Area Guide
Ganh Dau & Northern Phu Quoc: An Area Guide
By Ngo Thu Thuy (Jenny), founder of Anamoi Villa · Updated
Ganh Dau is a quiet fishing village on the north-western tip of Phu Quoc island. It is far from the busy resort strips in the south, yet close to some of the island’s best days out: Starfish Beach, Vinpearl Safari, VinWonders and Grand World. This guide explains what the area is like, what to do nearby, and who it suits best.
The short answer
Stay in Ganh Dau and the north if you want calm beaches, sunsets over the sea and easy family days out at VinWonders and the Safari. Stay in the south if the Hon Thom cable car and island-hopping are your priority, or in Duong Dong for a short, budget-friendly stay close to the night market.
What Ganh Dau is like
Ganh Dau is still a working fishing village at heart. Mornings start with boats coming back to shore, the pace is slow, and the beach stays quiet even in high season. It faces west, so this is one of the best parts of Phu Quoc to watch the sun go down over the water.
There is less nightlife than in Duong Dong or the south, and fewer big hotels. That is exactly why families and groups like it: you get space, quiet nights and a real sense of island life, while the big attractions are a short drive away.
North, south or Duong Dong?
| North (Ganh Dau) | South | Duong Dong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like | Quiet fishing village, open sea views | Resorts, cable car, busier beaches | The island’s town: markets, night market, traffic |
| Beaches | Calm west-coast beaches, Starfish Beach at Rach Vem | Sao Beach, Khem Beach, offshore islands | Long Beach (Bai Truong) close by |
| Sunsets | Over the sea, right from the coast | Depends on the beach | Good along Long Beach |
| Big days out | VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, Grand World | Hon Thom cable car, island-hopping | Night market, Dinh Cau shrine |
| Best for | Families, groups, slow beach days | Island-hopping, resort holidays | Short stays, nightlife, budget travel |
Phu Quoc is a long island, so where you stay decides how much time you spend in a car. If your list includes VinWonders, the Safari and Grand World, staying in the north saves a lot of driving. For a fuller comparison, read north or south Phu Quoc: where to stay.
Things to do near Ganh Dau
Ganh Dau beach and sunsets
The beach is calm and good for swimming, with a long shoreline for an early walk. In the evening, find a spot facing west — or stay on your own balcony — and watch the sky turn pink and gold over the sea.
Starfish Beach at Rach Vem
Rach Vem, often called Starfish Beach, is one of the most distinctive places in northern Phu Quoc: shallow, clear water where starfish rest on the sand. Please look without touching or lifting them out of the water — they are delicate animals and are easily harmed.
Vinpearl Safari
A large open-setting wildlife park and an easy half-day or full day with children. It pairs well with an afternoon at the beach.
VinWonders Phu Quoc
Water attractions, rides, themed areas and shows — a good choice for an energetic day when the group wants a break from slow beach days.
Grand World Phu Quoc
When the sun goes down, Grand World is the place for dinner, drinks, shopping and an evening walk along its colourful canals — a lively contrast to Ganh Dau’s quiet pace.
Fresh seafood and a BBQ at home
Fishing villages mean fresh seafood. Many groups pick up seafood and tropical fruit at a local market, bring it back and cook dinner together.
Where our team sends guests to eat
A few local places from our La Perla check-in guide — two of them are just 50 m from the villa:
- Chill Bistro Phu Quoc — a seaside restaurant 50 m from La Perla with local dishes; a lovely spot for morning coffee or a few hours of work
- 40 Six — also 50 m away, ideal for watching the sunset over the sea, with fresh-water rinsing after a swim
- Doc Dinh — a local seafood restaurant, open evenings only (6 PM to 11 PM), with fresh seafood at very reasonable prices
- Long Xuyen — a local eatery for breakfast and lunch: bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup), hu tieu (noodle soup) and set rice meals at very reasonable prices
When to go
The dry season, roughly November to April, brings calmer seas, more sunshine and the clearest sunsets on the west coast. It is also the busiest time of year, especially around Christmas, New Year and Tet, so book early. From May to October there are more showers and rougher seas on the west coast, but also fewer visitors. See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Phu Quoc.
Where to stay: Anamoi La Perla Phu Quoc
Our Anamoi La Perla Phu Quoc is a Mediterranean-style villa just 40 m from the beach in Ganh Dau, with cafes, restaurants and spas within 300 m. The whole villa is reserved for your group.
- 5 bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, 6 beds (mostly king-size), for up to 11 guests
- Sea-view balconies and a rooftop jacuzzi bathtub — the best seats in the house at sunset
- Open-plan living room, fully equipped kitchen, shared dining area and a pool table
- BBQ setup assistance on request, plus a washer and dryer for longer stays
- Check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 12:00 PM
- From 11,000,000 VND per night for the whole villa
It suits families and multi-generation trips, groups of friends, several couples travelling together and small celebrations. The villa is a home in a residential area, so quiet hours are 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Booking direct
When you book directly at anamoivilla.com, early check-in and late check-out are free, subject to availability. Phu Quoc Airport is about 45 minutes away by car.
Exploring more of Vietnam? See our Hoi An area guide and where to stay in Hanoi.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Ganh Dau in Phu Quoc?
- Ganh Dau is a fishing village on the north-western tip of Phu Quoc island, away from the busier resort areas in the south and around Duong Dong. It is close to Starfish Beach at Rach Vem, Vinpearl Safari, VinWonders and Grand World.
- Is northern Phu Quoc a good place to stay?
- Yes, if you want quiet beaches, sunsets over the sea and easy days out at VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari and Grand World. Choose the south instead if you mainly want the Hon Thom cable car and island-hopping trips.
- Where can you see starfish in Phu Quoc?
- At Rach Vem, often called Starfish Beach, in the north of the island. Look at the starfish in the water but please do not touch them or lift them out — they are delicate marine animals.
- When is the best time to visit northern Phu Quoc?
- The dry season, roughly November to April, brings calmer seas, more sunshine and the best sunsets on the west coast. It is also the busiest season, so book a villa early for Christmas, New Year and Tet.
- How far is Ganh Dau from Phu Quoc Airport?
- About 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Grab and taxis are easy to find at the airport.
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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