Why Phu Quoc in Vietnam is the next luxury holiday destination for Australians

With its white sand beaches, rugged natural beauty and bustling night markets, Phu Quoc is predicted to be the next big Asian destination. The 48-kilometre long Vietnamese island, known for its pearl farming, pepper growing and fish sauce production, is now home to a growing group of luxury hotels.

A weekend

With consistently warm temperatures, a weekend is best spent at some of the island’s secluded beaches, such as Vung Bau or Khem. If water sports are your thing, head to Sao beach where you can hire a jet ski, try your balance on a fly board or hop on a fishing boat, don a snorkel and explore the vibrant coral reef.

A week

There are around 85 different producers of the ubiquitous condiment fish sauce, but the Khai Hoan fish sauce factory in Duong Dong is one of the best places to see (and smell) the traditional red wooden vats holding tonnes of anchovy and salt.

Pepper is another thriving industry, and villages such as Cua Duong, Ganh Dau or Cua Can show visitors how the piquant little beads of fruit grow and the ways pepper has influenced Vietnamese cuisine. Pearl aficionados will be in heaven at Quoc An Pearl, where you can learn about the island’s pearl cultivation and buy the lustrous orbs.

A fortnight

See the unspoilt natural beauty of the island by catching a ride on the world’s longest cable car at the Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park. The carriages glide silently from An Thoi town to Hon Thom islet covering eight kilometres of forested and uninhabited islands, people fishing in traditional boats and coracles, and fishing villages where the tide laps at the door of tiny corrugated iron shacks.

Then spend time exploring Phu Quoc National Park, where forest, sea and mountains meet. The national park covers 50 per cent of the island and is home to long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, slow lorises and otters. The best spot for hiking and bird watching is the peaceful Khu Rung Nguyen Sinh Forest Reserve.

Where to stay \ Nam Nghi is a beautiful, contemporary resort tucked away on the north-east of the island. The rooms are spacious with deep-set stone bathtubs, ideal for watching the sunrise. For sunset, head to the private pier where a boat awaits to take you to the resort’s Rock Island Bar.

Getting there \ Vietnam Airlines flies to Phu Quoc 10-15 times a day, mostly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.