Phu Quoc

While the rest of Vietnam is bustling with motorbikes and ancient history, Phu Quoc is the place where the country takes a deep breath and relaxes. Floating in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, this “Pearl Island” feels like a world of its own, where the sun seems to set just a little slower over the white sands.

The magic of Phu Quoc is found on its southern tip at Sao Beach. The sand here is famous for being as white and fine as granulated sugar, and the water is so clear you can see your toes even when you’re waist-deep. But if you want a true “castaway” feeling, I always recommend taking a boat out to the An Thoi Archipelago. Snorkeling in the quiet bays of Fingerprint Island or May Rut Island, you’ll find vibrant coral reefs and a silence that is hard to find on the mainland.

But the island isn’t just about the beach. In the center, the Phu Quoc National Park offers a lush, green canopy of dipterocarp trees and hidden hiking trails. You might also catch the distinct, savory scent of the island’s most famous export: Fish Sauce. Visiting a traditional Nha Thung (fish sauce factory) is a sensory experience like no other, where you see massive wooden vats aging the “liquid gold” that chefs all over the world crave.

As evening approaches, everyone drifts toward the Duong Dong Night Market. The air fills with the smell of “Bun Quay” (stirred noodles) and fresh scallops grilled with spring onion oil. After a day of exploring pearl farms and pepper plantations, sitting on the sand with a cold drink as the sky turns a fiery orange-pink is the only way to end a day in paradise.