Phu Quoc or Nha Trang: where is the best place to relax and what to choose?

The choice between Phu Quoc and Nha Trang is, without exaggeration, a choice between two different philosophies of rest in Vietnam. Both resorts are incredibly popular, but at the same time they are radically different. We have traveled both up and down, and in this article we will not just list the pros and cons, but honestly and humanly tell you who and which resort is best suited. Are you ready to figure it out?

The key difference: Island Robinsonade vs. City drive

Let's dot the "and" from the very beginning.

• Phu Quoc is a large tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand. It is often compared to Thai Phuket, but it is less promoted and more "wild". Rest here is, first of all, privacy, gorgeous long white sand beaches, a sense of escape from civilization and unity with nature. Yes, new tourist neighborhoods like Sunset Town are being rapidly built here, the atmosphere of rest here changes from year to year. But the soul of Phu Quoc still remains in its untouched jungles, fish farms and pepper plantations.

• Nha Trang is a large, noisy, dynamic city on the mainland. This is not just a beach resort, but a full-fledged metropolis with embankments, skyscrapers, universities and developed infrastructure. Rest here is a cocktail of beach relaxation, excursions, shopping, nightlife and treatment in mud spas. Here you will always be in the center of events.



Beaches and the sea: Where is the best place to sunbathe and swim?

• Phu Quoc: Paradise for the beach aesthete

  Beaches are the main pride of Phu Quoc. Almost the entire western coast of the island is a series of stunning beaches like Long Beach, Bai Sao (Sao Beach) or Ong Lang. The sand is snow-white and shallow, the water is turquoise, the entrance to the sea is often very shallow. We were pleasantly surprised that most of the beaches are public, and you can go to the sea from almost any hotel.

  But there is a nuance: during our visit we specially toured the island in search of "wild" paradisiacal corners and found that many of them outside the tourist areas are heavily littered. Therefore, it is best to focus on well-known, well-equipped beaches. It is also worth considering tides — there is simply nowhere to swim at low tide on some beaches of the east coast.

  

• Nha Trang: A functional city beach

  The main beach of Nha Trang is a long sandy strip along the city promenade. He is good for his accessibility: he left the hotel — and you are already on the shore. But this is a city beach. There is no feeling of solitude and tropical paradise here, as in Phu Quoc. The water and sand are cleaner than one would expect from a city of this size, but they are nothing compared to Phu Quoc.

  The beach infrastructure in Nha Trang also seems more modest to us, given the development and promotion of the resort: sun beds and umbrellas are paid, there is little water entertainment. But from here there is a beautiful view of the islands and the cable car to Winperl. But for a real beach relaxation from Nha Trang, it is better to go to neighboring islands or bays, which takes time and money.

  

The verdict: Unconditional victory of Phu Quoc in the nomination "Best beaches". If your vacation is primarily the sea and the sand under your feet, your choice is Phu Quoc.

Infrastructure and entertainment: Where you won't get bored?

• Nha Trang: All inclusive

  With the infrastructure in Nha Trang, everything is simple — everything is here. This is a real tourist hub with an incredible concentration of everything you need:

  • Shopping: Large shopping centers (Vincom Plaza, Nha Trang Center), giant supermarkets (Lotte Mart, Big C GO!), colorful markets (Cho Dam).
  • Power supply: Thousands of cafes and restaurants for every taste and budget, from street stalls with food for 30,000 DONG to fashionable seafood restaurants.
  • Treatment and SPA: Famous mud and thermal springs (Thap Ba, Ay-Resort).
  • Excursions and activities: A huge selection of excursions, diving, surfing, hiking in the mountains, visiting ancient Cham towers, pagodas and waterfalls.
  • Language: Nha Trang is heavily Russified. Signs, menus, guides, sellers — many speakRussian, which is a big plus for some.

  

• Phu Quoc: Patchwork Quilt

  The infrastructure of Phu Quoc is very heterogeneous and depends on the area. There are several centers of attraction:

  • Long Beach/Duong Dong Area: The busiest tourist area with a lot of inexpensive guest houses, cafes, travel agencies and a night market. There is a lot of life here.
  • New neighborhoods (Sunset Town, Khem Beach): Fashionable areas under construction or newly built with European architecture, modern shopping centers (for example, Vietnam Select) and expensive hotels. It's clean, beautiful, but also sterile, the prices are higher.
  • Secluded coasts (Ong Lang, Bai Zai): There is practically no infrastructure here, except for the hotel itself. You will have to go for groceries or to a restaurant on a motorbike.

  Entertainment in Phu Quoc is mainly centered around nature: trips to the beach with starfish, trekking to waterfalls, diving, visiting pearl and pepper farms. But there are also powerful artificial attractions: the world's longest cable car, amusement parks VinWonders and Sun World, safari park.

  

The verdict: Nha Trang wins in terms of variety and accessibility of entertainment, shops and services "within walking distance". Phu Quoc offers more intimate and natural recreation, and modern entertainment is concentrated in several specific locations.

Which resort is for whom?

Let's summarize and analyze by target audience.

• You should choose PHU QUOC if you:

  • Romantics and newlyweds: Looking for privacy, luxurious beaches and photos against the background of the turquoise sea.
  • Families with small children: Appreciate quiet hotels with their own territory and a gentle entrance to the sea.
  • Nature and diving lovers: Want to explore the jungle, pristine beaches and underwater world.
  • Those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city: You dream of real relaxation in a hammock under the sound of the surf.

• You should choose NHA TRANG if you:

  • Active tourists and party goers: Plan a rich program of excursions, shopping and night entertainment.
  • Travelers for the first time in Vietnam: Want to get a "concentrate" of the country with its sights, cuisine and flavor in one place.
  • Those who go for a long time or for wintering: Appreciate the developed urban infrastructure, affordable prices for housing and groceries.
  • Lovers of therapeutic recreation: Interested in mud and thermal spa treatments.
  • Those for whom the comfort of communication is important: Don't want to run into a language barrier.

Final choice: Phu Quoc or Nha Trang?

There is no unambiguous answer that it is better and cannot be. Both resorts are beautiful in their own way.

Choose Phu Quoc for its idyllic, almost paradisiacal beaches, the atmosphere of a secluded tropical island and a calm, relaxed holiday. It's a place where you can really disconnect from everything.

Choose Nha Trang for its unrestrained energy, a rich selection of entertainment, excursions and services for every taste and budget. This is a place where boring never happens.

Personally, we, having visited both places, like to return both there and there. In Phu Quoc — when the soul asks for silence and unity with the sea, in Nha Trang — when you want drive, movement and new impressions. We hope our comparison will help you make the right choice for yourself!

Well, what exactly is not to make a mistake with the choice, go to our reliable guidebooks, read and watch the video:

• An honest guide to Phu Quoc
• Honest guide to Nha Trang

Have a good holiday in Vietnam!