There are two ways to get to Phu Quoc: by sea and by air. Domestically, flights to Phu Quoc are available from many cities in Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City (45-minute flight), Hanoi, Rach Gia and Can Tho via Vietnam Airlines (the national carrier) and several budget airlines: Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet air and Vasco (a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines). In peak season, there can be as many as 15-20 daily domestic flights to Phu Quoc, but it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment as flights to Phu Quoc can sell out during the high season of December to April. From Phu Quoc International Airport, visitors can travel the 9 km to the main town of Duong Dong by taxi, motorbike or hotel transfer. Internationally, there are direct flights to and from Phu Quoc from Siem Reap, Cambodia and Singapore via Vietnam Airlines with more routes being added all the time. Best of all, because Phu Quoc is classified as a Special Economic Zone, visitors of all nationalities flying in / out of Phu Quoc only (and not visiting the Vietnamese mainland) are granted a visa exemption to stay up to 30 days. Please check with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country for additional requirements including having a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay and a round-trip ticket to / from Phu Quoc. Alternately, getting to Phu Quoc by ferry is cheap and easy. Ferries leave from the coastal towns of Rach Gia or Ha Tien on the Vietnamese mainland. If traveling from Cambodia, Ha Tien is easily accessible from the seaside resort towns of Kep (25 km) and Kampot (66 km). There are a few ferry companies including Superdong, Duong Dong Express and Ngoc Thanh, with Superdong offering the most reliable service, providing  one morning and one afternoon departure from Rach Gia for the 2.5 hour journey and four daily departures from Ha Tien for the 1.5 hour trip. There is also a slow ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc operated by Thanh Thoi for those traveling with cars. Ferry tickets can be easily bought through your hotel, at travel agencies or at the ferry dock. The best time to travel by ferry is from late October to May when the weather in Phu Quoc is dry and the seas are calmer. During the wet / monsoon season (June to September), ferries are still scheduled to run daily but inclement weather may make for rough seas or cancellations. Most fast and slow ferries will take you to Bai Vong Port on Phu Quoc, close to Long Beach. From there to the main town of Duong Dong, there are multiple transportation options, including motorcycle taxis (each able to carry one passenger with minimal luggage), taxis and shared mini-buses.

Searching for Paradise in Vietnam: Where is Phu Quoc? Imagine looking out over the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, taking a stroll on the white sand beaches of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island, and relaxing in the colonial grandeur of La Veranda Boutique Beach Resort. When you travel to Phu Quoc, you may feel you have not only been transported to a far flung tropical island, but also back in time to a bygone era of colonial elegance. The Convenience of Phu Quoc’s Location The tranquil splendour of La Veranda, a gorgeous beach resort and spa in Phu Quoc, is closer than you may think. With an increased number of direct flights to Phu Quoc International Airport since it opened in 2012, the idyllic pearl islands of Vietnam are now within a two hour flight of major travel hubs Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, and just over three hours from Hanoi. With such popular cities now being in close proximity, Phu Quoc and La Veranda Beach Resort are easily accessible for visitors to Vietnam from all over the world. Phu Quoc’s Weather and Seasons Nestled in an eastern corner of the Gulf of Thailand and to the west of Vietnam’s mainland, the Phu Quoc archipelago is actually a group of 28 islands covering an area of almost 600km2. Being located in tropical South East Asia, the archipelago has two distinct seasons: a wet season that typically begins around May and a dry season that usually starts around November. Due to the region’s location, Phu Quoc’s temperatures vary little throughout the year and are usually in the low to mid-thirties degrees celsius. High season for tourists visiting Phu Quoc normally falls between November and February when temperatures are more comfortable, humidity is lower and the sun shines all day long. No matter the season, Phu Quoc is always a peaceful location for a retreat from the rush of normal life, especially for those who are looking to target their holistic wellbeing. La Veranda Beach Resort Phu Quoc’s TĨNH Wellness Sanctuary is a beautiful addition to the boutique hotel MGallery Heritage Collection by Sofitel. Even during the rainy season, the French Indochine style spa and sanctuary provides the perfect location to get away from it all and indulge in yoga, massage and targeted body treatments with the sounds of the ocean waves (and occasional rain showers) as your relaxing background music. Phu Quoc Island; the Pearl of Southeast Asia Phu Quoc island, or Vietnam’s ‘Pearl Island’, is an increasingly popular arrival point for travellers looking for a beautiful beach holiday destination in Southeast Asia. The largest island in Vietnam, measuring approximately 50 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide, Phu Quoc is just 40 kilometres from the Vietnamese mainland town of Ha Tien. The mainland is easily accessible by ferries that service Phu Quoc throughout the day; however, it is Cambodia that sits closest to the island with just four kilometres separating the two. Being located in a secluded area of the gulf, Phu Quoc provides visitors the opportunity to infuse each day with wonder by taking in the tranquil beauty of both breathtaking sunrises and stunning sunsets. Watching the sun creep over the horizon from the sumptuous beachside surroundings of La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc, visitors will enjoy a peaceful yet gorgeous start to the day. In the evenings, with nothing but the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Thailand to the west of the island, locals and tourists are gifted with uninterrupted views as the sun drops back out of sight. Popular sunset viewing spots in Phu Quoc, such as Dinh Cau Rocks, are a short drive along the coast from La Veranda. However, the views can also be taken in splendidly from the breezy beach deck of La Veranda Resort’s Le Jardin or the wrap-around terrace of The Peppertree restaurant, Phu Quoc’s top fine dining establishment. Alternatively, watch the delightful Phu Quoc sunset with a refreshing drink in hand from the comfort of a vintage armchair in the relaxing atmosphere of La Veranda’s Le Bar. Gourmet Dining on Phu Quoc Island Less than an hour’s flight from Saigon, Phu Quoc provides a welcome change of pace to the hustle and bustle of life on Vietnam’s mainland. Upon arrival, memorable moments are easy to find as traditional Vietnamese culture still influences day to day life. Sleepy fishing villages can be found around the island and throughout the archipelago, many of which have been relying on the sea for their livelihood for as long as anyone can remember. These picturesque villages are the home of a staple of Vietnamese culture – the pungent fish sauce that locals love to add to nearly every meal. Locally referred to as nước mắm, this distinct sauce is often used as a base in dipping sauces or as an ingredient in soups and stir fry dishes. Visitors to the island should try it at least once whilst on the island, as fish sauce from Phu Quoc has received the European Union PDO status, which puts it in the same bracket as products such as Kalamata olives from Greece and Edam cheese from the Netherlands! The Peppertree restaurant at La Veranda Beach Resort Phu Quoc is the perfect place to try another epicurean local product – Phu Quoc pepper. The island is dotted with pepper farms and they are even grown in La Veranda Resort’s organic garden! The Peppertree restaurant adds this Phu Quoc delicacy to certain dishes to give just the right amount of savoury spice to their gourmet offerings. Memorable Moments in a Tropical Paradise on Phu Quoc Island Phu Quoc’s pristine sandy beaches, a result of the surrounding coral reefs, and crystal clear water satisfy every visitor’s fantasy of a secluded tropical getaway.  A number of small islands to the southern tip of the region are almost untouched, and offer soft white sand beaches and clear blue waters to anyone who makes the trip. On the main island, white sands and calm shores make many beaches popular with visitors. La Veranda Boutique Beach Resort enjoys a stunning location on popular Long Beach beach (Ba Keo) on the west side of the island, as well as numerous other options within easy reach. The main island is not only blessed with beautiful beaches but also lush rainforest.  With more than half of the island being a protected national park, Phu Quoc is also home to an important UNESCO biosphere zone. Transfers to Phu Quoc’s national park from La Veranda Resort take around an hour and allow visitors to experience hiking through a tropical jungle, where they can hopefully spot some of the wildlife that lives there, including endangered species such as the Silver Langur and Leopard Cat. Phu Quoc’s location has contributed to one more essential part of island heritage. The surrounding seas provide perfect conditions for oysters to produce their precious stones, and pearls here have gained a reputation for being very high quality. This industry is so integral to Phu Quoc’s heritage that the island is often referred to as ‘Dao Ngoc’ or ‘Pearl Island’. Whether visitors come to La Veranda Boutique Beach Resort Phu Quoc from near or far, what awaits is timeless elegance, a luxurious paradise where attention to detail and the wonders of nature meet. Between the sparkling azure waters of the Gulf and the colonial grandeur of La Veranda’s outstanding facilities, there are plenty of opportunities for memorable moments to be made on this beautiful paradise island of Phu Quoc.

Phu Quoc is blessed with relatively constant temperatures between 24-31 Celcius, with an average daytime temperature of 28 Celcius, making the island an ideal year-round beach playground among top Vietnam destinations. Located in a sub-equatorial climate, Phu Quoc has two distinct seasons: dry and wet. The dry season is between November to April with January and February being the driest months of the year. The best time to visit, the weather in Phu Quoc during the dry season is perfect with sunny, blue skies and the availability of daily land and sea tours including snorkeling and diving with good visibility. Many festivals and events also take place during this time. The dry season corresponds to the High Season for tourism, so hotels in Phu Quoc may get booked out. Advanced booking is recommended. The wet season is between May to October with sometimes heavy rains and high humidity. The main activities affected are snorkeling and diving tours which usually do not operate because of poor water visibility. However, the island is still enjoyable, with many hitting the beaches in the mornings and on sunny days while finding respite in the cooler afternoon temperatures that come with the rains and opting for indoor activities like cooking classes or a long afternoon siesta. Rain or shine, Phu Quoc has many attractions to explore including pearl farms, fish sauce factories, temples and historical sites. Nature lovers will also like that the island takes on a more vibrant green during this time of year, including the national park and famed pepper plantations, and the island’s streams and waterfalls are at their peak. As a bonus, you’re likely to score excellent deals on Phu Quoc accommodation during the wet season.