10 Best Things to Do on Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc National Park takes up more than half of Phu Quoc Island, where nature lovers can spot rare wildlife and plants such as long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, otters, and hornbills. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, a part of this verdant landscape is open to a wide range of activities such as camping, hiking, birdwatching, and photography. 

If you’re looking to test out your endurance level, Mount Heaven in Phu Quoc National Park is accessible within a challenging 4-hour trek through the evergreen forest, followed by a climb up a 10 metre-tall bamboo ladder.

VinWonders Phu Quoc is an amusement park that features thrilling water slides, rollercoasters, outdoor and indoor arcade centres, amphitheatre, 5D cinema, and a wide range of dining options. Accessible within a 20-minute drive from Ong Lang Beach, VinWonders Phu Quoc is set between Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort and Vinmec International Hospital. 

Vibrant street performances, mermaid shows, and traditional dances are also held every day, making it an ideal destination for travelling families looking to enjoy a fun-filled day on Phu Quoc Island. VinWonders Phu Quoc also offers complimentary shuttle services for those who purchase tickets from travel agents within Duong Dong Town.

Dinh Cau Shrine or Dinh Cau Rock is an odd-shaped natural formation beside Duong Dong Fishing Harbour, which houses a lighthouse and Buddhist shrine with a rooftop terrace. Also known as Cau Temple, it was constructed in 1937 to commemorate Thien Hau (the Goddess of the sea), whom locals believe provides protection for fishermen heading out to sea. 

There are 29 winding stone steps to reach the top of Cua Temple, where you will be greeted with spectacular sunset views of Dinh Cau Beach, Duong Dong Town, and neighbouring islets. Entrance to Dinh Cau Rock is free of charge, and there are plenty of food and beverage stands at the base of the temple if you’re feeling peckish.

Suoi Tranh Waterfall is a 4 metre-tall waterfall on Phu Quoc Island that’s surrounded by lush greenery, numerous walking paths, natural caves, and rock pools. Located 7 km west of Duong Dong, nature lovers can enjoy recreational activities such as picnicking, jungle trekking, camping and bird watching. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike further up from the main waterfall site to visit Hang Doi (Grotto of Bats), which measures 200 metres in height and houses unique stalactites. Due to its close proximity to the main town, Suoi Tranh Waterfall is usually packed with locals during weekends and national holidays.

Duong Dong Market, located along Tran Phu Street, is Phu Quoc Island’s busiest and largest outdoor market. The best time to visit is in the early morning, where you can see the locals bargaining hard for household items, fresh and dried seafood, meats, sweets and fruit from mainland Vietnam. 

Duong Dong Market also houses plenty of food stalls serving fresh seafood, fruit juices, and Vietnamese cuisine at relatively low prices. As the island is renowned for its mushroom, pepper and cashew nuts, we highly recommend picking up a few as souvenirs for loved ones back home.

Sung Hung Pagoda is a combination of 2 shrines that were built in the early 10th century, making it the oldest of its kind on Phu Quoc Island. Set along Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong Town, the front courtyard features a statue of the Goddess of Mercy, potted plants and Bodhi trees while the 3-storey prayer hall houses 3 Buddha statues and intricate paintings of Buddhist mythical creatures and legends. 

Open daily, visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the monks and locals who frequent Sung Hung Pagoda.

Cao Dai Temple has 2 locations in Duong Dong Town, with the main, newer shrine located along Nguyen Trai Street. Founded in 1919, Cao Daism is a monotheistic religion that combines Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam. 

Currently, there are over 2 million people practising Cao Daism in Vietnam. Cao Dai Temple easily stands out from other temples on Phu Quoc Island thanks to its technicoloured exterior and religious symbols such as Buddhist swastikas, Christian crosses, and Islamic crescent moons. The temple is open to the public, with worshipping ceremonies held between 6 am and 12 pm every day.

Phu Quoc Prison is a bleak reminder of Vietnam’s turbulent history, where over 40,000 North Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam War. Built in 1949 by French colonists, this war museum now houses torture instruments, photographs of former detainees and exhibits of brutal punishments such as crucifixion, food deprivation, and electrocution. 

A prominent site in Phu Quoc Prison is the row of tiger cages, where prisoners were kept in total darkness and subjected to extreme heat and cold for a prolonged period of time. There is an entrance fee, with tours available in English, French and Vietnamese at an additional cost.