Nature Excursions
Cultural Escapades
Commercial Tours
Phu Quoc is so much more than just a beach. We spent years exploring the island and our knowledge of our family retreat is second to none. If you’re interested in exploring, come and see us at the reception. We can organize tailor-made tours for you and your party. If you prefer to make your own way, we can assist in car or motorbike rental and point you in the right direction.
Nature Excursions
Cultural Escapades
Commercial Tours
Phu Quoc is so much more than just a beach. We spent years exploring the island and our knowledge of our family retreat is second to none. If you’re interested in exploring, come and see us at the reception. We can organize tailor-made tours for you and your party. If you prefer to make your own way, we can assist in car or motorbike rental and point you in the right direction. Book the best place to stay in Phu Quoc and make Cassia Cottage your launchpad for your unique island adventures. Our idyllic island is renowned for its beaches. But, we slowly learned after creating our spice-trader’s retreat, that there’s so much more to discover. We founded our Phu Quoc island resort in the late 1990s, right on beautiful Ba Keo Beach. At that time, we traversed this lush, beach-fringed island looking to develop plantations that would help us take Phu Quoc cassia and pepper to the world. Exploring Phu Quoc equipped us with a deep knowledge of the island and its people. We discovered breathtaking parts of the island, hidden coves and cascading waterfalls, only insiders know. And in the spirit of hospitality that has been the core of Cassia Cottage since its inception, we want to share the secrets of Phu Quoc island with you. The Cassia Cottage team have curated a selection of vibrant and eclectic Phu Quoc activities. Our reception staff can organise tailor-made tours, or assist you in your independent adventures by renting a car or motorbike in Phu Quoc. Naturally, they’ll wave you off in the direction of some of Phu Quoc island’s natural and cultural treasures, the places that it took us years of exploration to first discover.
Our eco-friendly Phu Quoc resort, Cassia Cottage, is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Nature lovers are drawn to our beachfront resort to be immersed in nature, because at Cassia Cottage we think ahead…and with our hearts. Because of our commitment to nature at Cassia Cottage, we encourage our guests to embrace the natural beauty of Phu Quoc island both here, and on their adventures across the island.
Squid Fishing is a great and unique experience. Cruise into the sunset for an exciting night. As the night falls, learn how to get your catch, exactly like how the local fishermen do to earn their living. And have your self-caught dinner grilled on the spot!
Our boats set off from Phu Quoc harbour at sunset into the island’s coastal waters searching for squid. Our comfortable fishing boat trips turn back time, so you can learn how Phu Quoc’s fishermen have landed their prize catch of squid for generations. And you get to try your hand at catching squid too with this unique Phu Quoc squid fishing experience led by our knowledgeable crew.
Diving/Snorkelling is generally available from October through to April (though you can dive all year round) and is done at the outlying islands in a protected reserve. The clear emerald waters are home to many varieties of coral, multi-colored fish, anemones and starfish. Your excursion will be under the guidance of a certified dive master or instructor. A variety of training courses are also available.
Our snorkelling expeditions explore emerald waters rich with coral reefs and sea life off Phu Quoc island. The tropical marine ecosystem offers breathtaking undersea adventures for both divers, and the warm, shallow waters are perfect for snorkelling. Our Phu Quoc snorkelling trips set out in the months between October and April, when visibility is at its clearest, and when conditions are safest. Our Phu Quoc diving trips are offered all year round. Each trip is led by a certified divemaster or instructor.
Phu Quoc is still underdeveloped for the time being and there are still plenty of remote and empty BEACHES – some with villages and some with great seafood. Discover Ganh Dau, Bai Thom, Bai Sao and Bai Vong.
Our snorkelling expeditions explore emerald waters rich with coral reefs and sea life off Phu Quoc island. The tropical marine ecosystem offers breathtaking undersea adventures for both divers, and the warm, shallow waters are perfect for snorkelling. Our Phu Quoc snorkelling trips set out in the months between October and April, when visibility is at its clearest, and when conditions are safest. Our Phu Quoc diving trips are offered all year round. Each trip is led by a certified divemaster or instructor.
The BA DAN WATERFALL (Suoi Da Ban) can be found 10 minutes north of Duong Dong town. This is a good place for a swim when the falls are flowing – stream tends to dry up before the rainy season arrives each year.
The SUOI TRANH WATERFALL is not the most dramatic, but it has its own charm and is quite peaceful. It’s a 4-meter tall waterfall within the Ham Ninh mountains, surrounded by lush greenery, natural caves and rock pools. Find smaller waterfalls and streams with fish and freshwater shrimps. Get off the beaten path and explore the diverse fauna and flora of wild orchids and exotic mushrooms. There is also a bat cave further up from the waterfall site.
The BA DAN WATERFALL (Suoi Da Ban) can be found 10 minutes north of Duong Dong town. This is a good place for a swim when the falls are flowing – stream tends to dry up before the rainy season arrives each year.
Our Phu Quoc island resort was built to bring together a community. At Cassia Cottage, we have curated a series of cultural experiences that exhibit our pride in this idyllic island and its people that we’re grateful to have become a part of. Our Cassia Cottage cultural excursions reveal the island’s rich history. Discover the best things to do in Phu Quoc…besides beaches.
Experience the daily life of local fishermen at Ham Ninh village or Cua Can village. You might even try their seafood prepared in a typical Phu Quoc style. Cassia Cottage has built strong bonds with the island’s fishermen. Our Phu Quoc fishing village tour offers unrivalled access to two local fishing villages and their inhabitants; people for whom time has stood still for generations, as they continue to search for the bounties of the sea just as their forebears once did.
At Ham Ninh Village and Cua Can Village guests get to experience the life of the local fishermen firsthand. At Ham Ninh Village, on Phu Quoc’s east coast, low-tide reveals an endless strip of beach, and at high tide the water washes in to engulf the 200-metre jetty where Ham Ninh’s fishermen set off from and return to, with nets filled with freshly caught fish and crabs. At picturesque Cua Can Village, on the unspoilt north coast of Phu Quoc island, discover stilt houses and a charming, traditional atmosphere. It’s a place that remains untouched by tourism. Expect tours to Ham Ninh Village and Cua Can Village to end with home-style Phu Quoc seafood freshly caught by the local fishermen.
COI NGON MUSEUM is just a short walk away from Cassia Cottage and offers a selection of artifacts from 1700 onwards and dedicates areas of the museum based on the artifacts dates and on timeperiods such as wars.
Privately-owned and curated Coi Nguon Museum houses a collection of antiques and objects that delve into the 300-year history of Phu Quoc island’s inhabitants. Discover exhibits detailing the history of the production of fish sauce on the island, one of Phu Quoc’s proudest exports. Added to that there are folk and contemporary paintings and relics like fishing tools, antique furniture and fossils. Coi Ngoun Museum provides a unique insight into island life.
TEMPLES & PAGODAS in Phu Quoc are interesting. A unique one is Dinh Cau Temple that is part shrine and part lighthouse, built in honor of Thien Hau (the Goddess of the sea) who provides protection for the fisherman. Perched on top of rocks at the mouth of the Duong Dong River it has a shrine, the lighthouse, as well as terrace overlooking Duong Dong Town, the port, and the sea.
Built under the architectural style of Holy See Temple Tay Ninh, Cao Dai Temple is an impressive tourist attraction in Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc is the birthplace of Caodaism, a monotheistic religion which combines Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam. Its central tenant is that we may follow different religions but we all share one true God.
Su Muong Pagoda was founded in 1932 by Nguyen Kim Muon, a well-respected accountant turned monk. Climb up over 60 stone steps to reach the main hall, built on a 3 meter thick stone. To enjoy spectacular views, go to the back of the property and follow the path up to the old pagoda to the first level.
Situated near Sao Beach, Coconut Prison was built by the French during colonial times. But it is most (un)famous for its role in both the Vietnamese-American war and the war between Vietnam & Cambodia where it was used as a prisoner-of-war camp. The museum is very graphic and may not be suitable for young children.
Built by the French in 1946 and situated near Sao Beach, Phu Quoc Coconut Prison, or Phu Quoc Coconut Tree Prison, is infamous for its role in the colonial era, and both the Vietnamese-American war and the war between Vietnam and Cambodia, when it served as a prisoner-of-war camp. The prison was certified as a Special National Relic in 1995. It’s a stark reminder that even idyllic Phu Quoc island wasn’t immune to the impact of war. Visitors should note some of Coconut Prison’s displays may not be suitable for children.
The Pepper from Phu Quoc is reputedly one of the world’s finest and a visit to any one of the farms on the Island is well worth it. You’ll find pepper plantations mostly around the central and northern parts of the island and most farmers won’t mind you stopping to take photo’s or viewing these amazing storks of pepper trees or the drying pepper. Organised tours also visit the Khu Tuong pepper gardens for a close look at the pepper gardens and cover the overall harvesting and drying process.
Find out how Phu Quoc offers the ideal breeding ground for oysters, discover the process of harvesting pearls and transforming them into pieces of jewellery. If you want to buy pearls, you will find that the quality varies, and there are also fake pearls. There are numerous pearl shops, most in Duong Dong town. Pick up a wide variety of pearl gifts from bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings at very reasonable prices. Some shops feature high quality South Sea pearls with high price tags to match.
Fish sauce is an important condiment in Vietnamese cuisine and a significant contributor to Phu Quoc’s economy. Various distilleries are now open to the public. Her you can learn how this vital ingredient is produced. Gift shops sell different grades of fish sauce so you can bring a taste of Vietnam back home.
Opened in 2014, this farm offers an ecological experience. Here you will find out all about the honey bee and information about the importance of honey bees. The farm has fruit orchards on site, with rambutan, durian, mango and grapefruit fruit trees. There is also a store and cafe that sells honey related products.
PHU QUOC NIGHT MARKET is famous for fresh seafood, pearl souvenirs and famous local specialties such as fish sauce, pepper and Sim wine. If you’re looking to buy souvenirs there are booths selling T-shirts, slippers, jewellery and handicrafts, as well as prepacked snacks such as Phu Quoc’s fish sauce, dried seaweed, black pepper and cashew nuts.
100C/12 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong Ward, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang, Vietnam