Phu Quoc lies in the Gulf of Thailand, closer to the Cambodian coast than to mainland Vietnam. It is the country's largest island, and much of its northern half remains a national park of forest and hills. In the dry season, the sea is calm, clear and warm.
The island faces west, so every evening ends with the sun dropping into the sea. Long Beach on the west coast is the classic place to watch it, while Sao Beach on the south-east has the island's finest white sand. Off the southern tip, the An Thoi archipelago offers small islands, coral reefs and snorkelling in clear water.
Phu Quoc has its own traditions. Its fish sauce, made from anchovies fermented in wooden barrels, is famous across Vietnam. Pepper vines climb tall poles on farms across the island, and pearl farms have worked the surrounding waters for decades. Duong Dong, the main town, has a lively night market where seafood is grilled to order.
For many guests, Phu Quoc is the last stop of a longer journey: a few days with nothing on the schedule but the sea. We choose villas with private beaches and plan just enough to keep the days interesting, a boat trip, a cooking class, a sunset sail, and leave the rest to you.
