Duong Dong Town is where Phu Quoc’s daily life happens. Fishing boats unload at dawn, incense drifts from a seaside temple at sunset, and the grills on Bach Dang Street keep smoking late into the night.
Many visitors simply pass through on the way from the airport. Then they realise they skipped the island’s liveliest town, and they need a plan to come back.
Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc shares this full and detailed guide to Duong Dong Town for 2026: where it is, how to get there, what to see and eat, a one-day itinerary, and where to stay.
|
Quick Guide: Duong Dong Town at a Glance
|
Duong Dong Town sits on Phu Quoc’s northwest coast, where the Duong Dong River meets the Gulf of Thailand. It is the island’s administrative, commercial and cultural centre, and where much of the local population lives.
Since 1 July 2025, Phu Quoc has been a Special Zone of An Giang Province. Duong Dong, first a town and later a ward, is now simply the Duong Dong area of the Special Zone.
Older maps and booking sites may still list “Kien Giang Province”. That address is out of date.
For visitors, the town does two jobs. It is a destination in its own right. It is also the island’s practical base, with banks, pharmacies, SIM card shops and scooter rentals all within a few streets.
How Far Is Duong Dong Town from Key Places?
Understanding Duong Dong’s position on the island helps in planning day trips and choosing where to stay. The town sits on the northwest coast, roughly central on the north-south axis:
| From Duong Dong Town to | Distance | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc International Airport | about 10 km | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Bai Vong Port (mainland ferries) | about 14 km | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Bai Sao Beach (east coast) | about 25 km | 35 to 40 minutes |
| Sunset Town and Hon Thom cable car (south) | about 25 km | 35 to 45 minutes |
| Phu Quoc Prison (south) | about 28 km | 40 to 50 minutes |
| Bai Dai and Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc (north) | about 30 km | 35 to 45 minutes |
How to Get to Duong Dong Town
Getting to Duong Dong Town is simple. The island’s main roads all lead into it.
From Phu Quoc Airport
The airport sits about 10 km south of town. Tran Hung Dao Street runs straight north into the centre, lined with hotels, restaurants and beach bars.
Grab is the easiest choice: 80,000 to 150,000 VND and 15 to 20 minutes. Metered taxis such as Mai Linh and Vinasun charge around 180,000 to 200,000 VND for the same trip.
Travelling light? Public buses on the airport road cost 20,000 to 50,000 VND. They are slower, but cheap.
Want to explore on your own? Rent a scooter near the airport for 150,000 to 200,000 VND per day and ride straight into town.
From Bai Vong Port (Ferries from Ha Tien and Rach Gia)
Fast ferries from Ha Tien and Rach Gia on the mainland dock at Bai Vong Port on the east coast, about 14 km from town. Grab cars and taxis wait at the port, and the ride takes 20 to 25 minutes.
Some car ferries use other east coast terminals. Confirm the arrival port with the operator before you book a transfer.
Getting Around Town
The main sights sit within 2 to 3 km of the centre. You can walk between the night market, Dinh Cau Temple and the river in a few minutes.
Short Grab rides cost 20,000 to 40,000 VND. A scooter gives you freedom to add a beach or a pepper farm to the same day.
Top Things to Do in Duong Dong Town
Here is the common mistake: treating Duong Dong as a transit stop. Give Duong Dong Town one slow day and it rewards you with markets, temples, a museum and working craft factories, all a short ride apart.
Duong Dong Night Market
The night market on Bach Dang Street opens around 5 PM and runs until about 11 PM. More than 100 stalls sell grilled sea urchin, scallops with scallion oil, squid skewers, crab claws and che, the Vietnamese sweet dessert soup.
Beyond food, you will find Phu Quoc pearl jewellery, fish sauce, black pepper and souvenirs. Typical items cost 25,000 to 150,000 VND, and stalls usually take cash only.
Arrive around 5:30 PM. Crowds peak between 6 and 9 PM.
Dinh Cau Rock and Temple
Dinh Cau Temple sits on a rocky outcrop at the mouth of the Duong Dong River. Built in 1937, it honours Thien Hau, the sea goddess who protects fishermen.
Fishing families still bring offerings here before and after each voyage. This is a working place of worship, so keep your voice low and ask before photographing people.
Arrive 30 minutes before sunset. You get the temple, the small lighthouse, the returning boats and the evening sky in one frame. Entry is free.
Duong Dong Morning Market
Duong Dong Market wakes up at about 5 AM, when boats unload by the river. Tuna, squid, crabs and shellfish arrive by the basket, next to tropical fruit, herbs and dried seafood.
This is a market for locals, not a show for tourists. Come between 5 and 7 AM, when the market is in full swing and the air is still cool. Bring small notes and bargain with a smile.
Coi Nguon Museum
Coi Nguon Museum, the “Museum of Origins”, tells the island’s story under one roof. You will see traditional fishing tools, old ceramics and antiques, local history exhibits and natural history displays.
It sits on Tran Hung Dao Street, a short ride south of the centre. Plan 60 to 90 minutes, and check the opening hours before you go.
Many travellers skip it. Visit early in your trip, and every other stop in Duong Dong Town will make more sense.
Traditional Fish Sauce Factories
Phu Quoc fish sauce (nuoc mam) was the first Vietnamese product granted Protected Designation of Origin status in the European Union, in 2012. Anchovies and sea salt ferment in large wooden barrels for 12 months or more before the first pressing.
Several factories around Duong Dong Town, such as Khai Hoan, welcome visitors in the morning for short free tours and tastings. Read more in our guide to the Phu Quoc fish sauce factory.
Buying a bottle to take home? Choose sealed factory packaging and check your airline’s rules before you fly.
Pepper Farms
Phu Quoc pepper grows on farms just outside Duong Dong Town. Green vines climb wooden posts in neat rows, and many farms let you walk through for free and taste the peppercorns.
The harvest takes place early in the year. Buy whole black, red or white peppercorns at the farm shop, where 100 g costs about 50,000 to 150,000 VND depending on the type.
Sung Hung Pagoda
Sung Hung Pagoda, in central Duong Dong, is one of the island’s long-established Buddhist pagodas. Look for the red and gold lacquerwork, the carved wooden doors and a quiet garden courtyard just steps from the traffic.
Entry is free. Remove your shoes before entering the main hall, and cover your shoulders and knees.
Long Beach and Dinh Cau Beach
Long Beach (Bai Truong) starts just south of Dinh Cau Rock and runs about 20 km down the west coast. The town end is lined with beach bars and seafood restaurants, so it is the easiest swim if you stay in Duong Dong Town.
Dinh Cau Beach, right beside the temple, is a short local stretch for an evening walk. Sun loungers at beachfront venues rent for about 50,000 to 80,000 VND.
The sea is calm from November to April. From May, the southwest monsoon brings waves. This is the west coast, so come for sunset, not sunrise. For quieter sand, see our list of beaches in Phu Quoc.
What to Eat in Duong Dong: A Food Lover’s Guide
Duong Dong Town gives you a wide choice, from 20,000 VND street bowls to multi-course seafood dinners. These five dishes are worth planning your day around.
Herring Salad (Goi Ca Trich)
Phu Quoc’s signature dish: thin slices of raw herring mixed with grated coconut, onion and fresh herbs. You wrap it in rice paper with greens and dip it in a peanut and fish sauce dressing.
A plate costs about 60,000 to 120,000 VND at local restaurants. The herring must be very fresh, so this dish tastes far better here than on the mainland.
Bun Ken
Bun ken is a Phu Quoc breakfast favourite. Rice noodles come under a rich fish and coconut milk sauce flavoured with lemongrass and turmeric, topped with herbs, banana flower and crushed peanuts.
Look for it at morning stalls around the market. A bowl costs about 25,000 to 40,000 VND.
Bun Quay
At a bun quay shop, you mix your own dipping sauce from salt, sugar, chilli, lime and fish sauce. The cook then stirs (“quay”) a paste of shrimp and fish straight into hot water and serves the dumplings with fresh noodles.
Kien Xay on Bach Dang Street is the name locals point to. Expect a queue at lunchtime, and budget about 40,000 to 70,000 VND per bowl.
Seafood at the Night Market
Grilled sea urchin with scallion oil, scallops and garlic butter crab claws are the classics. Plates start from about 80,000 VND, and larger seafood is sold by weight.
The rule is simple: point, confirm the price per piece or per kilo, then let them grill. Find a plastic stool at the nearest table and enjoy the show.
Banh Mi and Vietnamese Coffee
Banh mi stalls open from about 6 AM near the market and along Nguyen Trung Truc Street. A loaded sandwich with pâté, cold cuts, pickles and chilli costs 15,000 to 25,000 VND.
Add a ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee, 20,000 to 35,000 VND) at a riverside café. For sit-down meals, browse our guide to restaurants in Phu Quoc.
A One-Day Duong Dong Town Itinerary
Short on time? This plan covers the highlights of Duong Dong Town and avoids the midday heat.
| Time | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 to 7:00 AM | Duong Dong Market | The catch arrives, cool air |
| 7:00 to 8:00 AM | Bun ken or banh mi, iced coffee by the river | Local breakfast |
| 8:30 to 10:30 AM | Fish sauce factory and a pepper farm | Morning tours |
| 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Coi Nguon Museum | Indoors as the heat rises |
| 12:00 to 3:00 PM | Bun quay lunch, then rest | Peak heat |
| 3:30 to 5:00 PM | Sung Hung Pagoda, swim at Long Beach | Softer light |
| 5:00 to 6:00 PM | Dinh Cau Temple | Sunset |
| From 6:00 PM | Duong Dong Night Market | Seafood dinner |
Staying longer? Our Phu Quoc 7-day itinerary shows how to fit Duong Dong Town into a full week on the island.
Where to Stay: Duong Dong Town or Bai Dai?
Stay in Duong Dong Town if you want markets on foot and budget rooms. Stay at Bai Dai if you want a quiet beach and a full resort, then ride into town for an evening.
Staying in Duong Dong Town
You can walk to the night market, eat cheaply and find transport on every corner. Guesthouses and mid-range hotels are plentiful.
The trade-off is noise. Traffic on Tran Hung Dao Street runs late, and the beach at the town end gets busy.
Staying at Bai Dai
Bai Dai, in the north of the island, is a quieter stretch of coast. Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc sits here, 35 to 45 minutes from Duong Dong Town along the scenic west coast road through Ganh Dau.
The resort offers more than 3,000 rooms and villas, a private beach, over 20 restaurants and bars, a spa and a 600-seat theatre. You can spend a full day without leaving.
The casino area is open 24/7 and managed by Upffinity Gaming Management. It was the first casino in Vietnam to welcome Vietnamese players, officially permitted since 26 November 2025 for those who meet the legal requirements. It also won “World’s Best Casino Entertainment Venue 2022” at the World Casino Awards.
Many guests do both. They base themselves at Bai Dai, ride into Duong Dong for the night market, and come back to a calm beach.
Practical Tips for Visiting Duong Dong Town
- Cash: ATMs line Tran Hung Dao Street and the streets near the night market. Markets and street stalls take cash only.
- Weather: November to April is dry and sunny. May to October brings short, heavy showers.
- Temples: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering.
- Safety: Duong Dong Town is generally safe. Keep bags close in crowds and use Grab rather than unmarked taxis.
- Traffic: scooters move fast on Tran Hung Dao Street. Cross slowly and steadily.
- Prices: confirm seafood prices before cooking, and carry small notes.
FAQ: Duong Dong Town Phu Quoc
What is Duong Dong Town known for?
Duong Dong Town is Phu Quoc’s main town, known for its night market, Dinh Cau Temple, the morning fish market, traditional fish sauce factories and fresh seafood.
How far is Duong Dong Town from Phu Quoc airport?
About 10 km, or 15 to 20 minutes by car. Grab costs around 80,000 to 150,000 VND, and a metered taxi around 180,000 to 200,000 VND.
Is one day enough for Duong Dong Town?
Yes. One full day covers the morning market, a fish sauce factory, Coi Nguon Museum, Dinh Cau Temple at sunset and the night market.
Where should I eat in Duong Dong Town?
Try the night market on Bach Dang Street for grilled seafood, Kien Xay for bun quay, and the morning stalls near the market for bun ken and banh mi.
Is Duong Dong Town safe at night?
Yes, it is generally safe. Keep valuables close in the night market crowds, agree prices before ordering, and use Grab for rides.
How far is Duong Dong Town from Sunset Town?
Sunset Town and the Hon Thom cable car are about 25 km south, or 35 to 45 minutes by car.
How do I get from Duong Dong to Corona Resort & Casino Phú Quốc?
The resort is located on Bai Dai Beach in the north of the island, approximately 30 km from Duong Dong town centre. By Grab or taxi the journey takes 35–40 minutes; by scooter along the western coastal road, allow around 30–35 minutes. The coastal route via Ganh Dau is particularly scenic and recommended for riders comfortable on island roads.
We hope this detailed guide to Duong Dong Town helps you plan a rewarding day in the heart of Phu Quoc.
When you are ready to unwind, visit Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc to enjoy world-class entertainment and a luxurious beach stay on Bai Dai. We are always ready to help make your time on the Pearl Island memorable!
Contact Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc:
- Location: Bai Dai Area, Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province, Vietnam
- Phone: +84 297 222 8888
- Email: mkt.management@casinocorona.vn
- Website: https://casinocorona.vn/en/