Phu Quoc Island Informations
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“Off the Cambodian Coastline, in the Gulf of Thailand lies the Vietnamese Island retreat of Phu Quoc” – an easy quote for an easy destination. This Island has the “leg up “ advantage of a reverse dry season to the rest of Vietnams coastal retreats. The great weather and water conditions can be harnessed from October through until late April. The Island has limited capacity and is VERY popular during the Christmas/New Year and Tet holidays so its essential to BOOK EARLY for accommodation and flights.
Phu Quoc holds peace and quiet in abundance and the whole point of being here is to relax and take it easy. As such activities here are limited. However, after much head scratching and selecting, here are our thought’s on the best things to do on the island.
Diving with Rainbow (of course check out our Phu Quoc diving page).
Sao Beach/Kem Beach – Perhaps one of the best stretches of beach in all of South East-Asia. White soft sand and crystal marine water. Sao Beach has a couple of restaurants equipped with numerous hammocks where you can chill the day away. Sao Beach is the tourist choice for beaches, however if you’re brave and don’t get caught by the military try to get to Kem Beach, the same only better!
Waterfalls – When it’s hot and the sand is burning your feet then head to the falls. These do tend to run seasonally, so don’t expect more than a trickle during the dry season, but bordering the wet season (before or after) they can be come torrents and well worth a little paddle.
Pepper’s Pizza (Tran Hung Dao Street) – Especially the Peppers Special (Rainbow Phu Quoc managers personal invention). The best pizza!
Cold beer on the beach at Rainbow – Beer and a beach. What more do you need and it’s easy to get to.
Late night festivities at the Dog Bar – Phu Quoc is not renowned for its night life, but if you want it, it is there. Jimmy, your Aussie host somehow seems to get his beer just that little bit colder than everybody else. Sports TV, Pool, Darts, and cool music abound.
Buddy Ice Cream – A great little cafe with top ice cream, great service, and good advice on things to do around the island.
Night Market Food – Cheap, clean, and very Vietnamese.
Motorbike exploration of the Island (North is Better) – Are you a budding Evel Knievel? If so, rent a bike and head North. The dirt road can be a challenge, but getting round the North of the island, through the rain forest and many small hamlets is a very worthwhile ride. Especially when you have to go all Indiana Jones over the bamboo bridges...
The BEST Banh Cuon (fresh spring rolls) in Viet Nam – this is so good we’re not going to post the exact location – drop us a mail through our package deals enquiry form.
WHERE TO STAY?
There are now many hotels and resorts on Phu Quoc, some fairly close to the Airport in Duong Dong and some further away in the far South or North of the island. Most offer clean and safe accommodation at reasonable prices. Below is a list of places we recommend. All bookings can be made directly with the hotels or we can help. Make sure you book accommodation and flights very early over Christmas and New Year to avoid disappointment.
In no particular order:
• Sea Star Resort: Basic Beachfront and Garden view bungalows. Aircon, TV, hot water clean and close to the airport with it’s own restaurant.
• Beach Club: Shhh, don’t tell. Remote and quite a real get away for an island paradise. Right on the beach with an excellent restaurant.
• Thanh Kieu Resort: 22 bungalows, beach front and garden view. Basic clean rooms on-suite with a fan, some with hot water. Near to the Rainbow Bar.
• La Veranda Resort: Luxury boutique resort set on the beach. Set in tropical gardens with a old French colonial feel to the buildings. Garden room, Bedroom Villas and La Veranda Suites. Aircon, WiFi, On-suite, restaurant and pool facilities.
• Tropicana Resort: 20 bungalows set amidst coconut trees overlooking the white sandy beaches. Good restaurant & Bar !! Puts a great bash over Christmas and New Year.
• Saigon Phu Quoc Resort: Government owned & run. Modern & comfortable beach resort on the Island. 90 rooms or suites with aircon or fan, swimming pool, restaurants, bars, conference rooms, massage & sauna, tennis courts, etc....
HOW TO CONTACT US:
On Phu Quoc, you can speak to your receptionist and we can arrange to meet you at your hotel, or our office is open daily from 9am to 8pm. Alternatively you can meet us at one of the following locations: Saigon Phu Quoc Resort reception between 6pm and 6:30pm or Tropicana Resort reception between 6:30pm and 7pm. After that you can find us at Amigo’s Bar, The Rainbow Bar or The Dog Bar; We’re all very sociable!
24 hour line +84 (0) 913-400-964 (if no reply, we’re probably underwater. Leave an SMS and we’ll get back to you or pop into the dive centre) or email nico@divevietnam.com Alternatively, you can speak to the ‘infamous’ Tony. ‘Tony's Tours’ are an official Rainbow booking agent in Phu Quoc.
Office Address:
Rainbow Divers
11 Tran Hung Dao Street
Duong Dong
Phu Quoc
HOW TO GET THERE:
- AIR: Vietnam Airlines and Mekong Air service Phu Quoc. ATR72 planes leave from Ho Chi Minh City (55 mins) & Rach Gia (40 minutes).
- SEA: Public boats leave the mainland from Rach Gia (2 hours) and Ha Tien (4 hours).
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