Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc is considered a hot tourist destination in Phu Quoc and is currently the most popular check-in spot for many young people. Although it is a small, pristine island with only 1-2 households living there, Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc captivates visitors with its pristine beauty, blue sea, white sand, and diverse coral reefs. Here is a guide to visiting Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc for those of you who love traveling to the island of Phu Quoc!
Hello to Cuong’s 500 brothers and sisters. Cuong is back and better than ever after the trip traveling to Phu Quoc to Hon Mong Tay. And now Cuong will write a very detailed review to help Cuong’s 500 brothers and sisters prepare better for their trip to Phu Quoc in general and Hon Mong Tay specifically. Do you know why Cuong is eager to review the guide to Hon Mong Tay for you?
It must be said that Cuong has traveled to Phu Quoc many times. Traveling with a Phu Quoc tour package or independently also. But Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc is a newly popular Phu Quoc travel destination. At first, hearing people praise Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc as Robinson Island, an ideal paradise, Cuong was skeptical. So Cuong took advantage of the recent 3-day 2-night Phu Quoc tour to visit! Although not as rumored, Cuong must admit that Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc is truly beautiful. Cuong rates Hon Mong Tay as an attractive Phu Quoc travel destination, so include it in your Phu Quoc trips.
Some of you may not believe it, while others may be curious about this Phu Quoc travel destination! Now, for those of you who are ready, follow Cuong to fly down to the beautiful pearl island of Phu Quoc and take a canoe to visit the legendary Hon Mong Tay!
1. Where is this place located?
First, Cuong will briefly mention the location of Hon Mong Tay for you to grasp easily. Did you know that there are two Hon Mong Tay in Phu Quoc! One Hon Mong Tay is in the north of the island near Nam Nghi Resort and Long Beach. However, the northern Hon Mong Tay is not very beautiful and usually people only go there to admire the coral reefs from October to around March. In the other months, due to the sea waves, hardly anyone visits. The legendary Hon Mong Tay that has been making waves is the southern Hon Mong Tay near Phu Quoc. And this is the Phu Quoc travel destination that Cuong wants to review for you in this video!
According to Google, Hon Mong Tay is located in Duong Hoa commune, Kien Luong district, off the coast of Kien Giang province. But in a more tourist-friendly way, if you’re on a Phu Quoc tour, Hon Mong Tay is considered to be in the far south of the sea. Although the location of this Phu Quoc tourist spot is between the Ba Lua archipelago and the Hai Tac archipelago, Mong Tay Island doesn’t really belong to any archipelago. This island is hidden from shipping routes, with few boats passing by and even untouched by human hands. That’s why locals call Hon Mong Tay “Robinson Island”. Have you ever wondered why the people of Phu Quoc don’t call it Mong Tay Island but instead Hon Mong Tay? Because Hon Mong Tay is just a little bit! as small as a fingernail. So, if they called it an island, people might misunderstand, like with Phu Quoc Island or the Paracel Islands, which would be disappointing. And that’s not the point, even though Hon Mong Tay is tiny, it’s “small but mighty”, small but beautiful, so many people will come to visit!
2. A few words about Hon Mong Tay
Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc is one of the 5 most beautiful small islands on Phu Quoc Island and is extremely popular with tourists. And in the past 2 years, Hon Mong Tay has been a destination for Phu Quoc tourism present in most Phu Quoc tours from all-inclusive Phu Quoc tours to 1-day Phu Quoc tours and even independent travelers to Phu Quoc tourism are ready to rent a boat or canoe to visit the island. Besides people joking about the name Hon Mong Tay because it is small, in fact, the island is named Hon Mong Tay because there used to be many palm trees on the island. It may sound strange, but in reality, this type of tree is also called the Sea Pine and currently there are very few trees left on the island.
Hòn Móng Tay in Phu Quoc is loved by many travelers and often referred to as “The sleeping fairy yet to be awakened”. Cuong also agrees because that beauty is hard to find in this modern life. It is a place of vast white sand, lush greenery covering the eyes, straight rows of coconut trees, and crystal clear blue sea. A dazzling, impressive, and overwhelmingly beautiful sight. Hòn Móng Tay is the perfect “escape” spot in Phu Quoc to enjoy the feeling of being “alone in a realm”. People come to Hòn Móng Tay not just to enjoy luxury services and fancy resorts, but also to experience a life harmonized with nature and to let their souls wander in the most peaceful space.
3. How to get there? (Directions)
And now Cuong will guide you on how to get to Hòn Móng Tay. To reach Hòn Móng Tay, you must first go to Phu Quoc. Then, you move to An Thoi port or Bai Sao port depending on the season and rent a canoe to get to Hòn Móng Tay and reach the island. At this point, many of you may react! Saying Cuong’s directions lack detail, who wouldn’t say that, right? Haha…stay calm and listen! Usually when traveling to Phu Quoc, there are 2 options: either take a packaged tour to Phu Quoc like the 3-day 2-night Phu Quoc tour or the 4-day 3-night Phu Quoc tour. The other option is to go on an independent trip to Phu Quoc where you will arrive in Phu Quoc and explore the island on your own. Therefore, this directional guide is only for those who go on an independent trip to Phu Quoc.
To visit Hòn Móng Tay in Phu Quoc, you have 3 ways to get there
Option 1 is to take a 1-day Phu Quoc tour. Currently, there are 3 1-day Phu Quoc tours that pass through Hòn Móng Tay, including the Hòn Móng Tay tour, also known as the 2-island tour, the 3-island Phu Quoc tour, and the 4-island Phu Quoc tour. If you take these 1-day Phu Quoc tours, the tour bus will pick you up at the hotel in the morning for sightseeing and return you to the hotel in the afternoon. The price of a 1-day Phu Quoc tour that includes Hòn Móng Tay varies depending on the type, and you can find more details on the cuongdulich.com website. Typically, in a 1-day Phu Quoc tour that includes Hòn Móng Tay, services like transportation, tour guide, boat or canoe, snorkeling gear, and lunch are included. Very convenient and economical.
Option 2 to get to Hòn Móng Tay in Phu Quoc is to rent a car to An Thoi port and then from An Thoi port, rent a boat or canoe to visit Hòn Móng Tay. For those who rent a car to explore Phu Quoc, there will be a driver to take you directly to the destination without needing to look at directions. The price of renting a car to Phu Quoc to An Thoi port is around 800k/7-seater car. Initially, it may seem expensive, but did you know that besides taking you to An Thoi port, along the way, they can also take you to visit famous tourist spots in Phu Quoc in the southern part of the island such as Ho Quoc Pagoda, Phu Quoc Prison, Bai Sao Beach, Hon Thom cable car, or even Sunset Sanato area!
For those of you who are traveling to Phu Quoc on your own and want to save money by renting a motorbike, follow Cuong’s advice. Most tourists choose to stay in Duong Dong town on Phu Quoc Island. Both the airport and the pier are close to the town, so Cuong will guide you from Duong Dong town to An Thoi port as follows: An Thoi port is about 22km from Duong Dong town. There are two ways to get from Duong Dong town to An Thoi port in Phu Quoc. One is to take provincial road DT47 to the Ham Ninh intersection, then turn right onto provincial road DT46, also known as Nguyen Van Cu. The second way is to drive along the coast on the main road Tran Hung Dao until the end, then turn left onto the Phu Quoc expressway. Drive past the Phu Quoc airport roundabout and then turn right onto Nguyen Van Cu, and you’re there. From here, just keep driving straight. After about 30 minutes, you’ll reach An Thoi market, where you can ask locals for directions to the port.
But please note that An Thoi port has 2 parts, an old one and a new one. When entering the new An Thoi port, you will need to pay an entrance fee, so usually the boats tend to dock more at the old An Thoi port. Once you reach An Thoi port, you can inquire about renting a boat or canoe to Hon Mong Tay. Typically, the cost for a tour to visit 2 or 3 islands (including Hon May Rut, Hon Dam Ngang) is 400k per person for boat rental, and 600k per person for a canoe. Of course, you may need to wait for a group to form to share the cost. Otherwise, you can rent a whole boat or canoe for around 2.5 million VND. Based on Cuong’s experience visiting Hon Mong Tay, it is recommended to rent through specialized travel agencies for Phu Quoc tourism. Since visiting Hon Mong Tay involves going far out to sea, it is important to ensure that the boat or canoe meets safety standards. Although renting a boat for Hon Mong Tay through a travel company may incur additional service fees, they are reputable businesses with registered operations, ensuring that their boats are properly inspected before use. Renting boats or canoes from unknown sources outside may pose risks in case of any incidents.
The time to travel to Hon Mong Tay from An Thoi port is about 1 hour by boat and about 30 minutes if you go by canoe. The choice between going to Hon Mong Tay by boat or canoe depends on your health and budget. Usually, traveling to Hon Mong Tay by boat takes longer but is cheaper, however, if you get seasick, it can be quite challenging. Going to Hon Mong Tay by boat is suitable for young and energetic people, older adults, and families with active children. If you get seasick and want to shorten the discomfort of crossing the sea or enjoy the feeling of gliding on the water, then choose to go to Hon Mong Tay by canoe. It’s convenient and compact, and the cost of renting a canoe is not much more expensive than renting a boat to Hon Mong Tay, but if you rent a boat, it includes lunch on board, whereas if you go by canoe to Hon Mong Tay, you have to eat on the island. Eating on the island is slightly more expensive than in Phu Quoc and much more expensive than on the mainland because everything has to be transported from Phu Quoc to Hon Mong Tay. However, the food on Hon Mong Tay, although expensive, is worth it. How worth it is, you can watch the video later, Cuong will share in the next part! In summary, the total cost of visiting Hon Mong Tay by boat will be cheaper than visiting by canoe. The choice is yours.
The ideal time for you to travel to Hon Mong Tay is from October to March every year. This is the sunny season in Phu Quoc, so the sea is calm and perfect for boat trips or canoeing to Hon Mong Tay. The water is crystal clear, perfect for coral viewing. However, paradoxically, the busiest time for tourists to visit Hon Mong Tay is from April to September! This is the peak tourist season, with everyone heading to Phu Quoc. Therefore, if you plan to visit Hon Mong Tay during this time, make sure to check the weather forecast to avoid rainy days that could affect your experience.
4. What’s there?
Looking from the shore to Hon Mong Tay, the natural scenery is extremely impressive, with tall coconut trees lining the beach and a long stretch of white sand in the sun. The sea is so clear that you can see the coral reefs below, with their shapes and colors vividly visible. When you visit this famous destination in Phu Quoc tourism, you will immerse yourself in nature, becoming a part of the peaceful environment. There are very few shops on the island, so make sure to bring all the essential items to enjoy your vacation on this fascinating “desert island.” Hon Mong Tay in Phu Quoc is truly suitable for those who love exploration, outdoor activities, and traveling with loved ones.
For those who enjoy experiencing the island life of Phu Quoc, you can prepare a tent, food to set up camp and sleep overnight right on the beach, light a fire, sing together, and chat into the night. With the “wild island” space in a “thousand-star” hotel like that, you will surely have unforgettable experiences. In the early morning, the sunrise on Hon Mong Tay beach is very beautiful, the sea water is hazy in the morning sun, gradually revealing a charming emerald green color, with myriad shapes and colors of coral reefs below. Immersing yourself in the cool blue water makes your spirit alert, refreshed, feeling like nature is gently massaging, awakening every sense on your body.
At the Phu Quoc tourism site, there are many places that have not been visited yet, you can bring your camera and start exploring your island. Trees, wild grass grow naturally as it is a deserted island, so you will have the opportunity to take unique and eye-catching photos.
5. What to do for fun
The charm of this island is the endless space of freedom. Live by yourself, have fun by yourself, ignite special emotions. The sea at Mong Tay Island in Phu Quoc has a characteristic emerald green color. You can immerse yourself in the clear, cool, and pure water all day, then lie down and play on the smooth and soft sand. Want to explore adventures? In this paradise of Phu Quoc, there is no shortage: Dive and play with fish, play with the clouds and wind, wander in the forest. Occasionally, in your exploration journey, you will encounter the hải sơn tùng tree, also known as the Mong Tay tree – the origin of this deserted island.
Admire the sea and participate in underwater activities
Hon Mong Tay has long been considered an ideal place for camping activities. You can explore the island and admire the incredibly beautiful natural scenery. Every visitor to Hon Mong Tay is amazed by the crystal-clear emerald sea that allows you to see the bottom.
The palm trees that give the island its name can be easily spotted everywhere. Lying next to the long stretch of white sandy beach, with clear blue sea, gentle breeze, and lapping waves, all the hustle and bustle of the city fades away.
Fishing on Hon Mong Tay
Especially when visiting Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc, remember to bring a fishing rod. If you don’t have one, you can rent it from the boat owner who took you from Phu Quoc to the island. You don’t need to be a professional fisherman, just drop the bait into the sea on the north side of the island, and you can catch a bucket full of fresh sea fish to grill and enjoy right on the beach. What could be better than catching fish, squid, catching clams, and enjoying the wonderful results on a beautiful beach like paradise. You can also rent a boat to go fishing offshore, there are plenty of fish around the island, the feeling of pulling each fish up to the shore as a real trophy is very exciting. After fishing, you can bring the catch back to the island for processing and immediate consumption, fresh seafood is very safe and beneficial for health, providing many proteins. A day with such experiences on the island will make you want to stay on the island forever. Amidst the beautiful and mysterious waves of the sea, humans seem small and somewhat inferior compared to the rich beauty of Hon Mong Tay. A space so beautiful and romantic like a paradise on earth that makes anyone feel excited and elated.
Scuba diving to admire coral reefs
The sea at Hon Mong Tay is extremely clean and perfect for swimming, fishing, crabbing, and experiencing coral reefs. The coral ecosystem at Hon Mong Tay is considered one of the richest in the world. The colorful coral reefs will surely give you unforgettable emotions.
Take photos from every angle
The number of people living on the island is not high, the nature is dreamy beautiful, the pristine scenery is fascinating conditions for this place to become an ideal “escape” destination. Let your soul wander in the sea, immerse yourself in nature, be enchanted by the gentle sandy beaches, and the calm waves bring a truly living sensation, living in the most authentic way. Hon Mong Tay’s wilderness allows you to take selfies or check in anywhere on the island. The unique and beautiful scenery on this small island is the ideal background for every frame. Remember to capture the moments of watching the sunrise or sunset on the island.
Watching the sunset on Hon Mong Tay Island
It calms one’s soul, the space is serene, time flows gently like fine sand drifting with the waves. The evening scene has a touch of sadness but is extremely romantic. The last rays of a beautiful day’s sun gradually sink below the sea, as if the ocean is trying to swallow up that endless source of light. Watching the sunset on Hon Mong Tay Island will surely bring you many memorable moments, especially when you do it with your significant other.
Listen to the Robinson legend
Hon Mong Tay, also known as Robinson Island, comes with a true legend about a prince of the island named An, whom sailors call the blind knight. An is the one who brought life to the deserted island for the past 13 years. Enjoy a glass of sim wine, savor some grilled seafood, and listen to the fascinating legend of Robinson.
Beach bathing
What could be better than immersing yourself in the clear, clean water, playing with the soft, white sand at Hon Mong Tay. And of course, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and sun protection items like sunscreen and sunglasses when going to Hon Mong Tay if you don’t want to have skin like a “burnt pillar” when you return.
6. What about dining?
Dining at Hon Mong Tay
In general, the services and especially the dining services at Hon Mong Tay are not very developed. Previously, the only way was to buy fresh seafood and organize a BBQ party outdoors, which was definitely very interesting. You should also try the grilled fish salad and grilled fish here.Nowadays, tourism at Hon Mong Tay has developed a bit more. There are restaurants specializing in seafood, but the prices are quite high. For example, the price of lobster is around 700 – 900k/kg, but each one is firm and fresh. Squid swim freely in the tank for you to choose. Many people say they like to visit Hon Mong Tay to enjoy fresh and delicious seafood, which is true, but you might worry about not having enough cash with you. If you are traveling to Hon Mong Tay independently, Cuong recommends bringing snacks and pre-prepared food to have a beachside BBQ. Eating BBQ while listening to the sound of the waves is truly a fun experience, isn’t it. If you go on a Phu Quoc tour package, the travel company will arrange meals for you during your visit to Hon Mong Tay, so you can fully enjoy your relaxation time. After a day of diving at Hon Mong Tay, if you still want to visit other islands, you can visit the nearby sibling islands.
Hon May Rut
Located opposite Hon Mong Tay. This is one of the farthest islands of Phu Quoc. A challenge that tests the patience of travelers who want to set foot on this island. Hon May Rut is like a “hidden gem” in the Phu Quoc archipelago. This island impresses tourists with its pristine natural scenery, peaceful atmosphere, fine white sandy beaches, and crystal clear blue waters. The climate on Hon May Rut is always cool and pleasant, so when you come here, you will enjoy a wonderful resort space. Immerse yourself in the cool green nature to dispel all the worries and anxieties of current life. Or simply relax and sway on a hammock shaded by green trees, enjoying the cool sea breeze, what could be better than that. In addition to the lush and romantic nature, Hon May Rut also boasts a diverse and rich ecosystem. Here, you should not miss the opportunity to go fishing at sea, enjoy the joy of bringing back the catch to be prepared right on the boat. And for those who love the ocean, you can freely admire the colorful coral reefs at Hon May Rut beach.
Hon Dam Ngang
Hon Dam Ngang Phu Quoc is one of the most beautiful pristine islands. It is located in the southern sea area of An Thoi archipelago in Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province. This island is considered to have the most coral reefs offshore Phu Quoc. Hon Dam Ngang is also known by locals as Hon Gam Ghi. From a distance, Hon Dam Ngang has rock formations with unique shapes created by wind and sea waves. This place is still very pristine and has some beaches that have not been exploited for tourism. The cool and clear water will give you a refreshing experience. The coral density here is quite high, to the point that you can see clearly just by putting your face in the water. The coral ecosystem around Hon Dam Ngang is considered the richest in Vietnam with 17 different types of hard and soft corals and sea anemones. The colorful coral reefs will surely impress first-time visitors. However, please note that when visiting Hon Dam Ngang, you can only snorkel near it and are not allowed to go ashore as it is privately owned.
Finally, here are some tips for having fun while visiting
- Firstly, when going on a Phu Quoc tour and then heading to the island, always be equipped with a full set of sun protection gear including a jacket, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Phu Quoc’s beaches are beautiful but the sun is no joke. If you don’t disguise yourself well, you’ll end up looking like a burnt pillar.
- Secondly, when visiting Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc, the simpler and neater your outfit, the better. One small suggestion Cuong wants to make is that if any ladies are planning to visit Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc for some Instagram-worthy photos, opt for simple short dresses. Otherwise, just wear a two-piece swimsuit and throw on a maxi dress over it. The main focus of going on a Phu Quoc tour is to enjoy the experience, not just the beauty.
- Thirdly, when visiting Hon Mong Tay, always wear a life jacket while moving around. It may seem unnecessary at first, but when an emergency arises, you’ll realize how important a life jacket is. If you’re traveling to Hon Mong Tay by boat, wear a life jacket, and if you’re going by canoe, make sure to wear a life jacket as well.
- Fourthly, when it comes to dining on Hon Mong Tay by boat, make sure to inquire about the boat rental price including lunch. If your boat trip to Hon Mong Tay includes lunch, you’ll usually have lunch on the boat. Additionally, on Phu Quoc’s fishing boats, they also sell seafood like sea cucumbers, squid, and crabs, which you’ll have to pay extra for. If you choose to visit Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc by canoe, the canoe rental price does not include meals. You can ask the canoe operator to arrange lunch for you, usually around 250k per meal. Otherwise, you can bring your own food or eat on Hon Mong Tay.
- Fifthly, when visiting Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc, if you go to Hon Gam Ghi to snorkel, you are only allowed to do so in the nearby sea area and not allowed to go ashore. Because Hon Gam Ghi Phu Quoc is privately owned. It may sound a bit disappointing, but the coral reefs at Hon Gam Ghi Phu Quoc are incredibly beautiful, so don’t miss out.
- Lastly, a special note for those going to Hon Mong Tay on a Phu Quoc tour for 1 day. Currently, there are some tour companies organizing trips to Hon Mong Tay with a program to pick up guests from Duong Dong town. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can choose tours that offer pick-up and drop-off services like that. If you have a car, you can book a shared tour at An Thoi port. The cost will be cheaper and more convenient for you.
- Finally, a note for you when going to Hon Mong Tay by canoe. Ask the canoe rental company about the type of canoe, the number of shared passengers. If you rent a private canoe to Hon Mong Tay, inquire about the type of canoe that will be used. The reasons why can be found in the information above. Pay attention to the phone number, the canoe company’s name, the travel company’s name printed on the canoe because there is no phone signal on these islands. You won’t know who to contact, where to go, which can be very tiring. If you have a small child going on the canoe to Hon Mong Tay, prepare food for the child carefully because on remote islands, not everything is readily available. Request the canoe rental company to prepare life jackets for the whole group. Especially, pay attention to the quality of the Phu Quoc canoes.Many of you may have gone on canoes in rivers and streams on the mainland before, but for sure, Phu Quoc canoes are completely different from the ones you have used. Cuong may not be an expert in technical matters, but Cuong has briefly researched some information as follows:
- Canoes going to Phu Quoc beaches must have SI registration to be allowed to operate: This registration is for sea transportation vehicles. It is completely different from the SB registration used for river transportation vehicles. To obtain SI registration, canoes in Phu Quoc are designed to be more sturdy and have stronger engines than canoes on the mainland. Make sure you are boarding a canoe with SI registration and guaranteed quality.
So Cuong has guided you through visiting Hon Mong Tay. Hopefully, with this sharing, you will have a Phu Quoc trip to visit Hon Mong Tay with lots of interesting experiences. If anyone needs more information about Phu Quoc travel or travel anywhere, feel free to leave a comment for Cuong. Thank you for watching the video. Now, goodbye and see you again. And don’t forget to like, share to support the channel and receive more useful travel information.
