Phu Quoc Travel Guide
PHU QUOC ISLAND
Phu Quoc Island covers an area of 567sq.km (about 62km long and between 3km and 28km wide), and its population is approximately 85,000 (in 2001).
Phu Quoc is called the island of “99 mountains” because of its many sandstone chains gradually descending from the north to the south. The longest one is Ham Ninh which stretches for 30 km along the eastern edge with its highest peak called Mt. Chua (603m).
Phu Quoc has a monsoon sub-equatorial climate. There are two seasons in the year: the rainy season (October only) and the dry season (November to September). The average annual rainfall is 2,879 m and the average temperature is 27oC. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.
Phu Quoc is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential. The island is well known for its high-quality fish sauce; Phu Quoc fish sauce smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, ca com, with a high level of protein. The island produces 6 million liters of fish sauce every year.
Phu Quoc Island has many harbors such as An Thoi and Hon Thom where international and domestic ships anchor. Also, there are several historical sites on the island: National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc’s military base, King Gia Long relics from the time he spent on the island, and Phu Quoc Prison.
Off the coast of the island emerges a group of 105 islands of all sizes. Some of them are densely inhabited such as Hon Tre and Kien Hai, 25km from Rach Gia. Visitors can spend time on the beach or hike while observing the wild animals.
It is possible to reach the island by either plane or boat from Rach Gia, Sai Gon (40minutes, by plane), Ha Tien (8 hours, by boat).
Restaurants in Phu Quoc
An Thai Cafe (An Thoi) A relaxing restaurant and cafe built on a terrace for cool breezes and views. An Thai has Cafes all over Vietnam. Quality is assured.
Gop Gio Restaurant: Popular with locals and travellers alike. Highly rated in Vietnamese travel guides. A casual restaurant. Freshest and cheapest seafood in town!
Minh Tri Cafe & Restaurant: Well known to tourists visiting Long Beach for its delicious fresh seafood. European and Asian dishes. It’s the local place to relax after a long hot day on the beach
Phu Quoc Restaurant Guide:
Phu Quoc is known mainly for its seafood, which includes cuttlefish, ca thieu (dried fish slices), nuoc mam (fish sauce) and black pepper. Other unusual dishes you may try include deer, cobra, eel and frog. Conventional Vietnamese cuisine is also widely available on Phu Quoc.
Southern meals feature the widest range of ingredients and are usually accompanied by a light, clear broth to cleanse the palate. Pork and chicken are popular, and chillies are used extensively. Southern food can be very spicy!
As mentioned previously, there are not really any restaurants for western cuisines. If you’re craving a taste of home, you may wish to check out the restaurants attached to many of the hotels. Mid Range hotels usually offer at least some “Western” dishes, and smaller hotels and guesthouses will normally be able to offer at least something non-Vietnamese. However, expect it to be a Vietnamese version of what you’re used to. For higher class western food you could try the Top End hotels, although expect to pay substantially more than at the restaurants around town.
We would instead recommend trying some of the local places around town. Many will often have a handy English menu. We have collected a short list of restaurants and eateries in Phu Quoc to give you a place to start.
Transportation
Getting There & away
Vietnam Airlines flies to Phu Quoc from Sai Gon daily (on some flights there is a short stopover at Rach Gia). If you are travelling overland you will have to catch a ferry from Rach Gia.
