How to get there

Route tips

Road work on the island is ongoing and while most routes are accessible by all vehicles, access through some areas is only possible by motorbike. Please read the following travelling tips before setting out on your Phu Quoc Island journey.Motorbikes provide the best access across all routes on Phu Quoc Island, however busy dirt roads that are yet to be sealed can get quite dusty, due to the increasing number of cars and trucks on the island. This is particularly the case on the roads leading from Duong Dong, like the road along Long beach south of Duong Dong Town, and the road to Ong Lang Beach heading north, so we recommend buying a mask in town before heading off on your adventure.
Some routes that approach the more secluded beaches, particularly in the north around Bai Thom, are far easier to access with 4WD vehicles and by motorbike. Take care in the monsoon season, when dirt roads can get quite muddy.
Travelling through Cua Can Village is only possible on motorbike as the northern section of the village has numerous meter wide wooden bridges connected to the northbound road. Great place to explore on your way to beautiful secluded beaches in the north of Phu Quoc.
Reaching Vung Bau and Bai Dai beaches by road is possible, though avoid Cua Can village (see note above). From Duong Dong town, take the road to Bai Thom and Ganh Dau and turn off after approximately 20kms along a new road that is currently under construction. The 26km distance from Duong Dong to Bai Dai is by motorbike only, and the vehicle distance would be approximately 35kms, to lack of vehicle access through Cua Can village.
An Thoi Town in the south can be reached a number of ways, the dirt road from Duong Dong currently follows the coast and is slightly shorter in distance than the sealed inland road. However while the coast road to An Thoi is far more scenic, it will take longer to travel than the sealed inland road.

Island transport

Whether you arrive in Phu Quoc by air or sea, there is a wide variety of transport options for getting around the island, from the back of a motorbike to being guided around the island with a driver in a 4WD vehicle, here’s a brief outline.
Boat Services
Most top end resorts and various private tour operators provide services to these islands that are about 30 minutes by boat south of An Thoi Town.

Taking a brief tour along Duong Dong River can be an interesting way of experience life along the water ways. Some hotels can arrange for boat tours, otherwise consider asking a local boat owner. Further away in Cua Can River, local fishermen may be able to take you around the waterways of town and a little further along a lovely white sandy peninsula.

Bus

There is a basic bus service that runs every couple of hours between An Thoi and Duong Dong. When ferries arrive at An Thoi Port, there is usually a bus waiting to take visitors to Duong Dong, just look out for buses displaying “Huong Toan”.

Many of the top end resorts like Saigon Phu Quoc provide a shuttle service to and from the airport. Resort buses will be waiting at the airport for you if you have a booking in advance.

Car Rental

Renting a self driven vehicle on Phu Quoc Island is not possible unless you have a Vietnamese driver’s licence and a permanent registered address on the island. The best option is to hire a car or 4WD with a driver/guide.

There are a number of private owners willing to offer their services which can be found at the airport on arrival. Alternatively www.phuquoctaxi.com has a range of vehicles with drivers for rent. Prices start from around US$25 per day, increasing depending on the size of vehicle, distances travelled and rental periods.

Cycling

Most hotels offer bicycle rentals which start from US$1 per day, which can be a great way to adventure around the local area. If you plan on cycling further away, poor road conditions and unsealed dusty roads can make this a difficult experience. We recommend purchasing a face mask before you head off on these longer journeys and take plenty of water. The coastal strip surrounding Phu Quoc makes cycling relatively easy however the island heats up when you get move from the coast

Motorbike Rental

Renting a motorbike is one of the cheapest ways to discover Phu Quoc Island and motorbikes also provide the best access if you are adventuring out to the more remote beaches and dirt roads beyond the main towns.

Motorbikes can be rented at many of top end and mid range hotels, or you’ll find local owners outside the hotels and airport very keen to either rent their bikes or even adopt you and guide you around the island. Bikes rental rates will vary depending on the condition of the bike and your bargaining skills, here is guide to prices:

Per hour, from around 30,000d
Per day, from US$6-10 dollars a day
Per week, around US$45-50 or less depending if you negotiate any discounts.
One thing to consider is that busy dirt roads that are yet to be sealed can get quite dusty, due to the increasing number of cars and trucks on the island. This is particularly the case on the roads leading from Duong Dong, like the road along Long beach south of Duong Dong Town, and the road to Ong Lang Beach heading north, so we recommend buying a mask in town before heading off on your adventure.

Note: since the end of 2007, it is now illegal to ride on a motorbike without wearing a helmet, however local police are generally lenient towards tourists. If you are concerned about your safety, insist on a helmet when renting a motorbike.

Motorbike Taxis

Hiring a motorbike with driver is one of the easiest and quickest ways to travel short or one off distances around Phu Quoc between the main towns. If you arrive by plane, these motorbike drivers will likely find you before you find them, just find a friendly face, negotiate a little and off you go.

Guide to motorbike taxi rates:

Short distances around town cost around 5,000d
Longer distances cost around 10,000d to 15,000d per every 5kms traveled.
From the Airport to Long Beach Resorts expect to pay around 10,000d to 15,000d, and slightly more if heading to Ong Lang Beach. Discounts could be negotiated if you hire for the whole day.
All day rental starts at around 150,000 (US$10)
Remember if you’re travelling between towns like Duong Dong and An Thoi not all roads are sealed and can get quite dusty. These drivers can take you just about anywhere on Phu Quoc, so if you prefer a driver with local knowledge and experience of the road conditions, this is a good option.

Note: since the end of 2007, it is now illegal to ride on a motorbike without wearing a helmet, which is particularly recommended on Phu Quoc as road conditions in some parts of the island are still quite poor. Motorbike guides may not have spare helmet, so insist if you’re concerned about your safety. Police will generally not fine tourists for not wearing helmets if carried by local drivers.

Taxi Services

There are a limited number of metered taxis now operating on Phu Quoc, most of which operate from the airport. Rates are generally up to US$5 from the airport to Long Beach resorts south of Duong Dong Town.

One taxi company that operates on the island providing air conditioned cars is www.phuquoctaxi.com who can be contacted on Tel: 99 55 99.

Private taxis / drivers also operate from Phu Quoc Airport, and can provide a good service for a negotiable fee.

Walking / Hiking

The centre of Duong Dong is only a couple hundred meters from the airport, just turn right outside the airport gates and you’ll hit the central market in around 10 minutes. So if you don’t have much luggage, this is definitely the cheapest option. There are also some local hotels across the road from the airport terminal.

The coast surrounding Phu Quoc is relatively flat and allows visitors some very scenic walking. The mountains on the island range from around 300-600 meters and provide far more strenuous trekking. The National Park in the northern part of Phu Quoc is as yet relatively undeveloped in terms of walking trails and forests can be quiet dense. There are plans to build a walking trail in future to Mount Chua (603m) the highest mountain on Phu Quoc Island.

Island Maps

Pick up a copy of the "Phu Quoc Yellow Map" for 10,000d (US$0.70) when you arrive on the island. The yellow map is available from most hotels and at the airport. The Yellow map is particularly useful if you plan to jump onto a motorbike to explore the island. Alternatively visit of Getting Around - Maps page for an overview of the island.

 Getting around Phu Quoc by airport transport

There is a wide variety of transport options available on arrival at Phu Quoc Airport. The majority of resorts have organised airport pick up services as these are located south of Duong Dong along Long Beach, for others taxi’s or motorbikes are available and some guest houses and hotels will be at the airport to greet you offering free transport to their establishments if you stay with them.It is more than likely that the transport will find you before you find the transport, however here is a brief summary of the options available to give you a head start:


Top End Resorts have pick up services if you provide your flight details
Motorbike taxis can take you to Long beach from 10,000d, or can be hired along with a driver for longer periods during your stay. Daily rates start from US$10 per day.
Motorbike rental is more commonly found outside hotels and in town, and motorbikes can be rented by the hour from 30,000d or from US$6-7 per day.
Car and 4WD Taxis are available for short distances, daily rental or longer periods. The main provider is www.phuquoctaxi.com, alternatively there are private drivers that can also provide these services, though the condition of their vehicles may vary.
Walking is also an option from the airport if you don’t have too much luggage and if you can handle the daytime sun, since it is only a couple hundred meters to the centre of Duong Dong. Turn right outside the airport gate and you’ll pass the local market after about 10 minutes.

Travelling to Phu Quoc by water transport

Travelling to Phu Quoc by boat, ferry, hydrofoil and cruise liner is becoming a popular option as the number of tourists visiting the island increases each year. With continued development of the port facilities on Phu Quoc, more services will become available in the years to come.There are currently a variety of services available between the Vietnamese mainland and Phu Quoc Island, running frequent daily services. Less regular international services are also available from time to time, though it is worth checking beforehand with the specific companies. We provide a summary below of the services and schedules currently available to Phu Quoc Island ports.

Overview

Services generally take around 2:30 hours from Rach Gia and 1:15 hours from Ha Tien, with most vessels docking at An Thoi Port, though some services also dock at Duong Dong port. Minibus and motorbike taxi connections are available on arrival in An Thoi, if travelling onto Duong dong, long beach or any of the resorts or hotels on the island.

Best months to travel by boat

The best time to Travel by sea is during the dry season when seas are calm (late October to May), as seas are rougher during the monsoon season (June – September). Check our climate and weather page for more weather related information.

Flying to Phu Quoc

Flying to Phu Quoc is the most convenient way to get to the island, with at least 4 daily flights direct from Tan Son Nhat Airport - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Flight time is 50 minutes and cost at time of writing is US$40 one-way (plus a small booking fee). Indirect flights from Ho Chi Minh City via Rach Gia are also available on most days.

Flight Availability
Vietnam Airlines fly turbo prop ATR72 aircraft to the island, and are currently the only commercial airline that fly's to the island. In recent years during the peak season additional flights have been scheduled (up to 8 flights per day) to ease the high demand for seats, so if you plan on visiting during the months of January or February and weekends or public holidays like Chinese New Year (TET) in particular, it is worthwhile booking early if you intend to fly, as seats can sell out far in advance.

Arrival
The Airport in Phu Quoc is located on the north side of Duong Dong Town, with a fairly modern terminal and plenty of parking out front. There is a wide variety of transport options available on arrival, the majority of resorts have organised airport pick up services as these are located south of Duong Dong Town following Long Beach, and for others, taxi’s or motorbikes are available or some guest houses and hotels will offer free transport to their establishments.

Phu Quoc International Airport
An international airport on Phu Quoc is currently in the initial stages of development, with a planned completion in 2010 and an investment of approximately US$180million. This airport will be built in Duong To Commune which is approximately 10kms southeast of Duong Dong Town, and will cover an area of 800 hectares with the capability to handle large commercial jet aircraft such as Boeing 767s and Airbus A320 and A321. The new airport is forecast to receive around 2.5 million passengers annually by the year 2020.

At the beginning of 2008 work commenced on clearing the area for the proposed international airport, with the latest completion due for 2011. We'll keep you posted.