Phu Quoc, an island in southern Vietnam’s Kien Giang Province, is a tropical destination with strong appeal for family travelers. I visited with a group of friends in March 2025, and while we didn’t bring children, the island’s features—its beaches, attractions like the world’s longest over-sea cable car, a comprehensive theme park, and a dedicated water park—demonstrate its suitability for families. Here’s an evidence-based look at why Phu Quoc merits consideration as a family vacation spot.
Beaches Designed for Family Use
Phu Quoc’s beaches are well-suited for family activities. Long Beach (Bai Truong), a 20-kilometer stretch along the southwest coast, features soft sand and calm, shallow waters with minimal currents, averaging depths of less than 1 meter near the shore. During our visit, we observed families utilizing the space for sandcastle building and safe wading. Sao Beach (Bai Sao), on the southeast coast, offers finer, white sand and equally calm waters, with a gradual slope ideal for young swimmers. Vendors along both beaches sell fresh coconuts, providing hydration options. These conditions—combined with ample space and natural shade from palm trees—make Phu Quoc’s beaches practical and safe for family recreation.
Cuisine Accessible to All Ages
Phu Quoc’s culinary offerings cater effectively to diverse palates, including children. The Duong Dong Night Market, located in the island’s main town, operates daily from 5 PM and features over 50 stalls serving seafood sourced from the Gulf of Thailand. Grilled fish, prawns, and squid are prepared fresh, often in small portions suitable for younger diners. A local dish, bun quay, consists of rice noodles in a mild fish broth, offering a light option likely to appeal to children. Phu Quoc’s fish sauce, a globally recognized product with an annual production exceeding 10 million liters, enhances flavors without overwhelming. We observed families dining with children consuming these dishes, alongside non-alcoholic beverages like fruit mocktails, while adults opted for local beers like Saigon. The market’s affordability—meals averaging $2-5 USD—adds to its family-friendly profile.
Attractions Structured for Family Entertainment
Phu Quoc’s attractions are engineered for broad family engagement. The Hon Thom Cable Car, operated by Sun World, spans 7,899.9 meters from An Thoi in southern Phu Quoc to Hon Thom Island, making it the longest over-sea cable car globally as of 2025. Running every 15 minutes, the 15-minute ride reaches a maximum height of 174 meters, offering panoramic views of the sea and surrounding islands. During our trip, we noted its enclosed cabins accommodating up to 30 passengers, including space for strollers, and its smooth operation, suitable for all ages. It connects directly to VinWonders Phu Quoc, a 50-hectare theme park opened in 2020, designed with multiple zones for family enjoyment.
We traveled to VinWonders via Grab, a ride-hailing app, from the Mövenpick Waverly Resort. The 25-kilometer journey to the cable car station in An Thoi took 25 minutes and cost approximately 150,000 VND ($6 USD). After the cable car, we explored VinWonders, where the Phu Quoc Water Park (part of the Water World zone) stands out as a family draw. Spanning 10 hectares, it features over 20 water-based attractions, including the “Turtle Race,” a four-lane slide for ages 6+, and the “Python Drop,” a 15-meter free-fall slide for older children and adults. The lazy river, 700 meters long, supports group flotation, while the 1,200-square-meter wave pool generates waves up to 1 meter. Other zones like Typhoon World (with roller coasters reaching speeds of 80 km/h), Fairy Land (featuring a 15-meter castle), and Adventure World (with jungle-themed rides) cater to varied age groups, ensuring a full day’s entertainment.
Additional mainland attractions include Phu Quoc National Park, a 31,422-hectare UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with flat trails spanning 2-5 kilometers, where we saw families observing native birds like the hornbill. The Phu Quoc Prison Museum, a historical site from the Vietnam War, covers 2 hectares and offers free entry, appealing to older children with educational exhibits. Suoi Tranh Waterfall, a 15-meter cascade 7 kilometers from Duong Dong, features shallow pools (0.5 meters deep) where families waded safely after a 300-meter hike.
Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc: Family Amenities
We stayed at the Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc, a 5-star property located in Ong Lang Beach, 10 kilometers north of Phu Quoc International Airport (20-minute drive). Its 305 rooms and 79 villas include family suites with ocean or garden views. We picked a room that had direct pool access and a spacious layout, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Phu Quoc’s attractions with friends. The resort features three pools, including a 500-square-meter main pool with a 0.4-meter shallow section for young swimmers, and a kids’ club, Little Birds, offering daily activities like arts and crafts from 8 AM to 6 PM.
The Nha Trang Restaurant provides seafood and international options, with a children’s menu featuring dishes like chicken nuggets at 160,000 VND ($6.50 USD/$9.50 AUD), while the Wave Bar offers mocktails starting at 90,000 VND ($3.50 USD/$5 AUD). Direct beach access, water sports rentals (kayaks at 200,000 VND/hour, $8 USD/$12 AUD), and a spa with treatments from 1,300,000 VND ($52 USD/$78 AUD) enhance its appeal. Our Grab ride to VinWonders confirmed its strategic location for family outings.
A Low-Key Atmosphere with Family Appeal
Phu Quoc maintains a relaxed pace despite its growing tourism infrastructure, with a population of 179,480 as of 2023 and annual visitor numbers nearing 5 million. The Mövenpick’s value—rooms starting at $130 USD ($195 AUD) nightly—reflects competitive pricing, and local hospitality supports family comfort. Compared to Phuket’s 12 million annual visitors, Phu Quoc offers less congestion.
Practical Travel Information
Phu Quoc International Airport, with daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City (55 minutes, $50 USD/$75 AUD one-way), or ferries from Rach Gia (2.5 hours, $15 USD/$22.50 AUD), provides access. For VinWonders and the Phu Quoc Water Park, Grab offers rides to the Hon Thom Cable Car station (25-30 minutes from central areas). The optimal season is November to March, with temperatures averaging 27°C and rainfall below 100 mm monthly. Families should pack swimsuits, sunscreen, and water shoes. The An Thoi Archipelago, a 15-island cluster, offers snorkeling with visibility up to 10 meters, popular among families for its marine life.
Conclusion: A Family-Ready Destination
Phu Quoc’s beaches, cuisine, and attractions like the cable car, VinWonders, and Phu Quoc Water Park, alongside accommodations like the Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc, position it as a family-ready destination.
