Lonely Planet vacation spot editor, James Pham, lately traveled to Phu Quoc, an island off Vietnam’s southern coast. Right here, he shares some ideas and insights for anybody planning an analogous journey.
Commercial
Seeking to escape the scorching Saigon warmth, I booked a one-hour flight to the island of Phu Quoc. Situated within the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam’s largest island has actually taken off as a premier seaside vacation spot within the final decade or so, due to its 150km (93 miles) of shoreline, visa waiver for all nationalities and a plethora of vacationer sights.
The place did you keep? What was the vibe?
Whereas many of the motels are round the primary city of Duong Dong, I wished to remain on the southern tip of the island, a jumping-off level to the smaller islands. I additionally wished to take a look at the newly developed Sundown City, intriguingly impressed by Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Having vacationed on the precise Amalfi Coast only a few months prior, I’ve to confess that I wished to hate the idea (c’mon, a slice of Italy reproduced in tropical Vietnam?) however I discovered myself tremendous stunned on the genuine vibe. It was simple to droop perception strolling alongside the cobblestone streets amongst pastel-colored homes with their terracotta tile roofs and blooming bougainvillea.
I spent a number of days at La Festa Phu Quoc, Southeast Asia’s first addition to the Curio Assortment by Hilton. Taking a web page straight from the Med, the property was nothing wanting surreal with its hovering clock tower, arched ceilings and glowing infinity pool overlooking the ocean under. I additionally cherished that there have been so many leisure choices close by, together with the cable automobile to Hon Thom Island in addition to the harbor the place boats departed for island-hopping excursions.
Leaving pseudo-Europe behind, I traded in a single surreal expertise for one more on the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. Designed by acclaimed architect Invoice Bensley, the design-forward resort has its personal distinctive origin story – a fictional Nineteenth-century college the place every constructing is themed after a unique educational division (suppose a foyer with classic bookcases modeled after a dean’s library, and a bar with a chemistry lab vibe, all wrapped in artwork deco aesthetics). It’s nirvana for design aficionados (and the Insta-crowd), a visible feast actually in all places you look. However equally gorgeous is its location, tucked on the very finish of Kem Seaside, extensively thought of the island’s most lovely, with powdery superb sand, swaying palms and crystalline water.
Commercial
Favourite exercise from the journey?
Whereas I’d been on snorkeling journeys to a couple of Phu Quoc’s almost two dozen islands, I’d but to take the cable automobile over to Hon Thom (Pineapple Island). Acknowledged by Guinness World Data because the world’s longest continuous three-rope cable automobile, the almost 8km (5-mile) journey gives spectacular views, passing over fleets of fishing boats, forested islands and an exquisite expanse of electrical blue water.
On the finish of the almost 20-minute scenic journey is Solar World Hon Thom, an amusement park with 20 water slides, a heart-pounding picket curler coaster, seaside space, statement deck and extra. I used to be additionally excited to attempt one other new expertise: sea strolling amidst the colourful coral and colleges of fish within the waters which can be a part of a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. Better of all, a family-friendly day right here is tremendous reasonably priced at simply 1,000,000d ($39) for adults and $26 for teenagers for the cable automobile journey, park entrance and buffet lunch.
What’s the one factor that you just didn’t anticipate?
I wasn’t anticipating to have so many choices for issues to do at night time. Previously, going out meant an costly taxi journey to the primary city. However proper in Sundown City, there was a day by day Jet Ski and flyboard present in addition to free water puppet reveals by the seaside.
One thing else that floored me was the world-class manufacturing values of Kiss of the Sea, a splendidly weird multisensory spectacle that’s a mixture of dazzling pyrotechnics, Cirque du Soleil–model acrobatics, and sound and lights projected in opposition to curtains of falling water in a futuristic venue proper over the ocean. The present concluded with an exciting fireworks show (additionally viewable from the city), after which we made our manner over to the full of life night time market with its budget-friendly avenue meals stalls and free avenue artwork performances.
What was one of the best factor you ate?
Whereas Phu Quoc has contemporary seafood and produces world-class fish sauce and peppercorns, my most memorable meal was truly French superb eating at Pink Pearl. Persevering with the theme of incongruity, I wasn’t anticipating among the finest meals I’ve ever loved, together with Japanese wagyu and French scallops, to be served on this small tropical island. The artfully offered meals was enhanced by the everything-pink setting, from servers in sequined flapper clothes to the mad-genius decor (suppose a shell-encrusted flamingo, an odd-looking penguin, a stuffed peacock and a larger-than-life white owl – issues that positively shouldn’t work collectively however one way or the other do), all below a hovering ceiling and accompanied by a pianist and violinist.
What are a few of your finest ideas for somebody who needs to plan the identical journey?
If that is your first time to Phu Quoc, take into consideration splitting your time between the primary city of Duong Dong with its enjoyable night time market and vibrant restaurant scene and the postcard-pretty seashores to the south together with Kem Seaside and neighboring Sao Seaside (common with day trippers on island excursions). That manner, you’ll get a style of native island life in addition to a extra relaxed beach-centric getaway. For a extra wallet-friendly journey, try a few of the mini motels in Sundown City or search for offers that bundle lodging along with actions like Kiss of the Sea and a time out on Hon Thom Island.
James Pham traveled to Phu Quoc on the invitation of Solar Group. Lonely Planet doesn’t settle for freebies in alternate for constructive protection.
