Bai Sao Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam.

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Anna Levan

Sao Beach

Top choice in Phu Quoc Island


With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao Beach bends out alongside a sea of mineral-water clarity just a few kilometres from An Thoi, the main shipping port at the southern tip of Phu Quoc Island. There are a couple of beachfront restaurants where you can settle into a deckchair (50,000d for nonguests), change into bathers (10,000d fee) or partake in water sports.

How to get to Sao Beach

Sao Beach is located on the south-eastern edge of Phu Quoc island. The easiest way to get around the island is by motorbike, either as a moto taxi or private hire. For short xe om runs, 20,000d should be sufficient. Otherwise figure on around 60,000d for about 5km. Agree on a price before setting off.

Motorbikes can be hired from most hotels and bungalows for around 120,000d (semi-automatic) to 150,000d (automatic) per day. Inspect cheaper bikes thoroughly before setting out.

Car taxis are also available, as is the Phu Quoc Bus Tour, a hop-on/hop-off shuttle that loops around island hotspots every 40m. Tickets for the latter can be purchased online.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Phu Quoc Island attractions

1. Phu Quoc Prison

1.35 MILES

Not far from Sao Beach in the south of the island, Phu Quoc's notorious old prison, built by the French in the late 1940s, contains a small museum that…

2. An Thoi Islands

3.73 MILES

Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, these 15 islands and islets are a paradise of white sand and blue waters. They can be visited by chartered boat for…

3. Ho Quoc Pagoda

4.74 MILES

Climb the stairs of this pagoda, on a remote stretch of coastal road 10km north of Sao Beach, for one of the best views from any temple in Vietnam: blue…

4. Suoi Tranh

10 MILES

Compared with the waterlogged Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc has very little surface moisture, but there are several springs originating in the hills. The most…

5. Suoi Da Ban

10.52 MILES

Suoi Da Ban is a white-water creek tumbling across some attractive large granite boulders. There are deep pools and it’s nice enough for a dip. Bring…

6. Coi Nguon Museum

11.36 MILES

With displays on Vietnamese medicines, Stone Age tools, a boatful of barnacle-encrusted ceramics, oddly compelling shell-covered furniture and a small…

7. Long Beach

12.66 MILES

Long Beach is draped invitingly along the west coast from Duong Dong to An Thoi. Development concentrates in the north, near Duong Dong, where the…

8. Duong Dong

12.93 MILES

The island’s main town and chief fishing port on the west coast is a tangle of budget hotels catering to domestic tourists (although foreigners are…