An Thoi is the main settlement at the southern tip of Phu Quoc, about 25 km from Duong Dong. Most visitors come here for three things: the cable car across to Hon Thom island, the beach at Bai Sao, and the boat trips out to the An Thoi archipelago. Sunset Town — the Vingroup-built resort precinct around the cable car station — adds a fourth draw for those who want the Instagram landmarks.
The short version
- ~25 km south of Duong Dong; 35–45 minutes by scooter
- Hon Thom cable car: 850,000 ₫ adult (US$33), 700,000 ₫ child 1–1.4 m, free under 1 m; opens 9:00; ~7.9 km crossing
- Ticket includes cable car + Sun World Hon Thom (Aquatopia water park + Exotica park)
- Bai Sao: white-sand beach 5–10 minutes east of An Thoi; go before 10:00 to beat tour groups
- Island-hopping speedboat tours depart from An Thoi pier
- Sunset Town: free to wander; Kiss Bridge is the photo spot; shops and restaurants
The cable car
The Hon Thom cable car runs from the Sunset Town terminal in An Thoi across 7.9 km of open water to Hon Thom island. It holds the record for the world’s longest sea-crossing cable car and on a clear day the views across the An Thoi archipelago are the main event — the gondolas climb high enough that you’re looking down at the islands and the reef patterns below.
The ticket price (850,000 ₫ adult / ~US$33) covers the round-trip crossing plus entry to Sun World Hon Thom: Aquatopia water park and the Exotica cultural park on the island. For families it’s reasonable value. For people who just want the cable car experience and views, the parks feel like a bonus rather than the draw — but you can spend a full day here if you want to.
The cable car opens at 9:00. Go early in the dry season; midday queues build. See the An Thoi cable car and islands guide for more detail on what to expect on Hon Thom.
Bai Sao
Bai Sao (Sao Beach) is on the southeast side of the island, a 5–10 minute drive from An Thoi town. It is the beach that ends up on every Phu Quoc postcard: white sand fine enough to squeak, palms over the water, clear turquoise shallows.
The honest caveat: it’s busy by mid-morning. Tour buses from across the island arrive from around 10:00 and some of the beach clubs require a minimum spend to use their loungers. Get there by 08:30–09:00 and you have an hour or more of relative quiet. The water is calm and shallow enough for easy swimming in the dry season.
There’s a handful of beach restaurants — fresh seafood, cold drinks. The standard of food is serviceable rather than memorable. Most people eat here for the setting.
Bai Khem
A few kilometres east of An Thoi, Bai Khem (Khem Beach) is one of the finest beaches on the island — very white sand, usually calm, less visited than Bai Sao because the JW Marriott and Premier Village command the frontage. If you’re staying at one of those properties, you have one of the best stretches of private beach on Phu Quoc. Otherwise, access is limited.
Island-hopping
Speedboat tours from An Thoi pier visit the surrounding archipelago — Hon Thom, Hon May Rut, Hon Gam Ghi, Hon Mong Tay — with snorkelling stops. Full-day tours typically include lunch. The snorkelling is decent rather than world-class; visibility depends heavily on season (clearer in the dry season). Activities has the current operator options.
Sunset Town
Sunset Town is the Vingroup-developed precinct immediately around the cable car terminal. It’s built to be photogenic — the Kiss Bridge is the main draw, and there are European-style facades, restaurants, and a small amusement area. Entry to wander is free. It’s at its best in the evening when the lighting comes on.
The Coconut Tree Prison museum is also in the south — a war-history site documenting the prison camp used during the Vietnam War era. It’s free or a small admission fee; worth an hour if you’re interested in that history.
Where to stay
Most accommodation in the south is resort-level, concentrated around the Sunset Town area and Bai Khem. There are some smaller guesthouses in An Thoi town itself. For a wider choice at lower price points, Long Beach or Duong Dong make better bases for day-tripping south. Browse what’s available on the hotels page.
Getting there
From Duong Dong: ~25 km south on the main road, 35–45 minutes by scooter. Grab works here but may take longer to arrive than in town. A hired car and driver for the day is a practical option if you’re doing cable car + Bai Sao + islands in one shot — negotiate a full-day rate before you go.
From Long Beach: about 30–35 minutes south.
The getting around Phu Quoc guide covers scooter rental and car hire options.
