THE PEARL ISLAND ODYSSEY: A New Year Escape to the Edge of Vietnam

New Year's Eve usually means crowded city streets and fleeting resolutions. But imagine starting 2026 differently. Imagine waking up to the sound of the Gulf of Thailand lapping against white sand. Imagine trading the smog for the salt air of Phu Quoc Island.

This 3-day expedition is a condensed injection of tropical bliss. We are leaving the mainland behind for an island that offers everything from the surreal, sleepless energy of Grand World to the raw, natural beauty of Bai Sao. It is a journey of contrasts: Mediterranean architecture in the tropics, African lions in a Vietnamese jungle, and a cable car that flies over the sea.

The Island Loop

DAY 1: The Flavor and The Fantasy | North Island

Points of Interest: Pepper Farm, Sim Wine Factory, Fish Sauce Barrel House, Grand World.

The Experience: We land at Phu Quoc International Airport, shedding the city stress immediately. The first stop is a sensory tour of the island's famous exports. We walk through Pepper Farms, smelling the sharp, spicy aroma of black gold. We taste Sim Wine, a sweet, purple nectar made from wild myrtle fruits. We visit a Fish Sauce Barrel House, where the essence of the ocean is fermented in giant wooden vats—pungent, powerful, and essential to Vietnamese cuisine. The Night: We head north to Grand World, the "City That Never Sleeps." It’s a surreal architectural dream—a replica of Venice with canals, gondolas, and colorful shophouses. It feels like a movie set come to life. Evening: Dinner and sleep in Phu Quoc.

Suggestions:

The Photo: The Bamboo Legend structure at Grand World is an architectural marvel made of 32,000 bamboo trees. It’s best photographed at dusk when the lights come on.

The Vibe: Walk the Venice canal. It’s kitschy, yes, but undeniably fun and vibrant.

DAY 2: The South and The Sea | Fishing & Mediterranean Town

Points of Interest: Pearl Farm, Fishing Boat, Bai Sao Beach, Coconut Tree Prison, Sunset Town (Mediterranean Town), Kiss Bridge.

The Experience: We head south to the Pearl Farms, seeing how a grain of sand becomes a jewel. Then, we board a boat. The engine cuts, and we drift. We drop lines into the coral reefs of Hon Dua and Hon Roi, fishing for grouper in the clear water. The Beach: We land at Bai Sao. The sand here is famous for a reason—it’s like powdered sugar. We swim in turquoise water that feels like a warm bath. The History: A sobering stop at Coconut Tree Prison, a reminder of the island’s dark past during the war. The Sunset: We end at Sunset Town (Mediterranean Town). Perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, this area mimics the Amalfi Coast. We see the Kiss Bridge, a sculptural masterpiece where two spans almost touch over the ocean. Evening: Dinner and rest.

Suggestions:

The Sport: Bring your own snorkel mask if you're particular. The boat provides them, but your own fits better.

The View: Sunset Town is best... at sunset. The golden hour light hitting the colorful buildings is spectacular.

DAY 3: The Choice of Giants | VinWonders, Safari, or Hon Thom

Points of Interest: VinWonders, Vinpearl Safari, Hon Thom Cable Car.

The Experience: The final morning offers a "Choose Your Own Adventure."

Option 1: The Thrill (VinWonders). A theme park of epic proportions. Roller coasters, a water park, an aquarium in the shape of a giant turtle. It is adrenaline and fantasy.

Option 2: The Wild (Vinpearl Safari). Vietnam’s largest open zoo. You ride a bus through enclosures where lions, tigers, and rhinos roam freely. It’s a slice of Africa in the Gulf of Thailand.

Option 3: The Flight (Hon Thom Cable Car). This is the record-breaker. The world’s longest 3-wire sea cable car takes you 8km over the ocean to Hon Thom Island (Pineapple Island). The view from the cabin—fishing boats below, islands ahead—is vertigo-inducing and magnificent. The Return: We shop for dried seafood at the market before flying back to Saigon, carrying the island sun in our skin.

Suggestions:

The Cable Car: If you choose Option 3, go early. The water park on Hon Thom is included in the ticket and is fantastic.

The Safari: Feed the giraffes at the restaurant. It’s a messy, memorable encounter.

The Flight Over the Sea

It happens on Day 3, if you choose the Hon Thom Cable Car. You step into the cabin at An Thoi station. The doors close. You glide out over the harbor. Suddenly, the ground drops away. You are suspended hundreds of meters above the turquoise sea. Below you, hundreds of colorful fishing boats bob in the water like toys. Ahead, the green islands of the archipelago stretch out to the horizon. It is 15 minutes of pure, silent flight that gives you the best perspective of the island’s beauty.

The Island Secrets

The "Bun Quay" Rule: You must try Bun Quay (Stirred Noodles). You have to mix your own dipping sauce from salt, sugar, kumquat, and chili. The noodles are made fresh right in front of you. It’s interactive and delicious.

The Sunscreen Factor: The sun in Phu Quoc is deceptive. It feels breezy, but the UV index is high. Apply sunscreen before you get on the boat or the cable car.

The Pearl Diver

At the Pearl Farm, I watched a worker pry open an oyster. Inside, nestled in the flesh, was a perfect, spherical pearl. It wasn't just a gem; it was a survivor. It started as an irritation, a grain of sand, and the oyster wrapped it in layers of beauty to protect itself. It struck me as a metaphor for the island itself—a place that has endured wars and hardship to become something beautiful, a jewel in the ocean waiting to be discovered.

The Island is Calling

The New Year is the peak season for Phu Quoc. The weather is dry, cool, and perfect. The water is calm. You need to trade the traffic for the tide. Pack your swimsuit. The plane leaves in the morning.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.