Perhaps the most entertaining rainy day attraction on Phu Quoc, a tropical island five miles off coastal Cambodia, is the Coi Nguon Museum—the five-story building serves as a natural history and history museum with noteworthy add-ons such as a gift shop, several restaurants, a Buddha shrine and even its own vat for making Vietnam’s popular fish sauce. More than 5,000 artifacts, comprise its collections, which include fossilized wood, turtle shells, sea shells, animal bones, relics from a nearby shipwreck, displays on Vietnamese medicines and historical artifacts including Stone Age implements and 17th-19th century pottery.
There is a small section devoted to the Island’s storied history as a French colonial, and later, an American prison housing some 40,000 VC prisoners. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the lives of Phu Quoc’s present-day residents.
Practical Info
You’ll find the museum in Dung Dong Town off Tran Hung Dao street near Long Beach, the Island’s busiest and longest stretch of sand—the building’s fifth floor terrace affords noteworthy panoramas. The museum is open daily from 8 a.m. til 5 p.m. with a 20,000VND admission (approx. $1). It is recommended that you plan for at least an hour and a half to explore the museum’s offerings.
Address: 149 Tran Hung Dao, Khu Pho 7, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, Vietnam
Da Ban Stream originates from the Ham Ninh mountain range on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. It’s a popular spot for tourists and nature-lovers, who come to picnic, barbecue, hike, and relax. Although it’s hard to avoid the growing amount of garbage that is left in the area, the natural scenery steals the show, with the stream making its way through huge flat stone slabs against a lush green background. You might spot birds, fish, frogs, and lizards, along with wild fruit, orchids, mushrooms, and other flora that grow in the area. Plan a trek, take a stroll across the suspension bridge, and have a refreshing dip in the water for a full day of natural fun.
You can combine your visit to Da Ban Stream with a trip to a fish sauce factory, a pepper farm, and a sim wine factory to learn about the island's industries. Alternately, you can take a private six-hour tour of the island instead, including a barbecue lunch at the stream and round-trip transportation.
Insider’s Tip: If you plan on visiting Da Ban Stream in the early morning, be sure to bring insect repellent as there are lots of mosquitoes.
Practical Info
Da Ban Stream is located in the center of Phu Quoc Island, around a 30-minute drive from Duong Dong town along a bumpy (often muddy) dirt road. The best way to reach the stream is by motorbike or as part of an organized tour.
