Phu Quoc for Aussies
Is Phu Quoc the best island holiday for families on earth?
We think it might just be Asia’s most underrated family playground, and Australian families are finally taking notice!
8hrs
Direct flights from Sydney or Melbourne
~50%
Cheaper than Koh Samui or Singapore
7.8km
World's longest over-sea cable car
3+
World-class theme and safari parks
Come and experience Asia's most underrated family island playground: Phu Quoc
A “resort-first” tropical getaway, Phu Quoc combines massive world-class theme parks, a safari park, and stunning calm coastal scenery into a package that frankly puts Bali and Thailand to shame on value. And yet most Australian families have never heard of it.
Vietnam’s largest island sits in the Gulf of Thailand, just off the coast of southern Vietnam. It was largely untouched until a wave of resort development transformed it into one of Southeast Asia’s most complete family destinations.
The infrastructure is modern, the beaches are beautiful, the food is magnificent, and your dollar goes extraordinarily far.
Think of it this way: what if you could take your family to a destination that had the rides of Dreamworld, the beaches of the Whitsundays, the food culture of Bangkok, and the price tag of a domestic holiday? That destination is Phu Quoc, and it has been hiding in plain sight.
Everything going for it
Exceptional Value
A Phu Quoc holiday consistently costs significantly less than an equivalent trip to Koh Samui in Thailand or a resort stay in Singapore. You get more for your money at every level, from local guesthouses through to world-class five-star properties.
Stunning Beaches
The island is famous for its twin-beach coastline, offering long stretches of pale sand flanked by calm, turquoise water. Long Beach and Kem Beach both draw comparisons to the finest stretches of coast in Southeast Asia.
Theme Parks Rivalling Asia's Best
The island is famous for its twin-beach coastline, offering long stretches of pale sand flanked by calm, turquoise water. Long Beach and Kem Beach both draw comparisons to the finest stretches of coast in Southeast Asia.
World-Class Resorts
The island caters to every budget. Families can choose from simple, comfortable local bungalows right through to iconic properties like the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed resorts in Southeast Asia.
Safari & Wildlife
The Vinpearl Safari on the island is one of Vietnam's most impressive wildlife experiences, housing hundreds of species across open savannah-style enclosures. It is a wonderful complement to the theme park days and a real favourite with children of all ages.
Fresh Seafood and Night Markets
The Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong town is an absolute must. You can eat freshly grilled lobster, squid, and prawns straight from the sea for a fraction of what you would pay at a restaurant back home, with the buzz and colour of a proper Vietnamese street market.
The honest comparison every Aussie family should see
| What You Want | Phu Quoc | Koh Samui | Gold Coast |
|---|---|---|---|
| World-class theme park rides | ✓ VinWonders + Aquatopia | ✗ Limited | ✓ Very expensive |
| Safari or wildlife experience | ✓ Vinpearl Safari | ✗ Limited options | ✗ Not available |
| Calm, clean family beaches | ✓ Multiple options | ✓ Crowded high season | ✓ Surf beaches |
| Budget-friendly daily spend | ✓ Excellent value | ✗ Moderate to high | ✗ High |
| Luxury resorts with kid clubs | ✓ JW Marriott and more | ✓ Pricier | ✓ Very pricey |
| Unique cultural experience | ✓ Rich Vietnamese culture | ✓ Thai culture | ✗ Domestic |
A full itinerary, naturally
The World's Longest Cable Car
At nearly 7.8 kilometres, the Hon Thom cable car is a jaw-dropping experience in its own right, skimming over open ocean and offering breathtaking views of islands, fishing villages, and boats below. It also happens to be your transport to Aquatopia Water Park.
Aquatopia Water Park
Widely regarded as the best water park in Southeast Asia, Aquatopia has over 20 slides ranging from gentle lazy rivers to extreme kamikaze drops. There is a dedicated children’s area for smaller kids, and the whole park is spectacularly well managed. If you visit once, you will want to go twice.
VinWonders Theme Park
Think Gold Coast theme park, but in tropical Vietnam at a significantly lower price. VinWonders has rollercoasters, spinning rides, log flumes, a spectacular aquarium with mermaid shows, and a large dedicated zone for smaller children inspired by classic fairy tales. A free shuttle runs from across the island.
Vinpearl Safari
One of Vietnam’s finest wildlife parks, the Vinpearl Safari houses hundreds of animal species in spacious, naturalistic enclosures. The safari bus tour through open enclosures is a genuine highlight for children and adults alike, and far more impressive than what you might expect from an island destination.
The Pepper Farm
Phu Quoc is famous across Vietnam for its pepper, and visiting a working pepper farm is a genuinely interesting half-day out for families. It gives children a connection to where their food comes from and is a lovely contrast to the big theme park days.
The Bee Farm
A quirky and popular attraction where families can learn about honey production, taste local honeys and jams, and wander through the surrounding tropical gardens. The tasting sessions are a hit with children and the surroundings are lovely.
Sunset Town
The Vinpearl development at the southern tip of the island is inspired by Mediterranean architecture and is genuinely beautiful at dusk. Strolling through its colourful buildings, photographing the harbour, and watching the sun disappear over the Gulf of Thailand is a wonderful evening activity for families.
Phu Quoc Night Market
No visit is complete without an evening at the Duong Dong Night Market. The smells, the colour, the bustle, and above all the food, which is spectacularly fresh and priced far below anything you would find at a resort, make it an essential experience. Grilled seafood straight off the boats is the obvious highlight.
The coastline
One of Phu Quoc’s greatest selling points is that its beaches are genuinely spectacular and, crucially for families, calm and safe. The western coastline in particular offers crystal-clear turquoise water in conditions that are ideal for children.
Long Beach (West Coast - All Ages)
The longest stretch of sand on the island runs along the western coast from Duong Dong town southward. The water here is reliably calm, shallow near the shore, and that turquoise colour that seems almost artificially perfect. Most of the island’s best resorts line this stretch, making it wonderfully convenient for families based nearby.
Starfish Beach (North Coast - Children's Favourite)
Starfish Beach in the north of the island is one of the most popular family spots on Phu Quoc. The water is extraordinarily clear and shallow, and the beach is scattered with starfish in their natural habitat. Small children absolutely love it, and the calm conditions mean parents can relax while the kids explore. There are simple food and drink stalls nearby, which is everything you need.
Khem Beach (South Coast - Upscale)
Located near the southern end of the island close to VinWonders, Khem Beach is arguably the most photogenic stretch of coastline on Phu Quoc. The sand is a brilliant white, the water impossibly blue, and the casuarina trees lining the shore provide natural shade. It is slightly more elevated in feel than Long Beach and is a wonderful choice for a day away from the parks.
Ong Lang Beach (North Coast - Quiet)
A quieter, more local option, On Lang Beach has a handful of excellent seafood restaurants on the sand and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. It is perfect for families who want to step back from the theme park energy and enjoy a more authentically Vietnamese coastal experience, with fresh fish and the sound of the sea as the main entertainment.
When to go
The dry season runs from December through to April and is by far the best time to visit with children. Skies are reliably clear, the sea is calm, and the humidity is bearable. This period also overlaps with Australian school summer holidays and Easter, which is convenient for families. Temperatures sit comfortably in the high twenties to low thirties throughout, perfect for days at the beach and the water parks.
The wet season from May through October does bring significant rainfall, though it rarely rains all day. The island is quieter and cheaper during this period, and the parks remain open. Many experienced travellers appreciate the trade-off, but for a first-time family visit, the dry season is worth planning around.
Where to stay
One of Phu Quoc’s great strengths is the range of accommodation on offer. Families can genuinely choose their own adventure, from simple local bungalows to some of the most architecturally celebrated resorts in the world.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
Consistently rated among the finest resorts in all of Southeast Asia, this property is built around a theatrical faux-colonial university concept. The pools, the beach access, and the design alone make it worth considering for a special family holiday. Kids clubs and dedicated family facilities are excellent.
Vinpearl Resort and Spa
The original Vinpearl resort on the island offers a comprehensive family package: a private beach, large pools, kids clubs, and convenient access to the VinWonders parks. It is the most logical base for a theme park-focused holiday and is priced reasonably for the facilities offered.
Boutique Resorts along Long Beach
There is a solid selection of mid-range boutique resorts along Long Beach that offer well-appointed rooms, pools, and beach access at prices that feel almost unreasonably reasonable. This is the sweet spot for families who want comfort and quality without paying top-end rates.
Local Guesthouses and Bungalows
For families who want to stretch their travel budget further, Phu Quoc has a good stock of local guesthouses and beachside bungalows at genuinely low prices. The quality has improved significantly over recent years and many offer a more authentic, local flavour that larger resorts cannot match.
Ready to discover Phu Quoc?
We specialise in Vietnam holidays for Australian families. Let us put together an itinerary that takes the guesswork out of your Phu Quoc trip, from flights and accommodation to park tickets and transfers.