6 places to see in the island of Phu Quoc

The island’s remarkable transformation has helped make it one of Vietnam’s hottest investment prospects

Phu Quoc’s remarkable transformation from a sleepy tropical backwater to an international tourism destination has helped make it one of Vietnam’s hottest prospects for investment

Meyhomes Capital Phu Quoc

An “integrated mega-city” covering 266 hectares, Meyhomes Capital shows no lack of ambition. There are 2,484 residential units across the gigantic area, designed by international practices including HBA architecture. It’s conceived as Phu Quoc’s new economic, cultural, and financial centre—meeting such disparate needs as retail, sports, education, tourism, and entertainment. The units themselves are immediately striking with multicoloured balconies and window frames. Its sustainable focus on saving materials, incorporating nature, and building cleanwater facilities also impresses. Three tropical parks (Lake, River, and Ocean) highlight the communal spaces along with a “Dream Theatre”, a floating stage and futuristic interactive art area.

Sailing Club Signature Resort Phu Quoc

The Sailing Club has become hugely popular as a family resort for visitors to Phu Quoc. The villas’ bright, Nordic-style interiors from Ho Chi Minh City’s KAZE practice, with glass doors and no partitions, emphasise space and are “designed to bring the outside in”. A brise-soleil system, meanwhile, deflects excess sunlight. Stone, wood, and leather bring a quasi-rustic feel to kitchens, lounges, and bedrooms, while each villa comes with a private swimming pool; a communal park takes up 20% of the resort’s area. Sailing Club is also the island’s first pet-friendly resort, and furbabies receive a “puppuccino” on arrival. Two-legged friends may feast on Vietnamese-Western fare at the all-daydining restaurant Sandals, The Market.

VinWonders

Vietnam’s largest theme park, VinWonders comprises six distinct areas covering. Designed to recreate famous destinations and civilisations; tell mythical stories; or stage performances like circus acts, Aboriginal and Hawaiian dances, and a sonet-lumière fountain show, it appeals to the young and young-at-heart. Key attractions include the Garden of Five Continents; a Flying Cinema that simulates taking in mid-air views of Europe, with sensory effects adding to the (virtual) reality; and Tata World River Adventure and Tata’s Fairy Land, which narrates classic European fairy tales. Launched post-pandemic, the theme park in Phu Quoc’s northwest corner is an offshoot of the Vingroup corporation, whose subdivisions include entertainment, retail, and automobiles, and which also operates an animal conservation program on the island.

Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park

Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park is a key destination of the world’s longest sea-crossing cable-car line, covering adistance of almost 8,000 metres. The aerial approach reveals white sands and pristine jungle after a 15-minute ride from An Thoi station. It’s been described as the “Pearl of An Thoi Archipelago”—the group of small islands south of Phu Quoc—and is a haven for fanatics of watersports such as kayaking, jet-skiing, and diving among corals. But the biggest draw is Aquatopia Water Park, one of the region’s most advanced aquatic attractions, which opened in 2019. It includes six themed zones that encompass everything from tropical fruits, marine creatures, and sea monsters to pirates.

Cable car island excursions

Phu Quoc’s extensive, record-breaking cable-car network in the south of the island is the only way to appreciate the natural wild splendour of “Nam Dao Pearl” from above. It also bears the distinction of being the world’s longest non-stop cable car. The 8-kilometre, interlocking nexus of mid-air terminals graces An Thoi archipelago—its best-known stop being Hon Thom, aka “Pineapple Island” while An Thoi, Hon Dua and Hon Roi complete the station quartet. The 24-hour facility, with its advanced three-wire technology, has WiFi-equipped cabins illuminated by night, allowing passengers to view islets, coral reefs, and fishing villages at any hour. Noteworthy sights include the renowned Sao Beach; a pearl farm; Ho Quoc Pagoda, the island’s largest Buddhist temple; and the notorious, Vietnam War-era Coconut Prison.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort

A stunning beachfront resort located a short drive from both the airport and Phu Quoc’s main town Duong Dong, this immaculate five-star—which opened in 2018—has holidaymakers’ bases covered. Discerning diners will feel at home in this gourmet wonderland which encompasses the design-forward LAVA, Sora & Umi allday dining, and the alfresco Sea Shack and Ombra restaurants. Mixology haven Ink 360, Phu Quoc’s highest sky bar, towers over the resort. Planet Trekkers Children’s Club caters amply to youngsters, while culinaryminded kids can learn local recipes.

The original version of this article appeared in PropertyGuru Property Report Magazine Issue No. 182 on issuu and Magzter. Write to our editors at [email protected].