BEACHES OF PHU QUOC
When the city feels too much and you need to runaway to nature, Phú Quốc is just short of an hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City … aka the most perfect island getaway.
Phú Quốc is the largest island in this tropical country with many little islands that are easily accessible by boat. It seems like every beach bum’s dream, to be honest. Since we were only there for a few days, I wasn’t able to explore all of the island. However, I was able to make it to these beaches:
BAI SAO - STAR BEACH
This beach is known for its white sand and clear waters. It is quiet, secluded, hard to get to, but definitely worth it. And for every Instagrammer out there, the locals set up these picturesque swings that hang from the palm trees. Not only do you get the beautiful backdrop of the ocean and lush jungles, you could also grab some beers at one of the many shoreside bars!
BAI RACH VEM - STARFISH BEACH
While doing research on Phú Quốc I kept finding photos of beaches with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of starfishes all along the shore. I made it one of my goals to go see this phenomenon for myself in person. However, the locals had told us that starfish were out of season and we would most likely not see them. Alas, I was determined and asked our tour guide to take us to this secret beach anyways. What did I find? Not hundreds and thousands of starfish … but a couple of cute ones! And might I say, these creatures are so beautiful and vibrant. I was in awe and satisfied.
THE ISLANDS OF HON THOM - PINEAPPLE ISLAND
I had originally thought we were just going to a beach and then heading back to the hotel to catch the sunset. Boy was I wrong! This was a legit full-day adventure filled with island hopping, snorkeling, swings, and a yummy seafood lunch. To get here you have to take the longest non-stop cable car in the world or a boat. But why take a boat when you could take a world-record method of transportation?? Note: this attraction (or is it an amusement park) is still under construction! Lots of things are still being built, so I’m sure within the next year or so … it’ll be even more crazy.
The main beach area has live music, a lunch buffet, an inflatable amusement park, and other fun water sports! But if you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can take a private speed boat to the neighboring islands! Basically, we went island hopping!
ROCK ISLAND CLUB @ NAM NGHI RESORT
When they told me we were going to a beach club on a rock to watch the sunset … I was definitely confused but also very intrigued. This spot ended up being my favorite experience of the trip sheerly due to how beautiful of a setting it was. The beach area, the climbable rocks, the chic indoor lounge, to the waterfront deck. It was suitable for any age and any interest. I was in pure awe at everything around me … so mesmerized by the calmness I felt. It was as if I had found my happy place. Cheesy, isn’t it? I guess you just have to go and find out for yourself - or just look at my photos too.
Three days felt too short for this dream. I wanted to stay here longer, explore more hidden beaches, and immerse myself deep into nature. The island has changed drastically since I first visited a few years back - from dirt roads to paved roads, a few hotels to full-fledge resorts and attractions, etc. It’s crazy to see rapid development of the island. While my heart is happy that Vietnam is becoming a hot vacation spot, I hope that commercialization doesn’t consume the beauty and magic of Phú Quốc. Until next time.
