Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Cruises from-to Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island and one of the brightest pearls of the Gulf of Thailand. This tropical island is appearing more and more often on the itineraries of cruise liners exploring Southeast Asia. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, closer to the coast of Cambodia than to mainland Vietnam, Phu Quoc was, until recently, a quiet fishing corner, and today it has grown into a resort island with special economic zone status. Here, the dense tropical forests of the national park border pristine white beaches, old fish-sauce factories stand alongside modern hotel complexes, and the unhurried life of fishing villages meets the world's longest over-sea cable car. 
For a cruise traveller, Phu Quoc is a port of call — the ship stops here for a few hours as part of a wider Southeast Asian itinerary, most often pairing the island with calls in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The new international cruise terminal, brought into service in early 2025, can already accommodate Oasis-class ships up to 360 metres long, and premium and luxury cruise brands are increasingly adding the island to their itineraries. 🚢

📋 Before setting off on a cruise to Phu Quoc, or stepping ashore for a few hours in port, here's what matters most:
🇻🇳 Country: Vietnam
📍 Region: Phu Quoc Special Zone, part of An Giang Province (before the July 2025 administrative reform, the island belonged to Kien Giang Province)
👥 Population: around 180,000 residents (per the 2020 census; the population is growing amid active tourism construction)
📐 Area: about 589 km² (Vietnam's largest island)
🗣️ Languages: Vietnamese (official); English is spoken in hotels and the tourist area
💶 Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
🕐 Time zone: ICT (UTC+7), with no daylight-saving changes — year-round it is 4–5 hours ahead of Kyiv time, depending on the season
☀️ Climate: sub-equatorial monsoon climate, with a dry season from December to March (the best time for a beach holiday) and a rainy season from April to November
✈️ Nearest airport: Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) — 10–12 km from central Duong Dong and the cruise port
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Phu Quoc International Cruise Port
🗺️ Port area: about 180 hectares, including 2.8 hectares of land

🏛️ The history of Phu Quoc — from fishing island to resort zone
⏳ An island at the crossroads of sea routes
The history of Phu Quoc is closely tied to the trade routes of the Gulf of Thailand. The earliest written mentions of the island, found in Cambodian sources, date back to 1615, although no solid evidence of sustained Khmer settlement has survived. Around 1680, the island became part of the Principality of Ha Tien under Mac Cuu — a Chinese settler who united the surrounding lands into a semi-autonomous domain.
In the second half of the 18th century, the French missionary Pigneau de Behaine used Phu Quoc as a military base during the struggle for the Vietnamese throne, and later, once the Principality of Ha Tien recognised the supremacy of the Nguyen dynasty, the island was firmly established as Vietnamese territory. In 1939, Jules Brévié, Governor-General of French Indochina, set the maritime border that still defines the island's status as Vietnamese territory today, despite its geographic proximity to Cambodia.
⚔️ A dramatic 20th century and a modern boom
The darkest chapter in the island's history is the period from 1953 to 1975, when it hosted South Vietnam's largest prisoner-of-war camp, known as the “Phu Quoc Prison”: by 1973, as many as 40,000 prisoners had passed through it. Today the former prison has been turned into a memorial museum that reminds visitors of this tragic chapter.
For a long time the island lived on fishing, black pepper cultivation and the production of traditional nuoc mam fish sauce, which the Vietnamese unanimously regard as the country's finest. The real turning point for Phu Quoc came after 2012, when the international airport opened, and from 2014 foreign tourists gained the right to visa-free entry for up to 30 days. In 2020 the island gained city status within Kien Giang Province, and on 1 July 2025, following Vietnam's sweeping administrative reform, it acquired the unique status of a special economic zone (“dac khu”) within the newly formed An Giang Province — the only such zone in the country. 🌴

⚓ The cruise port of Phu Quoc — a new gateway to Southeast Asia
📊 Scale and structure of the port
The modern Phu Quoc International Cruise Port is located near the town of Duong Dong, the island's administrative centre. It is a relatively young facility: construction ran from 2015 to 2025, with total investment of around VND 1.64 trillion (roughly USD 69 million). The 180-hectare complex includes a 409-metre berth, an 850-metre breakwater, a one-kilometre access bridge, a yacht marina, a shipping channel and a turning basin.
The berth is designed to accommodate Oasis-class ships up to 360 metres long, 66 metres wide and with a 9.3-metre draft — that is, vessels of up to 225,000 GT carrying 5,000–6,000 passengers. Before the new berth came into service, large liners mostly anchored offshore near Duong Dong, with passengers ferried ashore by tender boats; the terminal now allows a significant share of ships to dock directly alongside the pier. ⚓

🚢 How many liners the port can handle
The port of Phu Quoc is not yet among the world's busiest cruise harbours, but its capacity is designed to receive five-star liners carrying 3,000–4,000 tourists at a time. The island is increasingly being included in regional Southeast Asian itineraries as a port of call, with stays typically lasting 8–10 hours.

🏢 Which cruise lines call at Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is called at by liners from premium and luxury cruise brands charting routes across Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore, including Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Azamara and other expedition and luxury-segment operators. As the new terminal develops, the number of calls by large liners is expected to grow gradually. 🌏

💡 Interesting facts about Phu Quoc and its port
Getting to know the island is richer with a few lesser-known details:
🚡 The world's longest over-sea cable car, Hon Thom, stretches above Phu Quoc — it links the island to the Hon Thom archipelago and runs for about 8 kilometres.
🐕 Phu Quoc is home to the unique Phu Quoc Ridgeback, Vietnam's only indigenous dog breed, recognisable by the distinctive ridge of hair along its spine; the breed is regarded as a national treasure of the island.
🐟 It is on Phu Quoc that the famous nuoc mam fish sauce (nước mắm) is produced, considered the benchmark throughout Vietnam — the wooden-barrel ageing technique has remained unchanged for decades.
🌳 Almost half the island's area (336.57 km²) is occupied by Phu Quoc National Park, established in 2001 to protect its tropical forests and rare species of flora and fauna.
🏝️ Geographically, Phu Quoc sits much closer to the coast of Cambodia than to mainland Vietnam, which for decades made it the subject of territorial disputes between the two countries.
🏛️ On 1 July 2025, Phu Quoc became Vietnam's first, and so far only, special economic zone — a status that grants the island extended autonomy over land management, construction and investment.
🕊️ The former Phu Quoc Prison, where tens of thousands of prisoners of war were held during the war, has today been turned into a memorial museum — an important place of remembrance for the island's dramatic history.
🦐 The island's coastal waters are among the richest fishing grounds in the Gulf of Thailand, which is why fishing remains a traditional occupation for local communities.

📍 Phu Quoc's main sights — must-sees for cruise travellers
A cruise ship's stay in Phu Quoc usually lasts 8 to 10 hours, so it's worth planning a route in advance. A detailed list with photos, addresses and opening hours can be found in the “Sights and Points of Interest” section; below is a brief overview of the landmark spots that shape the island's character.
🏖️ Long Beach (Bai Truong) — the island's longest beach, with fine white sand and sunset views, Phu Quoc's main resort area.
🚡 Hon Thom Cable Car — the world's longest over-sea cable car, leading to the Sun World Hon Thom entertainment complex on the island of the same name.
🏯 Dinh Cau — a small rock temple and lighthouse at the entrance to Duong Dong harbour, one of the island's most recognisable landmarks.
🌙 Phu Quoc Night Market — a lively seafood and souvenir market in the centre of Duong Dong, an ideal spot for an evening stroll and a taste of local cuisine.
🐟 Fish sauce production — traditional nuoc mam factories where visitors are shown the full process behind Vietnam's famous sauce.
🌲 Phu Quoc National Park — tropical forests, waterfalls (including Tranh) and ecotourism trails in the island's central and northern areas.
🕯️ Phu Quoc Prison — a memorial museum on the site of the former prisoner-of-war camp, an important chapter in the history of the Vietnam War.
⛩️ Ho Quoc Pagoda — one of Vietnam's largest Buddhist temple complexes, with a scenic terrace overlooking the sea.

✨ Why choose a cruise from/to Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is an island increasingly making its mark on the map of cruise Asia.
First, it offers convenient logistics: the international airport, just 10–12 minutes from the centre, receives direct flights from many Asian cities. ✈️
Second, it combines nature and infrastructure: tropical beaches, a national park and waterfalls sit alongside modern hotels, entertainment complexes and the world's longest cable car. 🌊
Third, it offers authenticity: the island lets you experience the flavour of traditional Vietnam — fishing villages, fish sauce production and black pepper plantations — right alongside resort comfort. 🌶️

The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you choose the optimal Southeast Asian itinerary with a call at Phu Quoc, take care of transfer and visa details, and offer exclusive rates from the leading cruise brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general reference and is accurate as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without prior notice. For up-to-date information, please contact a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or check the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises from the Professionals

How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc — Vietnam's largest island — only recently, in February 2025, got its own international-standard cruise terminal. Unlike many Mediterranean ports with centuries of experience welcoming liners, everything here is brand new: the berth, the terminal, the access roads. This means the island's infrastructure is still «catching up» with its new status as a cruise destination, and the logistics of getting from the airport or your hotel to the gangway have a few quirks of their own. Below is a verified step-by-step guide covering every transfer option, current prices in Vietnamese dong (VND), and tips from the Four Gates Group cruise specialists. 🎯

📍 Exactly Where Is the Phu Quoc Cruise Port
The terminal's official name is Cảng hành khách quốc tế Phú Quốc (Phu Quoc International Passenger Port). It is located on the western side of the island, on Tran Phu Street in the Duong Dong urban area — that is, right next to the town's historic centre, rather than in an industrial zone on the outskirts, as is often the case in other ports.
📌 GPS/taxi address: đường Trần Phú, phường Dương Đông, thành phố Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang (Tran Phu Street, Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province)
🚶 Distance to central Duong Dong (night market, Dinh Cau lighthouse): about 5 km
✈️ Distance to the airport: about 10 km

The terminal was built over more than 10 years (2015–2025) and was officially brought into operation in February 2025, right in the middle of the Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year) holiday season. The berth line, more than 400 metres long and protected by an 850-metre breakwater, can accommodate ocean liners of up to 225,000 GT (that is, Oasis- or World-class ships). The passenger terminal, covering roughly 1,950 m², is designed to handle 5,000–6,000 passengers at a time, and the adjacent area includes a car park of more than 2 hectares.
⚓ The first international liner — AIDAstella (an AIDA Cruises ship registered under the Italian flag) — arrived at the new port on 14 February 2025, carrying 2,130 passengers and 620 crew members. The same season also saw a call by Costa Serena. Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corporation and MSC Cruises are all currently planning routes through Phu Quoc. ✨
❗ Important: since the terminal is new and still handles a limited number of calls per month, always double-check the exact boarding time and location in your cruise voucher, and confirm the details with your cruise specialist 48–72 hours before arrival.

✈️ From Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) to the Cruise Terminal
Phu Quoc's international airport is located in the Duong To area, 10–14 km from the cruise port (depending on the route and the exact point in the port you're heading to). It is the island's only airport, receiving both domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Can Tho, and international flights from Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and other Asian hubs. The journey takes 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the mode of transport and traffic.

🚕 Taxi — the fastest and most convenient option
Official taxis from several operators are always waiting at the airport terminal exit.
• Journey time: 20–25 minutes
• Approximate cost: around 180,000–220,000 VND (flag-drop fee plus a per-kilometre rate averaging 13,000–16,500 VND/km)
• Main operators: Green SM (Xanh SM, electric taxi, tel. 1900 2088), Mai Linh (tel. 0297 3 97 97 97), Nam Thắng (tel. 02973 651 666), An Thới Taxi (tel. 0773 27 28 29)
• Payment: cash (VND) or card — check with your individual driver
💡 Four Gates tip: as soon as you get in the taxi, tell the driver «Cảng hành khách quốc tế, đường Trần Phú» — that way he'll immediately understand you need the new cruise terminal, not the Bai Vong ferry pier on the other side of the island.

📱 Grab — a handy alternative to taxis
The Grab app operates actively on Phu Quoc and lets you see the approximate fare before you book.
• Cost: typically 150,000–200,000 VND, depending on time of day and demand
• Payment: in-app card or cash to the driver
• Advantage: a fixed price is shown before the trip, so there's no need to negotiate

🚐 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
If you're travelling with family, a group, or a lot of luggage, a private transfer is the best choice. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, helps with your suitcases, and takes you straight to the gangway.
• Journey time: 20–25 minutes
• Advantages: fixed price, English-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no queueing
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — just provide your flight number when booking your cruise.

🚌 Bus route No. 11 — the budget option
A public bus runs from the airport to central Duong Dong.
• Terminus: 126 Nguyễn Trung Trực Street, Duong Dong (from there it's still about 5 km to the port by taxi or motorbike)
• Cost: around 20,000–50,000 VND
• Frequency: every 20–30 minutes
• Journey time: 45 minutes to 1 hour (including the connection to the port)
⚠️ Important: there is no direct bus from the airport to the cruise terminal, so this option is inconvenient with heavy luggage — only recommended if you're not in a hurry.

🛵 Xe ôm (motorbike taxi) — for a single passenger with minimal luggage
• Cost: 60,000–80,000 VND
• Journey time: 20–25 minutes
• Agree on the price before the ride begins

⛴️ For Guests Arriving from Mainland Vietnam
If your trip doesn't start with a flight to Phu Quoc's airport but with a high-speed ferry from Ha Tien or Rach Gia, keep in mind: ferries don't arrive at the cruise terminal, but at a separate pier called Bai Vong on the island's east coast — a completely different location, 25–30 km from the cruise port in Duong Dong. From there, the only way to reach the cruise terminal is by taxi or private transfer, taking roughly 35–45 minutes.
⚠️ Don't mix up the piers: Bai Vong only handles ferries to/from the mainland, not cruise liners. When booking transport, always confirm the exact terminal name with your navigation app or driver: the cruise port is «Cảng hành khách quốc tế» on Tran Phu Street.

🏙️ From Central Duong Dong and Hotels to the Cruise Terminal
If you've spent a night or a few days at a hotel on the island, getting to the port couldn't be simpler — it's located practically within the town itself.

🚕 Taxi from your hotel — 50,000–90,000 VND depending on the area and the operator. Journey time is 10–15 minutes from most hotels in central Duong Dong.

📱 Grab — similar pricing, convenient for booking ahead with a fixed in-app fare.

🛵 Motorbike rental — a popular way to get around the island.
• Rental cost: 120,000–200,000 VND per day
• A car park of more than 2 hectares is available right next to the terminal
• Only practical for those travelling to boarding independently, without much luggage

🚶 On foot from the Duong Dong waterfront — theoretically possible (about 5 km, 50–60 minutes), but not recommended with suitcases or in hot weather. This distance is better suited to a short seaside stroll than a transfer with luggage.

🚗 By Private or Rental Car — Parking Near the Port
A car park of more than 2 hectares is available right on the new terminal's grounds, designed for cars and transfer-company buses. Since the terminal only opened recently, no dedicated commercial parking operator with a fixed hourly rate has been officially announced yet — we recommend confirming entry conditions and parking fees directly on the day of arrival, or through your cruise specialist.
🛣️ Route for your navigation app: from the airport and most hotel areas, the most convenient way to the port is via Trần Hưng Đạo Street, coming out onto the Trần Phú waterfront in the Duong Dong area.

♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
The terminal was built in 2025 to modern construction standards, so it is essentially designed with lifts and ramps for visitors with reduced mobility. That said, since the facility is relatively new and specialised infrastructure (dedicated taxis, detailed guidance for wheelchair users) is not yet as developed as at ports with decades of cruise experience, we strongly recommend:
✅ informing your cruise line of any special needs in advance, at the time of booking;
✅ arranging a private transfer with suitable vehicles through your cruise specialist;
✅ checking the terminal's current accessibility status shortly before your trip, since the island's infrastructure is developing rapidly.

⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Since Phu Quoc is a relatively new cruise destination, each cruise line sets its own boarding procedures. General practice for ports of this type covers two scenarios:

🕐 If Phu Quoc is a port of call (the ship is docked here for a few hours as part of a longer itinerary): it's enough to be back on board 60–90 minutes before the announced departure time. The exact «all aboard» deadline is always shown on your boarding pass or announced by the crew when you go ashore.
🕐 If Phu Quoc is an embarkation or disembarkation port (the start or end of your cruise): terminal check-in typically opens 3–4 hours before the ship departs, with a boarding deadline 60–90 minutes before sailing. We recommend arriving at the terminal within the time window stated on your boarding pass to avoid queues.
❗ All Four Gates Group vouchers include the exact boarding time and format for your specific cruise.

💡 Insider Tips from Four Gates Group Experts
Drawing on our experience with new Asian destinations, our cruise specialists have gathered a few tips worth keeping in mind specifically for Phu Quoc:

📶 Download an offline map in advance. Google Maps covers the island reasonably well, but mobile internet can be patchy in some areas — an offline map will save you unnecessary stress.

💵 Carry cash in Vietnamese dong. While Grab and larger hotels accept cards, taxi and motorbike-taxi drivers on the island often prefer cash.

🗺️ Don't confuse the island's ports. Phu Quoc has at least two passenger terminals — the new cruise port in Duong Dong and the Bai Vong ferry pier on the island's east side. Always confirm the full name and address when booking transport.

🚕 Book your transfer in advance. The number of official taxis at the airport is limited, especially during peak arrival times for charter flights — a pre-confirmed transfer guarantees you won't have to wait.

🌅 Build extra time into your day. Since both the terminal and the island's infrastructure are still developing, add an extra 20–30 minutes to the estimated travel times — it will help you avoid missing boarding.

☀️ Sun protection is a must. Unlike European ports, it's hot and humid here year-round — a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen will come in handy even for a short transfer.

📞 Contacts for the Cruise Port and Phu Quoc Services
Phu Quoc tourist hotline: 1900 1720
Green SM (Xanh SM, electric taxi): 1900 2088
Taxi Mai Linh Phú Quốc: 0297 3 97 97 97
Taxi Nam Thắng: 02973 651 666
An Thới Taxi: 0773 27 28 29
Vietnam emergency services: police — 113, fire brigade — 114, ambulance — 115
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients): +38 097 653 05 53

Phu Quoc is only just beginning its journey as a cruise destination, so the logistics here differ somewhat from the routes of the Mediterranean, refined over decades. That's exactly why it matters to have a partner who keeps track of the island's evolving infrastructure and prepares a verified route for you in advance. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group support clients at every stage: from choosing the best flight to Phu Quoc to arranging a private transfer with a name sign in the arrivals hall. Get in touch with our manager — and your cruise through Phu Quoc will go off without a single extra worry. 🛳️✨

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general reference and is accurate as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice — especially given that the Phu Quoc cruise terminal is a new facility whose infrastructure continues to develop. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

Phu Quoc Landmarks and Places: A Complete Guide for Cruise Travelers

Phu Quoc — Vietnam's largest island, and it's impossible to see everything in a single call: the island is home to the world's longest three-rope cable car over the sea, the country's largest safari park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and pine-fringed beaches of powder-white sand. The island stretches almost 50 kilometers from north to south, so a cruise passenger with an 8–10-hour port call should set priorities in advance: the north is home to the Vinpearl and Sun Group entertainment megacomplexes, the south to historical landmarks, the underwater world, and the best beaches, while the center, around the town of Duong Dong, offers the authentic flavor of a fishing island. Below is a verified guide to Phu Quoc's key locations, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours, and directions from the cruise port to every site. 🎯

🦁 1. Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Vinpearl Safari is Vietnam's largest wildlife conservation park and the island's only park built on the semi-wild animal-keeping principle. 🔹 It is home to more than 150 animal species from every continent — from African lions and giraffes to Bengal tigers and rhinos. 🦒
🔹 The park is divided into two zones: the Safari Park, where a special bus drives visitors right among freely roaming animals, and the Open Zoo, with walking trails and enclosures.
🔹 Animal shows run daily, and in the evening a separate Night Safari programme lets visitors observe nocturnal predators.
🔹 Vinpearl Safari is part of the giant Phu Quoc United Center tourism cluster on Bai Dai beach, which also includes Grand World and the Vinpearl hotel chain.

📜 History:
The park opened in July 2015, based on the semi-wild keeping concept borrowed from the world's leading safari parks. Since opening, the animal collection has been steadily expanded through exchange programmes with foreign zoos and the park's own breeding programmes for rare species, including rhinos and Grevy's zebras.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 25–30 minutes, approximately 280,000–320,000 VND one way. Address: Bãi Dài, Gành Dầu, Đặc khu Phú Quốc
• VinBus (electric bus): routes №17, №19 or №20 run from Duong Dong to the GrandWorld stop, from where it's a 5–10-minute walk or a free internal shuttle to the Safari entrance. Fare 20,000–50,000 VND

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Vinpearl Safari only: 850,000 VND (adults 140 cm+), 650,000 VND (children 100–140 cm and seniors 60+)
• Safari + VinWonders combo (1 day): 1,500,000 / 1,100,000 VND
• Safari + VinWonders + Grand World combo (2 days): 1,700,000 / 1,300,000 VND
• Children under 100 cm — free
• Opening hours: daily 09:00–16:00 (last entry at 15:00)
⚠️ Tip: book tickets online in advance on the official vinwonders.com website — it saves time and is usually cheaper than buying at the gate.

🚡 2. Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park (cable car to Hon Thom Island)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
The Hon Thom cable car is Phu Quoc's star record-holder and one of the most famous attractions in all of Vietnam. 🔹 Its length is about 7,900 metres, and the three-rope (3S) system holds the Guinness World Record as the world's longest cable car crossing over the sea.
🔹 The ride over the bay and the An Thoi archipelago takes 15–20 minutes and offers a panorama of dozens of small islets and a coral reef below. 🌊
🔹 At the terminal station on Hon Thom Island there is the Sun World amusement park, with the Aquatopia water park, an artificial beach, rides, and the Mediterranean-style evening town of Sunset Town.
🔹 Each cable car cabin holds 30 people — one of the highest passenger throughputs of any system of its kind in the world.

📜 History:
The cable car was built by the Austrian company Doppelmayr, the world leader in ropeway technology. The facility officially opened in February 2018, and within its first year of operation it entered the Guinness World Records. The cable car became part of Sun Group's large-scale development of Hon Thom Island and the An Thoi archipelago.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi to Anh Duong Station (An Thoi): 35–40 minutes, approximately 380,000–420,000 VND one way. Station address: An Thoi, Đặc khu Phú Quốc
• The departure station is at the very south of the island, so it's best combined with the Phu Quoc Prison and Sao Beach, which are nearby

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Round-trip cable car ticket: about 850,000 VND (adults), 700,000 VND (children 100–140 cm)
• Combo with buffet lunch: about 1,150,000 / 900,000 VND
• Children under 100 cm — free
• Cable car operating hours: 09:00–11:30 and 13:30–17:00 (midday break for maintenance)
• Aquatopia and beach area: 09:30–17:00
⚠️ Important: because of the midday maintenance break, plan your cable car ride for the morning or right after 13:30.

🎭 3. Grand World Phu Quoc (the «City That Never Sleeps»)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Grand World is a European-style entertainment district that locals jokingly call «the city that never sleeps». 🔹 The complex's main calling card is a replica of Venetian canals, with gondolas and colourful shophouses lining the waterfront. 🛶
🔹 The complex is home to the Teddy Bear Museum, with themed installations, as well as the Bamboo Legend — a monumental bamboo structure that has become one of the complex's symbols.
🔹 Every evening a free street show called «Colours of Venice» runs with light and water effects, alongside the paid cultural show The Quintessence of Vietnam on a large open-air stage.
🔹 Unlike most Phu Quoc attractions, entry to the Grand World grounds is free — only individual rides and shows are ticketed.

📜 History:
Grand World opened in 2022 as part of the Phu Quoc United Center megaproject on Bai Dai beach, next to Vinpearl Safari. The developer deliberately drew on Venetian aesthetics and the «entertainment city» format, following the example of Asia's successful night-life districts, to give tourists an alternative to beach time in the evening hours.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 25–30 minutes, approximately 280,000–320,000 VND one way
• VinBus: routes №17, №19, №20 — terminate right at the Grand World entrance. Fare 20,000–50,000 VND

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Entry to the grounds: free
• Gondola ride on the Venetian canal: 200,000 VND (adults), 150,000 VND (children and 60+)
• Teddy Bear Museum: 200,000 / 150,000 VND
• The Quintessence of Vietnam evening show: 300,000 / 230,000 VND, daytime showing — free
• The complex operates: virtually around the clock, though individual rides and shows keep their own schedules — the atmosphere is liveliest after dark
⚠️ Tip: if your ship's call ends in the daytime, be sure to combine Grand World with Vinpearl Safari on the same route — the two sites are just 5 minutes apart by car.

⛓️ 4. Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Phu Quoc Prison, nicknamed the «Coconut Tree Prison» by locals for the coconut palms surrounding it, is one of the island's heaviest — and most important — chapters of history. 🔹 Over its existence, the complex held more than 32,000 prisoners, mostly prisoners of war.
🔹 The site contains almost 500 structures spread across 12 zones, covering an area of roughly 400 hectares.
🔹 The museum recreates the detention conditions using wax figures and reconstructed cells, including the infamous «tiger cage».
🔹 Today the complex holds the status of a national historical monument of Vietnam.

📜 History:
The prison was established back under the French colonial administration to isolate members of the national liberation movement. The best-known period of its history is 1967–1973, when the facility served as the main camp for captured soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam. During that time, according to available records, around 4,000 people died there, and tens of thousands more were disabled by torture and harsh detention conditions.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 35–40 minutes, approximately 380,000–400,000 VND one way. Address: 350 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, An Thoi, Đặc khu Phú Quốc, 28 km south of Duong Dong
• Located next to the Hon Thom cable car station — it makes sense to combine both on the same route

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Admission: free (a voluntary donation of 100,000–200,000 VND toward the memorial's upkeep is suggested)
• Opening hours: 08:30–11:30 and 13:30–17:00
⚠️ Important: the exhibition includes realistic torture scenes and may be emotionally difficult, especially for children.

🏯 5. Dinh Cau Temple and the Duong Dong Night Market
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Dinh Cau is a small temple perched on a rocky headland right where the Duong Dong River meets the sea — the main spiritual symbol of the island's principal town. 🔹 According to legend, fishermen founded the temple in honour of a spirit who saved their boat from a deadly storm, which is why the shrine is still dedicated to the sea goddess Thuy Long Thanh Mau and the god Nam Hai.
🔹 The roof is decorated with traditional curved tile eaves and dragons flanking a moon medallion — a typical feature of coastal Vietnamese architecture.
🔹 An 8-minute walk from the temple lies the famous Duong Dong Night Market (Bạch Đằng Street) — the island's main food hub, with dozens of stalls selling fresh seafood, street food, and souvenirs. 🦐

📜 History:
The temple was built in the early 20th century by the Duong Dong fishing community, and it remains the main place where sailors come to ask for protection before heading out to sea. The market around the temple grew organically as a trading extension of port life, and today it is a must-visit stop for almost every tourist on the island.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 10–15 minutes, approximately 40,000–60,000 VND one way. Address: Ward 2, Duong Dong
• On foot — if the port is located within Duong Dong, the walk along the waterfront takes 20–25 minutes

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Temple admission: free, open daily 07:00–20:30
• Night market: free entry, open daily 17:00–23:30
⚠️ Important: the night market only opens in the evening, so you'll only be able to visit it if your ship has a late departure. During the day, the same street has ordinary shops and cafés.

🙏 6. Ho Quoc Pagoda (Truc Lam Ho Quoc)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Ho Quoc Pagoda is the largest Buddhist temple complex not only on Phu Quoc but in the entire Mekong Delta. 🔹 The grounds cover more than 110 hectares of a scenic hill overlooking the South China Sea.
🔹 The architecture recreates the style of the Ly and Tran dynasties — the golden age of Vietnamese temple tradition — with massive structures built from stone and ironwood.
🔹 The main triple-arched gate is decorated with carved dragons, lotus flowers, and statues of arhats (disciples of the Buddha).
🔹 The viewing platform in front of the main hall offers one of the finest panoramic views of the island's southern coast. 🌅

📜 History:
Construction of the pagoda began in October 2011, and the official opening took place in December 2014. The total cost of the project was around 100 billion dong. The founders intended the temple to become not just a place of worship but a spiritual and cultural centre for the island, blending Vietnamese Buddhist tradition with modern tourism infrastructure.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 25–30 minutes, approximately 280,000–310,000 VND one way. Address: Suoi Lon hamlet, Đặc khu Phú Quốc, 20 km south of Duong Dong

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Admission: free
• Opening hours: daily 06:00–18:00
⚠️ Dress code: as at any active temple, dress to cover shoulders and knees and behave respectfully.

🏖️ 7. Sao Beach (Bai Sao)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Sao Beach is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vietnam. 🔹 The fine white sand resembles powdered sugar, and the shallow turquoise water warms up to +28…+30 °C, making it ideal for swimming with children.
🔹 The beach is fringed with tall pine trees that provide natural shade — a rarity among the region's tropical beaches. 🌲
🔹 Small coral reefs at the northern and southern ends of the bay are convenient for snorkelling straight from the shore.
🔹 From October to April, when a steady wind blows, Sao Beach becomes one of the island's popular kitesurfing spots.

📜 History:
Historically, Sao Beach belonged to the fishing grounds of the An Thoi community at the island's southern tip. The coastline never had industrial significance because of the shallow bay, so the beach remained largely untouched until the active development of Phu Quoc's tourism infrastructure in the 2000s–2010s, when the first resort complexes appeared here.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi: 35–40 minutes, approximately 350,000–400,000 VND one way. 25–28 km south of Duong Dong, near An Thoi
• Best combined with a visit to Phu Quoc Prison and the Hon Thom cable car — all three sites are within a few kilometres of each other

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Beach admission: free, open 24 hours
• Sun lounger rental: approximately 50,000–100,000 VND
• Kayak or snorkelling gear rental: from 100,000 VND per hour
⚠️ Tip: arrive early morning or around midday on weekdays — during high season (November–March), the beach can get crowded in the afternoon.

🌳 8. Phu Quoc National Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
💡 Interesting facts and background:
A significant part of the island is still covered in untouched tropical forest, which is what makes Phu Quoc unique among Asian resort destinations. 🔹 The National Park covers more than 31,400 hectares — over half of the island's total area.
🔹 In 2006, UNESCO included the park within the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, recognising it as one of the benchmark natural complexes of Southeast Asia.
🔹 The park is home to roughly 30 mammal species (including the rare Phu Quoc gibbon), 200 bird species, and 50 reptile species, some of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Book and on the IUCN Red List.
🔹 The park's coastal waters are home to dugongs, green sea turtles, and nearly 100 species of hard coral. 🐢

📜 History:
The area was granted nature reserve status back in the 1980s, and on 8 June 2001 a government decree elevated it to National Park status. UNESCO's 2006 recognition was an important step in the international protection of the island's ecosystem amid the rapid tourism development of its coastline.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise port:
• Taxi to the nearest park access points (Ham Ninh area / Suoi Tranh waterfall): 25–30 minutes, approximately 280,000–320,000 VND one way
• Independent forest walks are recommended only on marked trails; for longer trekking, it's best to book an organised tour with a guide

💶 Prices and opening hours:
• Admission to popular nature trails and waterfalls: mostly free or a nominal fee (10,000–20,000 VND)
• The most comfortable time to visit is the rainy season (May–October), when the waterfalls are at full flow, or the dry season (November–April) for longer trekking
⚠️ Tip: bring insect repellent, closed shoes, and water — there's plenty of shade in the forest, but humidity stays high year-round.

🎨 9. Other Places Worth Visiting
• 🏺 Coi Nguon Museum (Bảo tàng Cội Nguồn, 149 Trần Hưng Đạo, Duong Dong) — the island's only private museum, on a small hill near Long Beach, with five floors of collections spanning Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasty ceramics, petrified wood, and traditional crafts. 20,000 VND, daily 07:30–17:30.
• 🦀 Ham Ninh Fishing Village — an old settlement on the east coast, famous for crab fishing and wooden piers built right over the water. Free entry.
• 🐟 Traditional fish sauce (nước mắm) factory — Phu Quoc fish sauce has held Protected Geographical Indication status in the European Union since 2013. Factory tours are usually free, with tastings and the chance to buy the product.
• 🌶️ Pepper plantations — Phu Quoc black pepper is considered among the finest in Vietnam; the vines are grown on tall poles. Entry is usually free, with tastings of different pepper varieties.
• 🗺️ Ganh Dau Cape (Gành Dầu) — the island's northernmost point, from where the Cambodian coastline is visible on a clear day; a popular sunset photo spot.
• 🏝️ An Thoi Archipelago — 15 small islands south of Phu Quoc, the base for day-long yacht tours with snorkelling and spearfishing.
• 🌆 Sunset Town (part of Sun World Hon Thom) — a Mediterranean-style evening town with street performances, fairs, and a panorama of the sunset over the sea.

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🗺️ Three Self-Guided Routes Around Phu Quoc in 8–9 Hours
A cruise ship's call at Phu Quoc usually lasts 8–10 hours. Because of the significant distances between landmarks (the island stretches almost 50 km), it's realistic to cover 3–4 sites grouped in one direction — north or south. Below are three options depending on budget and preferences.

🥉 Route №1. Budget — island centre, up to 600,000 VND per person
⏱️ Total time: 7.5–8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 550,000–650,000 VND + food

🕘 09:00 — Leave the cruise port, taxi to Dinh Cau Temple
10–15 minutes, approximately 50,000 VND.

🕤 09:15–10:00 — Dinh Cau Temple
Free walk around the headland, photos against the lighthouse and sea.

🕙 10:00–11:00 — Coi Nguon Museum
Entry 20,000 VND, tour the five floors of ceramics and craft collections.

🕚 11:00–12:30 — Lunch in Duong Dong
Local Vietnamese cuisine, seafood — roughly 120,000–180,000 VND per person.

🕜 12:30–14:00 — Long Beach
Relax and swim right within Duong Dong; sun lounger rental from 50,000 VND.

🕝 14:00–16:00 — Trip to Ho Quoc Pagoda
Round-trip taxi approximately 320,000 VND (with the driver waiting), tour of the temple complex and views of the southern coast.

🕟 16:00–16:45 — Return to the port

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxi to Dinh Cau: 50,000 VND
• Coi Nguon Museum: 20,000 VND
• Lunch: 120,000–180,000 VND
• Beach lounger: 50,000 VND
• Round-trip taxi to the pagoda: 320,000 VND
💸 TOTAL: approximately 560,000–620,000 VND per person

🥈 Route №2. Optimal — north of the island, 2,500,000–2,800,000 VND per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 2,600,000 VND + souvenirs

🕗 08:30 — Leave the port, taxi to Vinpearl Safari
25–30 minutes, approximately 300,000 VND.

🕘 09:00–12:00 — Vinpearl Safari
VinWonders combo ticket 1,500,000 VND, full tour of the safari park and open zoo.

🕛 12:00–13:00 — Lunch at Grand World
5 minutes' drive from Safari, roughly 200,000–280,000 VND per person.

🕐 13:00–16:00 — Grand World
Gondola ride on the Venetian canal (200,000 VND), photo spots, optional Teddy Bear Museum (200,000 VND).

🕓 16:00–16:30 — Return to the port by taxi
Approximately 300,000 VND.

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Round-trip taxi: 600,000 VND
• Safari + VinWonders ticket: 1,500,000 VND
• Lunch: 200,000–280,000 VND
• Venetian canal gondola: 200,000 VND
💸 TOTAL: approximately 2,500,000–2,580,000 VND per person
💡 If you swap the taxi for VinBus (routes №17/19/20, 20,000–50,000 VND per ride), you can save up to 550,000 VND.

🥇 Route №3. Premium — south of the island with a private guide, from 3,000,000 VND per person
⏱️ Total time: 8.5 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: from 3,000,000 VND (calculated per group of 2–4 people)

🏆 What's included:
• ✅ Meet your private driver holding a sign right at the ship's gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car/minivan for the whole day
• ✅ A licensed guide to tell the history of the prison and the temples
• ✅ Priority, skip-the-line entry to the cable car
• ✅ Table reservation at a seafood restaurant
• ✅ Flexible itinerary — adjusted on the go

You can book through your cruise manager, or contact us directly by any convenient means:

Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell):    +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar):   +380 97 653 05 53

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🕗 08:30 — Meet your driver and guide at the terminal

🕘 09:00–10:45 — Hon Thom Cable Car (priority entry)
Drive to Anh Duong Station (35–40 min), the ride over the sea, a short stroll through Sunset Town.

🕚 11:00–12:15 — Phu Quoc Prison with your guide
An in-depth tour explaining the historical context, visiting the memorial zones.

🕧 12:30–13:45 — Lunch at a seafood restaurant in An Thoi
Fresh crab, lobster, and fish to choose from — roughly from 500,000 VND per person.

🕝 14:00–16:00 — Sao Beach
A private corner of the beach, with sun lounger and kayak rental already included in the programme.

🕟 16:00–16:45 — Return to the port in a comfortable car

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide and driver with car (8.5 h): from 2,200,000 VND per group
• Cable car ticket with priority entry: 850,000 VND
• Lunch at a seafood restaurant: from 500,000 VND
• Sun lounger and kayak rental at Sao Beach: about 200,000 VND
💸 TOTAL: from 3,000,000 VND per person (calculated per group of 2–4 people, not per single person)

🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private tours of Phu Quoc with licensed guides, transfers from the ship's gangway, and a guaranteed return on board. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day on Phu Quoc will be planned perfectly to your taste. 🛳️✨

⚠️ Important to Know Before Going Ashore
🕐 The «all aboard» rule: you must be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. Distances on the island are significant, so plan your route with extra time for the trip back.
🪪 Documents: bring your passport (or a copy — depending on your cruise line's requirements) and your Ship Card.
💵 Cash: the Vietnamese dong (VND) is the main currency for payments outside tourist complexes; carry 500,000–1,000,000 VND in cash for small expenses and taxis.
👟 Clothing: light, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes for uneven paths; for Ho Quoc Pagoda — covered shoulders and knees.
☂️ Weather: the tropical climate means short downpours are possible any time of year — a light raincoat or umbrella won't hurt.
🦟 Insect protection: bring repellent for excursions to the National Park or fishing villages.
📱 Internet: mobile data and Wi-Fi are available in tourist areas; download an offline Google Maps map and the Grab app for booking taxis.
🔐 Safety: Phu Quoc is considered one of Vietnam's calmest islands, but basic precautions (not leaving valuables unattended) are still worthwhile.
☀️ Sun protection: the tropical sun is very strong year-round — a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential.

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. For up-to-date information, please check with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

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