Sao Beach, An Thoi Islands, and the world's longest cable car — Phu Quoc in three days
Verified 2026 · Island Seeker Editorial
Day 1
Arrive & Explore Long Beach
Fly into Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) — direct connections from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour), Hanoi (2 hours), and select international routes. Grab is available on the island — use it for the airport transfer to Long Beach or your hotel (around 80,000–120,000 VND). Rent a scooter at your hotel or a nearby rental shop (100,000–150,000 VND/day) — it's the best and most economical way to explore the island independently.
Getting around Phu Quoc →Long Beach (Bai Truong) runs 20km down Phu Quoc's west coast — the northern section near Duong Dong town is most accessible and has the best beach bars and sunbed rentals. The water is calmer in the morning; afternoon onshore breezes can pick up. Duong Dong Market in town is good for a wander — dried squid, cashews, and black pepper are Phu Quoc's signature produce.
Dinh Cau Rock Temple sits on a dramatic promontory at the north end of Duong Dong Beach — a small lighthouse-temple dedicated to the sea goddess, with excellent sunset views over the Gulf of Thailand. The adjacent Dinh Cau Night Market (opens around 5 pm) is one of Vietnam's best seafood markets — grilled scallops with spring onion oil, barbecued sea snails, and fresh tiger prawns by weight are all excellent and very affordable.
Tip: Download Grab before landing — it's available in Phu Quoc and significantly cheaper and more transparent than negotiating with local taxi drivers or tuk-tuks for the airport transfer.
Day 2
An Thoi Islands — Snorkelling & Island Hopping
The An Thoi archipelago at Phu Quoc's southern tip is the island's best snorkelling destination — 18 small islands with coral reefs, clear water, and abundant marine life. Speedboat group tours depart around 8–9 am from An Thoi Port (30 minutes south of Duong Dong by scooter). Tours typically visit 3–4 islands including Gam Ghi Island (the clearest water), May Rut Ngoai Island, and Dam Ngang Island.
An Thoi Islands tours →Most An Thoi group tours include a squid fishing stop in the early afternoon — simple hand-lining from the boat. The morning's catch is served as part of a Vietnamese seafood lunch on the boat: canh chua ca (sour fish soup), grilled fish, and stir-fried morning glory. Return to An Thoi Port around 4–5 pm.
Long Beach faces west — the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand from the beachfront bars and restaurants is one of Phu Quoc's signature experiences. Rory's Beach Bar and various unnamed local seafood restaurants along the beach serve fresh grilled seafood and cold Bia Saigon at very reasonable prices.
Tip: Book An Thoi island hopping tours through your hotel or directly at An Thoi Port the morning of. Group tours (200,000–350,000 VND per person) include snorkelling gear, lunch, and beer. Private boat hire costs 1,500,000–2,500,000 VND for a half-day.
Day 3
Sao Beach & Cable Car
Sao Beach (Bai Sao) on Phu Quoc's southeast coast is the island's finest beach — powder-white sand, calm turquoise water, and a line of casuarina trees that provide natural shade. Arrive before 10 am to get a sunbed before the day-trippers arrive. The beach is accessible by scooter (25 minutes from Duong Dong) or Grab. A handful of simple restaurants serve fresh seafood by weight.
Best beaches in Phu Quoc →The Phu Quoc Cable Car (Sun World) connects An Thoi on the mainland to Hon Thom Island — at 7.9km, it's the world's longest non-stop cable car over water. The aerial views over the An Thoi archipelago are extraordinary. Hon Thom Island itself has a pleasant beach and the VinWonders amusement park (separate admission). Return cable car before 5 pm.
Cable car details →A final evening at the Dinh Cau Night Market or Duong Dong Market for last-minute souvenir shopping — Phu Quoc fish sauce (nuoc mam), black pepper, dried squid, and cashews are the signature take-home items. Then prepare for tomorrow's departure.
Phu Quoc money guide →Tip: Sao Beach's restaurant stalls have no fixed pricing — negotiate or check the chalkboard menu before ordering. The seafood is fresh and the prices are very reasonable by any standard (a whole grilled fish for 2 people with drinks is typically 200,000–350,000 VND).
more options
get ready
common questions
3 days is enough to see Phu Quoc's main highlights — Sao Beach, An Thoi Islands snorkelling, Long Beach sunset, and the cable car. Phu Quoc is manageable in size and most visitors cover the essentials in 3–4 days. The island rewards a slower pace if you have 5+ days.
November through April (dry season) is best — the northeast monsoon keeps Phu Quoc's west coast calm, skies are clear, and water visibility is excellent for snorkelling. December and January are peak season with the most tourists. March and April offer peak conditions with fewer crowds.
Yes — a scooter (100,000–150,000 VND/day) is the best way to explore Phu Quoc independently. The island is large enough that Grab rides to distant beaches like Sao Beach add up quickly. If you're not comfortable on a scooter, hire a Grab driver for the day (around 400,000–600,000 VND) rather than relying on metered rides.
Phu Quoc has a special 30-day visa exemption for ALL nationalities — even those who normally require a Vietnam visa. If entering Vietnam via Phu Quoc and not leaving to the mainland, no visa is needed for up to 30 days. For mainland Vietnam travel (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), check your country's visa-free entitlement — Vietnam extended this to 45 days for many nationalities in 2023.
Phu Quoc is less developed than Bali or Phuket, which makes it more peaceful but with fewer infrastructure options. It's better for genuine beach relaxation and snorkelling, comparable for food (especially seafood), and weaker for nightlife and cultural experiences. For a first-time Southeast Asia trip, Phuket has better infrastructure for 3-day visits; Phu Quoc rewards those who want a quieter alternative.
explore more