Phu Quoc and Da Nang are two of Vietnam's favourite beach destinations, and they're only about 1 hour 45 minutes apart by direct flight. They suit different kinds of trips, and their best seasons are almost opposite, so your travel dates may decide for you.
At a glance
- Phu Quoc: an island in the far south of Vietnam, in the Gulf of Thailand. Beaches, boat trips, theme parks and resorts. Best from November to April.
- Da Nang: a city on the central coast with a long city beach, mountains behind it and the old town of Hoi An about 45 minutes away. Best beach weather from about April to August.
Choose Phu Quoc if you want
- A real island holiday: long beaches, clear water and boat trips to the An Thoi islands in the south, with snorkelling stops.
- Theme parks for the family: VinWonders and the Vinpearl Safari park sit side by side in the north of the island.
- The Hon Thom cable car: about 7.9 km over the sea, billed as the longest non-stop three-rope cable car in the world.
- Easy evenings: Grand World has gondola rides on a Venice-style canal and the nightly Quintessence of Vietnam show, and the west coast is known for its sunsets.
Choose Da Nang if you want
- Beach and culture together: My Khe beach is right in the city, and Hoi An's lantern-lit Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 45 minutes south.
- The Golden Bridge: take the cable car up to Ba Na Hills to walk the bridge held up by two giant stone hands.
- More to do on foot: restaurants, cafés and the bridges along the Han River, plus basket boats in the coconut forest and lantern boats in Hoi An.
- Hue within reach: the old imperial capital is close enough to add on, over the Hai Van Pass.
When to go
The seasons are the biggest difference between the two.
- Phu Quoc: dry and calm from November to April. From May to October it's the rainy season, and the sea on the west coast can be rough.
- Da Nang: the beach season runs from about April to August, and June to August is very hot, often above 35°C. October and November are the wettest months, with a risk of typhoons, and Hoi An's old town can flood.
A simple rule: December to March, choose Phu Quoc. May to August, choose Da Nang. In April, both are good. September and October aren't ideal for a beach holiday in either place.
Getting there and visas
Both have international airports, and VietJet Air and Sun PhuQuoc Airways fly non-stop between them in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Check that you're booking a non-stop flight, because many options connect through Ho Chi Minh City and take much longer.
Phu Quoc has its own 30-day visa exemption for travellers who fly straight into Phu Quoc International Airport from abroad. It only covers the island. If you also want to visit Da Nang or anywhere else on the mainland, you need a Vietnam e-visa before you travel.
Quick comparison
- Families with kids: Phu Quoc, for the theme parks and resort beaches.
- Culture and food: Da Nang, for Hoi An and the city's restaurants.
- Couples: both. Phu Quoc for resort time, Da Nang for evenings in Hoi An.
- A short break from Bangkok: Da Nang, with our 3-day trip that includes flights.
Or see both
With a week, you don't have to choose. Our 7-day Vietnam Heritage and Beach trip spends three nights in Hoi An, with the Golden Bridge, then three nights on Phu Quoc's beach. For a shorter stay, try the 4-day Phu Quoc Island Escape or, from Bangkok, the 3-day Da Nang, Ba Na Hills and Hoi An trip with flights.
For the rest of the country, read our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
Travel rules and opening times change. Check travel.gc.ca for the latest entry requirements before you book flights.