Ha Long Bay vs Phu Quoc: which to choose?

Side by side for the month you pick: real weather, how good a time it is, holidays and festivals, rough costs and getting there.

Ha Long BayPhoto: Marina Lobato / Unsplash

Phu QuocPhoto: Vivu Vietnam / Unsplash

That month: November

Ha Long Bay

Goodpleasant and dry

Phu Quoc

Goodless rain

Weather

Ha Long Bay

25° / 20° · 45 mm rain

Phu Quoc

30° / 24° · 179 mm rain

Holidays & festivals

Ha Long Bay

Vietnam Culture Day Nov 24

Phu Quoc

Vietnam Culture Day Nov 24

Getting there

Ha Long Bay

Pick where you fly from

Phu Quoc

Pick where you fly from

Rough daily cost

Ha Long Bay

$25 budget · $60 mid-range

Phu Quoc

$25 budget · $60 mid-range

Our homestays

Ha Long Bay

None here yet

Phu Quoc

None here yet

Best time to visit

Ha Long Bay

Visit from October to December for cooler, drier weather and fewer crowds. Avoid the heavy rains and heat of summer. Spring is warm with occasional showers, while summer is hot and wet with monsoon rains.

Phu Quoc

December to March offers dry, sunny weather perfect for beach activities. April to November brings heavy rain and monsoons, making travel less ideal but quieter and lush.

Top things to do

Ha Long Bay

Cruise Ha Long Bay · Sung Sot Cave · Ti Top Island

Phu Quoc

Sao Beach · Phu Quoc National Park · Dinh Cau Night Market

Food to try

Ha Long Bay

Seafood on the boats · Bánh cuốn · Chả mực

Phu Quoc

Grilled seafood · Banh Canh · Night Market snacks

Ha Long Bay: Plan this trip Read the guide

Phu Quoc: Plan this trip Read the guide

Rough daily costs are AI estimates per person, in US dollars, for a place to stay, food and getting around. Flight times are rough: worked out from the straight-line distance, for a non-stop flight. Average daily high and monthly rain over the last ten years, from weather records by Open-Meteo