Duong Dong (pronounced “Sa-zoo-ong Dong” and in Vietnamese: Dương Đông) is the largest town in Phu Quoc, Vietnam and it also the administrative capital of the island. The town is located on the west coast of the island and has a population of roughly 80,000 inhabitants. Duong Dong is the epicenter of all tourism on Phu Quoc.
Duong Dong, The Capital Of Phu Quoc Island
Duong Dong is where you will find the majority of hotels, resorts, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, a large hospital, as well as a few fish sauce factories and pepper plantations. The Phu Quoc International Airport is also part of Duong Dong Township. The main tourist strip is locate along Tran Hung Dao Street which lies parallel to the most famous and popular beach in all of Phu Quoc – Long Beach (Bai Truong).
What To See In Duong Dong Town
Duong Dong Market – Every morning the town’s main market (Cho Duong Dong) comes to life with the buying and selling of fresh fish, vegetables, and consumer goods. This is a great market to buy fresh fruits and unique local food like the Phu Quoc Mushroom, Fresh Island Pepper or Herring to make the infamous Herring Salad. You would be surprised how cheap everything is here. The market is located behind the construction site of a new bridge which kind of makes it a bit difficult to find.
Note: Due to the fact that this is a local market, not a tourist market, we do not recommend that you go in large groups, it will be easier for you and less intimidating for the vendors if there are just 2 or 3 of you, rather than a whole gang.
Duong Dong Port – Located on the Duong Dong River you will find the port where are the fishing and sightseeing boats are docked. This is a good place to see very colorful boats and the many fishermen unloading anchovies, the key ingredient in Phu Quoc Fish Sauce. If you want to go night fishing or explore the northern islands, you can also commission a private boat from here.
Dinh Cau Beach – Enjoy this small patch of sand with the locals. Dinh Cau Beach is a tiny beach located in Duong Dong Town and behind the Night Market. Every evening at sunset locals congregate by the beach to eat local Vietnamese snacks, drink beer, swim, and enjoy the sunset. The beach is not cleanest nor is the water the finest, by there is a stark beauty about this beach.
Sunsets – The sunset along the Duong Dong River, Dinh Cau Beach and by Dinh Cau Temple are quite magical.
Cao Dai Temple – If you want to discover Cao Daism or have a panoramic view of the Phu Quoc National Park, Duong Dong Town, Dinh Cau Temple, etc then head over to the Cao Dai Temple on Nguyen Trai Street. Parking and admission are both free. Remember to dress appropriately.
Phu Quoc Night Market – This is the infamous night market that sells seafood, pearl jewelry, and other souvenirs.
Dinh Cau Temple & Lighthouse – This temple, which is also the symbol of Phu Quoc, should not be missed.
Visit Pepper Farms – You do not need to travel far up north or south to visit Phu Quoc’s famous pepper farms. At the edge of town along 30 Thang 4 Street you will find 3 pepper farms which are open to tourists.
Tour Fish Sauce Factories – There are 3 fish sauce factories in Duong Dong town that are receptive to visitors and all of them can be found along the Duong Dong River just behind 30 Thang 4 Street.
What To Do
Night Fishing – You can try your luck at catching squid at night by either joining an organized tour or by commissioning your own boat from Duong Dong Town.
Shore Fishing – You can fish off the shore or from Doung Dong Pier at sunset with the other locals. Read our Phu Quoc Fishing Guide for more information.
Karaoke – There are a couple of karaoke bars found along Tran Hung Dao Street and 30 Thang 4 Street however the cater to mainly to the local population.
Bars & Clubs – There are a lot of nightlife options here in Phu Quoc however most of the venues are not very busy. The most popular spots in town are Boba, Pirate Cove, Drunkn’ Monkey, and Chez Carole for live music.
Be a local – at sundown, congregate by the Dinh Cau Temple, grab a plastic chair, buy sugar cane juice, and enjoy the sunset with the residents of the town
Where To Eat & Drink
There are a lot of restaurants in and around Duong Dong Town. From international restaurants to street-side eateries, Phu Quoc has it all. Read our Phu Quoc Food Guide.
International Food – If you want international cuisine such as Italian, Russian, Indian, or even Mexican food then walk up and down Tran Hung Dao Street.
Phu Quoc Seafood – The night market is famous for its seafood dishes. You can also purchase local snacks and sandwiches here as well.
Vietnamese Food – If you are craving Pho, Com Tam, Bun Bo Hue, or even a Swiss Hamburger, then head over to 30 Thang 4 Street. There are plenty of restaurants and street side eateries found here.
A few restaurants in Duong Dong Town:
Le Deauville
Food type: French
Pho Cali
Food type: Vietnamese
Fanny’s
Food Type: Deserts and coffee
Drunken Monkey
Food: Bar food
Ganesh Indian Restaurant
Food Type: Indian
German B Bakery
Food type: Baked goods, deserts, and coffee
Green River (Song Sam)
Food Type: Seafood & local dishes
Le Giang 2
Food Type: Vietnamese
Mondo Restaurant
Food Type: European, tapas, baked goods
Pepper’s Pizza Food Type: Mainly pizza’s and some German food
Pizza Oi! Food Type: Pizza – only place on the island with a proper pizza oven.
There are plenty of hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Duong Dong Town. All the beachfront and garden resorts are found along Tranh Hung Dao Street. If you are looking for a simple hotel or guesthouse, then you can find some near Duong Dong Port and a lot along 30 Thang 4 street. The accommodations here are limitless.
Crossing The Duong Dong River
The Duong Dong River divides the tourist part of town from the local part. If you are planning on visiting the northern part of the island you have to cross this river. There are currently 2 bridges that connect you with the north, the new bridge located on Nguyen Trung Truc Street, which passes by the Duong Dong Market, and the older one located on Hung Vuong Street (also called DT45).