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Seven Nights in Phu Quoc: Itinerary, Recommended Hotels & Tips for Parents
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and a true tropical paradise in the heart of the Gulf of Thailand. It combines wild rainforests, endless white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts that blend harmoniously with nature.
Originally, the island served as a base for fishing and black pepper cultivation, which is still considered among the finest in the world. For many years, Phu Quoc remained almost a hidden gem known mainly to locals, until it gradually opened up to tourism. Over time, it has become a sought-after destination thanks to its rare combination of refined luxury and untouched natural beauty. It’s an ideal destination for families, couples, and anyone looking for a tropical escape with an authentic Asian atmosphere, developed, yet not overly crowded.
We arrived in Phu Quoc at the end of our family trip to Vietnam, together with Dan (3.5) and Lee (11 months), for a seven-night family vacation. In this post, I’m excited to share all of our recommendations, impressions, and personal tips from our experience — including the things I wish I had known in advance, which could have made our stay even better.
Best Time to Visit Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round, but there are certain seasons when the weather is especially pleasant for a beach vacation. One of the island’s biggest advantages is that it’s suitable for travel during almost any month of the year, as the tropical climate ensures warm beaches, swimmable seas, and lush nature even outside peak season.
The dry season runs from November to April. During this period, the weather is sunnier, humidity is relatively lower, and the sea is calmer, making it the most recommended time to visit.
From May to October, the wet season arrives, bringing short tropical showers and occasionally local storms. However, even during these months, there are still plenty of beautiful, sunny days to enjoy the island.
We visited Phu Quoc in mid-October, right at the end of the wet season. We experienced a few light morning showers, but aside from these short episodes, we enjoyed excellent weather that allowed us to experience the island at its best.
Getting to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is easy to reach the island with a connection through major Asian hubs or via a domestic flight within Vietnam. Local airlines operate daily flights to Phu Quoc from several cities across Vietnam, as well as from nearby countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore.
The island is served by a relatively new and modern international airport, located in the southern part of the island — just a short drive from most of the main tourist areas and resorts.
It’s also worth noting that Phu Quoc holds a special status within Vietnam. Tourists from many countries, including Israel, are exempt from a visa if they are visiting Phu Quoc only and are not continuing on to other destinations within Vietnam.
Getting Around Phu Quoc
Unlike what I expected from a small tropical island, Phu Quoc is actually quite large, and the distances between beaches and main areas can be surprisingly long.
The most convenient and widely used way to get around is by taxi through the Grab app, which operates across the island. Availability is very good, prices are significantly more affordable compared to many other Asian destinations, and the app allows you to easily track your driver and handle payment seamlessly.
In addition, you can order taxis directly through your hotel, or use the Green Shuttle, a free bus service that connects central stations around the island and operates throughout most of the day.
Overall, getting around Phu Quoc is quite simple, and even without renting a car, it’s easy to reach almost anywhere you’d like to visit.
Where to Stay in Phu Quoc
The island is fairly large and offers several interesting areas worth considering for your stay. If you have enough time, I highly recommend splitting your accommodation between two different regions. This way, you can enjoy a more diverse atmosphere and experience different sides of the island.
We spent seven nights in Phu Quoc and divided our stay between two areas: the west coast and the south-eastern part of the island.
For the first four nights, we stayed near Duong Dong Beach, on the island’s west coast, the most central and lively area of Phu Quoc.
We chose Salinda Resort Phu Quoc, one of the island’s leading five-star resorts. The hotel is set along a long stretch of beachfront and features a beautiful infinity pool overlooking breathtaking sunset views.
The breakfast is rich and varied, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the service is truly at a high level. There’s also a particularly lovely kids’ club, which made our stay even more enjoyable as a family.
One of the hotel’s biggest advantages is its excellent location, right on the island’s main road, within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and just a short drive from the central night market.
For the remaining three nights, we moved to the south-eastern side of Phu Quoc, where we stayed at the breathtaking JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, an experience that was nothing short of extraordinary.
The resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, with calm turquoise waters and spectacular views. It’s considered one of the most luxurious and iconic hotels in Phu Quoc.
What truly sets this property apart is its unique and whimsical design concept. The entire resort was created around the fictional story of a prestigious university that was supposedly abandoned nearly a century ago. Each area of the hotel is designed as a different “faculty,” with meticulous attention to detail and fascinating collectible pieces displayed throughout the property.
The design is stunning down to the smallest elements, the food was among the best we had in Vietnam, and the service was simply impeccable.
What to Do in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a sun-soaked tropical island, wrapped in palm trees and endless sea views, but relaxing on the beach is definitely not the only attraction here.
Beyond its postcard-perfect scenery, the island offers lush and impressive nature reserves, exotic parks, and surprising small islets that invite you to explore, discover, and experience more than just resort life.
If you feel like adding a touch of nature, culture, or even a bit of action to your vacation, you’ll quickly realize that Phu Quoc has plenty to see and do beyond the beach and the pool.
This is the largest safari park in the world located on an island, and it’s home to hundreds of animal species from around the globe. The park covers a vast area and offers a truly unique experience.
Most of the animals live in open habitats rather than cages, which makes the visit feel far more natural and enjoyable. In addition to the regular zoo area, there is an open safari zone that you enter in a closed bus, allowing you to observe lions, tigers, bears, and other wild animals up close in a free-roaming environment.
There are also interactive feeding areas where you can meet giraffes, elephants, and lemurs at close range, an amazing experience for both children and adults.
The park is very well maintained, with shaded walking paths, convenient food courts, clean restrooms, and even internal shuttle services for those who prefer not to walk long distances.
Tip: It’s highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the official website, especially during peak seasons. Try to arrive early in the morning, when the animals are most active.
Located near the safari, VinWonders is one of the most impressive and largest theme parks in Vietnam, and one of the main entertainment attractions on Phu Quoc.
This enormous, modern park is divided into different themed zones, each designed around a unique world: from fantasy kingdoms and underground adventures, to roller coasters, extreme rides, and dedicated interactive areas for younger children.
You’ll also find a huge water park, colorful parades, live street performances, and a gaming zone featuring video games and VR experiences, making it a perfect full-day activity for the entire family.
It’s important to note that some rides require a minimum height of 106 cm, so not all attractions are suitable for toddlers. That said, there are still plenty of options for little ones, including fun water play areas and splash pools that allow them to enjoy the park just as much.
The park is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance through the official website to avoid long queues, especially during peak travel seasons.
The main night market of Phu Quoc is located in the heart of the island, in the Duong Dong beach area, and it’s one of the liveliest and most beloved spots to visit in the evening.
The market is buzzing with energy, filled with stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and local street food. It’s the perfect place to soak up the island’s atmosphere after sunset.
One of the standout sections is the seafood area. Here, you can choose fresh fish, shrimp, or lobsters directly from the display tanks and watch as they’re prepared on the spot — a fun and authentic culinary experience.
It’s a vibrant, colorful experience that’s definitely worth adding to at least one of your evenings on the island.
Sunset Town is a massive complex built with a multi-million-dollar investment around 2019. It was designed to become a “European-style residential quarter” in the heart of Phu Quoc, featuring colorful buildings, stone arches, and cobbled piazzas reminiscent of towns along the Amalfi Coast.
However, the grand plans never fully took off, and much of the area remains empty and uninhabited. During the daytime, it feels like a beautifully designed ghost town — quiet, almost cinematic, with wide empty streets and carefully crafted façades that seem to be waiting for residents who never arrived.
In the evening, though, the atmosphere changes. The night market opens, the streets fill with colorful lights, restaurants, food stalls, and souvenir shops, and the area becomes livelier and more vibrant, making it worth a visit, especially around sunset.
In southern Phu Quoc lies Hon Thom Island, a small, lush island that is home to the impressive Sun World entertainment complex and Aquatopia Water Park — one of the most popular attractions in the area.
Most of the island is uninhabited, and the park itself spreads across a vast area filled with water slides, pools, themed play zones, and even a beautiful beach that you can reach via an internal shuttle.
You can get to the island by boat, but the most popular option is the spectacular Hon Thom Cable Car. This is the longest over-sea cable car in the world, departing from the Hon Thom Departure Terminal located right in the heart of Sunset Town Phu Quoc.
The views from the cable car are absolutely breathtaking, green islets scattered across turquoise waters and panoramic scenery over the southern part of the island.
It’s important to know that the cable car ticket includes entrance to the water park, so there’s no need to purchase a separate ticket. I recommend arriving early in the morning to enjoy the park during the quieter hours.
One of the most impressive and unique areas on Phu Quoc is Grand World, a massive entertainment complex often referred to as “The City That Never Sleeps” thanks to its 24/7 activity.
The area was designed as a vibrant resort town, featuring Venetian-inspired canals, romantic bridges, colorful façades, and lively pedestrian streets.
In the evenings, the atmosphere becomes even more magical, with elaborate night shows, illuminated streets, and a wide selection of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, and street food stalls.
Even though we didn’t get the chance to visit, it’s considered one of the island’s main entertainment hubs and is especially appealing for those looking to combine nightlife, shows, and a lively ambiance beyond the beach.
Phu Quoc National Park is one of the island’s most impressive and lush green areas, offering a glimpse into its wild and untouched side.
The park covers more than half of Phu Quoc, and includes tropical rainforests, mountains, streams, and an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.
In the southern part of the park, you’ll find shorter walking trails and beautiful viewpoints that are accessible for casual visitors. For those looking for more adventure, it’s also possible to join organized tours that venture deeper into the jungle by jeep, off-road vehicle, or motorbike.
It’s the perfect activity if you’d like to balance beach days with a bit of nature and exploration.
Restaurants in Phu Quoc
Here are some of the restaurants we tried (and loved), along with a few that came highly recommended:
A fresh seafood restaurant located near the night market area. You choose your fish and seafood directly from the aquarium, and they prepare it on the spot. Great option for a casual, authentic seafood dinner.
Another highly recommended seafood spot near the night market.
Just like Blue Seafood, you select exactly what you’d like to eat straight from the tanks. Fresh, lively atmosphere, and excellent seafood.
Korean food is surprisingly very common in Vietnam, and especially in Phu Quoc.
This is one of the recommended places for high-quality Korean cuisine, perfect if you’re craving something different from Vietnamese food.
Located in Sunset Town Phu Quoc, this Italian restaurant serves excellent dishes in a beautiful setting. A great choice for a relaxed dinner in the evening.
A wonderful spot for traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Authentic flavors and beautifully prepared local dishes.
Located inside the stunning JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, this Mexican restaurant serves excellent food in a spectacular beachfront setting. Perfect for a special evening.
Phu Quoc is one of the most surprising and enjoyable destinations we visited in Vietnam — a perfect blend of wild nature, tropical beaches, luxury resorts, and diverse attractions for every type of traveler.
It manages to preserve the charm and authenticity of a relaxed tropical island, while at the same time offering all the comfort, services, and indulgence you look for in a family vacation.
For us, it was the perfect way to end our journey through Vietnam — with days filled with sea, pools, and white-sand beaches, alongside meaningful experiences and unforgettable adventures.
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