Short answers to the questions we are asked most. Where a topic needs more than a paragraph, the answer links to the full guide.
Visas and arriving
Do I need a visa if I fly straight to Phu Quoc?
A: Not for a stay on the island itself. Every nationality flying into Phu Quoc from abroad gets 30 days visa-free, including if you connect through another Vietnamese international airport and stay airside. The exemption ends at the island: to carry on to the rest of Vietnam you need either Vietnam’s 45-day exemption, which covers citizens of 24 countries, or an e-visa. Arriving overland from Cambodia through Ha Tien does not qualify for the island exemption. Details are on our Phu Quoc visa page.
Can I get or extend a visa on Phu Quoc?
The 30-day Phu Quoc exemption cannot be extended. What you can do is apply for a proper visa while you are on the island — start at the immigration office in Duong Dong, or use one of the agencies on Tran Hung Dao Street, which will file it for a service charge. Allow days, not hours. The fees and the full process are on our visa page.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, the dry season — December to March is the best of it. May to October is the rainy season: cheaper and greener, but with rough seas on the west coast. Month-by-month figures are in our weather guide, with more detail for November, December, January, February, March and April.
Money
What currency is used?
The Vietnamese dong (VND). By law, prices and payments in Vietnam are in dong, so pay in dong even where a dollar price is shown. More in our money and ATMs guide.
Are there ATMs?
Yes — at the airport and throughout Duong Dong, Long Beach and An Thoi. Use machines in busy, well-lit places such as bank branches, the airport and malls; see scams and safety for card-skimming tips.
Where can I change money?
At banks in Duong Dong and An Thoi, or at authorised exchange counters. Changing money at unlicensed places, such as gold shops, is not legal in Vietnam even where it is offered. The simplest option is to withdraw dong from an ATM.
Is tipping expected?
No. Tipping is not common and never mandatory. At the five-star resorts, many guests tip porters and restaurant staff, and leaving small change for good service anywhere is appreciated.
Getting around
Can I legally ride a scooter?
Only with the right licence. Since 1 January 2025, you need either a Vietnamese licence, or an International Driving Permit from a country that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried together with your licence from home. Riding without it can cost a fine of 2,000,000–4,000,000 VND and the bike being held. Most rental shops will not ask — that does not make it legal. Everything you need to know is in our motorbike guide.
How do I get around without a scooter?
Grab cars, Xanh SM electric taxis and metered taxis work everywhere on the main roads, and the apps show the fare before you book. There are also free buses: the Sun World shuttle down the west coast to Sunset Town, and VinBus to Grand World for park ticket holders. See getting around Phu Quoc and maps and drive times.
Health and safety
Is Phu Quoc safe?
Yes, for the most part. The usual problems are phone and bag snatching and being overcharged. Use your hotel safe and read scams and safety.
Can I drink the tap water?
We do not recommend it. Bottled water is sold everywhere and many hotels provide it free.
Can I shower and brush my teeth with tap water?
Yes, if you are healthy.
Is the sea easy to get in and out of?
On most beaches, yes — the slope is gentle. The west coast gets rougher with bigger waves in the rainy season, roughly May to October, when the east and south coasts are calmer — see the weather guide.
Practical questions
Can I take Phu Quoc fish sauce home on the plane?
Usually, in checked baggage only, well packed and within the airline’s limit. Vietnam Airlines, for example, recommends putting fish sauce in checked baggage and allows at most 3 litres or 3 kg per passenger, and does not carry it on its ATR72 flights. Use plastic bottles, not glass, seal them, and pack them in a taped box. Rules differ between airlines, so check yours before you buy. Liquids rules mean it cannot go in your carry-on. More in our fish sauce guide.
Can I get laundry done?
Yes. Your hotel can arrange it, or use the laundry shops in Duong Dong and Long Beach, which usually charge by the kilo. Upscale resorts tend to charge by the piece.
Can I use the pool at another resort?
Often, yes. Many resorts and beach clubs sell day passes or let you use the pool if you spend a set amount on food and drink — Sailing Club on Long Beach is a well-known example. Ask at reception.
Are there phone shops and repair shops?
Yes. The big Vietnamese chains, such as Thế Giới Di Động and FPT Shop, have branches in Duong Dong, and local SIM cards are sold there too — bring your passport to register one. Packages, prices and eSIMs: SIM cards and mobile data.
Is there a Honda or Yamaha service centre?
Yes, both brands have service centres in Duong Dong. Oil changes and small repairs are cheap.
Where should I stay?
That depends on what you want from the trip. Our where to stay guide compares every area of the island.
Can you book a tour or hotel for me?
No. This site does not sell tours, rooms or tickets, and does not take commission from the businesses it writes about. Every hotel can arrange tours for you, and there are tour agents all over Duong Dong and Long Beach.
Fish sauce rules: Vietnam Airlines baggage page, checked October 2026.
