Hanoi (VNA) – Snorkeling trip, taking the cable car over Hon Thom, and sea walking amidst the colourful coral and schools of fish are among top picks for those who choose Phu Quoc island, off the coast of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, as their escape, according to travel guide book Lonely Planet.
James Pham, its editor, recently shared some tops and insights for anyone planning a trip to the largest island of Vietnam.
He said Phu Quoc has really taken off as a premier beach destination in the last decade thanks to its 150-kilometre of coastline, visa waive for all nationalities, and a plethora of tourist attractions.
“Surreal” accommodations
While most of the hotels are around the main town of Duong Dong, James Pham wanted to stay on the southern tip of the island, a jumping-off point to the smaller islands, and he found himself super surprised at the accommodations in the newly-developed Sunset Town.
He spent a few days at La Festa Phu Quoc, Southeast Asia’s first addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton. Taking a page straight from the Mediterranean, the property boasts a soaring clock tower, arched ceilings and sparkling infinity pool overlooking the ocean below.
That there are so many entertainment options nearby, including the cable car to Hon Thom island as well as the harbor where boats depart for island-hopping tours makes him love the place a lot.
He then left the pseudo-Europe behind for another surreal experience at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort which, he said, a paradise for architecture aficionados and Insta-crowd.
Designed by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, the design-forward resort has its own unique origin story – a fictional 19th-century university where each building is themed after a different academic department. However, with James Pham, the most stunning is its location, tucked on the very end of Kem beach which is seen as the island’s most beautiful with powder fine sand, swaying palm and crystalline water.
Taking the cable car – the most favourite experience
James Pham described taking the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car to Hon Thom as the most interesting experience in Phu Quoc. The nearly 8km trip offers spectacular views, passing over fleets of fishing boats, forested islands and a beautiful expanse of electric blue water.
The 20-minute ride take visitors to Sun World Hon Thom, an amusement theme park with 20 water slides, a heart-pounding wooden roller coaster, beach area, observation deck and many more. James said he was excited to try new experience like sea walking.
Best of all, a family-friendly day there is super affordable at just 900,000 VND (35.6 USD) for adults and 650,000 VND for kids for the cable car, park entrance and buffet lunch.
“Unexpected” experience
James Pham said he was not expecting to have so many options to do at night. He had thought that going out mean a taxi ride to Duong Dong town. However, Sunset Town now offers a Vietnamese puppetry show at A Oi, the first puppetry theatre by the sea in the country, and various enthralling art programmes.
“Kiss of the Sea” show really made him wowed. The wonderfully bizarre multisensory spectacle is a mix of dazzling pyrotechnics, Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics, and sound and lights projected against curtains of falling water in a futuristic venue right over the sea.
A thrilling fireworks display following the show, and a vibrant night market with budget-friendly street food stalls and free street art performances also amazed James Pham.
He said his most memorable meal was French fine dining at Pink Pearl restaurant at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. His dinner with Japanese wagyu and French scallops was the best meal he ever enjoyed. The artfully presented food was enhanced by the everything-pink setting, from servers in sequined flapper dresses to the mad-genius decor, all under a soaring ceiling and accompanied by a pianist and violinist.
James Pham suggested first-time travellers to Phu Quoc split their time between vibrant Duong Dong to get a taste of local island life, and southern area to immerse themselves in picturesque beaches like Kem and Sao.
For a more wallet-friendship trip, he advised them to check out several mini hotels in Sunset Town, and look for deals that include accommodations and activities such as Kiss of the Sea and a day out on Hon Thom./.
