PHU QUOC DIARIES: A Journey to My Favorite Island
Updated: Jul 7
Vietnam is one of my absolute favorite countries. No matter how many times I visit, I always find myself wanting to return. After three trips, Vietnam feels more like a peaceful home away from home than just a tourist destination.
During my last two visits, I explored the northern regions (Sapa and Hanoi), the central area (Da Nang, Hoi An), and the southern city of Ho Chi Minh. However, on my third trip, I had the chance to visit Phu Quoc, a stunning island located in the southern part of the country.
Discovering Phu Quoc: A Hidden Gem
For Phu Quoc, I believe less is more. This place is something you have to experience to truly understand its charm. There are destinations you visit, and then there are places that visit you back. Phu Quoc is definitely the latter.
I had heard incredible things about Phu Quoc—the sunsets, the beaches, the shows, and the overall beauty. Yet, nothing could prepare me for the moment I arrived and realized that everything I had heard was an understatement. I spent five days on the island and left with a full heart, a happy spirit, and a genuine list of reasons why Phu Quoc deserves to be at the very top of every travel list. It has undoubtedly become one of the islands I want to revisit, and it will forever hold a special place on my travel itinerary.
Here’s everything you need to know—and everything you need to feel—before you go, based on my experience.
Getting There: The Journey Is Part of the Story
I live in Vancouver, Canada, located in the southwestern corner of the country. So, my route to Phu Quoc was part of a larger adventure. I took a Japan Airlines flight from Vancouver to Ho Chi Minh City, with a few hours of layover in Tokyo.
Before diving into my Vietnam experience, I must mention Japan Airlines. It’s one of the few airlines that offers comfortable seats, a solid entertainment system, and an amazing crew. As a vegetarian, I often find limited food options on many airlines. However, the crew on Japan Airlines ensured I had vegetarian meals and frequently checked in to see if I was satisfied. This level of care was refreshing and heartwarming, especially since I’ve traveled with many well-known airlines that didn’t seem to care about dietary preferences.
After about 19 hours of travel, I finally reached Ho Chi Minh City.
A Quick Tip
Ho Chi Minh Airport has long immigration queues. To save time, especially after a long-haul flight, consider opting for express immigration, which comes with a fee. Many companies offer this service, and you can easily find information online. I chose this option and breezed through immigration in about 15 minutes, while the regular queue would have taken me at least an hour and a half.
I spent three days in Ho Chi Minh City, soaking in the vibrant energy of the city before taking a short 40-45 minute flight to Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc International Airport is small and easy to navigate. You’ll find clear signs for taxis, shared rides, and other transport options right at the airport. From the moment you land in Phu Quoc, the pace slows down. You feel the gentle breeze, and an instant sense of relaxation envelops you—and that’s exactly the point.
Where We Stayed: Melia Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a small island in Vietnam, but when it comes to accommodation, it offers everything from budget-friendly guesthouses to mid-range hotels and world-class luxury resorts. I traveled with my family, which included four adults and one child under 12 years.
We stayed at Melia Vin Pearl, located in the northern region of the island, about an hour's drive from the airport. I must say, Melia set the tone for our entire trip.
The resort is beautifully designed—lush, spacious, and elegantly understated. We booked a three-bedroom villa with a private pool, something we had longed for during our vacation. It was the highlight we were all looking forward to.
Our mornings began with the soothing sound of the ocean, and our evenings were spent watching the sky transform into colors I’m fairly certain don’t exist anywhere else in the world. The service was warm and attentive without being intrusive—a balance that not every luxury property manages to achieve.
The pool areas are stunning, beach access is easy, and the food on the property is worth exploring. The resort features various restaurants, multiple pool areas, a separate spa, and kids' play areas with dedicated caretakers and activity plans.
I loved everything about Melia. However, I did struggle to find good Indian food. As an Indian, I enjoy a variety of cuisines, but after a day or two, I crave comforting Indian dishes. While Melia offered some Indian options, they didn’t quite hit the mark for my palate. But aside from that, I would give the resort and its hospitality a perfect score.
From the airport pickup to the drop-off, everything screamed luxury.
Melia is conveniently located near amazing attractions like Vin Pearl Safari, Vin Wonders, Grand World, and Star Fish Beach. They also provide shuttle services to these destinations. Once you check into the hotel, you gain access to their app, where you can check shuttle schedules, order room service, request housekeeping, and even call for a buggy.
If you’re planning a trip to Phu Quoc and seeking a resort that balances luxury, comfort, and stunning surroundings, Melia is absolutely worth considering.
The Island at a Glance: What Makes Phu Quoc Special
Phu Quoc is a stunning beach destination known for its breathtaking sunsets, mesmerizing shows, a cable car over the sea, the iconic Sun World entertainment complex, and various entertainment options from the Vin group—and that’s just the beginning.
There’s honestly too much to look forward to, which can be both exciting and slightly overwhelming when planning a five-day itinerary.
Here’s my advice for anyone visiting for the first time: don’t try to do everything. Choose the experiences that resonate with you, slow down, and let the island breathe. Phu Quoc rewards a slower pace. It’s not the kind of destination that reveals its best when you’re rushing.
That said, here are the highlights that made my five days unforgettable.
What We Did: The Experiences Worth Every Moment
Sun World Phu Quoc
Sun World is an entertainment complex that genuinely has something for everyone—amusement rides, cultural performances, food, shopping, and the kind of spectacle that makes you feel like you’re inside a postcard. We spent a good chunk of one of our days here and still didn’t see everything. The sheer scale of it is impressive, and the atmosphere in the evenings is electric.
The Cable Car Over the Sea
One of the things Phu Quoc is famous for—and rightfully so—is its cable car, which stretches across the sea, connecting the main island to Hon Thom Island. It’s the longest non-stop cable car over the sea in the world, and the views from up there are breathtaking. You’ll find yourself reaching for your phone only to realize that no photo can do it justice.
The crossing takes about 15 minutes each way, and on a clear day, the turquoise water below and the horizon stretching in every direction is simply stunning. This is a must-do on any Phu Quoc itinerary.
The Beaches
Phu Quoc's beaches are exactly what you imagine when you think of a perfect beach. There are many beautiful beaches on the island, and you’ll need an entire day to enjoy their serenity. I didn’t manage to do this on my visit, but it’s definitely on my to-do list for my next trip to Phu Quoc.
The Streets and the Sunsets
Some of my best moments in Phu Quoc were the unplanned ones—wandering through the streets in the early evening as the golden light poured in, finding a cozy corner to watch the sun go down, and stumbling into charming shops or cafés. Phu Quoc has a relaxed, welcoming energy that’s easy to miss if you’re always rushing to the next big attraction.
The sunsets here are genuinely world-class. Set a reminder. Stop whatever you’re doing. Watch every single one.
Where I Ate: Casepia Phu Quoc
Food in Phu Quoc deserves its own spotlight—the island offers everything from fresh seafood markets to beautiful beachfront restaurants and international dining options. However, the meal that stands out in my memory is the one we had at Casepia Phu Quoc.
The restaurant is beautifully situated right next to the soothing water, adjacent to the cable car wires, providing the best view of Phu Quoc. We ordered burgers, fresh rolls, pasta, fries, and a bowl, and every single dish was exceptional. It was the kind of food that makes you pause mid-bite and look up, wanting to share the moment with whoever is across the table. It’s that good!
If you’re visiting Phu Quoc and wondering where to eat, make sure to add Casepia to your list. It’s the kind of place that makes an already beautiful trip feel even more special. The best part? They have multiple vegetarian options, which made it even more delightful for me.
Sunset Town: The Happiest Corner of Phu Quoc
If Phu Quoc has a heartbeat, it lives in Sunset Town.
There’s no other way to describe this place except bright, colorful, and completely alive. The moment you step into Sunset Town, something in your mood shifts—it’s the kind of place that makes you smile without knowing exactly why. The streets are lined with lights, the architecture is playful and European-inspired, and the energy is joyful in a way that feels genuine rather than manufactured for tourists.
Sunset Town is located on the southern tip of Phu Quoc and is part of the larger Vinpearl complex. It was designed to evoke the feeling of a romantic European coastal town, and it delivers beautifully—think pastel buildings, pretty bridges, cobblestone-style pathways, and countless photo opportunities. It’s a place where you don’t need a plan. Just wander, and the town rewards you for it.
The best time to visit is in the late afternoon, just as the sun begins to dip. The golden light hits the colorful facades in a way that feels almost cinematic, and the atmosphere transitions seamlessly from a leisurely evening stroll into the full energy of the nightly shows. As darkness falls, Sunset Town transforms—the lights come on, crowds gather, and the anticipation for the evening entertainment builds in the most delightful way.
Beyond the shows, Sunset Town has great food, cute shops, and plenty of spots to simply sit and soak it all in. It’s cheerful without being overwhelming, lively without being chaotic. Honestly, it’s one of those places that reminds you that travel at its best is not just about seeing things—it’s about feeling something.
The Highlight: Symphony of the Sea
And then there’s this.
Of everything we experienced in Phu Quoc—the resort, the beaches, the cable car, the food—nothing comes close to the Symphony of the Sea. Not even close.
It’s a water and fireworks show, but those words do absolutely no justice to what it truly is. Picture this: a perfectly choreographed performance where light, water, and fireworks move together like a piece of music you can see. The colors, the timing, the scale—it’s the kind of thing that makes you completely still. People stopped taking videos and just watched, and so did we.
I travel fairly often, and I can confidently say that Symphony of the Sea is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. It’s a moment you won’t forget. It reminds you why you travel in the first place—not for the photos, not for the content, but for the feeling of being completely present somewhere extraordinary.
If you go to Phu Quoc and do nothing else, make sure to see this show. You’ll thank yourself.
Kiss of the Sea: Where Art Meets the Ocean
After the fireworks, there’s a show that concludes the evening—Kiss of the Sea is in a category entirely of its own.
Located in the heart of Sunset Town, Kiss of the Sea is the world’s largest multimedia water show, and from the moment it begins, you understand why it holds that title. This isn’t just a performance—it’s an experience that pulls you in completely. Fire, water, laser lights, music, and choreography from international artists come together on a massive water screen to tell a fantasy love story that transcends space and time. The storyline carries a beautiful message about protecting nature and the power of love, woven through the performance in a genuinely moving way.
What makes Kiss of the Sea so special is how it engages every single sense. The music swells, the fire leaps, and the water becomes a canvas—and somehow, all of it works together seamlessly. You find yourself leaning forward without realizing it. The show runs nightly starting at 9:00 PM, and I strongly recommend arriving early to find a good spot and soak in the atmosphere of Sunset Town before it begins.
A beautiful detail worth mentioning: right next to the show is the iconic Kiss Bridge—a stunning architectural masterpiece designed by renowned architect Marco Casamonti. The bridge’s two 400-meter branches extend into the sea but don’t quite touch, leaving a delicate 30cm gap. During sunset, the light falls perfectly between the two sides, creating a scene that is almost surreal in its beauty. Walk it before the show begins—the combination of the golden hour light and the anticipation of the evening ahead is something you won’t forget.
Kiss of the Sea and Symphony of the Sea together form what I can only describe as the most spectacular evening entertainment I’ve ever experienced at a travel destination. They differ in tone—Kiss of the Sea is intimate and artistic, while Symphony of the Sea is grand and exhilarating—but together, they make Sunset Town feel like nowhere else on earth.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Here are a few things worth knowing before you book your trip:
Best Time to Visit
November to March is peak season—dry, sunny, and perfect beach weather. I went at the end of November, transitioning into December, and the weather was beautiful—warm without being oppressive, with clear skies and calm seas.
How Long to Stay
Five days is a good amount of time to see the main highlights without rushing. You could easily fill seven days if you prefer a more relaxed pace. We took it slow, which is why we couldn’t cover a few attractions.
Getting Around
Grab and local taxis are easy to find. If you’re feeling adventurous, renting a scooter is a great way to explore the quieter parts of the island.
Currency
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the local currency. Cash is useful for smaller purchases and markets, though most hotels and restaurants accept cards.
Language
English is widely spoken in tourist areas. A few basic Vietnamese phrases go a long way and are always appreciated. Keep the Google Translate app handy.
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Back?
Without a second thought.
Phu Quoc is one of those rare destinations that delivers on every promise—beauty, warmth, incredible food, world-class entertainment, and that specific kind of peace that only a great beach holiday can provide. It’s accessible, stunning, and has a way of making you feel like the world has slowed down just enough for you to enjoy being in it.
Whether you’re traveling with family, a partner, or on a solo adventure, Phu Quoc will meet you exactly where you are. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on a night when the Symphony of the Sea is playing—well, that moment belongs to you.
Go. You won’t regret it.
Have you been to Phu Quoc? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. And if you’re planning a trip, feel free to drop any questions—I’m happy to help.
Love,
Shriya!
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