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Bali and Phuket could be two of them most popular island destinations in South East Asiathanks to their beautiful nature, world-famous beaches and vibrant social scene, but according to Travel & Leisure they are far from the subcontinent’s best offering.
Every year Travel & Leisure announces the World’s Best Awards, ranking various destinations based on their tourism offering, quality of service, value for money, among other things, and the tropical gems of Southeast Asia are no exception.
Still, it may have come as a surprise to some that the best is local island the lesser known Phu Quocpart of Vietnam: not only does it rank highest among Southeast Asian entries, but it also ranks second worldwide after the Maldives.
In case you’re wondering how this unconventional spot could cap off Thailand’s party capital and Indonesia’s wellness paradise, we’re here to tell you 5 of the most important reasons why:
The beautiful nature
Southeast Asia is synonymous with sparkling beaches, tropical jungles and otherworldly wildlife vistas, and Phu Quoc is no exception: with an area of 227.52 square kilometers, 86 percent of the fairly sizable island is in fact covered by lush, evergreen forest.
The so-called Phu Quoc National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Reserve, is a mountainous terrain crossed by hiking trails leading to steep peaks, including the most famous Mount Chua, the highest point on the island, and dotted with scenic waterfalls and natural landscapes. water reserves.
Booking for the whole day Private tour from Phu Quoc, from $48, you can tick off several of the park’s highlights, including the towering Suoi Tranh Waterfall and the idyllic Bai Tam Sao Beach, with its soft, sugar-white sand lapped by crystal-clear waters.
For the more adventurous visitors who enjoy trekking, the price is $53 Tien Son Dinh Circuit is a great choice, running 6 miles through the jungle of Phu Quoc even some relaxation time at the natural spring Suoi Tranh.
The relaxed island life
Phu Quoc is also known for its relaxed living, small fishing villages along an azure blue ocean and age-old traditions; in other words, it’s not a place you necessarily come to party.
The local nightlife is quite tame compared to Phuket, although you can always find a foreigner-friendly bar or two in Duong Dong, the main town, and if you’re keen to escape other Westerners, gentrification isn’t nearly as big. problem here as it has become in Bali.
Many of the villages around Phu Quoc are still untouched by mass developmentespecially those locations that are further away from the main theme parks and hotel zones, and it is simply the perfect destination to experience Vietnamese culture at its most authentic:
There’s An Thoi, with its fish sauce factories and vast markets offering a wide choice of seafood, fruit and vegetables; the largely undisturbed Ganh Dau, bordering a quiet stretch of beach; and picturesque Ham Ninh, a small village still largely inhabited by fishermen.
Compared to the Vietnamese mainland, Phu Quoc has no hugely important heritage sitesbeautiful colonial architecture, or imperial citadels built in the country’s heyday: it’s mostly a very laid-back rural island, and that’s where its charm lies.
However, if you’re flying to Phu Quoc, chances are VinWonders is high on your bucket list:
The home of Vietnamese Disney
Perhaps the most important reason That is why most tourists come to Phu Quoc it is home to VinWondersthe most monumental leisure destination in Vietnam.
This super complex of approximately 50 hectares includes theme parks, shopping centers, hotels, and entertainment centers.
Clearly modeled on Disneyland – it even has a shopping street leading to a fairytale castle – VinWonders is open daily from 9am to 7.30pm and is a must-see attraction on the island, offering exciting adventures for the whole island. family.
Main attractions include the mysterious Viking village (for those not afraid of getting wet), magical Venice, a more colorful, kitschy reconstruction of Italy’s iconic floating city (except that taking a gondola here costs a small fraction of the price), and our favorite, the Hon Thom:
One of the park’s most sought-after activities, this cable car stretches for almost 8 kilometers, making it the longest sea journey of its kind in the world.
It connects the southernmost tip of Phu Quoc with neighboring Pineapple Island Oasis of peace bordered by blue-green water.
The best part is tickets for VinWonders Phu Quoc usually from VND950,000 per adultor around $37.52 based on the current exchange rate – shall we remind you again how much do Disney day tickets cost in Orlando or California?
The unparalleled affordability
Finally, affordability plays a key role in the attractiveness of Phu Quoc, especially when combined with Bali and Phuketand the like, where room rates apply steadily increased over the years have become tourist activities gradually more expensive.
If you’re visiting Phu Quoc as a backpacker on a budget, you can find hotel rooms, including air conditioning, for as little as $16 at the Luxy Park Hoteljust outside Duong Dong, and even an entire bungalow Dugong Resortnear Ham Ninh, will only cost you $20 per night.
For those of you who still want to spend a little: Vietnam is dirt cheap for Americansthe five star Ocean Bay Phu Quoc Resort and Spa has nightly rates from $98, including continental breakfast, an outdoor pool and a private beach.
Resort stays in Phu Quoc as cheap as $42 a night in Phu Quoc this season, easily making it one of the most affordable tropical destinations in the world – honestly, a trip to the island is as expensive as you make it.
Based on estimates provided by Vinpearlthe island’s leading hospitality and entertainment brand, a solo trip to Phu Quoc can cost you a negligible VND 5,000,000or $197.49, if you stay in cheap hotels and eat local.
Food is extremely cheap: Ken noodles cost less than a dollar in local restaurants, the signature Ham Ninh crab costs an average of 180,000 VND in cheap eateries, or about $7.11 at the current exchange rate, and even the popular herring salad costs $5 ,92.
Vinpearl notes that these values are just for referenceas costs may vary depending on different travel styles.
Visa-free access
Last, but certainly not least, Phu Quoc is a visa-free island to visit.
Unlike most Asian countries, where foreigners must purchase a tourist visa upon arrival or even apply for a travel authorization in advance, they can only fly to Phu Quoc without any requirements upon presentation of a valid passport, as long as their stay is long. does not last longer than 30 days.
Phu Quoc has a different visa regime than the rest of Vietnam, where US passport holders cannot travel without obtaining an e-Visa in advance, making it quite attractive for the bureaucratic visitor who simply does not want the formality of visa applications and online forms.
Ultimately, it’s not really a surprise that T&L readers named it the best island in Southeast Asia.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
