Phu Quoc Solo Travel: A Detailed Guide for a Perfect Adventure

Backpacking Phu Quoc means planning, organizing, and embarking on a journey without the assistance or supervision of a travel agency. You take the reins, researching your destination, choosing your transportation, selecting your accommodation, and managing your itinerary throughout the trip. However, many travelers lack the experience to navigate Phu Quoc independently. In this article, Rooty Trip will provide you with everything you need to know for a fulfilling backpacking adventure in Phu Quoc.

1. When to go backpacking in Phu Quoc?

The ideal time for a backpacking trip to Phu Quoc falls between October and April of the following year, as this is the island’s dry season.

The weather during this period is not too hot, with temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius, and the sea is calm, making it perfect for various recreational activities.

October to April is the best time to visit Phu Quoc

The rainy season in Phu Quoc lasts from May to October. During this time, activities like coral diving and night squid fishing are limited. However, you can still participate in other activities such as visiting Grand World, Vinpearl, Safari, and the Mediterranean Town if you plan your schedule accordingly and monitor the weather.

2. Transportation Options for Backpacking in Phu Quoc

There are three main ways to get to Phu Quoc: by land, by water, and by air. Here are six transportation options you can consider for your backpacking trip:

• By car, motorbike, or bus: If you are located in Ho Chi Minh City, neighboring provinces, or the Mekong Delta, you can travel to Phu Quoc by personal vehicle or bus to the ferry or high-speed boat pier in Rach Gia or Ha Tien. From there, you can continue to Phu Quoc by water.
• By ferry or high-speed boat: From Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, you can take Superdong ferries 6, 7, 8, or 9 for 230,000 VND/ticket. Alternatively, you can take the Superdong P1 or P2 ferry for 185,000 VND/ticket. From Rach Gia to Phu Quoc, you can only take Superdong ferries 3, 4, 5, or 10 for 330,000 VND/ticket.
• By plane: Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways all offer flights to Phu Quoc. The reference airfare from Hanoi to Phu Quoc is 746,000 VND, and from Saigon to Phu Quoc is 542,000 VND. You can book tickets through flight booking apps, and the ticket price may fluctuate depending on the travel period.

All airlines have flights to Phu Quoc

3. Where to stay in Phu Quoc for backpackers and budget travelers?

Phu Quoc offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious 6-star resorts. For those looking to save money, homestays, hostels, bungalows, or 2-3 star hotels are great options, with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND per night. 4-5 star hotels and resorts offer luxurious accommodations and amenities, with prices starting from 1,200,000 VND per night.

Stay at the 4-star Sol By Melia Hotel

4. What to do in Phu Quoc for backpackers and budget travelers?

After choosing your accommodation in Phu Quoc, it’s time to explore the island with these amazing activities:

4.1 Experience the Hon Thom Cable Car

Hon Thom Island boasts the Hon Thom Cable Car, the longest 3-wire sea-crossing cable car in the world with a length of 7,889.9 meters. This cable car system was built by the Sun Group with the aim of shortening the travel time from An Thoi Station to Hon Thom Station to just 30 minutes. Visitors will be amazed by the breathtaking natural scenery with the green mountains and blue sea when viewing the whole of Hon Thom Island from above.

Experience the exciting Hon Thom cable car

4.2 Sea Walking: Explore the underwater world of Phu Quoc

Sea Walking is a unique activity that allows you to explore the ocean floor without any diving experience. This exciting adventure is perfect for people of all ages, whether you know how to swim or not.

Seabed walking activity to see coral reefs

4.3 Thrill Rides at Aquatopia Water Park

Aquatopia, the premier water park in Southeast Asia, is the place to be for thrill-seekers. It features a variety of exciting rides, including: Lazy River, Paradise Bay, Thuy Liem Dong caves, Cam Bay Quai Vat, Cuoc Chien Mang Xa

Aquatopia, the most modern water park in Southeast Asia

4.4 Sunset Watching and Night Squid Fishing

What could be better than watching the sunset while drifting on the sea, offering a completely new experience compared to other times you’ve seen the sun go down?

In addition, visitors can also experience being a fisherman, catching fresh squid themselves and then cooking their catch into porridge or grilled with mo hanh (Vietnamese scallion oil) at their own discretion for only 270,000 – 300,000 VND/tour.

Experience the feeling of watching the sunset in Phu Quoc

4.5 Explore Grand World Phu Quoc

Grand World Phu Quoc is one of the premier entertainment destinations on the island paradise. It features a unique blend of European-style architecture and Vietnamese cultural elements in its shows, providing an experience like no other.

In the evening at Grand World, you can watch the Venice Symphony and Tinh Hoa Vietnam water shows. The Tinh Hoa Vietnam show recreates the dances of the fishing village, the Nghinh Ong festival, seafaring activities, fishing, the fish praying ceremony, and more, bringing high artistic value. Therefore, this show is like bringing the cultural activities of our villages to life in the most authentic way. In addition, the Venice Symphony water show brings to the audience the experience of the vibrant and majestic festival of the city of Venice recreated vividly.

The colors of Venice right at Grand World

5. What to Eat in Phu Quoc? Must-Try Dishes

• Herring Salad: This dish is a harmonious combination of herring, thinly sliced onions, coriander, grated coconut, roasted peanuts, and a sour and spicy dipping sauce, all creating a specialty dish with the strong flavor of Phu Quoc sea. With the fatty taste of roasted peanuts, the coolness of grated coconut, and the sweetness of the fish meat, the herring salad has “captivated” many diners when visiting the island.
• Bun Quay (Stirred Vermicelli): A famous dish that you cannot miss when visiting Phu Quoc. The fresh vermicelli, shrimp cake, and squid cake are crispy and sweet, and the sour and spicy dipping sauce creates an impressive taste for diners. The most famous place in Phu Quoc is A-C Noodles, located near Dinh Cau. Don’t miss this delicious dish when you come to Phu Quoc!

Bun Quay Phu Quoc – a famous dish of the island people

• Crab Blood Soup: This dish offers a unique flavor profile derived from the crab’s blood. The sweetness and richness of the crab’s meat, combined with a slightly salty taste, has made this dish a favorite among food lovers.

Phu Quoc’s famous crab blood soup

• Ham Ninh Crab: Ham Ninh Crab is a proud specialty of Phu Quoc Island, beloved by many tourists. The fresh crabs, caught straight from the sea, boast firm meat and a sweet, fragrant flavor. Be sure to try them with a dipping sauce of lime, salt, and pepper when you visit Phu Quoc.

Ham Ninh crab is a specialty of Phu Quoc

• Sea Urchin: Sea urchin (also known as “nhum”) is a rare and precious sea creature found on Phu Quoc Island. Its unique flavor pairs well with wasabi, and it can also be prepared in various other ways, such as grilled with butter and scallions or cooked into a delicious and nutritious porridge.

Grilled sea urchin with butter is an addictive dish when coming to Phu Quoc

6. Suggested Itinerary for a 4-Day, 3-Night Phu Quoc Self-Guided Tour

For the most detailed and memorable itinerary, another tip for a Phu Quoc self-guided tour is to explore the island by zone to optimize your time. Here is a suggested itinerary:

Don’t forget to visit the fish sauce factory, Rach Vem fishing village, and other places like Phu Quoc prison and the amusement park to learn more about the lives of the locals. These are all worth experiencing on your journey to Phu Quoc.

7. Should I travel to Phu Quoc independently or on a tour?

Traveling on a tour: You join a pre-organized tour program by a travel agency or tour operator.

Traveling independently: You plan your own itinerary and are free to experience activities based on your interests. You can also easily interact with locals and optimize your travel budget.

• Independent travel:Freedom to experience activities based on your interests.Easy interaction with locals.Optimize travel budget.
• Tour travel:No need to worry about planning itinerary, destinations, and transportation. Save time and enjoy everything the island has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Phu Quoc Travel

How much does it cost to travel to Phu Quoc independently?

The cost of a 4-day, 3-night Phu Quoc trip at a hotel ranges from 1,800,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND. Transportation costs around 700,000 – 1,000,000 VND depending on your chosen transportation method.

Transportation options for independent travel in Phu Quoc

Rent a motorbike: 120,000 – 150,000 VND/day.

Taxi: Xanh SM Taxi, 10,000 VND for the first 0.6 km, 15,000 VND/km for the next 25 km (VF 5 Plus) or 16,500 VND/km (VF e34).

Grab: Price depends on the distance, but may have to wait longer for a car as it is not yet popular in the area.

Rent a car: Limited mileage for North Island (100km), East Island (60km), South Island (90km),… 4-seater car from 600,000 VND/10 hours/day.

Vinbus: Free shuttle bus for visitors to Phu Quoc United Center, with routes from Novotel – Airport – Grand World, from 6am to 11pm daily. Sun World also offers free shuttle buses for guests who have bought cable car tickets and show tickets, with routes from Seashells Hotel – Tran Hung Dao Street – Sun World Phu Quoc, from 8:30am to 7:45pm.

When is the best time to travel to Phu Quoc?

The ideal time to travel to Phu Quoc is during the dry season from October to April of the following year. This time of year has beautiful weather, cool and slightly cold at night, and starfish are abundant in the Rach Vem and Ham Rong areas, making it perfect for couples to take wedding photos.