Many young travel bloggers around the world have recommended Phu Quoc island in Vietnam’s Kien Giang province, nicknamed as the ‘Pearl Island’, as a place that tourists must visit once in their lifetime. Irish publisher International Living also named Phu Quoc Island among the world's 15 best islands to retire.
Phu Quoc has may beautiful beaches with white sand and inviting turquoise waters
International recognition
In March 2019, CNN Travel published an article entitled ‘Best places to visit for the ultimate Asia experience’, in which author Kate Springer described Phu Quoc as home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia - not to mention the world's longest oversea cable car.
“Whether you stay on more developed Phu Quoc Island or ultra-remote Hon Xuong, the region promises island hopping, snorkeling, diving, sandy shores and more,” she wrote.
In another article in July 2019, Kate Springer also made suggestions for her readers on things to do in Phu Quoc, a destination of endless discovery.
The article also quoted Anna Nguyen, a local expert who works with travel experience platform Klook, “I grew up on the island and it's changed a lot in the past 10 years but retained its natural beauty”.
“Many people come for a weekend getaway, since it's a quick flight from Ho Chi Minh City, but there's so much to do; you can live here your whole life like me and still be exploring,” Anna Nguyen told CNN Travel.
Phu Quoc is home to the world's longest non-stop three-rope cable car.
In addition to CNN, the Pearl Island has been honoured by many world leading travel newspapers. The UK newspaper The Telegraph and the US magazine Forbes in 2017 described the island as a hidden gem of the Far East. In 2019, Forbes placed Phu Quoc in its top 6 most beautiful beach destinations in the world while CNN listed the island among the best 17 travel destinations in Asia.
Recently, Phu Quoc was ranked in the list of the top 10 destinations for tourists' vacations by TripAdvisor travel site and the Traveloka travel booking app.
An abundant experience for young people
Among the best things to do in Phu Quoc, CNN suggested visitors dine at Ham Ninh fishing village; go kayaking on the Cua Can River; go trekking in Phu Quoc National Park; take a tour to local farms cultivating bees, pearls, and peepers; visit a fish sauce factory; and catch an unforgettable sunset.
“Sunsets are amazing on our island. Some days it's violet, some days it's orange, some days it's yellow -- even if you stay for a month, you will never grow tired of it,” says Anna Nguyen.
Glorious sunset on Phu Quoc island
And after the sun goes down, squid fishing or heading to the night market is an unforgettable way to spend a night out on the island. Visitors to the local night market can find stomping ground for food obsessives with dozens of food stalls, aromatic grills and outdoor tables, as well as excellent gourmet souvenirs, including black pepper, coffee, tea leaves, peanuts, chocolate and more.
Riding the cable car is another impressive experience for tourists to Phu Quoc as “it's hard to argue with the stellar views aboard the Phu Quoc Cable Car,” according to Kate Springer.
Over the past two years, the southern area of Phu Quoc island has been developed into a new focus of excitement and surprising discoveries.
Thu Trang, a young tourist from Hanoi, said Phu Quoc is a place she could never get bored of. Trang even plans to settle down on the island because she finds the life there so attractive.
As a freelancer, she decided to discover Phu Quoc by renting a homestay and stay there for a month to get away from COVID-19. The homestay is located in the south of the island, where life is quite busy with services, delicious food, and affordable prices.
An ideal destination for retirees
Phu Quoc is among world's 15 best islands to retire in 2021
Phu Quoc not only offers young people generous options but it is also an ideal place for the elderly. Recently, The International Living publishing company voted Phu Quoc in the top 15 best islands to retire in 2021.
The island is much loved by retirees thanks to its “low cost of living, rich culture and history, and variety of urban to rural areas to live.”
"It’s appealing to retirees for its many beaches and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in tropical weather," the company said.
The island has everything the elderly need for a retirement life: fresh air, getting away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and favourable weather conditions, which are especially good for their health.
Living space in the south area of Phu Quoc can bring retirees peaceful moments such as walking on the beach in the morning, exercising in the afternoon at Seta Park in the New An Thoi urban area and visiting pagodas and historical sites.
