Digital Nomad Information to Residing in Phu Quoc

Welcome to my digital nomad information to dwelling in Phu Quoc. House to beautiful seashores, spectacular nationwide parks, and a few incredible cultural and historic sights, it’s a distant employee’s dream vacation spot. To alleviate any confusion it’s pronounced Foo Kwuck, and it’s simply certainly one of many idyllic areas inside Vietnam.

Vietnam’s largest island has every thing a distant employee might need. Whether or not you get pleasure from kicking again on the seashore following a busy day on the laptop computer or mountaineering amongst beautiful lush countryside between on-line conferences, right here is why it is best to contemplate Phu Quoc as your subsequent digital nomad location.   

About Phu Quoc

The island metropolis of Phu Quoc is house to round 180,000 folks and is at present going by way of a interval of fast improvement because of a tourism increase. Since 2014, the Vietnamese authorities has allowed 30-day visa-free journey for all foreigners to Phu Quoc, which has resulted in a large uptick in guests. 

Phu Quoc contains the principle island however contains 21 extra smaller islets. Such is its magnificence and within the hope of conserving it, Phu Quoc has terrestrial nationwide park and marine safety.

As a result of wealthy provide of contemporary anchovies offshore, it’s broadly agreed amongst Vietnamese people who the very best fish sauce on the planet is made in Phu Quoc. Black Pepper is one other main export and is cultivated broadly on the island.  

Residing in Phu Quoc As a Digital Nomad

Phu Quoc was the ultimate cease of my time in Vietnam and I’m glad I saved it till final. Just because If I’d gone there first I could by no means have left! It’s an extremely stunning place that feels each bit like an island paradise. 

Like a lot of Vietnam, WiFi is broadly obtainable in Phu Quoc that means distant working potentialities could be discovered virtually in all places. And whereas there aren’t too many devoted coworking areas on the island, laptop-friendly cafes are very commonplace. I loved having a number of common spots to work from (extra on this later). 

My work/life steadiness was pretty much as good as I’ve recognized it in Phu Quoc. The low price of lodging and meals meant that having fun with the great life was extremely inexpensive. It’s fully possible for a Phu Quoc digital nomad to spend the morning working amongst tranquil countryside, drive into city for lunch, and end the working day on the seashore. Sounds dreamy, proper?

Is Phu Quoc Protected?

Phu Quoc is mostly thought of protected for vacationers. The island maintains a low crime price and violent crimes in opposition to vacationers are uncommon. That being stated, it’s at all times wise to train fundamental precautions corresponding to safeguarding valuables and being aware of your environment.  

The island’s regularly enhancing and growing tourism business ensures well-maintained seashores and resorts, and as such, I at all times felt comfy and protected while working remotely in Phu Quoc.

Within the occasion of any medical incidences, Phu Quoc does have services that may deal with minor illnesses and accidents. Nevertheless, with the shortage of recent improvement present in Vietnam’s greater cities, I’d advocate searching for remedy on the mainland for any severe points.

Finest Locations for Digital Nomads in Phu Quoc

There’s a wide range of neighborhoods and areas for a digital nomad dwelling in Phu Quoc to contemplate. Listed below are 5 of the very best areas to base your self. Every has its distinctive appeal and facilities; 

1. Duong Dong City 

The principle city and business hub of Phu Quoc is Duong Dong. That is the place you’ll discover the most important confluence of recent facilities and important companies on the island. The Dinh Cau Temple and the night time market are simply two fashionable points of interest which are loved by vacationers and locals alike.  

Located on Phu Quoc’s central west coast, Duong Dong has nice entry to some fabulous seashores and plenty of cultural points of interest such because the Dinh Cau Lighthouse. It’s additionally a brief 15-minute drive to the worldwide airport, making it a really perfect location for exploring not solely Phu Quoc, however additional afield too.   

2. Cua Lap 

If it’s extra of that seashore life you crave, then head south of Duong Dong and keep at Cua Lap. The seashore right here is sensational and picturesque ocean views are so frequent you’ll run the chance of taking them as a right. 

It’s a preferred spot for ex-pats and vacationers because of the scenic environment and the accessibility of Duong Dong. Cua Lap has a really chilled vibe and welcoming ambiance and but supplies sufficient facilities to justify calling it house.  

3. Ong Lang 

A good quieter and extra secluded seashore city is Ong Lang, round a 25-minute drive north of Duong Down. As soon as once more, you’ll discover pristine seashores, clear waters, and a tropical backdrop that appears too excellent to be actual. 

Being fairly near the principle heart of Phu Quoc means vacationers often make the journey to Ong Bang Seashore. Nevertheless, I at all times discovered it considerably much less busy, even on weekends, than close by seashores. The city has an actual neighborhood really feel to it with a small number of cafes, bars, and eating places to take a look at.

4. Cua Can Village  

Relying on the kind of expertise you’re on the lookout for in Vietnam, Cua Can Village will not be for everybody. It’s a a lot smaller neighborhood positioned in direction of the island’s northeast nook and located alongside the Cua Can River. 

I discovered Cua Can Village to have an enthralling setting with very laid-back vibes and pleasant locals. Surrounded by mangrove forests and rivers, that is actually an space for anybody who enjoys eco-friendly dwelling and outside actions. Residing right here would attraction to digital nomads searching for an in depth connection to nature and a slower tempo of life in Phu Quoc.  

5. An Thoi 

Don’t overlook the South! A 30-minute drive south of central Phu Quoc will carry you to the island’s southernmost city – An Thoi. The quick and fairly simple journey ought to offer you a sign of simply how small the island actually is. 

Although it lacks a number of the facilities of Duong Dong, there’s nonetheless loads to get pleasure from in An Thai. variety of eating places, a incredible stretch of shoreline with some wonderful seashores, and a extra chilled social scene are only a few of the advantages of establishing camp within the south. 

The right way to Discover Lodging in Phu Quoc

The favored tourism increase in Phu Quoc implies that there are a lot of accommodations and flats obtainable for guests to lease. Listed below are a number of prime locations to look and a few concepts to contemplate to make sure you get the very best offers going. 

1. Airbnb. The standout lodging possibility for a digital nomad in Phu Quoc is Airbnb. It has many listings that characteristic handy reserving choices, free cancellation, and inexpensive charges. I’ve usually seen reductions of as much as 40% to 50% for month-long stays. 

2. Reserving.com – Reserving.com has an in depth array of lodge rooms and flats for each funds in Phu Quoc, most with versatile reserving choices together with no prepayment or free cancellation. I’d additionally advocate enrolling within the Genius Membership for important reductions and extra perks in your bookings. 

3. Trusted Housesitters – Home sitting is an more and more fashionable possibility for budget-friendly journey. Trusted Housesitters is my go-to web site of selection – I secured a 2-week sit throughout my time in Phu Quoc. Should you’re eager about pursuing home sitting alternatives take a look at my earlier article, 8 Knowledgeable Ideas for Touchdown a Home Sitting Job. 

4. Workaway –  A good way to save cash on lodging, and infrequently meals, is to make use of Workaway. When you’ve got time in your schedule to assist out with neighborhood initiatives, educate English, or help on an eco farm, Workaway is at all times value a glance. 

Value of Residing in Phu Quoc

Many guests will discover Phu Quoc a really inexpensive place to reside. There aren’t any data-led web sites to focus on a lot of this, so I’ll give you my very own expertise from being a digital nomad in Phu Quoc. For additional verification, I direct you to the price of dwelling in Hoi An, which I discovered to be corresponding to island life in Phu Quoc. 

Eating places and Groceries

Avenue meals stalls and conventional Vietnamese eating places are in all places in Phu Quoc. A good meal could be bought for below $1.50 and the standard could be very excessive. You’ll discover many locals utilizing these institutions each day – which is at all times a superb signal! 

Extra upmarket eating places are in fact obtainable too, and also you count on to pay round $8-$10pp for a pleasant 3-course meal. Going out for a espresso will price between $1-$2 relying on how fancy you plan to be.

Grocery buying is one specific space the place I seen an enormous distinction from again house within the UK. Issues like eggs and meat are greater than 50% cheaper in Phu Quoc, as are many fruit and veggies.

Lodging Prices

Residing on the gorgeous island of Phu Quoc is less expensive than you would possibly first think about. The typical price of a long-term rental is round $250-$300/month. With all utilities coming in at roughly $60, the financial savings on month-to-month outgoings could be fairly important. 

Airbnb and short-term lodging costs are somewhat steeper however nonetheless significantly extra inexpensive than in lots of different nations I’ve visited. A pleasant house to your self with a shared pool, fitness center, and sea views can price as little as $500/month.  

Transportation Prices in Phu Quoc

It’s fairly simple to get round Phu Quoc because the island isn’t too massive. Dependable buses join all the principle cities with tickets costing round $0.25 for a single journey. 

Seize is a helpful app to arrange in your telephone earlier than you arrive. The Vietnam equal to Uber supplies a protected and safe strategy to guide a taxi with out the necessity for money or communication with a non-English talking driver. Brief journeys price below $1 and drivers in Phu Quoc gained’t scoff at driving longer distances with charges across the $6-$10 mark for prolonged journeys.    

SIM Playing cards and Knowledge

A number of telecom giants in Vietnam provide SIM playing cards for vacationers, however the massive three are Mobiphone, Vinaphone, and Viettel. At any time when I’ve seen a worth on-line, it’s differed from the worth or deal I’ve ended up getting in-store, nevertheless it’s nonetheless so low cost that it doesn’t make a lot of a distinction. 

The primary SIM I bought was with Vinaphone for 1 month which prices $6 for 6GB of information a day! The second SIM was with Viettel additionally for 1 month and price $8 (together with a $2 price for buying a brand new SIM card).     

So, if you happen to safely funds round $7-$10/month, you’ll simply discover a SIM with ample information. The workers within the telephone shops in Phu Quoc are at all times useful and really accustomed to establishing vacationers with new SIM playing cards there after which.  

Cash Saving Ideas for Phu Quoc

1. Store on the markets: The quite a few each day and nighttime markets in Phu Quoc are nice locations for selecting up every thing from garments to groceries. 
2. Haggle: Keep in mind the Vietnamese famously get pleasure from haggling, particularly within the market. 
3. Get Seize Limitless: The Seize app normally has a free trial of its membership program, providing versatile cancellation and even greater reductions on rides and meals deliveries. 
4. Join home sitting: Save on all of your lodging prices by signing as much as a web site like Trusted Housesitters.
5. Eat Native: There are such a lot of nice road meals stalls and conventional Vietnamese eating places in Phu Quoc the place it’s doable to choose up respectable meals for below $1.50. 
6. Get pleasure from Nature: Phu Quoc’s pure magnificence spots, beautiful seashores, and luxurious landscapes are free for everybody to get pleasure from. 
7. Drink Native Espresso: Ca Phe Den is a brilliant sturdy Vietnamese espresso, I add sizzling water to it to make a scrumptious Americano-style drink. Better of all you’ll discover it in all places for about $0.50. 
8. Search for Lodging Reductions: Many Airbnb hosts provide massive reductions on longer stays. I’ve seen reductions of 40%-50% when reserving for a month. 
9. Use Public Transport: A visit on the bus prices lower than $0.25 and there are routes connecting the entire island.   

Coworking Areas and Laptop computer-Pleasant cafes

As a digital nomad dwelling in Phu Quoc, gaining access to appropriate infrastructure is important. Whereas WiFi is out there virtually in all places in Vietnam, coworking areas in Phu Quoc aren’t as frequent as they’re within the greater cities of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. 

Having stated that, it’s nonetheless doable to search out all of the facilities wanted for distant work. Listed below are a number of of my prime locations for digital nomads to base themselves in Phu Quoc; 

Nora’s Cafe and Restaurant – An exquisite, calm, and spacious setting with sturdy espresso and even stronger WiFi. Situated a brief distance outdoors of Duong Dong it’s value making the quick journey south for the peaceable location and wonderful meals choices.  

Highlands Espresso – Because the greatest chain of espresso retailers in Vietnam, Highlands Espresso is at all times an awesome distant working location. WiFi is free to all prospects and also you’re more likely to search out extra specialty espresso choices right here than in one of many smaller road cafes. 

There’s a Highlands Espresso primarily based in the principle hub of Duong Dong a road or so away from the river, making it a vibrant and fashionable spot excellent for digital nomads who get pleasure from a energetic ambiance while working. 

Like Espresso – If it’s a extra tranquil setting amongst Phu Quoc’s pure magnificence you need in your day of distant working, situate your self at Like Espresso. Primarily based on the sting of a small park in Duong Dong, the cafe/restaurant with a big exterior patio feels very far faraway from the workplace. 

The meals choices listed here are nice, the WiFi is robust even outdoors, and the workers are at all times very comfortable to see you. 

Store 3S Hoa Mai – One of many solely locations in Phu Quoc that advertises itself as a coworking area is Store 3S. And whereas they do have a number of desks extra suited to an workplace atmosphere, it’s extra of a restaurant that’s hoping to draw a digital nomad crowd. 

Primarily based in direction of the northwestern tip of the island, that is one other wonderful cafe that’s welcoming of distant staff who want to spend the day utilizing the free WiFi, topping up their espresso cups, and dealing their manner by way of the meals choices.   

Printing Services – Whereas espresso retailers are an awesome possibility free of charge WiFi and a cushty area to work, they usually lack a number of the facilities digital nomads often require. Worry not, as scattered throughout the island are round 18-20 unbiased setups with printing and scanning capabilities. 

Now, dependable on-line data on such shops is fairly slim as they’re usually small-run operations which are open each time the proprietor is there. Nevertheless, I used to be in pressing want of some printing and scanning while in Phu Quoc and managed it rapidly and simply. It price me round $2 for over 50 printed and scanned pages.

Actions and Issues To Do in Phu Quoc

We didn’t change into digital nomads simply to sit down and work now did we? Phu Quoc is without doubt one of the greatest locations on the planet for some superior post-work actions. 

1. Speedboat Island Tour, Snorkeling and BBQ 

I discussed earlier that Phu Quoc is made up of 22 islands, however what I didn’t point out is that all the space is a hub for snorkeling and scuba diving. The turquoise waters are house to a incredible and protected coral reef. 

I wished to discover a number of of those islands so opted to take action by speedboat – why not? All of the snorkeling gear was offered, and an awesome lunch and even a beer for good measure have been thrown in. If you wish to discover and fairly actually dip your toe within the waters then check out this wonderful full-day tour.

2. Eat and Drink Like a Native 

There are a ton of wonderful road meals choices obtainable in Phu Quoc, so that you’ll usually be spoiled for selection. Nevertheless, realizing the place to go and what to eat when the menus aren’t in English is usually a little daunting at the very best of occasions.

Through the first few days in Phu Quoc, I took a road meals tour and acquired to know some native delicacies, what I needs to be paying for them, and the place the very best locations to purchase native dishes have been positioned. It’s an awesome introduction to the road meals scene, click on right here for extra data.

3. Go to the Largest Theme Park in Vietnam 

It’s solely a small island however Phu Quoc is house to the largest theme park in Vietnam. VinWonders is house to an array of points of interest and thrilling rides that make for an thrilling day trip. Rollercoasters and epic water slides characteristic alongside a 4D cinema and family-friendly playgrounds and carousels. Click on right here to skip the traces and guide your tickets now.

4. Expertise the World’s Longest Cable Automobile Experience 

Phu Quoc can also be the placement of the longest sea-crossing 3-wire cable automobile on the planet. It has a size of practically 5 miles and might carry 3500 folks an hour. It takes in unmatched, breathtaking views of the ocean and the beautiful inexperienced landscapes of the island. 

There are quite a few excursions obtainable, however I extremely advocate one which additionally features a go to to a couple of the opposite islands and a seashore for a buffet lunch. Click on right here to learn extra and guide your journey.

5. Go Scuba Diving 

Improve your snorkeling expertise and go scuba diving within the stunning waters of Phu Quoc. An authorized teacher is at all times with you and there are classes appropriate for all ranges of expertise. Should you’ve at all times fancied giving scuba diving a strive, now’s your likelihood! 

I discovered this nice tour that features pick-up and lunch, click on right here to be taught extra.

Climate in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc has a tropical monsoon local weather, characterised by distinct moist and dry seasons. The dry season usually spans from December to March. Throughout these months, light sea breezes present aid from the warmth which might attain as excessive as 34°C (93°F). 

Round April/Could time, the climate transitions into the moist season, which lasts till November. Regardless of the occasional very heavy downpour, temperatures stay gentle, though humidity ranges rise and create a extra tropical atmosphere.  

Total, Phu Quoc’s climate could be very interesting to folks like me who dislike the chilly. When the wet season begins it might probably trigger points with journeys, excursions, and occasions, however for probably the most half, life carries on as regular on the island. Even in the course of the wettest months, there are nonetheless over 135 hours of sunshine to benefit from the seashores. 

Execs and Cons of Residing in Phu Quoc

There are undoubtedly numerous execs to dwelling on a gorgeous island like Phu Quoc, however there are additionally some cons to pay attention to too. Listed below are a number of of my prime factors for digital nomads to contemplate. 

Execs of Residing in Phu Quoc

• Gorgeous Surroundings: Pure magnificence is in all places in Phu Quoc. From the pristine seashores, tranquil waters, and luxurious forests, it encapsulates the picture of a paradise island. 
• Inexpensive: Like a lot of Vietnam costs for guests are very low. It’s doable to benefit from the good life at a fraction of the fee in comparison with many different nations. 
• High quality of Life: Though Phu Quoc has some sizeable cities, the tempo of life is way slower and the overbearing stresses of metropolis dwelling are miles away again on the mainland. 
• Onward journey: Phu Quoc Worldwide Airport is definitely accessed from wherever on the island and has each day connections with all of Vietnam and varied nations all over the world. 
• Visa: All overseas nationals are entitled to a visa-free 30-day keep in Phu Quoc. For nationals from locations like America and Canada, this implies no charges for a vacationer visa. 
• Good WiFi: Regardless of being an island away from the mainland, web connections are typically excellent in Phu Quoc, permitting digital nomads to work with out concern.   

Cons of Residing in Phu Quoc

• No Coworking Areas: There aren’t any devoted coworking areas in Phu Quoc. Distant working choices will come within the type of laptop-friendly cafes or companies offered by a lodge/lodging. 
• Wet Season: Between Could and November Phu Quoc experiences a wet season. This could imply some critically heavy downpours and disruptions to each day life. 
• Vacationer Crowds: Phu Quoc is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers from all over the world and as such could be very busy throughout peak seasons and trip occasions. 
• Restricted Infrastructure: Though Phu Quoc does have medical services and basic infrastructure it lacks the superior improvement of Vietnam’s greater cities. 

Digital Nomad Visa for Phu Quoc

There aren’t at present any particular visas for digital nomads in Phu Quoc. Nevertheless, all overseas nationals are allowed a 30-day keep with out the necessity for a vacationer visa. It’s vital to notice that whereas Phu Quoc supplies this visa-free keep, broader rules apply to different areas in Vietnam.  

For example, residents of the UK and 12 different nations can keep for as much as 45 days in Vietnam and not using a visa, with an possibility to increase their keep to 90 days by way of a web based software or at a delegated entry level.

Guests from the USA and Canada should acquire a vacationer visa, which could be secured on-line earlier than journey or upon arrival at worldwide entry factors. The length of those visas ranges from 1 to three months, with related prices various between $25 and $50, relying on the meant size of keep and the variety of entries wanted. 

In Conclusion

I hope my digital nomad information to Phu Quoc has whet your urge for food for a slice of island dwelling. My time there was the epitome of what I hoped to expertise when setting out as a digital nomad – laptop computer and occasional all morning adopted by chilling on the seashore or mountaineering within the tropical forests within the afternoon.

Though it might lack the standard coworking areas, there are nonetheless loads of excellent areas from which to base your self. Moreover, on such an accessible island, every thing is at your disposal. Get pleasure from!