Street, is Phu Quoc Island’s busiest and largest outdoor market. The best time to visit is in the early morning, where you can see the locals bargaining hard for household items, fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets and fruit from mainland Vietnam. Duong Dong Market also houses plenty of food stalls serving fresh seafood, fruit juices, and Vietnamese cuisine at relatively low prices. As the island is renowned for its mushroom, pepper and cashew nuts, we highly recommend picking up a few as souvenirs for loved ones back home.
Sung Hung Pagoda
Sung Hung Pagoda is a combination of two shrines that were built in the early 10th century, making it the oldest of its kind on Phu Quoc Island. Set along Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong Town, the front courtyard features a statue of the Goddess of Mercy, potted plants and Bodhi trees while the three-storey prayer hall houses three Buddha statues and intricate paintings of Buddhist mythical creatures and legends. Open daily, visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the monks and locals who frequent Sung Hung Pagoda.
Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
Vinpearl Land Amusement Park features thrilling water slides, rollercoasters, outdoor and indoor arcade centres, amphitheatre, 5D cinema, and a wide range of dining options. Accessible within a 20-minute drive from Ong Lang Beach, Vinpearl Land Amusement Park is set between Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort and Vinmec International Hospital. Vibrant street performances, mermaid shows, and traditional dances are also held every day, making it an ideal destination for travelling families looking to enjoy a fun-filled day on Phu Quoc Island. Vinpearl Land Amusement Park also offers complimentary shuttle services for those who purchase tickets from travel agents within Duong Dong Town.
Cao Dai Temple
Cao Dai Temple has two outlets in Duong Dong Town, with the main (and newest) shrine located along Nguyen Trai Street. Founded in 1919, Cao Daism is a monotheistic religion which combines Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam. Currently, there are over two million people practising Cao Daism in Vietnam. Cao Dai Temple easily stands out from other temples on Phu Quoc Island thanks to its technicoloured exterior and religious symbols such as Buddhist swastikas, Christian crosses, and Islamic crescent moons. The temple is open to the public, with worshipping ceremonies held between 06:00 and 12:00 every day.
Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Ham Ninh Fishing Village attracts foreign visitors looking to experience the daily life of the local fishermen as well as enjoy authentic regional specialities. A 20-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport, there’s also a pier not far from the village, where you can enjoy relaxing views of colourful fishing boats, Ham Ninh Mountain range and coastline, and the Hai Tac Archipelago. Ham Ninh Fishing Village is also renowned for its unique dishes such as sea cucumber soup, tram mushroom, and boiled flower crab as well as medicinal drinks made with seaweed, ginseng, seahorse, and rice wine.
Su Muon Pagoda
Su Muon Pagoda sits atop a hill about four kilometres east of Duong Dong Town, where visitors can pay their respects, get fortunes told, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambience. Built in 1932 by accountant-turned-monk Nguyen Kim Muon, this pagoda is mostly frequented by locals thanks to its rather hidden locale. The main hall is accessible via a 60-step stairway, housing colourful relics and golden statues of Buddha. As with most religious sites around the world, do dress conservatively and refrain from making noises during your visit to Su Muon Pagoda.
Phu Quoc Prison
Phu Quoc Prison is a bleak reminder of Vietnam’s turbulent history, where over 40,000 North Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam War. Built in 1949 by French colonists, this war museum now houses torture instruments, photographs of former detainees and exhibits of brutal punishments such as crucifixion, food deprivation, and electrocution. A prominent site in Phu Quoc Prison is the row of tiger cages, where prisoners were kept in total darkness and subjected to extreme heat and cold for a prolonged period of time. Entrance fee is priced at VND 3,000 per person, with tours available in English, French and Vietnamese.
These are beautiful places for you to choose as one of your destinations to set your foot on. Remember to jot down and drop by them while travelling to Vietnam.
Situated 45 kilometres west of Ha Tien, Phu Quoc Island is home to unique Cao Dai and Buddhist temples, vibrant markets, traditional fishing villages, and pepper plantations – perfect for travellers looking to experience the local lifestyle.
Despite the growing number of tourist accommodation and modern facilities along its expansive coastline, more than half of this tropical island is still a UNESCO-listed national park, where you can enjoy a full-day of spotting rare wildlife species, hiking, camping, photography and bird-watching. Read on for our list of the most popular things to do in Phu Quoc Island.
Phu Quoc National Park
Photo by trungydang |
Dinh Cau Rock (Cau Temple)
Dinh Cau Rock is an odd-shaped natural formation beside Duong Dong Fishing Harbour, which houses a lighthouse and Buddhist shrine with a rooftop terrace. Also known as Cua Temple, it was constructed in 1937 to commemorate Thien Hau (the Goddess of the sea), whom locals believe provides protection for fishermen heading out to sea. There are 29 winding stone steps to reach the top of Cua Temple, where you will be greeted with spectacular sunset views of Dinh Cau Beach, Duong Dong Town, and neighbouring islets. Entrance to Dinh Cau Rock is free of charge, and there are plenty of food and beverage stands at the base of the temple if you’re feeling peckish.
Suoi Tranh Waterfall
Suoi Tranh Waterfall is a 4 metre-tall waterfall that’s surrounded by lush greenery, numerous walking paths, natural caves, and rock pools. Located 7 kilometres west of Duong Dong, nature lovers can enjoy recreational activities such as picnicking, jungle-trekking, camping and bird-watching. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike further up from the main waterfall site to visit Hang Doi (Grotto of Bats), which measures 200 metres in height and houses unique stalactites. Due to its close proximity to the main town, Suoi Tranh Waterfall is usually packed with locals during weekends and national holidays.
Photo by Cha già José |
Duong Dong Market
Duong Dong Market, located along Tran Phu Street, is Phu Quoc Island’s busiest and largest outdoor market. The best time to visit is in the early morning, where you can see the locals bargaining hard for household items, fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets and fruit from mainland Vietnam. Duong Dong Market also houses plenty of food stalls serving fresh seafood, fruit juices, and Vietnamese cuisine at relatively low prices. As the island is renowned for its mushroom, pepper and cashew nuts, we highly recommend picking up a few as souvenirs for loved ones back home.
Photo by Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên |
Sung Hung Pagoda
Sung Hung Pagoda is a combination of two shrines that were built in the early 10th century, making it the oldest of its kind on Phu Quoc Island. Set along Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong Town, the front courtyard features a statue of the Goddess of Mercy, potted plants and Bodhi trees while the three-storey prayer hall houses three Buddha statues and intricate paintings of Buddhist mythical creatures and legends. Open daily, visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the monks and locals who frequent Sung Hung Pagoda.
Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
Vinpearl Land Amusement Park features thrilling water slides, rollercoasters, outdoor and indoor arcade centres, amphitheatre, 5D cinema, and a wide range of dining options. Accessible within a 20-minute drive from Ong Lang Beach, Vinpearl Land Amusement Park is set between Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort and Vinmec International Hospital. Vibrant street performances, mermaid shows, and traditional dances are also held every day, making it an ideal destination for travelling families looking to enjoy a fun-filled day on Phu Quoc Island. Vinpearl Land Amusement Park also offers complimentary shuttle services for those who purchase tickets from travel agents within Duong Dong Town.
Cao Dai Temple
Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Ham Ninh Fishing Village attracts foreign visitors looking to experience the daily life of the local fishermen as well as enjoy authentic regional specialities. A 20-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport, there’s also a pier not far from the village, where you can enjoy relaxing views of colourful fishing boats, Ham Ninh Mountain range and coastline, and the Hai Tac Archipelago. Ham Ninh Fishing Village is also renowned for its unique dishes such as sea cucumber soup, tram mushroom, and boiled flower crab as well as medicinal drinks made with seaweed, ginseng, seahorse, and rice wine.
Su Muon Pagoda
Phu Quoc Prison
Phu Quoc Prison is a bleak reminder of Vietnam’s turbulent history, where over 40,000 North Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam War. Built in 1949 by French colonists, this war museum now houses torture instruments, photographs of former detainees and exhibits of brutal punishments such as crucifixion, food deprivation, and electrocution. A prominent site in Phu Quoc Prison is the row of tiger cages, where prisoners were kept in total darkness and subjected to extreme heat and cold for a prolonged period of time. Entrance fee is priced at VND 3,000 per person, with tours available in English, French and Vietnamese.
These are beautiful places for you to choose as one of your destinations to set your foot on. Remember to jot down and drop by them while travelling to Vietnam.