Travel Phu Quoc Island

Travel Phu Quoc Island

Sitting back in a hammock, looking out over the quiet surf, you may wonder why more people don't know about Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. It gets almost none of the press of those islands over in Thailand -- and yet with its rugged jungle, squeaking white sands and sparkling cobalt waters, it can more than match them. And though an unbroken beach stretches for almost the entire length of the island's west coast, only a small part of it has been developed. Read more Mekong delta tours

We've seen many an island in Southeast Asia, and we've never stumbled across somewhere quite like here. The mix of isolated and deserted beaches, and a few thriving yet unadulterated Vietnamese towns, make Phu Quoc a rare find indeed. Read more: Vietnam tours

Travel Phu Quoc Island

Given its ease of access (a 21-minute flight from Rach Gia or an hour's flight from Saigon), it's amazing the island isn't far more developed, and while the Vietnamese government has huge plans they remain unrealised, and hopefully will remain just on paper for the foreseeable future. Paloma cruise

The island has something for everyone -- really! Ringed by over a dozen bays and beaches, some yellow sand, others brilliant strips of white, with an archipelago of islets off its south coast, a jungle-covered interior and a handful of fishing villages, there is enough to do for a longer stay than you may be planning.

Accommodation on Phu Quocencompasses a full range of options from affordable backpacker guesthouses through to quite fancy beach resorts and hotels. Hoteliers report that some guests do nothing more than the daily bungalow-beach-restaurant-beach-bungalow circuit for days on end -- for couples in particular, Phu Quoc is a favourite. 

But with a motorbike and a map, there's loads of exploring to do here, and while some of the beaches are under military control, the majority are open to the public.

Many leave Phu Quoc as their final stop in Vietnam before leaving, only to find that a couple of nights just aren’t enough. As a result, flights are changed and itineraries are revised -- so take it from us, revise your itinerary upfront and be sure to allow yourself enough time on Phu Quoc.

Vinh Long travel guide

The roughly oblong-shaped province of Vinh Long sits on a long Delta island, with the Tien Giang Mekong river cruises running along its northern border and the Hau Giang (Bassac) river running to its south. Lush and heavily cultivated with both rice and fruit orchards, the province is criss-crossed with canals and tributaries all flowing into the teeming rivers that form its borders. It’s not surprising that the name Vinh Long translates to "eternal prosperity".

Most travellers will spend their time in the eponymous provincial capital. While a medium-sized town, most points of interest in Vinh Long town sit in the northeast corner where the Co Chien river meets the Long Ho canal. This corner of town is also a popular spot for locals to sit back, slurp coffee and scoff banh mi while the chocolate brown river waters roar past (and it does roar here). This area also hosts a large wet market that borders a bustling central market, some gold shops and plenty of eating opportunities. Read more: Mango cruise

Vinh Long travel guide

Vinh Long is used as a base for those visiting the floating market at Cai Be (which is actually in Tien Giang province) and is known for its homestays on An Binh island to the north. While just a trickle of foreign travellers come through, compared to My Tho further downriver, the boat trips here are more affordable and the homestays offer a terrific opportunity to experience Mekong life firsthand – it's worth stopping here. The tours operating out of Saigon often hop, skip and jump through, combining a trip to Cai Be on the way to Can Tho so very few people overnight here -- don't be surprised when you're the only Westerner in the town's sole disco. Read more: Centre Vietnam Packages

The Vinh Long tourist office can organise homestays and boat trips but both are significantly more expensive than organising something on a more freelance basis -- walk up to the ferry to An Binh island and don't be surprised to be approached for a homestay or boat trip at lower prices. While the tourist office warns, "Using an outside operator carries no insurance should very bad things happen", we didn't find anything very bad happening.

Unlike other floating markets, Cai Be operates well into the day, so if you're in a rush, it's feasible to arrive in Vinh Long early in the morning (say from My Tho), do a boat trip out to the market and returning to Vinh Long by early afternoon with plenty of time to push onto Can Tho. Most trips to Cai Be run for at least three hours as the trip there takes about 45 minutes each way (depending on the route taken and the boat used).

Aside from the river trips and the homestays, Vinh Long isn't screaming out with grade A tourist attractions -- it's other claim to fame is Van Thanh Mieu pagoda, a sprawling complex set in a tranquil garden setting. About 20 kilometres west of Vinh Long lies Sa Dec, a pretty riverside town that was the backdrop to 1991 French movie The Lover.

Vinh Long doesn’t have the tourism infrastructure of My Tho or Can Tho so expect to rough it a bit. However, the city has a certain charm and the homestays in An Binh are refreshingly hassle-free and worth a night or two. Also, if you have your own transport, getting out into the surrounding countryside is well worthwhile.

From the Vinh Long river bank, if you look to the west you can see the twin towers of the My Thuan bridge jutting into the sky. Built with financial assistance from Australia, the bridge did away with the ferries and greatly improved access to the greater Delta from Saigon. One does wonder why it is so high -- perhaps the AusAID officials in Saigon wanted to be able to point out its spires from their offices.

Orientation
The riverside corner of town houses the post office (14 Hoang Thai Hieu) and most corners around the central market have ATMs. The hospital is a bit out of town on Tran Phu and unless it’s an emergency, we suggest making the trip to Ho Chi Minh City where medical care is better.

Halong Calypso crusie 2D - 1N

The myth of Halong Calypso crusie has been inspirited into the Calypso Cruiser. “Glamour” and “Grandeur” are best to characterize Calypso. The cruiser features 12 luxury cabins, all finely equipped, and exposed to the widest view of the Bay; a restaurant features a feast for the senses; and a panoramic sundeck allowing different activities with the beauty of Halong Bay as backdrop. Read more: Halong Alova Gold Cruise, Halong Image Cruise

Halong Calypso crusie 2D - 1N

DAY 1: HANOI – HALONG BAY

08.00 – 08.30 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay
12.00 – 12.30 Embark on Calypso Cruiser followed by cruise briefing
13.00 – 15.30 Savor a sumptuous lunch as Calypso Cruiser cruise further along the limestone islands of Fighting Cock,Dog Rock and Incense Burner…
15.30 – 17.30 Visit Amazing Cave
17.30 – 19.00 Enjoy drinks on Sundeck, snap photos the overview of Halong Bay, go swimming or just relax as the sun starts to set. Join in our brief Vietnamese cooking course on board while having some free wine.
19.00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests or just laze around. vernight on board in a tranquil area. (Evening activities available: night squid fishing, karaoke, dancing…)

Day1: Hanoi - Halong bay (L/D)
08h00 – 08h30    Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay
12h00 – 12h30    Embark on Calypso Cruiser followed by cruise briefing
13h00 – 15h30    Savor a sumptuous lunch as Calypso Cruiser cruise further along the limestone islands of Fighting Cock, Dog Rock and Incense Burner…
15h30 – 17h30    Visit Amazing Cave
17h30 – 19h00    Enjoy drinks on Sundeck, snap photos the overview of Halong Bay, go swimming or just relax as the sun starts to set.
Those who fancy some experience in cooking Vietnamese dishes can join in our brief Vietnamese cooking course on board while having some free wine.
19h00    Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests or just laze around. 
Overnight on board in a tranquil area. (Evening activities available: night squid fishing, karaoke, dancing…)

Day2: Halong bay - Hanoi (B/L)
06h00 – 07h00    Start your day with swimming, exercise or photo hunting
07h00 – 11h00    Have breakfast at sunrise. 
Get your hand on some kayaking, visiting Luon cave, swimming.
Option:  For those who do not fancy kayaking can visit Titop Island to enjoy the panorama view of Halong Bay or just relax, swim at the beach.
Head back to the Harbor.
Disembark at around 11h00
12h00 – 16h30    Transfer back to Hanoi and trip finishes at the hotel around 16h30

Notes:

• Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to the weather condition
• Cruise itinerary and schedule subject to change upon weather and operations conditions.
• Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, visa expiry date for all Passengers
• A valid passport is required upon check-in on board. Children whose traveling documents are attached to parent's passport must travel with the parent. Credit cards accepted on board: Amex, Visa and MasterCard.
• Special requests on food (diet or vegetarian) please inform us before departure.
• Connecting room is available upon reques.
• Surcharge will be added for cruises on December 24 & 31