Updated 13 November 2026 · By the Donquijotel team
Choosing where to stay in Phu Quoc matters more than on most islands, because Vietnam’s largest island is about 50 kilometres from north to south and each part feels completely different. The west coast around Duong Dong and Long Beach has the restaurants and sunsets, the north has big resort complexes and theme parks, and the south has white-sand beaches and the cable car to Hon Thom. This guide compares the areas, answers the north or south question and explains what’s changing on the island ahead of APEC 2027.
Last checked: November 2, 2026. This guide is based on research and comparison of official sources and current travel guides, not a sponsored stay. Transport times and rules change, so check before you go.
Quick answer
- First time: Long Beach, just south of Duong Dong — beaches, sunsets and restaurants, 10–20 minutes from the airport.
- Town life and night market: Duong Dong.
- Families and theme parks: The north, near Grand World and VinWonders.
- Best beaches: The south, around Kem Beach and Sao Beach.
- Sunset Town: Stay in An Thoi in the south for the cable car and evening shows.
Table of contents
- Which area to stay in Phu Quoc?
- Where to stay in Phu Quoc first time?
- What are the best places to stay in Phu Quoc for beaches?
- Phu Quoc north or south: which is better?
- What is Sunset Town Phu Quoc?
- What’s changing in Phu Quoc?
- Do I need a visa for Phu Quoc?
- When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
- How do I get around?
- What should I check before booking?
- Who should stay where?
- Notes for families and travellers with access needs
- FAQ
Which area to stay in Phu Quoc?
If you’re asking which area to stay in Phu Quoc, start with what you’ll do each day. Taxis and Grab connect everything, but the drive from the far north to the far south takes well over an hour.
| Area | Best for | Getting around | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duong Dong | Night market, local restaurants, value | Taxi/Grab; 10 min from the airport | Busy traffic; town beach is average |
| Long Beach (Bai Truong) | First-timers, sunsets, beach bars | Taxi/Grab; 10–20 min from the airport | Busy development in some stretches |
| Ong Lang | Quiet beaches, small resorts, couples | Taxi, 20–30 min from Duong Dong | Few restaurants outside resorts |
| North (Bai Dai, Ganh Dau) | Grand World, VinWonders, safari park, families | Resort shuttles; taxi 45–60 min to the south | Far from town and southern beaches |
| South (An Thoi, Kem and Sao beaches) | Sunset Town, Hon Thom cable car, white sand | Taxi, about 30 min from the airport | Resort-focused; quieter evenings |
Where to stay in Phu Quoc first time?
For anyone deciding where to stay in Phu Quoc first time, Long Beach is the easiest answer. It runs for around 20 kilometres down the west coast from Duong Dong, faces the sunset and has everything from small guesthouses to big international resorts, plus beach bars and seafood restaurants. It’s close to the airport and Duong Dong’s night market, and a reasonable drive from both the north and the south. If you’d rather be near local life, staying in Duong Dong itself puts you by the Dinh Cau night market and the small rock temple at the river mouth.
Mid-range pick: Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island
On Long Beach, a short drive from the airport and Duong Dong.
Hotel picks are examples by budget, not sponsored stays. Check recent reviews, the room size and the walk to the station before you book.
What are the best places to stay in Phu Quoc for beaches?
The best places to stay in Phu Quoc for pure beach time are in the south. Kem Beach (Bai Khem) has soft white sand and calm water, with several large resorts on its shores. Sao Beach, on the southeast coast, is often called the island’s prettiest beach, with pale sand and clear water. The trade-off is that you’ll depend on your resort for meals and evenings. On the west coast, Long Beach is better for sunsets, and Ong Lang, north of Duong Dong, has quieter coves with rocky stretches and a slower pace.
Phu Quoc north or south: which is better?
The Phu Quoc north or south question really comes down to theme parks versus beaches. The north, around Bai Dai and Ganh Dau, has the Grand World entertainment district, with its canals and nightly shows, plus the VinWonders theme park and the safari park — all built as a resort complex with its own hotels. It’s ideal for families who want a self-contained holiday. The south, around An Thoi, is home to Sunset Town, the cable car to Hon Thom island and the best beaches. Couples and beach lovers usually prefer the south. If you want both, split your stay: two or three nights in each.
Mid-range pick: Vinpearl Resort & Spa Phu Quoc
In the north at Bai Dai, near VinWonders and the safari park.
Luxury pick: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
On Kem Beach in the south, near the Hon Thom cable car.
Hotel picks are examples by budget, not sponsored stays. Check recent reviews, the room size and the walk to the station before you book.
What is Sunset Town Phu Quoc?
Sunset Town Phu Quoc is a newly built Mediterranean-style district near An Thoi at the island’s southern tip, with pastel buildings, cafés, a clock tower and the much-photographed Kiss Bridge. In the evening it hosts the Kiss of the Sea, a multimedia show with fountains, lasers and fireworks, which typically requires a ticket. It’s also the departure point for the Hon Thom cable car, one of the world’s longest sea-crossing cable cars, which runs over the An Thoi islands to a water park and beach on Hon Thom. Staying here means short walks to the shows and the cable car, but you’re 30 minutes or more from Duong Dong.
What’s changing in Phu Quoc?
Phu Quoc became a special administrative zone of An Giang province on 1 July 2025, and it has been chosen to host APEC 2027 Economic Leaders’ Week. Infrastructure projects are under way across the island, including an expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport. You may see construction near main roads and some resorts in 2026 and 2027, and hotel demand will be very high around the summit dates, so check the event calendar before booking for late 2027.
Do I need a visa for Phu Quoc?
Phu Quoc has had a special visa exemption for foreign tourists since 2014, allowing stays of up to 30 days if you arrive directly from abroad, by air or sea, and stay on the island. If you fly in via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, the normal Vietnam visa rules apply, and Vietnam’s e-visa is valid for up to 90 days. Rules can change, so check with Vietnamese immigration or your airline before travelling.
When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
The dry season, from about December to March, has calm seas, sunshine and the best beach weather, especially on the west coast. April and May are the hottest months, and the rainy season, roughly May to November, brings heavy showers and rougher water on western beaches, though the east coast can be calmer. Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year (6 February 2027) are the busiest and most expensive periods.
How do I get around?
There’s no train on Phu Quoc, and public buses are limited. Most visitors use Grab, taxis or resort shuttles; renting a scooter is popular but not recommended unless you’re experienced and properly licensed. Phu Quoc International Airport sits between Duong Dong and Long Beach, so transfers to the west coast are short, while the north and south take 30–60 minutes.
What should I check before booking?
- Whether the beach in front of the hotel is swimmable in your travel month.
- Distance to restaurants if you don’t want to eat at the resort every night.
- Shuttle services to Duong Dong, Grand World or Sunset Town.
- Construction nearby — ask the hotel directly in 2026–27.
- Free cancellation, especially in the rainy season.
Where are these areas?
Markers show the approximate centre of each area. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Who should stay where?
- First-timers: Long Beach.
- Couples: Ong Lang, or Kem Beach in the south.
- Families: the north, near Grand World and VinWonders.
- Budget travellers: Duong Dong.
- Beach lovers: the south, around Kem and Sao beaches.
Notes for families and travellers with access needs
Resort complexes in the north and south are generally flat, with paved paths and lifts, which suits families and travellers with limited mobility. Beaches can have steep shelves or rocks, so check the beach before booking with young children. Pavements outside resorts and in Duong Dong are uneven, and roads can be busy with scooters, so taxis are the safest way to get around.
FAQ
Where should I stay in Phu Quoc for the first time?
Long Beach, for sunsets, restaurants and easy airport access.
Is the north or south of Phu Quoc better?
The north for theme parks and family resorts; the south for beaches and Sunset Town.
What is Sunset Town Phu Quoc?
A Mediterranean-style district near An Thoi with the Kiss Bridge, evening shows and the Hon Thom cable car.
Can I visit Phu Quoc without a visa?
Yes, for up to 30 days if you arrive directly from abroad and stay on the island; check current rules.
When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
December to March, in the dry season.
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We are a small independent team based in Seoul. We compare neighbourhoods using official tourism and transport sources, maps and current guides, and we say clearly when something is research rather than a personal stay. No sponsored placements. About us and how we work.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Phu Quoc · Wikipedia – Phu Quoc · Viet Nam News – Phu Quoc and APEC 2027 · Vietnam Tourism – Phu Quoc visa exemption · VietJet – Hon Thom cable car