An Thoi

An Thoi serves as the maritime heart and industrial anchor of southern Phu Quoc. Geographically positioned on a sheltered peninsula facing south toward the Gulf of Thailand, the ward manages commercial fishing fleets, island transport terminals, and major hospitality projects. While central Duong Dong represents the island's administrative center, An Thoi is the departure zone for marine adventures, linking visitors to the dozens of small, sparsely inhabited islets that make up the An Thoi Archipelago.

Over the past decade, substantial investments have altered the physical footprint of the town. The northern bluffs feature Sunset Town, an Italianate cliffside village with cobblestone alleys and viewing terraces, whereas the traditional harbor remains a gritty, authentic working dock where blue-and-red wooden boats unload crates of anchovies and squid every dawn. This interplay between mega-resort development and traditional marine livelihood creates an intriguing environment for travelers seeking both leisure and local culture.

Reasons to Visit

• Direct port access to pristine coral reefs and white-sand islets of the An Thoi Archipelago via chartered boat.
• Riding the three-wire Hon Thom Cable Car for 360-degree views across fishing fleets and southern islands.
• Experiencing traditional fish-sauce barrel houses producing Vietnam's recognized Phu Quoc anchovy extract.
• Sunset viewpoints from the Roman-inspired arches and waterfront boardwalks of Sunset Town.
• Authentic street-level dining focused on freshly landed squids, sea urchins, and herring.

Things to Avoid

• Avoid stepping on living coral heads when swimming or snorkeling around Hon Gam Ghi and Hon May Rut.
• Do not hire unlicensed wooden longtail boats lacking proper passenger life jackets or radio equipment.
• Avoid booking full-day offshore boat tours during the southwest monsoon season (June to September) due to rough seas.
• Do not bring bottles of artisanal fish sauce into airline passenger cabins, as most airlines ban them due to odor leakage risks.

Local Transportation Tips

Navigating An Thoi is straightforward on foot within Sunset Town or the immediate port market district. For wider exploration, renting a scooter (around 150,000 VND per day) provides maximum flexibility along paved coastal arteries. Taxis from Mai Linh and Vinasun are abundant, as are ride-hailing services like Grab. For island-to-island transit, speedboats and traditional converted wooden trawlers operate directly from An Thoi Port on negotiated day charters or scheduled shared itineraries.

Travel Etiquette

• Remove your shoes before entering local private homes, pagodas, or small family-run homestays.
• Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees when visiting local religious sites such as Ho Quoc Pagoda nearby.
• Bargain respectfully with a smile when shopping in traditional wet markets; aggressive negotiation is frowned upon.
• Ask permission before photographing local fishermen mending nets or vendors in dockside fish markets.

Recommended Age Group

An Thoi accommodates various age groups, though certain activities cater better to specific physical capabilities.

• Babies (0-2 years): Neutral. Hot midday temperatures and boat boarding ramps present logistical challenges for strollers, though the modern cable car cabins are smooth and stroller-accessible.
• Kids (3-12 years): Recommended. Water parks on Hon Thom Island and calm snorkeling shallows provide engaging aquatic entertainment.
• Teens (13-19 years): Recommended. Thrilling speedboat rides, sea-walking experiences, and water sports around southern beaches match active preferences.
• Adults (20-64 years): Recommended. Exceptional diving, cultural fishing ports, scenic coastal bars, and boat tours offer varied itineraries.
• Seniors (65+ years): Neutral. Boarding small speedboats from floating wooden docks requires balance, although cable car sightseeing and scenic sunset viewpoints are comfortable and well-paved.

Accessibility Level: Medium

• The Hon Thom Cable Car terminals feature step-free boarding ramps, elevators, and wide cabin doors suitable for standard wheelchairs.
• Sunset Town contains numerous outdoor elevators and escalators along main pedestrian routes, though some side streets have steep steps and cobblestones.
• Standard An Thoi port docks lack wheelchair gangways; embarkation onto speedboats typically requires traversing uneven wooden steps and moving boat decks.

Did You Know?

The cable car connecting An Thoi with Hon Thom Island is recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest continuous three-wire aerial cable car system in the world, spanning nearly 7.9 kilometers across open water.

Cool Statistics

• 7,899.9 meters: The total length of the sea-crossing Hon Thom Cable Car line starting in An Thoi.
• 15+ islands and islets: The total landforms composing the marine-rich An Thoi Archipelago.
• 40°N: The traditional minimum nitrogen standard for authentic Phu Quoc fish sauce manufactured in regional barrel houses.