Phu Quoc: all about vacationing on a secluded paradise island

Phu Quoc is truly a paradise. Clear water, clean sand, warm sunshine, a riot of green colors - the best place for a beach vacation Vietnam. And if on the mainland part of it, you are likely to be not very pleasantly surprised by the number of tourists, cleanliness, color of water and sand, the height of the waves, then Phu Quoc on all parameters can be put "Score"!

The island is located in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand near the western shores of the southern part of the country. It occupies an area equal to Singapore. It is approximately 600 km². The capital of the island is the city of Duong Dong. This place attracts snow-white and golden beaches, azure water near the shores, wildlife with emerald jungles, a variety of entertainment, complementing the rest on the island. Tourist infrastructure is developed at a high level, as evidenced by positive reviews of the best hotels in Phu Quoc.

Some travelers consider it an undeveloped and unspoiled counterpart to civilization of Phuket. Here are democratic prices, lack of strong and loud Asian traffic, abundance of fruits and seafood.

The season, as a rule, lasts from November to mid-spring.

There are several ways to get to Phu Quoc:

By airplane:

• International flights from Guangzhou (China Southern)
• Domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi (VietJet Air, JetStar Pacific, Vietnam Airlines).

By Ferry: From Ha Tien/Rach Gia

Entry regulations for Ukrainians to Phu Quoc Island:

The good news is that Ukrainians can enter Vietnam for up to 30 days without a visa if traveling to Phu Quoc Island by direct flight or transit through Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi airports. At the same time it is necessary to stay only on the island and it is forbidden to leave for the continent.

Accommodation:

There are several 5* hotels on the island: Vinpearl, Salinda, The Shells, La Veranda, Novotel ...

Prices for these hotels start from €110 for double occupancy.

Budget travelers will have a lot of room to spread out, as Phu Quoc is full of inexpensive hotels, hostels and gestos. The price for a bed in a hostel starts from €12 per night.

Meals:

On Phu Quoc It will not be a problem to find both a cheap eatery and a decent restaurant.

You can always go to a canteen for locals with plastic chairs or to a karaoke bar with a loud name Vova beer.

Crab house

A small restaurant where you can taste excellent crab and shrimp, dressed with delicious sauce and herbs. Each guest is personally met by the owner of the place, who has lived in the USA for a long time. It is desirable to book a table in advance, there is always a full house in the evening.

Ganesh

Yes, you can try Indian food in Phu Quoc - very decent and delicious. The prices are very reasonable.

Mango Bay

A trendy place where, in addition to Asian and European dishes, fresh seafood, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea. And in the evening, of course, the main event is the sunset, so on weekends it is better to book a table in advance.

What to do on the island:

On Phu Quoc you can not only lie on the beach, there are plenty of entertainment, sightseeing tours and trips.

The main island is surrounded by many smaller "satellites" where you can go diving and fishing.

• There is an amusement park on the island, Vinpearl Amusement Park, where you can spend the whole day and it is equally fun for kids and adults.

• Next to Vinpearl is the safari park, which is divided into two zones: the zoo and the actual safari (groups of tourists board a bus and enter the park, where wild animals roam freely).
• Visits to farms growing black and white pepper, honey, Sim wine, fish sauce (it is produced only on this island), pearls are very popular.

• It is also worth paying attention to the Buddhist temples, which are islands of peace, and also offer a breathtaking view of the sea.
• On the island you can visit the "Coconut Prison" of the Vietnam War, learn in detail about the events of the twentieth century, which occurred in Vietnam.
• After sunset all life moves to bars, restaurants, karaoke and the busiest place on the island - Fish Market. There are dozens of cafes along the seafront where you can taste fresh seafood, fish, make your own soup, buy pearls or ripe fruit.

What to bring as a gift:

Most goods are imported to Phu Quoc from the mainland, so if your connection on the way back allows you to stop by the mainland Vietnamese market, it's not worth buying gifts on the island. Still, there are a few things here that are hard to find elsewhere, as they are only made on Phu Quoc.

• Phu Quoc Fish Sauce is a fish sauce that has not the most pleasant aroma but a very subtle flavor, it goes perfectly with fish dishes. Must-buy!
• Sim Wine - a local wine that is made from flowers. There are many different flavors and with different strengths. It is sold in 0.6 and 0.75-liter bottles.
• Pearls - there are several pearl farms in Phu Quoc, so it is recommended to buy pearls here, as the selection is very rich, prices are affordable and bargaining is appropriate.