If you’re looking for a destination with stunning blue seas, plenty of thrilling activities, and romantic photo spots, then Hon Thom Island is the perfect choice in Phu Quoc. In this article, Vietnamtour.in will share details about its location, unique beauty, how to get there, experiences, and helpful tips to make your trip truly fulfilling.
Where is Hon Thom Island
Hon Thom Island, part of the An Thoi archipelago in southern Phu Quoc, is the largest island in the cluster, covering approximately 300 hectares. From Duong Dong town center, it’s about a 30km drive to the cable car station in An Thoi town. From An Thoi town itself, the island is only about 6-7km from the mainland by sea.
On the Google map, Hon Thom appears like a green gem amidst the archipelago, with its curving coastline and relatively intact primary forest. The area is experiencing rapid development thanks to the Sun World Hon Thom complex, transforming the once pristine island into the hottest tourist destination in the South of Phu Quoc.
Why does Hon Thom Have This Special Name?
In previous times, this island was called “Fragrant Island”, or “Pineapple Island” (due to the abundance of pineapples (thom in Vietnamese) in which the fragrance of the pineapple gardens wafted across the island). This (thom = fragrant) name also came from the description of the pleasant aroma. Today, though there are no longer large amounts of pineapples, the name is still retained due to the natural beauty and fresh air that exist on the island.
What Makes Hon Thom Phu Quoc Truly Unique?
Hon Thom Island offers a perfect balance of pristine nature and upscale entertainment, suitable for those seeking both adventure and relaxation. Below are the key elements that contribute to Hon Thom Island’s unique appeal.
Crystal-clear Blue Sea and White Sand
Hon Thom boasts crystal-clear waters, so transparent that you can see the seabed on sunny days. The area around the island has a rich marine ecosystem, with colorful coral reefs, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Some beautiful beaches on the island include Bai Trao and Bai Nom. These are relatively unspoiled beaches with fine white sand, open spaces, and tranquility. Compared to the crowded beaches in the center of Phu Quoc, the beaches on Hon Thom offer a more relaxing and closer-to-nature experience.
The World’s Longest Over-Sea Cable Car
You definitely can’t miss the cable car, the very thing that has made Hon Thom famous today. This nearly 8km long cable car holds the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop three-rope cable car on the planet. Sitting in the glass cabin, you feel like you’re floating in the sky, looking down and seeing the entire An Thoi archipelago clearly: small and large islands interspersed, the sea water changing color from turquoise to dark blue, and in the distance, fishing boats.
Many people choose to go around 4 to 5 PM to catch the sunset. As the sun sets, the entire sea is bathed in orange-red hues, and a cool breeze blows. This structure is not only convenient for travel but also the best way to admire the panoramic view of the southern part of the island without significantly impacting the surrounding nature.
The Modern Sun World Entertainment Complex
From an island once primarily used for pineapple cultivation, Hon Thom has now become a leading entertainment destination thanks to Sun World Hon Thom. The highlight, of course, is Aquatopia Water Park with over 20 different games.
The great thing is that despite its modernity, the area maintains harmony with the landscape. Walking paths are interspersed with tropical gardens, and resting areas overlook the sea, avoiding an overly concrete feel. Therefore, it suits all types of visitors: families with young children, groups of friends who enjoy adventure, or couples who want to have fun and take beautiful photos.
Unmissable Experiences When Visiting Hon Thom Island
Not only impressive for its beautiful seascape, Hon Thom also captivates visitors with a diverse range of experiences, from the feeling of “flying over the sea” to moments of true relaxation. Spending a whole day here, you will easily feel the vibrant rhythm of life, yet still in harmony with nature.
Try Games in the Aquatopia Water Park
This water park is spacious and divided into various areas, suitable for all ages and interests.
If you like adventures, you can try out the high slides. For people who want to relax, the lazy river ride will be an ideal option for you to drift quietly over the water. Lastly, it also has an area for kids where they can play while being closely supervised by their parents, since it has been set in a safe manner.
Whether it is with a group of friends or the entire family, there is enough room and fun to go around Aquatopia, and people will not get tired.
The Aquatopia Water Park ticket price is 200,000 VND (approximately 690 INR) for an adult over 1.4m in height and 150,000 VND (approximately 518 INR) for a child under 1.4m in height.
Relax and Participate in Water Activities
Aside from the entertainment places, there is still a touch of a tropical island on Hon Thom Island. Here, you can spend your time swimming, relaxing at the white sand beach, or simply walking around the beach to breathe the fresh air.
For adventure-loving people who enjoy physical exertion, other alternatives such as snorkeling, kayaking, and parasailing (depending on the services available) are also available. The water at Hon Thom is relatively clear and still enough for those who are inexperienced in water sports.
A combination of entertainment activities, sightseeing, and relaxation activities makes Hon Thom an attractive destination for tourists of many types and ages: young groups of friends and couples, as well as families with young children.
Ride the Sea-Crossing Cable Car
For many travelers, the cable car ride is the most unforgettable experience on Hon Thom Island.
After a long day of island hopping or water activities, stepping into the glass cabin feels like a moment to pause and breathe. As the cable car gently glides over the sea, you seem to float above layers of blue water, scattered islands, and quiet fishing boats below.
Most visitors choose the late afternoon ride, when the sun begins to set. The warm golden light spreads across the ocean, the breeze cools the air, and the entire journey becomes calm and deeply relaxing. It is not just transportation, but a chance to recharge both physically and mentally after a full day of exploration.
This is also one of the best moments for photography. Inside the cabin, visitors can easily capture romantic sunset shots with the endless sea as a backdrop. Many travelers describe this experience as worth every penny and one of the memories they remember most from Phu Quoc.
Check in Sunset Town and Kiss Bridge
After enjoying the island, many tourists choose to return to Sunset Town to continue their journey. This town impresses with its Mediterranean-style architecture, winding narrow streets, warm-colored houses, and direct sea views.
The Kiss Bridge is the most noticeable check-in point, particularly when the sun sets. As the sun sets in the background with the sea view, the orange-golden lights illuminate the whole area with a very romantic ambiance. In the evening, if you have free time, you can enjoy the Kiss of the Sea show, which features elements of water, lights, fire, and fireworks, giving a fantastic and exclusive entertainment experience unlike anywhere else in Phu Quoc.
What to Eat on Hon Thom Island
Although the food options on the island aren’t very diverse, with careful planning, you can still enjoy delicious and convenient meals throughout your journey.
Eat at Sun World Hon Thom Complex
In Hon Thom Island, the choice of restaurants is not as abundant as in the central area of Phu Quoc. However, there is still a varied offer suited for day-trippers. Restaurants at the Sun World Hon Thom complex offer a buffet meal or a set menu. Mango and Ba Mien restaurants provide a varied menu with either traditional Vietnamese dishes or simple European and Asian cuisine. Notably, their buffet also offers vegetarian choices, including dishes suitable for Indian vegetarian guests.
The biggest advantage of eating on the island is saving time and avoiding long journeys, making it ideal for those who want to dedicate a full day to exploring Aquatopia and swimming.
Eat Fast Food in the Amusement Park
Besides the main restaurant, Sun World also has fast food stalls selling soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, and other light meals. This is a reasonable option if you just need a quick energy boost between activities, instead of sitting down for a full meal.
Eat at the Cable Car Station & Sunset Town
If you would like to have many food choices, you could eat while going out of Hon Thom Island from the cable car station of An Thoi or Sunset Town. There are many restaurants and cafes in this region that offer nice spaces and sea views. The ambience in this area is pretty nice and fun, particularly towards the end of the day when it begins to get cool.
If you want a planned package that includes entertainment, sightseeing, and dining, then all-inclusive tours for Phu Quoc from Vietnamtour.in are a good choice, especially if you are a first-time visitor or coming with family.
Suggested 1-Day Phu Quoc Itinerary with Hon Thom Island
If you’re still unsure how to arrange your day in southern Phu Quoc, this is the itinerary many travelers choose from Vietnamtour.in preference, as it balances island exploration, relaxation, and a scenic ending at Hon Thom.
Morning for Island Hopping from An Thoi Port
The day starts with a hotel pick-up and a transfer to An Thoi Port. From here, visitors travel by boat to explore several small islands in the An Thoi archipelago.
Typical stops focus on swimming and snorkeling, where the water is clear, and coral reefs are easy to see. This is the most active part of the day, allowing you to fully enjoy the marine scenery of southern Phu Quoc.
Midday for Lunch & Short Break
After snorkeling, lunch is usually arranged on one of the islands or at a nearby floating restaurant, depending on the tour. This break helps you rest and recharge before continuing the journey.
Afternoon for Hon Thom Island & Aquatopia
After visiting the smaller islands, Hon Thom Island is the final island stop of the tour. Here, you can relax on the beach or spend time at Aquatopia Water Park, enjoying water slides or simply slowing down after a busy morning.
Hon Thom acts as a natural transition point, from energetic activities at sea to a more relaxed pace.
Late Afternoon for Cable Car from Hon Thom to Sunset Town
In the late afternoon, instead of returning by boat, the journey continues with the sea-crossing cable car from Hon Thom Island to Sunset Town on the mainland.
This timing is chosen deliberately. After a full day on the water, sitting in the glass cabin and floating above the sea feels calm and restorative. As the sun begins to set, the changing colors of the sky and ocean create one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Evening for Sunset Town & Kiss Bridge
The cable car arrives directly at Sunset Town, where visitors have free time to explore. You can walk along the coast, take photos at Kiss Bridge, enjoy dinner with sea views, or watch the Kiss of the Sea show if your schedule allows.
This itinerary offers a complete day: island hopping in the morning, relaxation on Hon Thom in the afternoon, and a romantic sunset experience to end the journey.
Best Time to Visit Hon Thom Island
The best time to visit Phu Quoc and Hon Thom Island is from November to April. This period is the dry season in Phu Quoc, when the weather is stable and sunny, and the sea is relatively calm. From the end of the year until the beginning of the next year, Phu Quoc attracts more tourists, especially during holidays and peak tourist season periods. If you prefer a less crowded experience, you can visit on weekdays, which have fewer tourists compared to weekends.
The period from May to October is the rainy season in Phu Quoc. The weather during this time can change rapidly, sometimes with sudden rain interspersed with days of good weather. One thing to note when visiting Hon Thom during the rainy season is that the cable car may temporarily stop operating if there are strong winds.
How to Get to Hon Thom Island & Ticket Fee
To get to Hon Thom Island from Duong Dong town, you first need to travel to An Thoi port by taxi, tourist bus, or motorbike. Then, from An Thoi port, you can travel by boat or take the cable car to Hon Thom Island.
Hon Thom Cable Car Ticket Prices & Information:
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Visitor Type
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Details
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Round-trip cable car ticket (including entrance to Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park)
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Adults
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700,000 VND ~ 2417 INR
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Children (height from 1m to 1.4m)
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550,000 VND ~ 1899 INR
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Children (under 1m)
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Free
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Round-trip cable car ticket (excluding entrance to Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park)
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Adults
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400,000 VND ~ 1381 INR
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Children (height from 1m to 1.4m)
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300,000 VND ~ 1036 INR
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Children (under 1m)
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Free
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Operating hours
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Daily
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9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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High-Speed Boat to Hon Thom Ticket Price, Schedule & Information:
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Description
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Details/ Price per person
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Boat schedule
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An Thoi Pier to Hon Thom Pier
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9:30 AM, 11:30 AM
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Hon Thom Pier to An Thoi Pier
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1:45 PM, 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM
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Ticket price (reference)
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One-way
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50,000 VND ~ 172 INR
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Frequency
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Daily
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5 trips per day
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Things To Know Before Visiting Hon Thom Island
To make your trip to Hon Thom more complete and comfortable, you should plan your time wisely from the start. Morning is the ideal time to take the cable car because the weather is cool, visibility is clear, and there aren’t too many tourists. Arriving early will give you more time to enjoy Aquatopia and relax on the beach.
Clothing is also important. You should prepare swimwear, non-slip sandals, sunglasses, and a light jacket to wear on the cable car or while resting after getting out of the water. The sun in the south of the island is quite strong at noon, so sunscreen and personal drinking water are essential.
Regarding entrance tickets, buying tickets online or booking combos in advance often saves money and avoids long queues during peak season.
When enjoying yourself on the island, please follow safety guidelines, especially at the water park and beach areas.
Finally, do not litter and limit the use of single-use plastic.
Final Thoughts: Is Hon Thom Island Worth Visiting?
Hon Thom Island in Phu Quoc offers a very different experience compared to many other destinations on the island. If you have the chance to visit Phu Quoc, dedicate at least one day to exploring Hon Thom.
And to make your trip even more relaxing and fulfilling, you can choose a quality Phu Quoc tour at Vietnamtour.in, with a reasonable itinerary and reliable service.
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