Phu Quoc is the up-and-coming beach destination in Vietnam that can give Bali and Phuket a run for their money. The island is located 62 miles off Vietnam’s southern coast, in the Gulf of Thailand, and comes with idyllic white beaches and tropical forests. If it’s a relaxing beach holiday you’re craving, Phu Quoc is definitely the place for you.
Now is the best time to travel to Phu Quoc as the local government is currently improving the island’s tourist amenities. In fact, the number of visitors to the island has risen tremendously over the years, from only 25,000 in 2000 to more than 1.5 million in 2015. You can see this rise in density at the island’s most popular beaches, Bai Sao and Long Beach. While these beaches offer every amenity and water sports facility you can think of, you’ll be sharing these sandy shores with a lot of the island’s guests.
Fortunately, Phu Quoc is a large island with plenty of other beaches and attractions for everyone. It’s not really hard to find a piece of this paradise all to yourself. So, if you’ve scored an awesome Phu Quoc travel combo with Traveloka, for instance, but realized that the hotel is in a touristy area, don’t despair! Just rent a motorbike, and head over to these hidden gems and secret beaches to escape the crowds.
Ong Lang Beach (Bãi ông Lang)
Located at the west coast of Phu Quoc is Ong Lang Beach, which will prove to be a tranquil alternative to the hectic Long Beach. While the sand is not as fine or as white, this beach is still one of the more picturesque in the island, especially when the sunsets.
Ong Lang Beach is not totally secluded as it still has a few resorts along its shores. However, that just adds to its appeal of the place because beachgoers then won’t have to worry about bringing their own food and drinks. Instead, you can simply sit down at one of the restaurants and bars, order Vietnamese beer, and watch the sun’s spectacular show on the horizon when it’s near twilight.
Phu Quoc Countryside Pepper Farm
The island of Phu Quoc is not just a beach bum’s paradise, it’s also known for its pepper farms and fish sauce industry. While wandering around the island, you might notice the tall plants grown uniformly in large orchards here. These are the peppercorn vines that grow only in mineral-rich soil like Phu Quoc’s.
Some farms such as the Countryside Pepper Farm offer tours to visitors who might be interested to learn more about peppercorn farming. This organic farm grows a variety of vegetables aside from peppercorns and offers Vietnamese cooking classes to curious gourmands. Before leaving, make sure to check out their store for farm products you can take home.
Hon Vong Island (Hòn Vọng)
One of the most secluded and serene beaches in Phu Quoc can be found in one of its southern islands—Hon Vong Island. With plans to build a resort on the island in 2020, there’s no better time to see the idyllic beach in its pristine state than today.
The water around the island is relatively calm and great for swimming. It’s also one of the best spots for snorkelling, thanks to its diverse and rich marine life. To get there, you have to rent a boat or join a tour from the An Thoi port.
Phú Quốc National Park
When you want to take a break from beach bumming, you can explore the island’s Phú Quốc National Park. As part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the park features diverse wildlife with 1,164 plant species and 206 animal species.
Developed as an eco-tourism destination, the park offers outdoor activities like trekking, rafting, kayaking, and more. You have a total of 31,422 hectares to explore, so it’s unlikely that you’ll run out of trails to hike!
Visit Phú Quốc today and experience its unspoilt gems now before they become overrun with tourists. Pick your secluded pieces of paradise, and make great memories to last a lifetime!
