Phu Quoc trip planning: which airport, the visa-free rule, when to go and how many days

Plan three to four days for Phu Quoc. Fly into Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), which has direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and abroad, and go between November and April for the dry season. Thai passport holders already have a 30-day exemption, and the island has its own 30-day visa-free rule for direct international arrivals.

How do you get to Phu Quoc, and which airport do you fly into?

Fly into Phu Quoc International Airport, code PQC. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism it has direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and abroad, and ferries also run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien.

• By air: check the latest direct routes with the airline or the airport's official site.
• By ferry: boats leave from Rach Gia and Ha Tien, so check the timetable before you travel.
• Stormy months: the tourism authority says July to September is stormy and can disrupt ferries, so do not cut a ferry connection too close to an onward flight.

Is Phu Quoc really visa-free, and what should Thai travellers do?

Yes, under set conditions. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism says foreigners who fly directly into Phu Quoc International Airport from abroad, or who transit through the international transit lounge of a Vietnamese international airport, may stay on Phu Quoc Island visa-free for up to 30 days.

How many days do you need on Phu Quoc?

Three days is enough for the main sights and a beach day, and a fourth day gives you a buffer for resting by the sea or for bad weather.

Which month is best for Phu Quoc?

The best period is November to April, the dry season, while seas are rougher from May to October, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

What are the main sights on Phu Quoc?

The main sights listed by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism are Sao Beach, the Hon Thom over-sea cable car, the night market near Duong Dong and Phu Quoc National Park.

• Sao Beach: the natural choice for the beach day of the trip.
• Hon Thom cable car: an over-sea ride, so check its status and opening times with the operator before you go.
• Night market near Duong Dong: a good fit for your arrival evening.
• Phu Quoc National Park: the tourism authority notes the island has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2006.

Can you rent a scooter on Phu Quoc?

Scooters can be rented, but you need a licence that Vietnamese law accepts. Law 36/2024/QH15 puts motorcycles up to 125 cc in class A1, and an international permit must be issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention and carried with your national licence.

• Wear a standard-compliant helmet with the strap fastened, both rider and passenger.
• Do not hold or use a phone while riding, and no alcohol is allowed in your blood or breath.
• Avoid leaving your passport with a rental shop.
• For IDP basics, see “What an International Driving Permit is, how to get one, and whether it really lets you drive abroad”.

Do you need mobile data on Phu Quoc?

Yes, because booking confirmations, maps and ferry timetables all need to be online, especially when the weather changes your plan.

• Keep flight and hotel bookings on your phone.
• Check the weather and ferry timetable before each day out.
• Emergency numbers: police 113, fire brigade 114, ambulance 115.

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