One step to everywhere

On the evening of January 8, 2021, fireworks burst into the sky of South Pearl Island. Phu Quoc officially became the first island city of Vietnam. Duong Dong is not only the administrative center of Phu Quoc island city, but also an attractive dining and entertainment destination for tourists of this Island. If you’ve ever been to Bali (Indonesia), the bustling Duong Dong area is like Kuta, or Patong Beach, Phu Ket (Thailand) can be imagined by foreigners and first-timers.

As the capital of Phu Quoc, Duong Dong center becomes a “must-visit” destination for tourists when traveling to Pearl Island. Duong Dong is located in the Northwest, is centrally positioned, and adjacent to many key areas of Phu Quoc. Duong Dong is 10km from Phu Quoc International Airport. The road from the airport to Duong Dong is named Tran Hung Dao. It is a sea road, so there are many restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes, markets, and shopping areas.

Duong Dong is about 30km from An Thoi town by road and 16km from Vingroup’s Vinpearl resort complex (Ganh Dau). Duong Dong town is about 30km from Bai Kem where the Sun Premier Village Kem Beach Resort is located. Duong Dong is also very convenient to get to famous attractions of Phu Quoc such as Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc National Park, or Da Ban Stream.

How to get to Duong Dong?

Currently, there are many direct flights to Phu Quoc airport. Phu Quoc Airport is located in the central area and only about 10km from Duong Dong town. After arriving at Phu Quoc airport, visitors can choose to take a taxi or bus to Duong Dong town easily.

If you take a speedboat from Ha Tien, you will dock at Phu Quoc port near Ham Ninh fishing village, about 14km from Duong Dong town. If you take a high-speed train from Rach Gia, you will dock at Phu Quoc port near An Thoi town, nearly 30km from Duong Dong. Phu Quoc passenger seaport has just been completed on the west coast, very central for pedestrians.

From downtown, there are 2 main directions to Bai Sao. The first direction is very convenient and fast, which is from the down town, take Tan Hung Dao street, turn into Phu Quoc airport (not entering the airport area) and go straight, then turn right onto provincial road 46 running about 17km to Cau Sau market, notice that on the top of the slope as soon as you cross the market, there is a signpost to Bai Sao.

The second direction is a bit farther but easier to go, it is from Duong Dong town, follow road 30 April past Suoi Tranh about 200m to a roundabout, then turn right at the first exit to go to provincial road 46. Continue straight. Go to Cau Sau Market, turn in and go about 2km to Sao beach.

In addition, from Duong Dong, follow TL47 to the South of the island, then continue to the east to reach Ham Ninh fishing village. Another way is to travel by speedboat Superdong from Rach Gia to Bai Vong port, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the fishing village only about 4km from the port.

Tourist attractions in Duong Dong

Duong Dong center is the most densely populated place of Phu Quoc, about 200,000 people. Coming to Duong Dong, visitors will learn about the culture, cuisine and life of the indigenous people.

Duong Dong Market – bustling every morning

Duong Dong Market is located right next to the sea mouth, right in the center of town, and is the largest market in Ngoc Island. In every season, all products of Phu Quoc can be found here. But the most impressive thing is the fresh seafood with extremely reasonable prices, and the honest, simple sales style of the people on the island. Many people have said that they do not know what to buy here because there are too many choices.

Seafood stalls are always crowded with buyers and sellers, packed in styrofoam boxes to bring back as gifts to the mainland. The market also sells pre-processed and dried seafood, so it is very convenient to buy as gifts.

Duong Dong Market – A must-visit destination for seafood lovers

In the morning, Duong Dong market focuses on selling specialty dishes of Phu Quoc. These dishes cannot be found at other restaurants on the island. Visitors can enjoy great dishes. Duong Dong Market will be the ideal place for visitors to discover and experience local cuisine.

Dinh Cau – spiritual symbol of local people

The people of Phu Quoc are mostly fishermen who cling to the sea day and night, always hoping for a peaceful sea for the full batch of fish and shrimp. Therefore, Dinh Cau became a symbol of indigenous beliefs, local people often come to burn incense and pray for peaceful sea trips.

Dinh Cau is located under a canopy of ancient trees at a cliff with a strange shape reaching out to the sea. This is a simple ancient shrine and quite small compared to the majestic surroundings, the current architecture has been renovated in the past few years. Visiting Dinh Cau, visitors will partly understand the spiritual life of sea fishermen.

Especially at sunset, the view from Dinh Cau will be a magnificent scene, the whole sea and sky will turn dark yellow and the waves will rush and sparkle with cool sea breezes…

Fish sauce production barrel house – Phu Quoc specialty not to be missed

In the center of Duong Dong, there are many establishments producing fish sauce – a specialty that cannot be ignored when coming to Phu Quoc. To serve the needs of tourism and promote local specialties, besides the production function, these barrel houses are also open to visitors. Visitors will be able to witness with their own eyes the production process of fish sauce and buy fish sauce as a gift at the place of production.

Night Market Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Night Market serves mainly tourists with souvenirs and local cuisine. The night market starts operating from 15:00 to 23:00, on weekends, visitors have to jostle with each other to the point of “sweating” to be able to visit this night market.

Phu Quoc Night Market at Duong Dong Center – Food Heaven

Coming to Phu Quoc night market, visitors are spoiled for choice with their favorite dishes with a variety of fresh seafood. Many souvenirs are made from the creative marine products of islanders for visitors to visit here. The bustle at Phu Quoc night market is a symbol of the dynamic and joyful life of an island district located 120km away from Rach Gia city.

What to eat?

Duong Dong Phu Quoc is famous for delicious dishes and specialties with the breath of the island. A list of delicious dishes you should enjoy: crab cake soup, mackerel cake soup, seafood noodle soup, grilled squid, crab, sour soup cobia or vermicelli with chicken, grilled mackerel, grilled beef skin fish , grilled herring salad, grilled urchin and various kinds of delectable fried clams, oysters and sea snails.

Where to go in Duong Dong – Phu Quoc is always a question for many people before setting foot on Pearl Island. If you are also wondering, you can be completely assured because Duong Dong town is the capital of Phu Quoc, which has a high population density.

Therefore, in Duong Dong, there are many motels and hotels from affordable to high-class for tourists to choose from. However, there is also a note that in the high season, visitors should book early to avoid the no vacancy signs or not being able to choose the right room for their needs.

Looking at the tourist map of Phu Quoc, you can see that most motels and hotels in Duong Dong are mainly located near Tran Hung Dao street – a road close to the sea and connecting between Duong Dong and Phu Quoc airport. In Duong Dong, there are about 5 5-star standard hotels, all of which are located near Duong Dong beach, just a few minutes walk from the sea. In particular, Seashells Phu Quoc Hotel & Spa is the closest 5-star hotel to the center.

In Duong Dong, there are not only 5-star hotels but also budget hotels and lovely homestays. The majority of backpackers, experienced travelers, and people with average financial levels will choose accommodation facilities in Duong Dong. There are motels, 2-3 star hotels, lovely homestays with very affordable prices. From Duong Dong, it is also possible to “take a single step” to the famous attractions of Phu Quoc, so it is easy to understand why Duong Dong is the stopover choice for many people.

Entertainment services in Duong Dong

As an island district located far from the mainland, the pace of life in Duong Dong has many dynamic features. Duong Dong is not boring because there are many lively entertainment services. Tran Hung Dao Street, the street with the most hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc, is also a retail street for shopping lovers.

Street 30/4: It can be said that this is the eating street in Phu Quoc because there are many restaurants and eateries. This road goes to Sung Hung Co Tu pagoda, Tranh stream, Ham Ninh fishing village, Bai Vong wharf. Hung Vuong Street: This road creates a junction with road 30-4, passing Viet Xua restaurant, Khai Hoan fish sauce barrel house and raft shop (Hai Tram), Hung Vuong bridge, Clam restaurant.

In Duong Dong, there are many entertainment and nightlife spots such as bars, clubs, and KTV… or night squid fishing and walking on the beach are great options for a lovely evening. Traveling to Duong Dong center to discover the culture, cuisine, and indigenous people is only part of the Phu Quoc travel itinerary.