HOW TO GET TO PHU QUOC: By Bus, Boat, and Plane

Travelling to Phu Quoc is easy as long as you start the journey in any big city or hot destination for tourists in Vietnam. It’s popular both with the locals and foreigners. It’s a great spot for snorkelling, diving, and visiting great beaches.

It also has two waterparks which people of all ages should find fun to visit. Inland, you can explore Starfish beach and Phu Quoc Prison to name a few. We have a list of things to do in Phu Quoc during your visit and a list of the best accommodations in Phu Quoc.

To quickly answer your “how to get to Phu Quoc” question, the quickest way to travel is to fly. Alternatively, you can travel to Phu Quoc by taking an 8-hour bus ride and a 1.5-hour ferry from Ha Tien which is near Ho Chi Minh City, the southern part of the country. This article will show you more details.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PHU QUOC

Phu Quoc is a hub of marine activity, and it’s practically what every tourist looks forward to when visiting here. Some travel to witness the beautiful beaches of Phu Quoc. It’s a place where you can explore different beaches every week, and there would still be many to explore.

Although some destinations can be touristy at times, there is enough bare nature to witness. There are a lot of places oozing with authenticity and natural beauty to explore.

If you’re just starting your Vietnam trip planning, see our recommended itineraries for 1 week / 2 week / 3 weeks.

Location

Sporting the districts’ 150 kilometres of coast, unspoiled beaches, and soft ice-cream sand, Phu Quoc Island is one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets. Spanning over 574 square kilometres of Serengeti (endless plains), Phu Quoc Island, where most of the tourist activity takes place, is one of the biggest districts in Vietnam. 

This tranquil tropical paradise, nestling in the warm turquoise water in the Gulf of Thailand, is 50 km away from mainland Vietnam and just a less than an hour flight from Saigon. 

Getting around Phu Quoc has several possibilities: taxi, bus, bicycle, or motorbike, whichever you prefer. But motorbike is your best option for traversing Phu Quoc islands’ roads, and travellers highly recommend it. 

• Distance from Hanoi in km and miles – 769 miles
• Distance from HCMC in km and miles – 380-400km by bus + ferry, 270km by plane
• Distance from Da Nang in km and miles – 793 km

Things to do in Phu Quoc

Your Phu Quoc expedition isn’t limited to its stunning beaches. Your trip can extend to historical sites, Buddhist Temples, and villages that stood the test of time. Despite the high rise of luxurious beaches, modern facilities, and top-notch dining venues, there are still a lot of sightseeing opportunities for visitors. 

Almost half of Phu Quoc island is recognised UNESCO national park. Here’s your real chance to hike, camp, interact with its wildlife, and watch birds hover over layers of green fields.

Meanwhile, if you want to experience what Phu Quoc is like on its daily hustle and bustle; vibrant markets, traditional fishing villages, and pepper plantations should fit perfectly in your itinerary. These places are your chance to experience Phu Quoc’s local lifestyle and taste authentic regional specialities. Here are five activities you must try. 

Relax on the beach

Travellers’ all-time favourite thing to do in Phu Quoc is spending hours not doing much while on the beach. You can spot tourists lying in a comfy beach chair catching some sun while reading. Others try to swim a bit and play with the crashing waves. For tired travellers, sipping a drink or two just enjoying sceneries while laid back and hearing the lullaby of the ocean is their idea of heaven. 

Phu Quoc is definitely one of the best beaches in Vietnam and one of the best hikes you can in the country.

Drink a few cocktails while watching the sunset. 

Sunsets undeniably make the perfect ending after an exhausting day of travelling. Find yourself a bean bag and sit as sunsets unfold. Make sure to order yourself some cocktails and watch the spectacular sunset.

Explore Phu Quoc by Motorbike

Not only is it the most breath-taking way to witness what the island offers, but it’s also the easiest way to traverse its land. You can hop from beach to beach and viewpoint to viewpoint. Traffic will not get in your way, and driving around is reasonably safe.

Ham Ninh Fishing Village

Head to Ham Ninh and enjoy watching an ancient way of living from one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam. Make sure to stay for multiple hours and appreciate the lifestyle of the locals who have lived and worked here for decades. You don’t have to worry about lunch since they specialise and serve freshly caught seafood and crabs here.

Don’t forget Night Markets

When the sun has set, Duong Dong night market is the place to be. A day of exploration is very tiring, but make sure to reserve some energy to wander through night market stalls. Although it’s not the cheapest place to get dinner in Phu Quoc, it’s a great way to soak yourself in life in Phu Quoc.

TIP: Read this quick article on how to have fun in Phu Quoc

HOW TO GET TO PHU QUOC

Entry to Phu Quoc requires you to bring your passport with you. Since Phu Quoc is a remote island, the only transportation to Phu Quoc is either riding an aircraft or arriving by boat. Phu Quoc has an international airport and seaport. International routes include Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

Alternatively, domestic rules include Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. The entire area is a special economic zone. Here are two ways to get to Phu Quoc.

By Bus and Boat from Ho Chi Minh City

It is possible to travel from HCMC to Phu Quoc by land and sea, but bus+boat is not a good option, especially if you have limited time or long travel is uncomfortable for you. Travelling time can take you about 12 hours in total, and you can choose either to travel day or overnight.

The only reason you may want to consider this trip is to see some Vietnamese countryside on your bus journey. Anyway, if you still considering this route because of the adventure opportunities, here’s a recommendable path.

From Ho Chi Minh City, travel to Rach Gia by bus for 9 hours. Ride a boat from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc for about 2.5 hours. The easiest way to do this is to hit up any travel agencies in HCMC at the backpacker’s street/walking street and book a bus that will take care of all the bus and boat transfers on your behalf.

• Cost: $18-30 for bus tickets, $14-$23 for the ferry ticket price, per pax
• Travel time: 10 to 12 hours
• Boat company: Phu Quoc Express – book here

By Plane

The most comfortable and fastest way on how to get to Phu Quoc is to get on an aeroplane. At least 14 direct flights are going from HCMC to Phu Quoc. The earliest departure is 6 am and as late as 7:30 pm. A regular taxi is the best way to get to the city from Phu Quoc airport when you arrive. 

• Cost: $25-$100 per pax, one way
• Travel time from Hanoi: 2 hours
• Travel time from HCMC: 1 hour 
• Travel time from Da Nang: 1 hour 45 mins
• Airline companies: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air (Vietnamese budget airline), Jetstar (Southeast Asian and Australian budget airline), Bamboo Airways – check flights here

Now that you’ve read this detailed guide about how to get to Phu Quoc, we hope you have found useful information. The island gives off a captivating laid-back and tropical vibe, enjoy every second and inch of your Phu Quoc moments. 

Phu Quoc is gradually becoming one of the top vacation spots in Vietnam. Before it gets too touristy and world-known, now’s your chance to witness its bare beauty.