Day 2
7:00am Island Hopping to Beautiful Islands
Phu Quoc was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2006 in recognition of its rich natural environment and marine biodiversity. More than half of the island lies within a national park, so travelers are always greeted by clean, unspoiled nature. White-sand beaches, shady coconut palms, and small islands set in emerald water lie peacefully scattered offshore, as if nature itself were alive and breathing.
In the early morning, when the sun beyond the horizon wakes the sea, I board a boat bound for the An Thoi Archipelago, eager to see each island’s distinctive scenery and charm up close. Island-hopping tours around the An Thoi Archipelago, a group of beautiful islands off Phu Quoc’s south coast, are a popular activity among travelers. Most itineraries include at least three islands, so it’s best to set aside half a day. The islands vary from tour to tour, but most of the stops offer a good sense of untouched nature. If you’re traveling with family, friends, or a partner, a private island tour is also a good choice, letting you customize the schedule, meals, and snorkeling spots as you like.
The first stop is Hon Thom Island, home to water sports, swimming pools, and the world’s longest over-sea cable car. From a distance it looks like nothing more than a small island, but up close it feels like a tropical resort, with dense palm forests stretching endlessly. With its soft sandy beach and clear, deep water glittering in the sun, it’s a lovely place to catch your breath and unwind. Next, we head to Gam Ghi Island, known as a snorkeling paradise. When the boat’s engine falls silent, all you can hear on the island are the waves, the birds, and palm leaves rustling in the wind. Gam Ghi Island, relatively little known, has shallow water and gentle currents. That makes it easy even for beginners to enjoy the colorful coral reefs and the swirling schools of tropical fish beneath the surface. Finally, we arrive at May Rut Island, with its small resort and atmospheric beachside café. On this little island, you don’t need to venture far into deep water. Vivid coral and fish can be seen through the clear water right along the shore. Finish your hopping tour with a glass of sweet coconut juice.
6:00pm Sinking Into a Warm Mud Bath
As wellness culture spreads, mud spas are appearing one after another in Phu Quoc as well. Unlike Nha Trang or Da Nang, Phu Quoc is not rich in natural mud hot springs, but it has its own appeal: a variety of mud treatments set against natural backdrops such as beaches, forests, and gardens.
You can also enjoy a mud spa at Bãi Trường (Truong Beach), the longest beach on Phu Quoc. Versailles Mud Bath & Spa, right in front of the beach, has 16 mud pools, 15 treatment rooms, a steam room, a sauna, and an outdoor garden path. It is especially popular even among Phu Quoc’s many spas. Its strength lies in carefully controlling the texture, temperature, and mineral content of the mud to offer distinctive healing and relaxation. With the sea breeze drifting through the deep green garden, soaking in a tub of warm, flowing mud feels like melting your fatigue away.
By the time the spa session ends, the sky has turned red and the sea is filled with ripples of orange and pink. Palm tree shadows stretch long, and the sky and earth slowly become one. Listening to soft music drifting from the sunset bars along the beach, I etch the scene into my memory.
TIP. How About Sunset Town?
Built where the sun sets over the sea to the southwest of Phu Quoc, Sunset Town has recently become a sought-after sunset spot. Development began in earnest in 2022 with the aim of creating a complex tourist destination blending culture and art, and the town is becoming a new landmark of Phu Quoc. Mediterranean-style buildings reminiscent of a southern Italian coastal town, pastel-hued alleys, and restaurants and cafés perched on the beach and cliffs create an alluring exotic atmosphere. At night, don’t miss the media show, with light and music flowing along the building facades, and the outdoor performance of fountains and lighting.
8:00pm A Meal That Honors Local Ingredients
In Phu Quoc, where you can experience the vivid food culture of southern Viet Nam, dining is a must on any itinerary. The island’s cuisine centers on seafood, and it is best known for producing nước mắm (fish sauce) and pepper. Pepper in particular is both the identity of Phu Quoc’s food culture and an agricultural asset. Grown under abundant sunshine and a maritime climate, it is known for its deep aroma and strong heat. Because growers stick to traditional methods that follow nature, the pepper keeps this depth of flavor. Most farms use chemical fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and farm in harmony with nature, for example by using tall plants such as coral trees to cast shade and support the pepper vines. On top of that, small family farms carefully prune the vines by hand, harvest them one by one, and dry them naturally.
You can taste Phu Quoc’s pride in its local ingredients at Lady Palm Bistro in Green Bay Phu Quoc Resort & Spa. Set in an open-air pavilion overlooking the resort’s quiet, tranquil pool, it serves hearty dishes made with local ingredients. The menu focuses on Western fare, including snacks like sandwiches and pizza and a range of grilled dishes, and in the evening you can choose a course that moves from salad and soup to a main dish and dessert. A live performance by a local band during the meal makes your night in Phu Quoc even more special.
