What to expect when visiting Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a glistening island off the southwest coast of Vietnam. Half of it is a protected national park, and the other half is a fast-growing tourism centre boasting white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Long Beach is its most popular palm tree-lined coast. But if you’re looking for a more laidback experience, we recommend checking out the southern beaches of Bai Sao and Bai Dam. Explore the island’s backroads by motorbike and get lost in the beauty of Phu Quoc.
2 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 390 kilometers (242 miles) from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc by bus (9 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes) and flight (2 hours 15 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 606,000 VND ($24) for the flight.Where to stay in Phu Quoc?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Phu Quoc at the bottom of this page.
Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc by Flight
A flight is a convenient and fast way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc.
Also, if you book your flight well in advance, you can get combined fares from 606,000 VND ($24) — cheaper than taking a 9-hour bus and ferry.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Ho Chi Minh City Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport by Bus
From the city centre, the ride by bus or taxi to Ho Chi Minh Airport takes 45 minutes.
Public bus #152 is the cheapest option at only 6,000 VND ($0.20). You can hail one from the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market, a 10-minute walk from Pham Ngu Lao.
See our page on Ho Chi Minh Airport for a more detailed guide.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc by Flight
A flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc takes around 1 hour. You can choose from several companies: Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air, or Vietnam Airlines.
Plane fares start from 580,000 VND ($23). Book your flight early for the best rates.
Step 3: Phu Quoc Airport to Phu Quoc City Centre by Taxi
From Phu Quoc Airport, you can reach the city centre via bus or taxi. The ride takes around 30 minutes.
On a budget? Airport bus #11 can get you to Duong Dong city centre for just 20,000 VND ($0.80).
Taxis are also available just outside the airport. Expect to pay around 120,000 VND ($4.80) for a taxi to Long Beach and about 200,000 VND ($8.10) to Duong Dong town.
See our page about Phu Quoc Airport for more details.
Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc by Bus
When you don’t want to fly from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc, you can take a bus to the closest harbour, which is Rach Gia.
This bus journey takes around 9 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes, excluding the waiting time for your connecting ferry. With fares from 698,000 VND ($28), it can be more expensive than a plane journey.
We recommend taking the bus only when flights from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc are too expensive.
Step 1: Ho Chi Minh to Rach Gia Harbour by Bus
Futa Bus, Kumho Samco, and Thien Thanh Limousine operate a number of daily bus trips from Ho Chi Minh to Rach Gia. However, you don’t really get a lot of bus choices if you want to complete this journey within the same day.
Two things to note: (1) it takes 6 hours to complete this journey by bus and (2) the last ferry from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc departs at 13:45.
With those things in mind, your best option would be to take the last night bus from Ho Chi Minh to Rach Gia. These depart at around 23:00 and arrive around 05:00.
That is very early in the morning. But the good thing is, you will find a number of places to eat near the port that are open 24 hours or early morning. You can have breakfast while waiting for the first ferry departure for Phu Quoc.
Different companies have varying departure and arrival points.
Futa Bus and Kumho Samco depart from the Western Bus Station (Mien Tay), 9 km southwest of Pham Ngu Lao. Thien Thanh departs from its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh, 9 km northwest of the tourist district. A taxi ride to these terminals costs around 200,000 VND ($8.10).
Futa Bus has the most convenient arrival point: Rach Gia Bus Station, just 1.5 km northeast of Rach Gia Ferry Port. Kumho Samco and Thien Thanh arrive at their own offices in Rach Gia, which you can find 6-10 km away from the harbour.
Step 2: Rach Gia Harbour to Phu Quoc by Ferry
Superdong and Phu Quoc Express are the main ferry operators from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. Ticket prices start from 390,000 VND ($15.70) and travel time is around 2h 40m - 3h.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Step 3: Phu Quoc Port to City Centre by Bus/Taxi
Ferries dock at Bai Vong Port. From here, you can take a bus for 30 minutes or taxi to either Long Beach or Duong Dong Town.
Fares start from 60,000 VND ($2.40) for a bus and 230,000 VND ($9.30) for a taxi.
Check out our guide on Phu Quoc Ferry Port for more details.
Best places to stay in Phu Quoc
Orchard Fruit Farm Bungalow - Mid Range
What we love most about Orchard Fruit Farm? Their fresh smoothies and the delicious Lemongrass Chili Chicken! You’ll find this quiet and beautiful gem is away from the hectic and noisy tourism. A bicycle rental service is available to get around!
King Room with Garden View from $29
Phu Quoc Valley Sen Bungalow - Mid Range
This family-run property invites you to relax in a quiet and idyllic scenery. The comfortable and clean bungalows come with air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Notice that the place is a bit off the beaten track, but they provide free airport pick-ups, shuttles to the main road, and free bike rental.
King Room with Garden View from $47
The Hill Resort - Treating Yourself
Hill Resort feels just like home, but then on an island. Enjoy homemade bread and pancakes for breakfast, while the staff goes out of their way to make sure you have a great time. The property is a bit far off, but in exchange, you’ll get an experience to never forget and will be rewarded with amazing sunsets!
Double Rooms with Garden View from $56 incl. breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc
What is the distance from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc is 390 kilometers (242 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc is by flight and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc is by flight with ticket costs starting from 606,000 VND ($24).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Ferry Port (Bai Vong)
Rach Gia Ferry Port to Phu Quoc
Most popular routes in Vietnam
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
