Practical tips: Phu Quoc & Con Dao

What I wish I'd known before my first trip.

Visas and entry

Vietnam’s entry rules depend on your passport and change from time to time. Many nationalities can get an e-visa online; some have visa-free stays of a fixed length. Phu Quoc has its own special rule: many foreign visitors arriving directly by international flight can stay on the island visa-free for up to 30 days, as long as they don’t travel to the mainland. Check the official government sites before you go.

Getting there

Phu Quoc has an international airport with direct flights from many Asian cities and frequent domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Fast ferries run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien on the mainland. Con Dao is reached by short flights from Ho Chi Minh City and sometimes Can Tho, or by ferry from mainland ports, which can be cancelled in bad weather.

Getting around

On Phu Quoc, ride-hailing apps and taxis work in most areas, though cars are scarcer in the far north and south. Scooters are common, but ride only if experienced, licensed and insured. On Con Dao, bicycles and scooters are the easiest way to explore; there are few taxis outside the town.

Seasons

Phu Quoc’s dry season runs roughly from November to April, with calm seas on the west coast and clear sunsets; the wet season, May to October, brings rain, rougher water on the west coast and calmer conditions on the east. Con Dao’s seas are generally calmest from about March to July, while turtle nesting peaks in the middle of the year.

Money

Cash is still king in smaller places, though cards work in larger hotels and restaurants. ATMs are common in Duong Dong and An Thoi but limited on Con Dao, so bring enough cash. Agree prices before ordering seafood or boat trips.

Health and water

Don’t drink tap water; bottled or filtered water is widely available. Mosquitoes carry dengue in some seasons, so use repellent. Be careful with shellfish and food left in the heat. There are clinics on both islands, but serious cases may need evacuation to the mainland.

Sea safety

Rip currents occur on some beaches, especially on Phu Quoc’s west coast in the wet season. Swim where others swim and avoid going out alone. Jellyfish appear seasonally; ask locally. On boat trips, check for life jackets and listen to the crew.

Etiquette

Dress modestly at temples, pagodas and memorial sites, with shoulders and knees covered. Remove shoes before entering homes and shrine rooms. On Con Dao especially, the prison sites and cemetery are places of mourning for many Vietnamese visitors; behave quietly and respectfully.

Wildlife and the reef

Don’t touch or take starfish, coral or shells with animals inside. Don’t buy souvenirs made from turtle shell, coral or other protected species. Follow rangers’ instructions with nesting turtles and keep lights off the beaches at night.

SIM cards and connectivity

Local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy at airports and shops, and mobile data is cheap and fast in towns. Coverage can be patchy in the national parks and on remote beaches and islands, so download maps before you go.