About the route from Hoi An to Phu Quoc
Hoi An lies on the central coast, while Phu Quoc floats off the far southwest of the country, an island in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border. The two have no direct link, and since Hoi An has neither an airport nor a station, everything runs through Da Nang, the nearest city, roughly 30 kilometers to the north. That leaves flying as the only sensible way to travel from Hoi An to Phu Quoc, because you can only reach the island by air or by boat, and the overland-and-ferry alternative eats up well over a day. So the trip is really a short drive to Da Nang followed by a flight south. Hoi An, where you set off, is one of Vietnam’s most-loved towns, and our Hoi An travel guide covers it if you are still shaping your days there.
Phu Quoc is the largest island in the country, sitting in warm, calm waters off the southwest coast. It is Vietnam’s most developed beach escape, with long sandy bays, big resorts, and clear water for much of the year, alongside quieter beaches in the south, a forested national park across the north, and boat trips out to the smaller An Thoi islands. After the history and small streets of Hoi An, it is the place to switch off and settle in by the sea. Our Phu Quoc travel guide has ideas on where to base yourself and what is worth doing.
Flying from Hoi An to Phu Quoc
Since the island can only be reached by air or sea, flying from Da Nang is how nearly everyone makes this trip, and it is fast and painless. The flight itself is under two hours, and the drive up from Hoi An to the airport is quick and easy to arrange. Here is the full picture, from getting to Da Nang to reaching your resort on the island.
How the flight works
Non-stop, the flight from Da Nang down to Phu Quoc runs about 1 hour 45 minutes, and it is served by two carriers, VietJet Air and Sun PhuQuoc Airways. Together they put on roughly four direct services a day, at various times, departing Da Nang Airport beside the city and arriving at Phu Quoc International Airport in the island’s south. Be careful when comparing options, because many of the lower fares you will see are self-transfer connections through Ho Chi Minh City that drag the trip out to five hours or longer, so filter for a true non-stop. How many flights run can vary by season, so it pays to check your own dates.
Prices and booking
Phu Quoc is a comparatively expensive route to fly, as fares to and from the island tend to sit high. VietJet is generally the cheaper of the two, often from around 1,600,000 VND (roughly $64), though prices move a lot and can come down if you book early. Sun PhuQuoc Airways is dearer, from around 2,600,000 VND (roughly $105) with a checked bag thrown in. Fares rise sharply nearer departure and during the high season, so this is one to lock in well ahead. Book straight with the airlines or through sites such as 12Go and Traveloka, and our domestic flights guide runs through the basics of flying within Vietnam.
Getting from Hoi An to Da Nang airport
Because Hoi An has no airport, you begin by heading to Da Nang, about 30 kilometers north, a drive of roughly 45 minutes. A taxi or Grab covers it for around 350,000 to 450,000 VND (about $14 to $18); a pre-booked private transfer costs a little more but collects you at your hotel and takes you straight to the terminal; and shared tourist shuttles are the cheapest of the three. Whichever you choose, allow enough time to reach the airport and check in, ideally leaving Hoi An at least two to two and a half hours before your flight. Our guide on getting from Hoi An to Da Nang lays out every option and the current prices.
Arriving at Phu Quoc airport
Phu Quoc International Airport is in the south of the island, about 10 to 15 kilometers from the main town of Duong Dong and close to the Long Beach resort strip. If your hotel is near Long Beach or Duong Dong, it is only a 15 to 20-minute ride; for the resorts further north around Ong Lang or Grand World, count on 30 to 45 minutes. The simplest option is a resort transfer, which many places lay on either free or for a fixed price. Failing that, a metered taxi from a trusted brand like Mai Linh runs about 180,000 to 250,000 VND (roughly $7 to $10) into Duong Dong, or you can order a Grab, which works well on the island and quotes the fare before you accept. It helps to have a local SIM or data so you can book a ride on arrival.
If you would rather not fly
Reaching Phu Quoc without flying is possible, but it is a long haul best thought of as a trip in itself rather than a way to get there. From Hoi An you first travel south down the coast, by train or bus, either straight to Ho Chi Minh City or breaking the journey in cities like Nha Trang along the way. From Saigon you continue into the Mekong Delta, and the final stretch is by sea: our guide on the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc ferry explains the crossing to the island. Attempted in one go it runs to well over a day of travel; spread across several stops it becomes a proper tour down the length of the south. It only makes sense for travelers with plenty of time who want the journey to count. For everyone else, the flight is the clear choice.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Hoi An to Phu Quoc
For nearly every traveler, the answer for Hoi An to Phu Quoc is straightforward: drive up to Da Nang and fly down to the island.
Fly from Da Nang on a non-stop flight of under two hours, after the short transfer up from Hoi An. Just take care to book a direct flight rather than a drawn-out connection, and arrange your transfers ahead if you would rather not sort them on the day.
The overland route, south through the country and then across by ferry, is worth it only if you have days to spare and want the travel to be part of the holiday. As a simple way to reach the island, it is no match for the flight.
