Phu Quoc

Remember those tropical beach images that were on postcards but too beautiful to actually be real? Take a holiday to Phu Quoc and you will realize those images were authentic. It is hard to believe how so many glorious beaches can be found on one island yet so few people actually know about them. The island's most famous beach is Long Beach. On the western side of the island, Long Beach is also the biggest beach and this is where you will find most of the hotels on Phu Quoc. But, other beaches on the island are not any less stunning. There are in fact so many beaches on Phu Quoc that many of them do not even show up on the map. So, take your bathing suit and explore this astoundingly beautiful island. Once you come to a beach you like, put down your beach towel, lie down and just relax. Take in the amazing, serene sight that lies in front of you. Get lost in the picture perfect turquoise water that surrounds the island. And when you are at your special place, there is no one around to disturb you. That thought alone is enough to consider a holiday to Phu Quoc.

When you are on an island that is only 574 square kilometers, the least you can do is go exploring once you get bored of sunbathing. You can easily rent a motorbike and discover some of the most isolated parts of the island. You will come across many a deserted beach where you can go for a quick swim. There are quite a number of smaller islets around the main island of Phu Quoc. You can pay those a visit as well. Fishing has always been the main occupation of the near 85,000 people that reside on the island. As such, there are many fishing villages, like the Ham Ninh Fishing Village, on the island. The locals there are extremely friendly and tourists are welcome to visit these villages. The national park, created in 2001, that covers almost half of Phu Quoc is a marvelous opportunity to discover the mountainous slopes covered in thick foliage that is home to animals such as langurs, macaques, loris', otters, hornbills and fruit bats. If land exploration is not your cup of tea then take the plunge and go underwater. An Thoi in Phu Quoc is home to pristine reefs of both hard and soft coral. These are great spots for diving and getting a close view of Phu Quoc's aquatic life. Snorkeling is an option as well. No matter where you go on the island, you will never be too far away from perfect, white sandy beaches and turquoise water during your Phu Quoc holiday.

Phu Quoc can also lay claim to some of the most amazing waterfalls in the world. Da Ngon is the most spectacular waterfall on the island. The waterfall is half-day hike into the jungle. At the bottom of the waterfall, there is a pool that has been dubbed "natural Jacuzzi". Suoi Tranh waterfall with its lovely ambiance is just 7 kilometers east of Duong Dong, Phu Quoc's main city. A short walk into the jungle, there are many rock pools in the vicinity of the waterfall where you can take a quick dip. The waterfall itself is 4 meters high and simply splendid. Suoi Da Ban is natural rocky spring. Its white, clean water is perfect for a relaxing bath during your holidays in Phu Quoc.

There are several pagodas and temples dotted throughout Phu Quoc. These places of worship can be helpful in understanding the beliefs of Buddhism. The most popular pagoda in Phu Quoc is Sung Hung Pagoda, situated 5 kilometers from the town of Duong Dong. The pagoda is enclosed by some large trees and was built by a renowned Buddhist monk. The pagoda's location is renowned for its peace and tranquility. There are plenty of other temples that tourists can visit, but you are expected to dress modestly when you do visit them.

Nighttime in Phu Quoc is as calm and laid back as any other time on the island. Nightlife in Phu Quoc follows a fairly predictable pattern. You can grab a few cocktails from the beachside bars, then have dinner sitting at a beachside restaurant, get some more drinks and go to bed. There is a special kind of joy eating while all the lights from the far off squid boats illuminate the sky like stars. If you want cold wine, Rainbow Bar is the place to be. Speaking of food, international cuisines are not as widely available as they are elsewhere in Vietnam. Hence the food here is mostly Vietnamese with a lot of seafood dishes being served. The quality of the food here is the same regardless of which restaurant you go to. The changes in prices are dependent on the environment of the restaurant you are in. Safe to say, in terms of food, you will not be very disappointed during your holiday in Phu Quoc.

It is essential to know what you are getting yourself into in terms of weather before you plan your holiday in Vietnam and Phu Quoc.

Phu Quoc has a tropical climate and, as a result, has two distinct seasons. It rains a lot in Phu Quoc so knowing the differences between the dry and the rainy season may very well come in handy. Ticket prices and hotel accommodations are reliant on seasonal changes as well. When do you make arrangements for your holiday in Phu Quoc then?

Rainy Season Or The Season Best Avoided

The rainy season which lasts from May to October is perhaps the worst time to visit Phu Quoc. These months are dominated by the monsoon which turns most of the roads on the island into treacherous mud paths. Quite a few tropical storms hit the island as well during this season. Despite the overall wetness, it can get really hot and humid during the rainy season, with temperature going as far up as 35 degrees. Tickets are the cheapest, but the risk of rain ruining your Vietnam holiday might not be worth it.

Dry Season Or Perfect Beach Holiday Weather

The dry season from November to March is dominated by clear blue skies, The temperature remains in the mid20s and humidity is low. Rainfall is relatively low so if you are going to go on a Phu Quoc holiday, this is the time. Worth noting that this is the peak season and hotels and planes are usually booked fully. Planning well in advance is recommended.