• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog

  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Around the world – see all
    • Canada
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
    • Taiwan
    • Family Travel
  • Travel Planning Service
  • Work And Travel
  • About
    • Contact me
    • Work with me
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / Southeast Asia / Vietnam / The Perfect 3 Day Phu Quoc Itinerary

The Perfect 3 Day Phu Quoc Itinerary

May 2, 2022 by Lotte 8 Comments

Like this post? Save and share!

  • Share
  • Tweet

Phu Quoc is a beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand. Despite being located less than 10 kilometers off the coast of Cambodia, the island actually belongs to Vietnam.

While the island has undergone fast development in recent years and is far from undiscovered, it’s still a great place to visit. We ended our Vietnam trip on Phu Quoc and loved our time here.

This 3 day Phu Quoc itinerary will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time on Phu Quoc, happy travels!

Phu Quoc itinerary

Table of Contents show
1. Phu Quoc itinerary
2. Things to know before your Phu Quoc trip
3. How to get to Phu Quoc
3.1. Plane
3.2. Boat
4. How to get around Phu Quoc
5. Where to stay on Phu Quoc
5.1. On a budget: Kinh Bac Hotel
5.2. Mid-range hotel: Lahana Resort Phu Quoc & Spa
5.3. Luxury resort: Cassia Cottage
6. The best things to see on Phu Quoc Island
6.1. Phu Quoc itinerary day 1: Southern Loop
6.1.1. Ho Quoc Pagoda
6.1.2. Sao Beach
6.1.3. An Thoi
6.1.4. Phu Quoc Prison
6.2. Phu Quoc itinerary day 2: Western Loop
6.2.1. Long Beach
6.2.2. Dinh Cau Rock and Temple
6.2.3. Ganh Dau beach and viewpoint
6.2.4. Suối Tranh Waterfall
6.3. Phu Quoc itinerary day 3: Eastern Loop
6.3.1. Ham Ninh mountain trail (also called Mount Heaven)
6.3.2. Ham Ninh village
6.3.3. Drinks at Kiki Coconut Resort
6.3.4. Enjoy the views between Kiki Coconut and Bai Thom
6.3.5. Eat your way around Phu Quoc Night Market
7. What to do on Phu Quoc: on conclusion
Sunset on Phu Quoc Island Vietnam

This post contains affiliate links.
Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Things to know before your Phu Quoc trip

What is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?

The best time to plan a trip to Phu Quoc is between November and March (the dry season). Temperatures are around 30°C and days are (generally) sunny and clear.

Note this is also peak season so there will be many other travelers on Phu Quoc as well.

If you prefer to travel during low season and don’t mind the occasional shower, April or May are good months to visit as well.

Which currency is used on Phu Quoc?

The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Here you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 26.000VND and $1 approximately 23.000VND.

Is it worth visiting Phu Quoc?

Yes absolutely! While it’s no longer the undeveloped island it was several years ago, Phu Quoc is a beautiful place to visit!

There are splendid beaches, lush green jungle and picturesque fishing villages.

How long should I stay in Phu Quoc?

I personally feel that a 3 day trip to Phu Quoc is the perfect amount of time to spend on the island. I do recommend to stay 4 nights so you have three entire days to explore Phu Quoc.

Sunset on Phu Quoc Island

How to get to Phu Quoc

Plane

Phu Quoc has an international airport located 15 kilometers from Duong Dong, the main town on the island.

There are several flights arriving from different cities within Vietnam as well as some international ones.

Boat

You can also get to Phu Quoc by boat, there are multiple daily departures (all in the morning) from both Ha Tien as well as Rach Gia.

You can find more information about the schedule as well as ticket prices here.

How to get around Phu Quoc

Dirt road on Phu Quoc

I highly recommend renting a scooter on Phu Quoc!

This will enable you to explore the island at your own pace and stop at all the best places to visit on Phu Quoc without feeling rushed because your tour only allows an hour at a certain location.

Renting a scooter is very affordable, rental prices are usually between $8-$12 a day, depending on the type of bike.

The roads on Phu Quoc used to be mainly dirt roads, however, most of them have been redeveloped and paved in recent years.

While it’s a shame there are no more ‘adventure roads’ it does make getting from place to place a lot faster (not to mention a lot more comfortable).

Where to stay on Phu Quoc

On a budget: Kinh Bac Hotel

For those looking for a budget hotel on Phu Quoc, Kinh Bac Hotel is a good option!

We booked this accommodation for our Phu Quoc trip and really enjoyed our stay. The rooms are large and clean, with ensuite bathrooms.

From the hotel, it’s a 20-minute drive to Duong Dong. You can rent a scooter at the hotel, so you can easily get around the island.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Mid-range hotel: Lahana Resort Phu Quoc & Spa

Lahana Resort is a lovely place to stay in Duong Dong with spacious rooms and private bungalows. There is a beautiful swimming pool and well-maintained gardens.

An extensive breakfast is included and the staff goes out of their way to make your stay the best it can be.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Luxury resort: Cassia Cottage

Rated as the best hotel on Phu Quoc in 2018, Cassia Cottage is a wonderful place to stay. There is a private beach, three swimming pools, beautiful gardens, and luxury cottages.

All cottages are elegantly styled and spacious, with large comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, coffee and tea making facilities, and several other amenities.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

The best things to see on Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc itinerary day 1: Southern Loop

Itinerary: Ho Quoc Pagoda – Sao Beach – An Thoi – Phu Quoc Prison

Phu Quoc itinerary map day 1

Click here for the interactive map

Ho Quoc Pagoda

Ocean view from Ho Quoc Pagoda

The Ho Quoc Pagoda (also known as Truc Lam Ho Quoc) is an impressive Buddhist temple. It was built in 2012 and is beautifully located on a small hill overlooking the ocean.

Important: dress modestly when visiting this temple, many people come here to pray and meditate.

Sao Beach

Sao Beach on Phu Quoc Island

Sao Beach is your typical tropical beach with soft white sand and a beautiful turquoise ocean.

The beach is over 7 kilometers long, so despite the fact that it’s a very popular place to visit on Phu Quoc, there is always a less crowded spot to be found.

There are several bars and restaurants where you can get a drink or grab a bite to eat. As you can expect with a popular place like this, prices are (much) higher than the average price level in Vietnam.

Another downside: Sao Beach has a serious trash problem and it’s not uncommon to see lots of plastic washed up on the beach.

That being said, the owner of our hotel told us the government is working on cleaning up the beaches and the ocean. I really hope they do…

An Thoi

Fishing boats at An Thoi Phu Quoc

An Thoi is a village in the south of Phu Quoc. It’s also the departure point for boat tours to the An Thoi archipelago with excellent snorkeling opportunities just south of Phu Quoc.

Click here to book a day tour to the An Thoi Islands

Fishing is still very important for the locals living in An Thoi and there are several fish sauce factories in the area. In fact, fish sauce from Phu Quoc is very famous!

Phu Quoc Prison

Phu Quoc Prison is a very difficult place to visit, but an important one nonetheless.

Over 40.000 North Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned here during the Vietnam War and subjected to the most terrible ways of torture.

Read more information about the prison on the official website.

Phu Quoc itinerary day 2: Western Loop

Itinerary: Long Beach – Dinh Cau Rock and Temple – Ganh Dau beach – Suối Tranh Waterfall

Phu Quoc itinerary map day 2

Click here for the interactive map

Long Beach

Fishing boats during sunset Phu Quoc

Long Beach is a very touristy beach on the west coast of Phu Quoc.

Stretching over 20 kilometers and lined with restaurants and beach resorts it’s a highly developed area of the island.

That being said, it’s a nice place to relax and spend some time, the views are nice and the water is good for a swim.

If you would like to catch the sunset at Long Beach, consider doing the itinerary for this day in reverse.

Dinh Cau Rock and Temple

Dinh Cau Rock and Temple

Dinh Cau Rock can be found near Duong Dong Fishing Harbour. It’s a rock with a Buddhist shrine built on top of it and it’s where local fishermen go to ask a blessing over their fishing expeditions.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time here but it’s worth passing by when you’re driving along the west coast of the island.

Ganh Dau beach and viewpoint

Ganh Dau is located in the northwest of Phu Quoc and (still) a relativity remote corner of the island.

From the viewpoint on the beach, you can easily see the Cambodian islands that are only a few kilometers away.

So far Ganh Dau beach hasn’t been overdeveloped, only time will tell if it manages to stay that way.

Banh Xeo in Ganh Dau village on Phu Quoc island

The town Ganh Dau is a nice place for lunch, we had some very cheap but delicious Bánh xèo (a crispy, stuffed rice pancake).

I believe we paid just 30.00VND for the two of us together.

Suối Tranh Waterfall

Another great stop on your Phu Quoc road trip is the Suối Tranh Waterfall. Avoid going during the weekend as it gets very crowded, during the week it’s usually fine.

Admire the 4 meter tall waterfall, hike one of the jungle trails and explore bat cave, a large cave about 50 meters deep.

After you’ve visited Suoi Tranh Waterfall, drive back to your accommodation to relax after a beautiful day of Phu Quoc sightseeing.

Phu Quoc itinerary day 3: Eastern Loop

Itinerary: Ham Ninh mountain trail – Ham Ninh village – Drinks at Kiki Coconut Resort – Bai Thom – Duong Dong night market

Phu Quoc itinerary map day 3

Click here for the interactive map

Ham Ninh mountain trail (also called Mount Heaven)

If you love the outdoors as much as we do, a great Phu Quoc activity is hiking Ham Ninh Mountain.

This 6-kilometer trail through the forest goes to the 300-meter high top of the second-highest mountain on Phu Quoc, aka Mount Heaven.

Hiking this trail takes about 3 hours and involves crossing a rickety wooden log bridge. You can find more detailed information about this track here.

Ham Ninh village

Ham Ninh is one of the oldest villages on Phu Quoc. Diving for pearls and sea cucumbers and fishing has traditionally been the main source of income for most locals, however, tourism also created lots of jobs in recent years.

Ham Ninh is a great place to eat seafood (boiled crabs are a local specialty) and to watch hustle and bustle at Bai Vong port, a long pier stretching far into the sea.

Drinks at Kiki Coconut Resort

Kiki Coconut Resort on Phu Quoc

Kiki Coconut Resort is a great place for a stop. We spend quite a bit of time there, relaxing in one of the hammocks while enjoying a fresh lemon juice and the beautiful ocean views.

Enjoy the views between Kiki Coconut and Bai Thom

When we visited Phu Quoc, the stretch of road between Kiki Coconut and Bai Thom was marked on our map as an ‘adventure road’. And adventurous it was!

On our scooter, we crossed rickety bamboo bridges and dried up streams with huge rocks and boulders.

We couldn’t help but laughed at our clumsiness because we encountered several Vietnamese families (four people on a scooter) who did not seem to have any difficulties driving around the countless bumps and potholes.

Unfortunately, the adventure road between Kiki Coconut and Bai Thom, as well as many similar dirt roads that could be found on Phu Quoc, is no more…

Ocean view near Bai Thom, Phu Quoc

The coast road has been paved making this East Phu Quoc loop a lot quicker to drive but it also takes away part of the experience.

Still, the views are lovely and this corner of the island is a nice area to explore.

Eat your way around Phu Quoc Night Market

End your Phu Quoc 3 day itinerary with a stop at the Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong.

Keep an eye out for the busiest stalls (those with lots of locals lining up) to find the best food and snacks. The market opens around 5 pm.

What to do on Phu Quoc: on conclusion

I had a great time on Phu Quoc and exploring the island on a scooter was a lot of fun! I hope this post will convince you to add this, admittedly developed, but still beautiful island to your Vietnam travel plan.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or send me a message.

Planning a trip to Phu Quoc, Vietnam? This Phu Quoc itinerary and travel guide will help you make the most of your trip to Phu Quoc Island! #PhuQuoc #Vietnam
Planning a trip to Phu Quoc, Vietnam? This Phu Quoc itinerary and travel guide will help you make the most of your trip to Phu Quoc Island! #PhuQuoc #Vietnam

This post was updated in May 2022.

Like this post? Save and share!

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Vietnam

About the author

Lotte is an avid traveler and founder of Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog where she shares her travel experiences and travel tips. Lotte has made it her mission to inspire you to travel (more) and help you plan your trips. Read More…

Previous Post: « The Perfect Sydney Itinerary With Kids (By A Local)
Next Post: The Best Things To Do In Hualien (Including Taroko Gorge) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Prianka

    November 6, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    I’ll be visiting Phu Quoc in mid-December and I cannot wait! Beautiful beaches + amazing Vietnamese food sounds like heaven!

    Reply
    • Lotte

      November 6, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      It is a little paradise indeed:-) Enjoy your trip!

      Reply
  2. Phap

    August 1, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Most of the roads on Phu Quoc are now paved. My favorite journey is riding up from Ham Ninh village to Bai Thom, but they will also pave this soon because there is a new resort being built up in Bai Thom by a Thai developer… so see it while you can!

    Reply
    • Lotte

      August 1, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Oh no! My favorite road was the adventure road, exactly the part you describe between Ham Ninh and Bai Thom… Such a shame the roads will al be paved soon:-(

      Reply
  3. Samuel Mozilo

    August 12, 2016 at 10:31 am

    Very informative post and the photos in the post were awesome. I loved the post, just wished I could be there when I close my eyes…

    Reply
    • Lotte

      August 12, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Thanks Samuel! Phu Quoc is great, I hope you get to visit soon:-)

      Reply
  4. Peter Machin

    November 1, 2017 at 8:57 am

    We have just ridden the ‘Adventure Road’ section of this itinerary on the eastern loop and sadly it is no more. It’s just a nasty construction site for the new resort road. We are sat on the beach at Kiki Coconut right now which thankfully is still lovely. It’s very quiet, we are the only ones here on Nov 1st which is the start of high season.

    By next year the adventure road will be paved but right now whilst under construction I would avoid it!!!

    Reply
    • Lotte

      November 1, 2017 at 11:33 am

      Hello Peter,

      Thank you for letting me know! And how sad the adventure road is no more and the big construction projects on Phu Quoc continue… I will adjust it in my post. Glad you at least got to experience the peace and quiet at Kiki Coconut!

      Lotte

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Family picture Phenomenal Globe

Hi there, I’m Lotte! Follow me on my travels around the world with our family of four.
 

Read more about us…

Looking for something?

Phenomenal-Globe-custom-travel itinerary

Download your FREE travel planning bundle!

Travel planning bundle lead magnet

DISCLOSURE

Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please check my disclosure page for more information.

Footer

Looking for something?

  • About
  • Contact
  • Custom Travel Itinerary Service
  • Destinations
  • FREE Travel Planning Bundle
  • Packing & Products
  • Travel Planning Library Login
  • Work And Travel
  • Work With Me

Copyright © 2022 Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog
Privacy Policy