Areas · north
Gành Dầu (Ganh Dau) and the forested north
The north is mostly national park, with a fishing settlement at Rach Vem, a cape at Ganh Dau that looks across to Cambodian islands, and a strip of large resorts and theme parks at Bai Dai. It rewards a full day and a car.
At a glance
Sources: VinWonders, Ganh Dau, 11 Dec 2025 (agency source); Green SM blog, Mui Ganh Dau, 17 Feb 2025 (agency source) · checked .
What the north actually is
Two norths share this end of the island. One is Phu Quoc National Park: created from a nature reserve in 2001, over 31,422 hectares, in the core zone of the Kien Giang biosphere reserve that UNESCO recognised in 2006. An agency guide puts it at about 70 per cent of the island. It records about 200 bird species, and its highest point, Nui Chua, is 603 m.
The other north is Bai Dai on the north-west coast, where VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, Grand World, the Vinpearl golf course and a run of large resorts sit together. It is busy, ticketed and built for a day inside one park. Between the two, on the far north-west tip, are Ganh Dau and the fishing settlement of Rach Vem: small, slow and the part most visitors never see.
Sources: Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency, Phu Quoc National Park; Sun Paradise Land, Phu Quoc National Park, 11 Nov 2025 (agency source); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, vietnam.travel, Phu Quoc; Vinpearl, VinWonders Phu Quoc price list, 30 Jul 2026 (operator-affiliated); VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari tickets, 17 Dec 2025 (agency source) · checked .
The places worth the drive
| Place | What it is | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Ganh Dau cape | Rocky cape about 30 km from Duong Dong; Cambodian islands visible; agency sources put the border about 4 km away by sea | Late afternoon; dry season |
| Ganh Dau beach | Clear, calm water with few waves; rocks at the point | Dry season mornings |
| Rach Vem | Fishing settlement of about 180 households, nets and floating fish farms; starfish in the shallows about February – April | February – April for starfish |
| National park edge, Xom Moi | Forest ranger station about 13 km north of Duong Dong on DT973, described as the park entrance | Early morning |
| Bai Dai | Over 1.5 km of white sand; theme parks and resorts behind it | Any time; the parks keep their own hours |
| Vung Bau and Cua Can | Crescent beach between Ong Lang and Bai Dai; river-mouth sandbar and village at Cua Can | Afternoon |
Sources: VinWonders, Ganh Dau, 11 Dec 2025 (agency source); Green SM blog, Mui Ganh Dau, 17 Feb 2025 (agency source); Sun Paradise Land, Phu Quoc National Park, 11 Nov 2025 (agency source); VinWonders, Phu Quoc beaches, 17 Dec 2025 (agency source) · checked .
How long to give it
A full day. The stops are spread out and connected partly by red-dirt roads, so a half day spends most of its time driving. Our north island day runs eight hours and still leaves the Nui Chua summit, which takes several hours on its own, for another time.
Staying overnight in the north makes sense if the theme parks are the reason for your trip: the airport is about 30 – 32 km and 40 – 50 minutes from Bai Dai, and Duong Dong is a long way for evenings out.
Sources: Sun Paradise Land, Phu Quoc National Park, 11 Nov 2025 (agency source); VinWonders, airport to Bai Dai, 22 Jul 2025 (agency source) · checked .
When to go
Dry season November to April is best for dirt roads, forest paths and a calm north-west sea.
November to April is the time for the north. Trails are dry, the sea off Ganh Dau is calm and clear, and the forest is easier to walk. From May to October the west and north-west coast is rougher, red-dirt sections can be muddy, and fast-rising streams make swimming in them unsafe. Visiting in those months is possible, but plan a shorter route and keep the forest walk short.
Sources: Sun Paradise Land, Phu Quoc National Park, 11 Nov 2025 (agency source); Mia.vn, when to visit Phu Quoc, 5 Apr 2026 (agency source); VinWonders, Ganh Dau, 11 Dec 2025 (agency source) · checked .
Getting there
- By car from Duong Dong: about 30 km and 40 – 50 minutes to Ganh Dau. One route runs north past the national park; another crosses about 20 km of red-dirt road through forest before following the coast.
- From the airport: about 30 – 32 km to Bai Dai, 40 – 50 minutes, via the Cua Can – Ganh Dau road.
- By free bus: VinBus routes link the airport with Grand World at Bai Dai for holders of park tickets; they do not serve Ganh Dau cape or Rach Vem.
- By scooter: possible in the dry season if you hold a recognised licence; dirt sections are slippery after rain.
Sources: VinWonders, Ganh Dau, 11 Dec 2025 (agency source); Green SM blog, Mui Ganh Dau, 17 Feb 2025 (agency source); Sun Paradise Land, Phu Quoc bus times, 19 Aug 2026 (agency source); VinWonders, airport to Bai Dai, 22 Jul 2025 (agency source); Vietcetera, riding legally in Vietnam, 28 Jun 2026 · checked .
What it costs here
| Item | Published cost |
|---|---|
| VinWonders, adult | VND 1,050,000 |
| Vinpearl Safari, adult | VND 950,000 |
| Grand World entry | Free; some shows and rides paid |
| Ganh Dau cape, Rach Vem, the park edge | No entry ticket stated in our sources |
| Car with driver, full day | VND 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
Published prices, 2025 – 2026; confirm before travel. Seafood in Ganh Dau is sold by weight and is described as fresh and relatively cheap because the catch lands nearby.
Sources: Green SM blog, Mui Ganh Dau, 17 Feb 2025 (agency source); vietnamtourism.com daily budget guide, 19 Sep 2026 (agency source); Vinpearl, VinWonders Phu Quoc price list, 30 Jul 2026 (operator-affiliated); VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari tickets, 17 Dec 2025 (agency source); Vinpearl, Grand World prices, 14 Dec 2025 (operator-affiliated) · checked .
Pictures of the north
When to skip the north
- If you have one free day and want the island's history; the south has the prison and the pagoda.
- If you are visiting in September or October and will be disappointed by mud and grey skies.
- If the theme parks are your plan: book their tickets and transport and skip the guide.
- If you dislike long drives; the round trip from Duong Dong is about 60 km before any detours.
Common questions
Questions travellers ask most
Can we really see Cambodia from Ganh Dau?
You can see small islands on the Cambodian side from the cape. Agency sources put the border about 4 km away by sea.
When are the starfish at Rach Vem?
Agency sources give roughly February to April. Look without lifting them out of the water.
Is there an entrance fee for the national park?
Our sources do not state one for the park edge. Specific places inside, such as streams run as visitor sites, may charge a small ticket.
Is the north safe to explore on our own?
On main roads, yes. In the forest, our advice is to go with a local guide or stay in a group and carry water and a phone with location; agency advice is to cook nothing, carry rubbish out and avoid swimming in streams in the rainy season.
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