Vietnam - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 911

fishing and snorkelling day-trips for $17/person. The
website W discoverphuquoc.com is a good source of
island info.
Services There are a number of ATMs dotted along the
length of Tran Hung Dao, and an Agribank at 2 Trang Hung
Dao in Duong Dong. There are several pharmacies near the
market on Ngo Quyen in Duong Dong. The post o ce is at
Thang 4 in Duong Dong (daily 7am-7pm).

BAI SAO BEACH
My Lan T 077 3990779, E [e-mail]. Very
basic bungalow accommodation with mattress and fan
at the popular My Lan Restaurant at the southern end of
the beach. Double $25

EATING AND DRINKING
Most resorts have decent bar-restaurants. Places close
fairly early; very little is open past 10pm, even at
weekends. For the island's best, cheapest seafood, head
for the vendor stalls by the lighthouse and the open-air
eateries at the night market along Vo Thi Sau in Duong
Dong (daily from 5pm, mains from 80,000VND). The basic
restaurants on Bai Sao are locally famous for their
barbecued seafood and grilled fish.
Buddy Ice Cream Café 26 Nguyen Trai. This congenial
café with free computers for guests and a book exchange
offers imported New Zealand ice cream (30,000VND/
scoop), sublime fruit shakes, fish and chips and toasted
sandwiches. Daily 9am-8pm.
Ganesh 97 Tran Hung Dao. Large Indian restaurant
specializing mostly in northern Indian cuisine, such as
tandoori dishes. Plenty of vegetarian options, and the
thalis (veggie or seafood; 180,000VND) make for a gut-
busting meal. Daily 11am-10pm.
Mondo 82 Tran Hung Dao. Stylish tapas bar serving
delicious gazpacho along with chicken wrapped in banana
leaf and other “meal-sized” tapas (from 50,000VND), such

ACCOMMODATION
Prices skyrocket around Dec and Jan, but during low season
(May-Sept), prices are slashed by up to two-thirds, making
some budget and mid-range resorts fantastic value.

LONG BEACH
Beach Club T 077 3980998, W beachclubvietnam.com.
Simple but tasteful beach bungalows and double rooms,
with terracotta-tiled floors, white walls and linen, and
rustic four-poster beds. The resort is run by a helpful and
welcoming Anglo-Vietnames e co uple, and also has a
decent bar-restaurant. Double $35 , bungalow $40
Langchia Hostel 84 Tran Hung Dao T 09 39132603,
E [e-mail]. This small hostel, run by a
helpful young Vietnamese guy, consists of one large dorm
that sleeps sixteen people, and is particularly good for
solo tr avel lers. Regular movie nights encourage mingling.
Dorm $10
Mush'rooms Backpackers Hostel 170 Tran Hung Dao
T 09 37942017, W mushrooms-phuquoc.com. A 5min
walk from the beach, this hostel is cheap and cheerful,
with backpackers linger ing in the courtyard over a
generous breakfast. Dorm $6
Phu Quoc Paris Beach Resort T 077 3994548,
W phuquocparisbeach.com. Bungalows around a pool,
simple, comfortable rooms in the main building next to
the shaded dining area, delicious food, friendly service
and placid d ogs underfoot make this a great beachside
spot. Double $25
Viet Thanh 118/14 Tran Hung Dao T 0122 9866542,
W vietthanhbungalow.com. Spacious bungalows with
porches and hammocks in a friendly family-run compound
on the beach. There are also simp le ro oms on o ffer in a
concrete building out back. Double $20 , bungalow $45

11

TREAT YOURSELF
Mango Bay Resort T 090 3981693,
W mangobayphuquoc.com. This beautiful
compound of wooden and rammed-earth
thatched bungalows, enclosed by
deserted beaches and protected forest,
is the island's first eco-friendly resort,
with solar panels and recycled materials
in use. The bungalows themselves are
elegantly furnished with four-poster beds,
white linen and soft lighting; all have
tasteful alfresco bathrooms and a private
veranda . Hi gh season prices start at $115.
Double $60
Itaca Lounge 125 Tran Hung Dao T 077
3992022, W itacalounge.com. Lanterns in
the trees and strings of tiny lights subtly
illuminate this open-air lounge, with
comfy couches and tables scattered
around. The menu is creative international
(seared tuna burger, Black Angus rib eye,
tabouleh salad, brownie with dragon-fruit
coulis), the service is super-attentive and
the ambience just lovely. Mains from
210,000VND. Daily 4-11pm.

★

ONG LANG BEACH
★

Freedomland T 077 3994891, W freedomland
phuquoc.com. Drowning in greenery down one of the
winding dirt paths near Ong Lang Beach, this is a hippie-
esque retreat. Accommodation is rustic: fan-cooled
bungalows with mosquito nets, cold showers, and no
wi-fi, but travellers end up lingering here for days because
of the friendly vibe. You're likely to make new friends here
over commu nal d inner, and the beach is a 5min schlep
away. Double $45