Phu Quoc Guide
North or South Phu Quoc? Where to Stay on the Island
By Ngo Thu Thuy (Jenny), founder of Anamoi Villa · Updated
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, and it is long — the drive from one end to the other can take an hour or more. That makes choosing where to stay more important than on a small island: pick the right area and your favourite beaches and sights are on your doorstep; pick the wrong one and you spend your holiday in a car. Here is how the north, the middle and the south compare.
The short answer
Stay in the north for quiet beaches, sunsets and easy family days at VinWonders and the Safari. Stay in Duong Dong or Long Beach for a short trip close to the airport, restaurants and the night market. Stay in the south if the Hon Thom cable car, island-hopping and Sunset Town are the main reasons for your trip. Many groups stay in the north and spend one day in the south.
The three areas at a glance
| North | Duong Dong & Long Beach | South | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Quiet fishing villages, nature, open sea | The island’s town: busy, local, lively at night | Resorts, theme-park style attractions, busier beaches |
| Main beaches | Ganh Dau, Starfish Beach (Rach Vem) | Long Beach (Bai Truong) | Sao Beach, Khem Beach, offshore islands |
| Top sights | VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, Grand World | Night market, Dinh Cau rock shrine | Hon Thom cable car, Sunset Town, island-hopping |
| Sunsets | Over the sea on the west coast | Over the sea along Long Beach | Depends on the beach |
| Nightlife | Low-key; Grand World for an evening out | Most choice of restaurants and bars | Sunset Town shows and restaurants |
| Getting there | Furthest from the airport — about 45 min to Ganh Dau | Closest to the airport | Fairly close to the airport |
| Best for | Families, groups, slow beach days, sunsets | Short stays, food lovers, budget trips | Island-hopping, cable car, resort holidays |
The north: quiet beaches and big days out
The north of Phu Quoc — around Ganh Dau, Bai Dai and Rach Vem — is the island’s calmer side. Fishing villages, forest and long stretches of coast give it a slower pace, and the west-facing beaches have some of the best sunsets on the island. At the same time, the biggest family attractions are here: VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari and the canals, restaurants and shows of Grand World.
Why you’ll love it
- Uncrowded beaches and sunsets over the sea
- Starfish Beach at Rach Vem — please look at the starfish without touching them
- VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari and Grand World close by, so family days need little driving
- More space and privacy: a good fit for villas and groups
What to know
- It is the furthest area from the airport — around 45 minutes by car to Ganh Dau
- Fewer bars and late-night options outside Grand World
- The south is a day trip rather than a quick hop
For more detail on this part of the island, read our Ganh Dau & North Phu Quoc area guide.
Duong Dong and Long Beach: the centre of the island
Duong Dong is Phu Quoc’s main town, and Long Beach (Bai Truong) stretches south from it along the west coast. This is the most convenient area: closest to the airport, with the widest choice of restaurants, cafes and bars and the island’s best-known night market. Long Beach also faces west, so sunsets are excellent.
- Good for: short stays of 2–3 nights, food lovers, first-time visitors on a budget
- Less good for: a quiet, nature-focused holiday — it is the busiest and most built-up part of the island
The south: cable car, islands and Sunset Town
The south, around An Thoi, is where you find the Hon Thom cable car out over the sea, boat trips to the small southern islands, and beaches such as Sao Beach and Khem Beach on the east side. Sunset Town, with its Mediterranean-style buildings and evening shows, is here too. It is lively and full of things to do, with many large resorts.
- Good for: island-hopping and snorkelling, the cable car, resort-style holidays
- Less good for: a quiet base — and the north’s attractions are a long drive away
Which area suits your trip?
Choose the north if…
- you are a family, a multi-generation group or friends who want space and quiet
- VinWonders, the Safari or Grand World are on your list
- you want slow beach days and sunsets from your own balcony
Choose Duong Dong or Long Beach if…
- you are staying only two or three nights
- you want to walk to restaurants and the night market
Choose the south if…
- island-hopping, snorkelling and the cable car are the highlights of your trip
- you prefer a large resort with everything on site
Can’t decide? A popular plan is to stay in the north for its quiet beaches and family attractions, then spend one full day in the south for the cable car, Sao Beach and Sunset Town. Whatever you choose, the dry season from November to April is the best time to go — see our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Phu Quoc.
Staying in the north: Anamoi La Perla
Anamoi La Perla Phu Quoc is a Mediterranean-style villa just 40 m from the beach in Ganh Dau, on the quiet north-west coast. The whole villa is reserved for your group, so everyone stays together with room to spread out.
- 5 bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, for up to 11 guests
- Sea-view balconies and a rooftop jacuzzi bathtub for sunset drinks
- Open-plan living room, fully equipped kitchen, dining area and pool table
- BBQ setup assistance on request — perfect after a day at VinWonders or the Safari
- Check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 12:00 PM; quiet hours 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- From 11,000,000 VND per night for the whole villa
Chill Bistro and 40 Six, two of our favourite local spots, are just 50 m from the villa. When you book directly at anamoivilla.com, early check-in and late check-out are free, subject to availability.
Planning more of Vietnam? See our Hoi An area guide and where to stay in Hanoi.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it better to stay in the north or south of Phu Quoc?
- Stay in the north for quiet beaches, sunsets over the sea and easy days at VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari and Grand World. Stay in the south for the Hon Thom cable car, island-hopping and Sunset Town. Duong Dong and Long Beach in the middle suit short stays close to the airport and the night market.
- Where should families stay in Phu Quoc?
- Most families are happiest in the north. The beaches are calmer and less crowded, and VinWonders and Vinpearl Safari — the island’s biggest family attractions — are nearby, so you spend less time in the car.
- How long does it take to drive from the north to the south of Phu Quoc?
- Phu Quoc is a long island, and driving from the northern tip to the southern end can take around an hour or more, depending on where you start and traffic. That is why it pays to stay near the things you most want to do.
- Can you visit the south of Phu Quoc on a day trip from the north?
- Yes. Many visitors staying in the north spend one full day in the south for the Hon Thom cable car, Sao Beach and Sunset Town, then return to the quiet of the north in the evening.
- Where is the best place in Phu Quoc to watch the sunset?
- The west coast, especially in the dry season from November to April. Ganh Dau in the north and Long Beach near Duong Dong both face the sea to the west, so the sun sets over the water.
Tell us your dates and how many people are travelling — we’ll check whether La Perla is free for your group.
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