Welcome to my digital nomad information to residing in Phu Quoc. Residence to beautiful seashores, spectacular nationwide parks, and a few incredible cultural and historic sights, it’s a distant employee’s dream vacation spot. To alleviate any confusion it’s pronounced Foo Kwuck, and it’s simply one in all many idyllic places inside Vietnam.
Vietnam’s largest island has the whole lot a distant employee may need. Whether or not you take pleasure in kicking again on the seashore following a busy day on the laptop computer or mountaineering amongst beautiful lush countryside between on-line conferences, right here is why it is best to take into account Phu Quoc as your subsequent digital nomad location.
About Phu Quoc
The island metropolis of Phu Quoc is house to round 180,000 individuals and is at present going by means of a interval of speedy improvement because of a tourism increase. Since 2014, the Vietnamese authorities has allowed 30-day visa-free journey for all foreigners to Phu Quoc, which has resulted in an enormous uptick in guests.
Phu Quoc consists of the principle island however includes 21 extra smaller islets. Such is its magnificence and within the hope of conserving it, Phu Quoc has terrestrial nationwide park and marine safety.
As a result of wealthy provide of contemporary anchovies offshore, it’s broadly agreed amongst Vietnamese people who the most effective fish sauce on the planet is made in Phu Quoc. Black Pepper is one other main export and is cultivated broadly on the island.
Dwelling in Phu Quoc As a Digital Nomad
Phu Quoc was the ultimate cease of my time in Vietnam and I’m glad I saved it till final. Just because If I’d gone there first I’ll by no means have left! It’s an extremely stunning place that feels each bit like an island paradise.
Like a lot of Vietnam, WiFi is broadly accessible in Phu Quoc that means distant working potentialities might be discovered virtually in all places. And whereas there aren’t too many devoted coworking places on the island, laptop-friendly cafes are very commonplace. I loved having a couple of common spots to work from (extra on this later).
My work/life steadiness was pretty much as good as I’ve recognized it in Phu Quoc. The low value of lodging and meals meant that having fun with the nice life was extremely reasonably priced. It’s fully possible for a Phu Quoc digital nomad to spend the morning working amongst tranquil countryside, drive into city for lunch, and end the working day on the seashore. Sounds dreamy, proper?
Is Phu Quoc Secure?
Phu Quoc is usually thought-about secure for vacationers. The island maintains a low crime charge and violent crimes in opposition to vacationers are uncommon. That being mentioned, it’s all the time wise to train primary precautions similar to safeguarding valuables and being aware of your environment.
The island’s regularly enhancing and creating tourism business ensures well-maintained seashores and resorts, and as such, I all the time felt snug and secure while working remotely in Phu Quoc.
Within the occasion of any medical incidences, Phu Quoc does have services that may deal with minor illnesses and accidents. Nonetheless, with the dearth of contemporary improvement present in Vietnam’s larger cities, I’d suggest searching for remedy on the mainland for any critical points.
Greatest Locations for Digital Nomads in Phu Quoc
There’s a wide range of neighborhoods and areas for a digital nomad residing in Phu Quoc to think about. Listed here are 5 of the most effective areas to base your self. Every has its distinctive attraction and facilities;
1. Duong Dong City
The primary city and business hub of Phu Quoc is Duong Dong. That is the place you’ll discover the largest confluence of contemporary facilities and important providers on the island. The Dinh Cau Temple and the night time market are simply two in style points of interest which are loved by vacationers and locals alike.
Located on Phu Quoc’s central west coast, Duong Dong has nice entry to some fabulous seashores and lots of cultural points of interest such because the Dinh Cau Lighthouse. It’s additionally a brief 15-minute drive to the worldwide airport, making it a great location for exploring not solely Phu Quoc, however additional afield too.
2. Cua Lap
If it’s extra of that seashore life you crave, then head south of Duong Dong and keep at Cua Lap. The seashore right here is sensational and picturesque ocean views are so frequent you’ll run the chance of taking them without any consideration.
It’s a well-liked spot for ex-pats and vacationers as a result of scenic environment and the accessibility of Duong Dong. Cua Lap has a really chilled vibe and welcoming environment and but offers sufficient facilities to justify calling it house.
3. Ong Lang
A good quieter and extra secluded seashore city is Ong Lang, round a 25-minute drive north of Duong Down. As soon as once more, you’ll discover pristine seashores, clear waters, and a tropical backdrop that appears too good to be actual.
Being fairly near the principle heart of Phu Quoc means vacationers commonly make the journey to Ong Bang Seashore. Nonetheless, I all the time discovered it considerably much less busy, even on weekends, than close by seashores. The city has an actual neighborhood really feel to it with a small choice of cafes, bars, and eating places to take a look at.
4. Cua Can Village
Relying on the kind of expertise you’re on the lookout for in Vietnam, Cua Can Village is probably not for everybody. It’s a a lot smaller neighborhood situated in direction of the island’s northeast nook and located alongside the Cua Can River.
I discovered Cua Can Village to have an enthralling setting with very laid-back vibes and pleasant locals. Surrounded by mangrove forests and rivers, that is actually an space for anybody who enjoys eco-friendly residing and outside actions. Dwelling right here would enchantment to digital nomads searching for a detailed connection to nature and a slower tempo of life in Phu Quoc.
5. An Thoi
Don’t overlook the South! A 30-minute drive south of central Phu Quoc will deliver you to the island’s southernmost city – An Thoi. The quick and fairly simple journey ought to offer you a sign of simply how small the island actually is.
Although it lacks among the facilities of Duong Dong, there’s nonetheless lots to take pleasure in in An Thai. An excellent variety of eating places, a incredible stretch of shoreline with some wonderful seashores, and a extra chilled social scene are only a few of the advantages of establishing camp within the south.
The best way to Discover Lodging in Phu Quoc
The favored tourism increase in Phu Quoc implies that there are a lot of accommodations and residences accessible for guests to lease. Listed here are a couple of high locations to look and a few concepts to think about to make sure you get the most effective offers going.
1. Airbnb. The standout lodging possibility for a digital nomad in Phu Quoc is Airbnb. It has many listings that characteristic handy reserving choices, free cancellation, and reasonably priced charges. I’ve usually seen reductions of as much as 40% to 50% for month-long stays.
2. Reserving.com – Reserving.com has an in depth array of lodge rooms and residences for each price range in Phu Quoc, most with versatile reserving choices together with no prepayment or free cancellation. I’d additionally suggest enrolling within the Genius Membership for important reductions and extra perks in your bookings.
3. Trusted Housesitters – Home sitting is an more and more in style possibility for budget-friendly journey. Trusted Housesitters is my go-to web site of selection – I secured a 2-week sit throughout my time in Phu Quoc. If you happen to’re serious about pursuing home sitting alternatives take a look at my earlier article, 8 Professional Ideas for Touchdown a Home Sitting Job.
4. Workaway – A good way to save cash on lodging, and sometimes meals, is to make use of Workaway. When you have time in your schedule to assist out with neighborhood initiatives, educate English, or assist on an eco farm, Workaway is all the time price a glance.
Value of Dwelling in Phu Quoc
Many guests will discover Phu Quoc a really reasonably priced place to stay. There aren’t any data-led web sites to spotlight a lot of this, so I’ll give you my very own expertise from being a digital nomad in Phu Quoc. For additional verification, I direct you to the price of residing in Hoi An, which I discovered to be akin to island life in Phu Quoc.
Eating places and Groceries
Avenue meals stalls and conventional Vietnamese eating places are in all places in Phu Quoc. An honest meal might be bought for below $1.50 and the standard could be very excessive. You’ll discover many locals utilizing these institutions every day – which is all the time an excellent signal!
Extra upmarket eating places are in fact accessible too, and also you anticipate to pay round $8-$10pp for a pleasant 3-course meal. Going out for a espresso will value between $1-$2 relying on how fancy you propose to be.
Grocery procuring is one explicit space the place I seen a giant distinction from again house within the UK. Issues like eggs and meat are greater than 50% cheaper in Phu Quoc, as are many fruit and veggies.
Lodging Prices
Dwelling on the attractive island of Phu Quoc is less expensive than you would possibly first think about. The common value of a long-term rental is round $250-$300/month. With all utilities coming in at roughly $60, the financial savings on month-to-month outgoings might be fairly important.
Airbnb and short-term lodging costs are just a little steeper however nonetheless significantly extra reasonably priced than in lots of different nations I’ve visited. A pleasant condominium to your self with a shared pool, health club, and sea views can value as little as $500/month.
Transportation Prices in Phu Quoc
It’s fairly simple to get round Phu Quoc because the island isn’t too huge. Dependable buses join all the principle cities with tickets costing round $0.25 for a single journey.
Seize is a helpful app to arrange in your telephone earlier than you arrive. The Vietnam equal to Uber offers a secure and safe technique to e-book a taxi with out the necessity for money or communication with a non-English talking driver. Brief journeys value below $1 and drivers in Phu Quoc gained’t scoff at driving longer distances with charges across the $6-$10 mark for prolonged journeys.
SIM Playing cards and Information
A number of telecom giants in Vietnam provide SIM playing cards for vacationers, however the huge three are Mobiphone, Vinaphone, and Viettel. Every time I’ve seen a worth on-line, it’s differed from the value or deal I’ve ended up getting in-store, however it’s nonetheless so low cost that it doesn’t make a lot of a distinction.
The primary SIM I bought was with Vinaphone for 1 month which prices $6 for 6GB of knowledge a day! The second SIM was with Viettel additionally for 1 month and price $8 (together with a $2 price for buying a brand new SIM card).
So, in case you safely price range round $7-$10/month, you’ll simply discover a SIM with ample information. The workers within the telephone shops in Phu Quoc are all the time useful and really acquainted with establishing vacationers with new SIM playing cards there after which.
Cash Saving Ideas for Phu Quoc
- Store on the markets: The quite a few every day and nighttime markets in Phu Quoc are nice locations for selecting up the whole lot from garments to groceries.
- Haggle: Keep in mind the Vietnamese famously take pleasure in haggling, particularly within the market.
- Get Seize Limitless: The Seize app normally has a free trial of its membership program, providing versatile cancellation and even larger reductions on rides and meals deliveries.
- Join home sitting: Save on all of your lodging prices by signing as much as a web site like Trusted Housesitters.
- Eat Native: There are such a lot of nice road meals stalls and conventional Vietnamese eating places in Phu Quoc the place it’s doable to select up first rate meals for below $1.50.
- Get pleasure from Nature: Phu Quoc’s pure magnificence spots, beautiful seashores, and luxurious landscapes are free for everybody to take pleasure in.
- Drink Native Espresso: Ca Phe Den is a brilliant robust Vietnamese espresso, I add scorching water to it to make a scrumptious Americano-style drink. Better of all you’ll discover it in all places for about $0.50.
- Search for Lodging Reductions: Many Airbnb hosts provide huge reductions on longer stays. I’ve seen reductions of 40%-50% when reserving for a month.
- Use Public Transport: A visit on the bus prices lower than $0.25 and there are routes connecting the entire island.
Coworking Areas and Laptop computer-Pleasant cafes
As a digital nomad residing in Phu Quoc, accessing appropriate infrastructure is important. Whereas WiFi is out there virtually in all places in Vietnam, coworking areas in Phu Quoc aren’t as frequent as they’re within the larger cities of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Having mentioned that, it’s nonetheless doable to search out all of the facilities wanted for distant work. Listed here are a couple of of my high locations for digital nomads to base themselves in Phu Quoc;
Nora’s Cafe and Restaurant – A beautiful, calm, and spacious setting with robust espresso and even stronger WiFi. Situated a brief distance exterior of Duong Dong it’s price making the quick journey south for the peaceable location and wonderful meals choices.
Highlands Espresso – As the largest chain of espresso outlets in Vietnam, Highlands Espresso is all the time an excellent distant working location. WiFi is free to all clients and also you’re more likely to search out extra specialty espresso choices right here than in one of many smaller road cafes.
There’s a Highlands Espresso primarily based in the principle hub of Duong Dong a road or so away from the river, making it a vibrant and in style spot good for digital nomads who take pleasure in a energetic environment while working.
Like Espresso – If it’s a extra tranquil setting amongst Phu Quoc’s pure magnificence you need in your day of distant working, situate your self at Like Espresso. Based mostly on the sting of a small park in Duong Dong, the cafe/restaurant with a big exterior patio feels very far faraway from the workplace.
The meals choices listed here are nice, the WiFi is robust even exterior, and the workers are all the time very completely happy to see you.
Store 3S Hoa Mai – One of many solely locations in Phu Quoc that advertises itself as a coworking area is Store 3S. And whereas they do have a couple of desks extra suited to an workplace surroundings, it’s extra of a restaurant that’s hoping to draw a digital nomad crowd.
Based mostly in direction of the northwestern tip of the island, that is one other wonderful cafe that’s welcoming of distant staff who want to spend the day utilizing the free WiFi, topping up their espresso cups, and dealing their method by means of the meals choices.
Printing Amenities – Whereas espresso outlets are an excellent possibility totally free WiFi and a cushty area to work, they usually lack among the facilities digital nomads often require. Worry not, as scattered throughout the island are round 18-20 impartial setups with printing and scanning capabilities.
Now, dependable on-line data on such shops is fairly slim as they’re usually small-run operations which are open each time the proprietor is there. Nonetheless, I used to be in pressing want of some printing and scanning while in Phu Quoc and managed it rapidly and simply. It value me round $2 for over 50 printed and scanned pages.
Actions and Issues To Do in Phu Quoc
We didn’t change into digital nomads simply to sit down and work now did we? Phu Quoc is without doubt one of the greatest locations on the planet for some superior post-work actions.
1. Speedboat Island Tour, Snorkeling and BBQ
I discussed earlier that Phu Quoc is made up of twenty-two islands, however what I didn’t point out is that your entire space is a hub for snorkeling and scuba diving. The turquoise waters are house to a incredible and guarded coral reef.
I needed to discover a couple of of those islands so opted to take action by speedboat – why not? All of the snorkeling gear was offered, and an excellent lunch and even a beer for good measure have been thrown in. If you wish to discover and fairly actually dip your toe within the waters then check out this wonderful full-day tour.
2. Eat and Drink Like a Native
There are a ton of fantastic road meals choices accessible in Phu Quoc, so that you’ll usually be spoiled for selection. Nonetheless, realizing the place to go and what to eat when the menus aren’t in English could be a little daunting at the most effective of occasions.
Through the first few days in Phu Quoc, I took a road meals tour and bought to know some native delicacies, what I must be paying for them, and the place the most effective locations to purchase native dishes have been situated. It’s an excellent introduction to the road meals scene, click on right here for extra data.
3. Go to the Largest Theme Park in Vietnam
It’s solely a small island however Phu Quoc is house to the most important theme park in Vietnam. VinWonders is house to an array of points of interest and thrilling rides that make for an thrilling time out. Rollercoasters and epic water slides characteristic alongside a 4D cinema and family-friendly playgrounds and carousels. Click on right here to skip the traces and e-book your tickets now.
4. Expertise the World’s Longest Cable Automobile Trip
Phu Quoc can be the placement of the longest sea-crossing 3-wire cable automobile on the planet. It has a size of almost 5 miles and might carry 3500 individuals an hour. It takes in unmatched, breathtaking views of the ocean and the beautiful inexperienced landscapes of the island.
There are quite a few excursions accessible, however I extremely suggest one which additionally features a go to to a couple of the opposite islands and a seashore for a buffet lunch. Click on right here to learn extra and e-book your journey.
5. Go Scuba Diving
Improve your snorkeling expertise and go scuba diving within the stunning waters of Phu Quoc. An authorized teacher is all the time with you and there are periods appropriate for all ranges of expertise. If you happen to’ve all the time fancied giving scuba diving a strive, now’s your probability!
I discovered this nice tour that features pick-up and lunch, click on right here to study extra.
Climate in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has a tropical monsoon local weather, characterised by distinct moist and dry seasons. The dry season usually spans from December to March. Throughout these months, mild sea breezes present reduction from the warmth which might attain as excessive as 34°C (93°F).
Round April/Might time, the climate transitions into the moist season, which lasts till November. Regardless of the occasional very heavy downpour, temperatures stay gentle, though humidity ranges rise and create a extra tropical surroundings.
Total, Phu Quoc’s climate could be very interesting to individuals like me who dislike the chilly. When the wet season begins it could possibly trigger points with journeys, excursions, and occasions, however for probably the most half, life carries on as regular on the island. Even through the wettest months, there are nonetheless over 135 hours of sunshine to benefit from the seashores.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Phu Quoc
There are undoubtedly a number of professionals to residing on a lovely island like Phu Quoc, however there are additionally some cons to pay attention to too. Listed here are a couple of of my high factors for digital nomads to think about.
Execs of Dwelling in Phu Quoc
- Gorgeous Atmosphere: Pure magnificence is in all places in Phu Quoc. From the pristine seashores, tranquil waters, and luxurious forests, it encapsulates the picture of a paradise island.
- Reasonably priced: Like a lot of Vietnam costs for guests are very low. It’s doable to benefit from the good life at a fraction of the fee in comparison with many different nations.
- High quality of Life: Though Phu Quoc has some sizeable cities, the tempo of life is far slower and the overbearing stresses of metropolis residing are miles away again on the mainland.
- Onward journey: Phu Quoc Worldwide Airport is definitely accessed from anyplace on the island and has every day connections with all of Vietnam and varied nations world wide.
- Visa: All international nationals are entitled to a visa-free 30-day keep in Phu Quoc. For nationals from locations like America and Canada, this implies no charges for a vacationer visa.
- Good WiFi: Regardless of being an island away from the mainland, web connections are typically excellent in Phu Quoc, permitting digital nomads to work with out concern.
Cons of Dwelling in Phu Quoc
- No Coworking Areas: There aren’t any devoted coworking areas in Phu Quoc. Distant working choices will come within the type of laptop-friendly cafes or providers offered by a lodge/lodging.
- Wet Season: Between Might and November Phu Quoc experiences a wet season. This could imply some severely heavy downpours and disruptions to every day life.
- Vacationer Crowds: Phu Quoc is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers from world wide and as such might be very busy throughout peak seasons and trip occasions.
- Restricted Infrastructure: Though Phu Quoc does have medical services and basic infrastructure it lacks the superior improvement of Vietnam’s larger cities.
Digital Nomad Visa for Phu Quoc
There aren’t at present any particular visas for digital nomads in Phu Quoc. Nonetheless, all international nationals are allowed a 30-day keep with out the necessity for a vacationer visa. It’s essential to notice that whereas Phu Quoc offers this visa-free keep, broader rules apply to different areas in Vietnam.
As an example, residents of the UK and 12 different nations can keep for as much as 45 days in Vietnam with no visa, with an possibility to increase their keep to 90 days by means of a web based utility or at a delegated entry level.
Guests from the USA and Canada should acquire a vacationer visa, which might be secured on-line earlier than journey or upon arrival at worldwide entry factors. The length of those visas ranges from 1 to three months, with related prices various between $25 and $50, relying on the meant size of keep and the variety of entries wanted.
In Conclusion
I hope my digital nomad information to Phu Quoc has whet your urge for food for a slice of island residing. My time there was the epitome of what I hoped to expertise when setting out as a digital nomad – laptop computer and occasional all morning adopted by chilling on the seashore or mountaineering within the tropical forests within the afternoon.
Though it might lack the traditional coworking areas, there are nonetheless loads of excellent places from which to base your self. Moreover, on such an accessible island, the whole lot is at your disposal. Get pleasure from!
