6 Reasons to Visit Phu Quoc Island

 With the soothing sound of lapping water on its golden shores and the appetising aroma of cinnamon, the common name for Cassia, suffusing the air, island paradise, Phu Quoc is a HOT destination for visitors to Asia. Whether looking to fill your days with activities and tours, immerse in natural beauty, or simply puff a rollup and relax, there are plenty of things to do with Cassia Cottage as your base in Phu Quoc. Here we highlight 6 great reasons to visit Phu Quoc island.

1. Beautiful Sandy Beaches

Phu Quoc island has 150 km of picturesque beaches. At Cassia Cottage on Ba Keo Beach, we swim in inviting, warm water, enjoy the sun or garden from a valet-serviced lounger, with delicious food and refreshing drinks. Our bespoke native stone sea wall viewed from outside is a constant, welcome reminder. We remain deliberately quaint while maintaining a private space for our guests.

Some of Phu Quoc’s gorgeous beaches include:

• Bai Truong Beach: Located on the west coast, south from the airport, Bai Truong translates as Long Beach thanks to its beautiful 20km coastline. Because it’s close to the main town of Dzuong Dong, formerly deserted Bai Troung is rapidly devolving thanks to its large international resorts and second-home condo complexes. You’ll never be short of activities as well as places to eat and shop.
• Ba Keo Beach: In Duong Dong in front of Cassia Cottage, is gorgeous Ba Keo beach. Its white sand and crystal blue waters make it the ideal place to take a dip or enjoy activities like volleyball, kayaking and other aquatic sports.
• Bai Sao Beach: Bai Sao has become a charming day-tripper and selfie-spot for locals and tourists. It is situated on the southeast of the island near the expanding resort complexes and is 25 minutes by car or motorbike from Cassia Cottage. Visitors are drawn to Bai Sao by its soft sand and turquoise water, fishing boats and invigorating party atmosphere. The east side of the island still has 30km of deserted beaches near the single road that travels along it.

2. Aquatic Sport Lovers

The majestic sea surrounding Phu Quoc and immediately in front of Cassia Cottage’s exclusive 200m beach plays host to a selection of exciting water sports. These include:

• Scuba Diving and Snorkelling: explore beneath the water’s surface and discover beautiful marine life and colourful coral reefs. A diving or snorkelling tour is also a great way to see some of the nearby islands. Tours can be arranged by our front office.
• Kayaking: if you’d prefer a DIY approach to explore Phu Quoc’s waters, and get in your day’s exercise, hiring a kayak is ideal. Guests of Cassia Cottage have access to two complimentary kayaks. Our valet beach boys bring them to the water.
• Jet Skiing: Phu Quoc’s serene seas make it the ideal place to take your need for speed onto the water. Jet skis can be summoned by phone by our valet.

See more: Activities in Phu Quoc

3. Watch the Sunset or Sunrise

Another of the many reasons to visit Phu Quoc island is its stunning sunsets – renowned for being the most beautiful in all of Vietnam. Naturally, one of Phu Quoc’s many beaches is an excellent location to watch the sunset, as you kick back at one of the restaurants, beach bars, and clubs lining the coast. If you rise early, you can catch the exquisite sunrise at Ham Ninh Pier and then complete the day with sundowners at Cassia.

Positioned right on Ba Kao beach, overlooking the sea, Cassia Cottage is an great location to enjoy the sunset. As well as the main beachfront, you can watch the sun go down from the luxurious comfort of Cassia Cottage’s private beach or one of three infinity pools. You can mark the day’s end with a romantic meal at The Spice House or at our own chill spot The Malabar with friends.

4. Phu Quoc National Park

When you desire a change from the blues, yellows, and whites of the island’s beaches, immersing yourself in the greenery of the National Park is one of the best things to do in Phu Quoc. Achieving UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 2010, the National Park in Phu Quoc has over 32,000 hectares, which encompasses 70% of the island’s total land area.

Phu Quoc National Park’s lush jungle canopy is home to over 900 varieties of plant and hundreds of animal species. Wildlife you’ll see as you venture around the National Park includes more than 40 species of mammals, like silvered langurs, slow lorises, macaques, otters and bats. Additionally, there are over 100 types of birds and dozens of species of reptiles and amphibians. The park also has 60km of coastline featuring coral reefs and a host of marine life including turtles.

You can traverse the park on a motorcycle or on foot, on one of two trekking trails: the Ganh Dau Trail or Phu Quoc National Park Trail. After a long day of adventure, there’s no better way to unwind than enjoying some well-earned rest and refreshments at Cassia Cottage Phu Quoc, Rory’s Bar or one of the Ozzie-style beach bars.

5. Phu Quoc Prison

If you’re interested in history or want more insight into how Vietnam grew into the nation it is today, visit Phu Quoc prison for a a few hours. Situated near Sao Beach, Phu Quoc Prison, or Coconut Prison, was built by the French in 1946 and stands in stark contrast to the island’s resplendent resorts and ubiquitous natural beauty.
Although Phu Quoc prison gained infamy for being a prisoner-of-war camp in both the Vietnamese-American and Vietnamese-Cambodian wars, in recent years, it has been restored for educational and historical purposes. There are several sobering features that highlight the treatment of prisoners. This includes jails, the cafeteria and kitchen, an escape tunnel, a watchtower, and the tiger cages. Phu Quoc prison also contains a monument to prisoners who passed away in captivity and a gallery of artefacts.
Phu Quoc Prison was recognized as a national historical monument in 1993 and local pupils take school trips there to learn about the history of Phu Quoc and Vietnam’s past struggles for independence.

6. Ham Ninh Fishing Village

Lying at the foot of the sweeping Ham Ninh mountain range on the east coast of the island, Ham Ninh fishing village is a quintessential visit and one of the most enriching things to do. From wooden fish farms on stilts to makeshift floating docks, the village has preserved its tranquillity and authenticity. It has the authentic smell of damp old nets and is the best place to find dried endangered species for sale such as Swedish grandpas.
The best times to experience Ham Ninh fishing village’s ethereal beauty is in the early morning, when you can witness fishermen setting off at sunrise, at sunset, to see them return with the day’s haul in their colourful fishing boats. Cassia Cottage Phu Quoc has developed an enduring relationship with the island’s fishermen, which allows our Ham Ninh fishing village tour to offer an unrivalled cultural experience. You’ll experience the daily life of the local fishermen in Ham Ninh, capped off with freshly-caught, delectable, home-style seafood.
See more: Best resort in Phu Quoc

To find out more about Cassia Cottage, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you however we can. To start planning your vacation to Phu Quoc, book your room here.