Phu Quoc island
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, close to both Ha Tien, Rack Gia and the Cambodian coast, Phu Quoc Island possesses excellent white sand beaches and great snorkeling opportunities. There is a ferry travelling to Phu Quoc daily and a few flights a week from Saigon.
This mountainous island is still mostly forested and blessed with some beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue seas. The island is famous throughout Vietnam for the production of black pepper and its fish sauce, said to be the best in the country. Several small-scale beach resorts have opened over the past few years on Phu Quoc and it is connected by a daily flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
When to go
Phu Quoc has a monsoonal sub-equatorial climate with the rainy season from June to November and the dry season from December to May. April and May are the hottest months with temperature around 35oC. Visitors can come to the island all year, but the best is during the dry season when the sky is blue, temperature ranges from 25-28oC with low humidity.
Getting there
Travel by air is the most convenient way to get to Phu Quoc. The island is served by Phu Quoc International airport which is located in Duong Town. There are currently three airlines have flights here link to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Rach Gia and Can Tho. During the peak season, additional flights have been scheduled (up to 15 flights per day) to ease the high demand of traveling. If you plan to visit the island during Tet holiday and weekends or public holidays, it is recommended to book early as tickets can be sold out far in advance.
Visitors can travel to the island by speed boats through Rach Gia around 2.5 hours and Ha Tien around 1.5 hours. However, this could be done in the dry season when the seas are calm.
Top things to do and see:
Truong beach: Also Long beach, a 6-kilometer tract of white sand nestled between a jungle and a vast of turquoise sea water. It was rated as one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches over the world by ABC News in 2012. Facing west, it is also the best place on the island to watch the sunset totally unobstructed.
Ganh Dau beach: Located on the north-west coast, near the territory of Cambodia. The beach is pretty secluded with deep blue water and white sand. The seafood here is fabulous and famous. For those interested in history, the beach harbour a shrine to a Vietnamese independence fighter.
Sao beach: Ranking high among not only best beaches in Vietnam but also in all of Southeast Asia, this 7 kilometer white sand beach lies on the southeaster side of the island. The water here is calm, warm with a distinctive turquoise blue color while the beach is relatively shallow, no sudden drop but rather than a gentle slope.
Vung Bau beach: Sometimes referred to as ‘Circling beach’ or ‘Crescent Bay Beach’, a crescent shaped wild beach located in the northwest of Phu Quoc.
Bai Thom beach: An uninhabited beach in Thom village, 35km from Dong Duong town to get there. This beach is quite sparse and remote make it an ideal place for adventurous people.
Sung Hung Pagoda: Also known as the oldest pagoda in Phu Quoc, Sung Hung lies at the foothill of a mountain near the Duong Dong town. The time when the pagoda was built remains unknown. It is said that it was built in the early 20th century, then was refurbished twice in 1924 and 1960. Sung Hung Pagoda has a very distinctive architectural structure with the door faces north. The pagoda has a huge impressive “triangular gate” which leads to a white statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in the middle of the yard. Inside, there is the main hall with sophisticated decoration. The altar is in the main hall, in which the top-level sits the three Buddhas: Amitabha in the middle, Mahasthamaprapta bodhisattva on the right and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the left. Behind the statues is a famous masterpiece titled “Flying dragon” by artist Cao Sanh.
Phu Quoc Prison: Also known as the coconut tree prison, it was built in 1945-1950 and used by the French and then later by the Americans. More than 40,000 Vietnamese soldiers considered especially dangerous to the colonist government, including some high ranking leaders of Vietnam, were imprisoned here. Nowadays, it is turned into a museum and historical sites, attracts thousands of travelers, especially former prisoners come to see the living evidence of the war, to appreciate the peace that they have now. The most famous site in this prison is "tiger's cage” which was used to capture the prisoners inside.
Phu Quoc Magic Well: The King Well (or Fairy Well or Gieng Ngu) is a historical site in An Thoi Town. Legend has it that when Prince Nguyen Anh (later known as Emperor Gia Long) and his troop on running away from Tay Son rebels, they were very thirsty and in need of water. He knew nothing to do but pointed his sword down in the ground and prayed. Then the water magically came up. The place then was referred to as the King Well.
Tranh Stream: The 15km long stream originating from Ham Ninh Mountain flows through rocks and forests to create beautiful waterfalls. Tranh stream is an ideal place for relax, picnics and camping trips at weekends thanks to its scenic landscape.
Ham Ninh Fishing Village: Located on the east coast of Phu Quoc, Ham Ninh fishing village is surrounded by a large mountainous forest which is part of the Ham Ninh mountain range running about 30km. The water here is quite shallow and contains the largest concentration of seaweed beds on Phu Quoc. Local people still make their living based on fishing; however many of them are transitioning to serve the booming tourist industry. Ham Ninh has a long pier where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the village, the mountain and the sea. At the end of this pier, there are some fishing boats unloading their daily catch.
Where to eat:
Food in Phu Quoc is characterized by a bunch of fresh seafood at a very reasonable prices. The island also have all types of international dishes such as Italian, Russian, Indian, German, and French. Here are some popular places for you to enjoy.
Gop Gio restaurant: A local restaurant offers a casual atmosphere perfect for a laidback dining experience. Fried shrimp and squid, fried pork with rice, sweet and sour squid and fish hot pot are some popular dishes here. Its address is at 145 Bach Dang Street.
Ai Xiem restaurant: Located on Bai Sao beach, this restaurant offer excellent barbecued seafood and great fish in clay pot. Meals are served outdoor with open views to the beach.
Itaca Resto Lounge: This restaurant serves a fusion menu of Mediterranean Asian food. If you want to step away from seafood, then this place can be a good alternative, a truly blend of the East and the West with top dishes such as Spanish omelet and the tasty paella. Local flavors and Spanish spices create unique flavors that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. The restaurant is located at 125 Tran Hung Dao Street.
Le Cap Breton Restaurant: Locating at 143 Tran Hung Dao Street, it serves French dishes as well as authentic Vietnamese dishes like shrimps, crabs and fish. Terrine on toast, beef steak cubes with onion and sweet pepper, and salad le cap breton all offer a taste of Paris in Phu Quoc
Ganesh Indian Restaurant: This is perhaps the only Indian restaurant on the island. It offers a wide range of North Indian cuisine including Tandoor and Naan bread. Ganesh Indian is located at 97 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town.
Gio Bien Restaurant: Located in the beautiful bay of Ganh Dau beach, this family run restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese dishes. Try their grill cod fish dish with turmeric marinate.
Mondo Restaurant & Lounge: The restaurant situates at 82 Tran Hung Dao Street and serves a selection of tapas and European light dishes.
Night market: The night market in Duong Dong Town runs from Tran Hung Dao to Bach Dang streets. Fresh seafood are available including grouper, crab, squid, prawns, lobster, clams, and scallops.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is just about 440 km from Ho Chi Minh City. If you don't like the driving, there are also daily flights to this beautiful resort just 30 minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh. It is one of the nicest cities in southern Vietnam, blessed with lovely beaches, white sands, clear skies, crystal blue sea and fine weather all year round.
Surrounded by steep, dark green hills, the city hugs a long curve of yellow beach and a bay as blue as a fancy cocktail. Nhatrang's coastline stretches over 7-km pure white sand. Besides lying on the beach you can also visit the Oceanographic Institute, the Cham Ponagar Tower in the city. A boat ride offshore to start your morning can be a memorable visit to different islands and various coral reefs. The turquoise waters around Nha Trang and the islands off the coast are almost transparent, making for excellent sea bathing, fishing, snorkeling and diving.
Most of Nha Trang's accommodation is directly opposite the beach and one, the 5-star Ana Mandara Resort, is right on the beach.
Po Nagar Cham Tower: This group of towers is located on top of a low marble mountain that was formerly surrounded by the sea. Construction of the towers began in the 8th century and finished in 12th century. The towers are dedicated to Shiva, Genasha and Lady Po Nagar - the three Hindu Gods. Despite of time and environmental factors, four of the towers remain with traditional Cham's architecture and decoration. The four sided towers are built with bake bricks and have a pyramid-shaped apex. The exterior of towers is a masterpiece with chiseled carvings of fairy dancers and scenes of hunting, boat racing, pounding rice... The towers, they are not only famous for their architecture and sculpture, but also well known for their great significance in term of history, nationalism and archeology.
Long Son Pagoda: Long Son is the biggest pagoda in Nha Trang where erected a giant statue Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. From here, visitors may have a vision from all over the city. Hon Chong Promontory:
Hon Chong - a small granite peninsula with massive rocks laying on top one another. Jutting out into the turquoise waters of the sea, Hon Chong looks like a works of a giant putting together several massive rocks. Hon Chong is 3.5 km from central Nha Trang.
Oceanicgraphy Institution: Founded in 1923, Nha Trang Oceanicgraphy Institution is one of the first centers of scientific research in Vietnam. There is an aquarium and specimen room which are home to a variety of colouful live specimens of local marine life. Visitors can also see the Marine Animal Museum with more than 8,000 sea and fresh-water specimens preserved.
Vung Tau
Vung Tau is 125 km east of Ho Chi Minh City. This scenic bay, outlined by a small curved peninsula, offers two beaches: Front Beach (Bai Truoc) is located near the center of town; while Back Beach (Bai Sau) is found just outside the city. Wide sandy beaches offer expansive views of the sea. Travelers can enjoy the destination`s year around sunshine and enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, golf or follow mountain trails on foot or bicycle.
There are also a number of interesting religious sites around town, including several pagodas and huge standing statue of Jesus blessing the East Sea. A short hike to the base of this statue offers outstanding views of the coastline.
Phan Thiet - Mui Ne
Phan Thiet is the capital town of Binh Thuan province and lies halfway between Nha Trang and HCMC (Saigon). Visitors can stroll through Phan Thiet`s colorful harbors, linger on its long, golden beaches, or explore the nearby 8th century Cham towers.
22 km eat of Phan Thiet is the real attraction of Mui Ne Peninsula and its 10km of sandy beaches and coconut groves. Many attractive small-scale beach resorts have opened up in recent years amongst the palm trees of Mui Ne and it has become a popular place to rest up for a few days. At the end of the peninsula near the fishing village are some enormous sand dunes that look as if they belong in the Sahara rather than southern Vietnam. Constantly changing with the winds and rains, the dunes are never the same ! You can stroll the dunes and admire the wind`s intricate patterns in the sand or revel in the shrieks of delight and laughter as youngsters (and the young at heart) slip and slide their way down 30m (100 foot) high sand dunes. Just don`t forget your camera: Mui Ne`s dazzling blue water, golden sand and red dunes are a photographer`s dream.
For golfers Phan Thiet offers one of the best links golf courses in the region, the Nick Faldo-designed Ocean Dunes Course.
Quy Nhon
It is not only a pleasant place to break overnighter for the long journey between Danang and Nha Trang, In this peaceful fishing seaside town you will also see many Cham Towers, relics of the past Champa Civilization still standing in it's perfect and magnificent state. The sandy beach here is good and right in the town.
Southern Coastline
Phu Quoc island
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, close to both Ha Tien, Rack Gia and the Cambodian coast, Phu Quoc Island possesses excellent white sand beaches and great snorkeling opportunities. There is a ferry travelling to Phu Quoc daily and a few flights a week from Saigon.
This mountainous island is still mostly forested and blessed with some beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue seas. The island is famous throughout Vietnam for the production of black pepper and its fish sauce, said to be the best in the country. Several small-scale beach resorts have opened over the past few years on Phu Quoc and it is connected by a daily flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
When to go
Phu Quoc has a monsoonal sub-equatorial climate with the rainy season from June to November and the dry season from December to May. April and May are the hottest months with temperature around 35oC. Visitors can come to the island all year, but the best is during the dry season when the sky is blue, temperature ranges from 25-28oC with low humidity.
Getting there
Travel by air is the most convenient way to get to Phu Quoc. The island is served by Phu Quoc International airport which is located in Duong Town. There are currently three airlines have flights here link to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Rach Gia and Can Tho. During the peak season, additional flights have been scheduled (up to 15 flights per day) to ease the high demand of traveling. If you plan to visit the island during Tet holiday and weekends or public holidays, it is recommended to book early as tickets can be sold out far in advance.
Visitors can travel to the island by speed boats through Rach Gia around 2.5 hours and Ha Tien around 1.5 hours. However, this could be done in the dry season when the seas are calm.
Top things to do and see:
Truong beach: Also Long beach, a 6-kilometer tract of white sand nestled between a jungle and a vast of turquoise sea water. It was rated as one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches over the world by ABC News in 2012. Facing west, it is also the best place on the island to watch the sunset totally unobstructed.
Ganh Dau beach: Located on the north-west coast, near the territory of Cambodia. The beach is pretty secluded with deep blue water and white sand. The seafood here is fabulous and famous. For those interested in history, the beach harbour a shrine to a Vietnamese independence fighter.
Sao beach: Ranking high among not only best beaches in Vietnam but also in all of Southeast Asia, this 7 kilometer white sand beach lies on the southeaster side of the island. The water here is calm, warm with a distinctive turquoise blue color while the beach is relatively shallow, no sudden drop but rather than a gentle slope.
Vung Bau beach: Sometimes referred to as ‘Circling beach’ or ‘Crescent Bay Beach’, a crescent shaped wild beach located in the northwest of Phu Quoc.
Bai Thom beach: An uninhabited beach in Thom village, 35km from Dong Duong town to get there. This beach is quite sparse and remote make it an ideal place for adventurous people.
Sung Hung Pagoda: Also known as the oldest pagoda in Phu Quoc, Sung Hung lies at the foothill of a mountain near the Duong Dong town. The time when the pagoda was built remains unknown. It is said that it was built in the early 20th century, then was refurbished twice in 1924 and 1960. Sung Hung Pagoda has a very distinctive architectural structure with the door faces north. The pagoda has a huge impressive “triangular gate” which leads to a white statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in the middle of the yard. Inside, there is the main hall with sophisticated decoration. The altar is in the main hall, in which the top-level sits the three Buddhas: Amitabha in the middle, Mahasthamaprapta bodhisattva on the right and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the left. Behind the statues is a famous masterpiece titled “Flying dragon” by artist Cao Sanh.
Phu Quoc Prison: Also known as the coconut tree prison, it was built in 1945-1950 and used by the French and then later by the Americans. More than 40,000 Vietnamese soldiers considered especially dangerous to the colonist government, including some high ranking leaders of Vietnam, were imprisoned here. Nowadays, it is turned into a museum and historical sites, attracts thousands of travelers, especially former prisoners come to see the living evidence of the war, to appreciate the peace that they have now. The most famous site in this prison is "tiger's cage” which was used to capture the prisoners inside.
Phu Quoc Magic Well: The King Well (or Fairy Well or Gieng Ngu) is a historical site in An Thoi Town. Legend has it that when Prince Nguyen Anh (later known as Emperor Gia Long) and his troop on running away from Tay Son rebels, they were very thirsty and in need of water. He knew nothing to do but pointed his sword down in the ground and prayed. Then the water magically came up. The place then was referred to as the King Well.
Tranh Stream: The 15km long stream originating from Ham Ninh Mountain flows through rocks and forests to create beautiful waterfalls. Tranh stream is an ideal place for relax, picnics and camping trips at weekends thanks to its scenic landscape.
Ham Ninh Fishing Village: Located on the east coast of Phu Quoc, Ham Ninh fishing village is surrounded by a large mountainous forest which is part of the Ham Ninh mountain range running about 30km. The water here is quite shallow and contains the largest concentration of seaweed beds on Phu Quoc. Local people still make their living based on fishing; however many of them are transitioning to serve the booming tourist industry. Ham Ninh has a long pier where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the village, the mountain and the sea. At the end of this pier, there are some fishing boats unloading their daily catch.
Where to eat:
Food in Phu Quoc is characterized by a bunch of fresh seafood at a very reasonable prices. The island also have all types of international dishes such as Italian, Russian, Indian, German, and French. Here are some popular places for you to enjoy.
Gop Gio restaurant: A local restaurant offers a casual atmosphere perfect for a laidback dining experience. Fried shrimp and squid, fried pork with rice, sweet and sour squid and fish hot pot are some popular dishes here. Its address is at 145 Bach Dang Street.
Ai Xiem restaurant: Located on Bai Sao beach, this restaurant offer excellent barbecued seafood and great fish in clay pot. Meals are served outdoor with open views to the beach.
Itaca Resto Lounge: This restaurant serves a fusion menu of Mediterranean Asian food. If you want to step away from seafood, then this place can be a good alternative, a truly blend of the East and the West with top dishes such as Spanish omelet and the tasty paella. Local flavors and Spanish spices create unique flavors that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. The restaurant is located at 125 Tran Hung Dao Street.
Le Cap Breton Restaurant: Locating at 143 Tran Hung Dao Street, it serves French dishes as well as authentic Vietnamese dishes like shrimps, crabs and fish. Terrine on toast, beef steak cubes with onion and sweet pepper, and salad le cap breton all offer a taste of Paris in Phu Quoc
Ganesh Indian Restaurant: This is perhaps the only Indian restaurant on the island. It offers a wide range of North Indian cuisine including Tandoor and Naan bread. Ganesh Indian is located at 97 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town.
Gio Bien Restaurant: Located in the beautiful bay of Ganh Dau beach, this family run restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese dishes. Try their grill cod fish dish with turmeric marinate.
Mondo Restaurant & Lounge: The restaurant situates at 82 Tran Hung Dao Street and serves a selection of tapas and European light dishes.
Night market: The night market in Duong Dong Town runs from Tran Hung Dao to Bach Dang streets. Fresh seafood are available including grouper, crab, squid, prawns, lobster, clams, and scallops.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is just about 440 km from Ho Chi Minh City. If you don't like the driving, there are also daily flights to this beautiful resort just 30 minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh. It is one of the nicest cities in southern Vietnam, blessed with lovely beaches, white sands, clear skies, crystal blue sea and fine weather all year round.
Surrounded by steep, dark green hills, the city hugs a long curve of yellow beach and a bay as blue as a fancy cocktail. Nhatrang's coastline stretches over 7-km pure white sand. Besides lying on the beach you can also visit the Oceanographic Institute, the Cham Ponagar Tower in the city. A boat ride offshore to start your morning can be a memorable visit to different islands and various coral reefs. The turquoise waters around Nha Trang and the islands off the coast are almost transparent, making for excellent sea bathing, fishing, snorkeling and diving.
Most of Nha Trang's accommodation is directly opposite the beach and one, the 5-star Ana Mandara Resort, is right on the beach.
Po Nagar Cham Tower: This group of towers is located on top of a low marble mountain that was formerly surrounded by the sea. Construction of the towers began in the 8th century and finished in 12th century. The towers are dedicated to Shiva, Genasha and Lady Po Nagar - the three Hindu Gods. Despite of time and environmental factors, four of the towers remain with traditional Cham's architecture and decoration. The four sided towers are built with bake bricks and have a pyramid-shaped apex. The exterior of towers is a masterpiece with chiseled carvings of fairy dancers and scenes of hunting, boat racing, pounding rice... The towers, they are not only famous for their architecture and sculpture, but also well known for their great significance in term of history, nationalism and archeology.
Long Son Pagoda: Long Son is the biggest pagoda in Nha Trang where erected a giant statue Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. From here, visitors may have a vision from all over the city. Hon Chong Promontory:
Hon Chong - a small granite peninsula with massive rocks laying on top one another. Jutting out into the turquoise waters of the sea, Hon Chong looks like a works of a giant putting together several massive rocks. Hon Chong is 3.5 km from central Nha Trang.
Oceanicgraphy Institution: Founded in 1923, Nha Trang Oceanicgraphy Institution is one of the first centers of scientific research in Vietnam. There is an aquarium and specimen room which are home to a variety of colouful live specimens of local marine life. Visitors can also see the Marine Animal Museum with more than 8,000 sea and fresh-water specimens preserved.
Vung Tau
Vung Tau is 125 km east of Ho Chi Minh City. This scenic bay, outlined by a small curved peninsula, offers two beaches: Front Beach (Bai Truoc) is located near the center of town; while Back Beach (Bai Sau) is found just outside the city. Wide sandy beaches offer expansive views of the sea. Travelers can enjoy the destination`s year around sunshine and enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, golf or follow mountain trails on foot or bicycle.
There are also a number of interesting religious sites around town, including several pagodas and huge standing statue of Jesus blessing the East Sea. A short hike to the base of this statue offers outstanding views of the coastline.
Phan Thiet - Mui Ne
Phan Thiet is the capital town of Binh Thuan province and lies halfway between Nha Trang and HCMC (Saigon). Visitors can stroll through Phan Thiet`s colorful harbors, linger on its long, golden beaches, or explore the nearby 8th century Cham towers.
22 km eat of Phan Thiet is the real attraction of Mui Ne Peninsula and its 10km of sandy beaches and coconut groves. Many attractive small-scale beach resorts have opened up in recent years amongst the palm trees of Mui Ne and it has become a popular place to rest up for a few days. At the end of the peninsula near the fishing village are some enormous sand dunes that look as if they belong in the Sahara rather than southern Vietnam. Constantly changing with the winds and rains, the dunes are never the same ! You can stroll the dunes and admire the wind`s intricate patterns in the sand or revel in the shrieks of delight and laughter as youngsters (and the young at heart) slip and slide their way down 30m (100 foot) high sand dunes. Just don`t forget your camera: Mui Ne`s dazzling blue water, golden sand and red dunes are a photographer`s dream.
For golfers Phan Thiet offers one of the best links golf courses in the region, the Nick Faldo-designed Ocean Dunes Course.
Quy Nhon
It is not only a pleasant place to break overnighter for the long journey between Danang and Nha Trang, In this peaceful fishing seaside town you will also see many Cham Towers, relics of the past Champa Civilization still standing in it's perfect and magnificent state. The sandy beach here is good and right in the town.
