Phu Quoc: Vietnam’s New Go-To Luxury Destination

When you’re invited to review two of Vietnam’s most luxurious resorts—The InterContinental Phu Quoc and The Regent Phu Quoc—you don’t hesitate. And when you haven’t had a proper kid-free getaway in five years, you grab your husband (and, conveniently, your videographer/photographer), throw some swimsuits and camera gear in a suitcase, and head for the airport. Which is exactly what Damien and I did when we were given the chance to spend five blissful days in Phu Quoc, a lush tropical island just off Vietnam’s southwest coast.

This trip promised two very different flavours of luxury, starting with a one-night stay at The InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort. Just 15 minutes from the airport, the InterContinental immediately gave us that “we’re on holiday” feeling—palms swaying in the breeze, perfectly manicured gardens, and stunning pools that seemed to stretch forever.

We spent the morning bouncing between the main pool, where cabanas and loungers beckoned, and Club InterContinental, the hotel’s exclusive haven for guests looking for an elevated experience. The star of the breakfast menu? Their famous Lobster Pho, a rich and indulgent twist on the classic Vietnamese soup. I got Damien to order one too so I could taste it again just to ‘check’ it was as good the second time. It was.

After a few hours of sunning and swimming, we wandered down to Sea Shack for lunch, a rustic-chic beachfront restaurant where we kicked off our shoes, dug our toes into the sand, and feasted on fresh seafood while the sun disappeared into the waves. An afternoon storm swept in so we decided to head back to our spacious Ocean View Room, and enjoy a bottle of bubbles on the balcony, while gazing at the turquoise horizon as the rain clouds swept in moodily.

The next morning, Damien and I (feeling surprisingly virtuous for two parents on holiday) decided to go for a jog along the beach. While navigating around a boat sitting on the shore line, I managed to slam my hand into its propeller. Damien still doesn’t know how I didn’t see it, but I’ve never been known for my great spacial awareness. We headed to the Club and the hotel doctor came to clean and assess my injury which unfortunately was a rather large gash on the back of my right hand.

We raced back to the room to do a rushed pack before beelining to the international hospital where I received nine stitches. Not exactly the holiday souvenir I was hoping for, but I was grateful for the care and the calming reassurances from the hotel staff. While we were away the team moved our luggage next door to the sister resort: The Regent Phu Quoc. If the InterContinental was polished and family-friendly, the Regent was an exercise in pure, understated luxury. From the flower-filled reception overlooking a serene lake to the meticulously placed palms and minimalist design, the entire place whispers calm sophistication.

We were lucky enough to stay in a Sky Pool Villa, and it was nothing short of epic. Picture this: our own infinity plunge pool that looked straight out to the ocean, a fully serviced kitchen (not that we were going to cook with restaurants this good), a bathroom and powder room, and a complimentary minibar restocked daily. It felt less like a hotel room and more like our own sleek apartment in the sky.

With swimming (tragically) off the table for me, it didn’t stop us from working our way through The Regent’s impressive pool setup. There are multiple layers of water to choose from—each framed by frangipani trees, hammocks, and cabanas—leading all the way down to the private beachfront. And then there’s the Rooftop Pool, an adults-only oasis perfect for evening cocktails with uninterrupted views of the bay. Add in the seamless, always-on-point service (golf buggies at your beck and call) and you can see why this resort is already making waves as one of Vietnam’s top luxury escapes.

Dining here is equally divine. The Beach Club offers Mediterranean fare with panoramic views of the pools and sea, while Rice Market serves up Vietnamese and Asian dishes you’ll be dreaming about for weeks (vermicelli salads and fresh rice paper rolls were standouts for us). And then there’s the spa, an experience all its own. My Tam Quat Reviver Massage—inspired by traditional Vietnamese healing techniques—was the perfect remedy for post-injury stress. It’s all about the details here, from the koi pond that greets you at the entrance to the aromatherapy ritual that helps you choose your massage oil.

Phu Quoc itself is Vietnam’s answer to paradise—a 22-island archipelago just 50km off the southwest coast. Getting here is easy with daily direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and other major hubs, as well as ferries from the mainland. Once you arrive, it’s all turquoise beaches, lush jungles, and laid-back luxury.

On the last day we headed to Kem Beach which was voted in the top 50 most beautiful beaches in the world by Flight Network in early 2018. Unfortunately it was overcast so I didn’t get that emerald green money shot but it was still very lovely.

After sharing half a bottle of champagne on the beach we headed to the famous Kiss Bridge in Sunset Town—a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired coastal village famed for Italian coastal style architecture. With streets named after the seaside towns like Positano and Capri, even the buildings are painted to resemble crumbling villas. It does feel kind of eerie and manufactured but it was still a lot of fun to experience, especially at sunset.

Stretching out into the ocean, Kiss Bridge is a quite an architectural feat, designed with two sweeping halves that nearly meet in the middle—symbolising a kiss just out of reach. After buying our tickets, Damien and I smuggled the rest of our bottle of champagne in and found the perfect spot to take in the view. With the waves lapping below us we had our own smooch and toasted to an unforgettable trip before heading back to the hotel for a late dinner.

If you’re planning a trip with kids, I would highly recommend splitting your stay between the InterContinental and the Regent. The combination of family-friendly fun and ultra-luxe serenity gives you the best of both worlds. While my hand injury may have added an unexpected twist to our trip, it was still the kind of getaway that leaves you refreshed, inspired, and already plotting a return. Next time we will bring the kids as there’s so much to see and experience, it would be the ultimate place to make memories together.