Phú Quốc is Vietnam's largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand off the country's southwest coast, closer to Cambodia than to the Vietnamese mainland.
Phú Quốc is Vietnam's largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand off the country's southwest coast, closer to Cambodia than to the Vietnamese mainland. You come for the beaches, warm sea, and west coast sunsets, plus fish sauce, pepper, and fresh seafood.The island is about 50 km long. Its main town is Dương Đông on the west coast, featuring a night market and the small Dinh Cậu Temple. To the south is An Thới, the starting point for the cable car to Hòn Thơm island. More than half of the island, especially the forested north, is a national park.Since June 2025, Phú Quốc has been a special administrative zone and is part of An Giang Province.
Sights in Phú Quốc
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Place of Worship
1Dinh Cậu
The small temple on a rock by the harbor of Dương Đông was built in 1937 for the sea goddess Thiên Hậu; the site had been a place of worship long before. Next to it stands a small lighthouse, and from the rocks you have a view of the fishing boats and the sunset.
Opened in 2018, the cable car spans approximately 7.9 km from An Thới, via Hòn Rỏi and Hòn Dừa islands, to Hòn Thơm. Guinness World Records lists it as the longest cable car route of its kind. The journey takes about 30 minutes, offering expansive views of the southern archipelago. Hòn Thơm hosts an amusement park with a water park, included in the ticket.
Founded 2001, the National Park protects the island's forested north, over half its area. Core zone closed; some edge paths are hikable, most famous leads through forest by Gành Dầu. An offshore marine protected area adjoins.
The French established the camp for captured Viet-Minh fighters; later, it became South Vietnam's largest prison camp, holding around 40,000 inmates in 1973. Today, it is a national memorial site featuring an exhibition, recreated cells, and watchtowers. It is located near An Thới, between Bãi Sao and Bãi Khem beaches.
The Thiền Viện Trúc Lâm Hộ Quốc monastery, inaugurated in 2012, is located on the east coast about 18 km from Dương Đông, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. A dragon staircase leads up to the halls; from the top, you'll see the sea and mountains. Take off your shoes before entering rooms with statues and dress appropriately.
The beach at An Thới in the south of the island is known for fine white sand and shallow, clear water. It is considered one of the beaches that made Phú Quốc famous, and is also suitable for families.
The seafood restaurant in An Thới in the south of the island is recommended for slipper lobsters and local crab dishes. It is prepared in Vietnamese style.
The island is known for two products: fish sauce made from locally caught anchovies, considered one of Vietnam's best and protected by a designation of origin, and pepper, grown mainly in the north.A grim chapter of history is told at Phú Quốc Prison near An Thới. The French built it for captured Việt Minh fighters; it later became South Vietnam's largest prison camp, holding around 40,000 inmates in 1973.The Dinh Cậu Temple on a rock in Dương Đông was built in 1937 for the sea goddess Thiên Hậu. The site had been a place of worship long before.
Getting There and Around
By air: Phú Quốc International Airport is the main gateway, with domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Cần Thơ as well as direct flights from other Asian countries. Ferries link the island with Rạch Giá and Hà Tiên on the mainland.Entry: A special rule applies to Phú Quốc. Foreign travellers can stay on the island visa-free for up to 30 days if they arrive directly from abroad without first entering the mainland. The exemption applies only to the island; anyone also travelling to mainland Vietnam needs the relevant entry permission. Check current conditions with the UK FCDO Travel Advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) or your airline before booking.On the island: Distances are considerable; without your own vehicle you will rely on taxis or rented scooters. The cable car to Hòn Thơm starts at An Thới in the south, is about 7.9 km long and takes around 30 minutes.
