How to Get from An Thoi to Cua Duong, Phu Quoc: Every Option, Time and Cost

Where exactly are An Thoi and Cua Duong?

An Thoi is the compact port town at the southern tip of Phu Quoc, and the departure point for nearly everything travelers do in the south: snorkeling and fishing boat trips to the southern islets, the Hon Thom cable car, and access to Sao Beach. Cua Duong is the quiet commune on the opposite, north-west shoulder of the island — it takes in Ong Lang beach, the Mango Bay Resort headland, and the Cua Can river area, roughly 8–12 km north of Duong Dong town.

The route between them is one of Phu Quoc's nicest drives: you follow the west-coast road past the whole length of Long Beach (Bai Truong), pass through Duong Dong town and its market, then continue north along the shore toward Ong Lang. Because the road hugs the coast, the sea is on your left almost the entire way, and there are endless small stops for coffee, coconut and photos.

Approximate cumulative distances along the coastal route:

Because "Cua Duong" is a commune rather than a single village, your true final distance can vary by a few kilometres. For most visitors the practical destination is Ong Lang beach or the Mango Bay headland, which puts the door-to-door figure at 34–38 km.

All your options at a glance

There is no airport, train or direct long-distance bus serving Cua Duong itself, so every option is a road journey. Here is how they compare for a one-way trip:

Option 1: rent a motorbike and ride the coast

This is the option most long-stay travelers choose, and for good reason. A semi-automatic scooter rents for about 150,000 VND ($6) per day and an automatic Honda Vision or similar for 180,000–250,000 VND ($7–10). The 38 km run consumes roughly one litre of fuel — at around 25,000 VND per litre that is barely $1.20 each way, with roadside bottle vendors charging a small premium if you cannot find a proper station.

The ride itself is simple. From An Thoi, join the coastal road at the pier and simply keep the sea on your left for the next hour. You will roll the length of Long Beach past resorts, beach bars and the odd unfinished hotel, thread through Duong Dong town past the morning market and Dinh Cau temple, and then leave the traffic behind as the road narrows into coconut palms toward Ong Lang. Speed limits are 40–60 km/h, the surface is fully paved and in good condition, and there is little traffic once you pass Duong Dong.

Before you set off, run through this quick checklist:

This option is less suited to anyone who has never ridden a scooter before — despite what some guesthouses will tell you, Phu Quoc's main road is a real road with trucks, dogs and police checks, not a quiet beach lane. It is also a poor fit for travelers with large suitcases; a 20 kg bag on a scooter seat is miserable for 38 km.

Option 2: taxi, ride-hailing or a private car with driver

Phu Quoc has some of the highest metered taxi rates in Vietnam, at roughly 15,000 VND per kilometre. Multiply that by 38 km and the trip from An Thoi to Cua Duong comes out at about 550,000–600,000 VND ($22–24), taking 50–70 minutes depending on drop-off point. Mai Linh and other metered companies queue at An Thoi pier and around the cable car station, so there is rarely a wait. For longer island runs like this one, drivers will often quote a fixed fare instead of using the meter — agree the price and destination in writing or on the meter app before you set off.

Ride-hailing apps work in An Thoi and Duong Dong but coverage around Ong Lang and Cua Duong is thin, so drivers may decline the trip or add a surcharge for the empty return leg. A more reliable route is to have your hotel or a local concierge arrange a private car with driver: expect about $24–28 for a 4-seater and $28–36 for a 7-seater one way, with pickup at your exact hotel or the An Thoi pier. For groups of three or more this works out cheaper than two taxis, and the driver will happily stop in Duong Dong for food or supplies on the way.

This option is less suited to solo travelers on a tight budget — you will pay $20+ for a journey a scooter makes for $8 including fuel — and for anyone planning day trips, since you would face the same fare every time you leave Cua Duong.

Option 3: the local bus via Duong Dong (the budget route)

Phu Quoc's public bus links An Thoi with Duong Dong town, running roughly from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM with departures every 30–60 minutes. The fare is distance-based at about 30,000–50,000 VND ($1.25–2) for the full run, which takes around 75–90 minutes. There is no direct service into Cua Duong, so the standard play is to ride to the Duong Dong market stop and switch to a taxi or xe om for the remaining 8 km north to Ong Lang — figure 80,000–100,000 VND for a motorbike taxi or 120,000–150,000 VND for a car.

The all-in cost of about $5.50–8 makes this by far the cheapest way north, and the ride through Duong Dong is a sightseeing trip in itself. The trade-offs are real, though: luggage space is limited to whatever fits on your lap, air-conditioning is non-existent, the last departure leaves you stranded in Duong Dong if you miss the connection, and the total journey takes two to two and a half hours. It is a genuinely good choice for backpackers with a single pack and time to spare, and a poor fit for families, evening arrivals, or anyone connecting to a same-day flight.

Doing the route in reverse: Cua Duong to An Thoi for boat tours

Many travelers base themselves in peaceful Ong Lang or Cua Duong and then need to reach An Thoi in the morning, because boat trips to the southern islets and snorkeling tours depart between about 8:00 and 9:00 AM, and the Hon Thom cable car starts running around 8:00 AM. Work backwards from your departure: by private car you should leave Cua Duong by 6:45–7:00 AM; on a scooter, leave by 6:30 AM to allow a coffee and fuel stop. Most tour operators that pick up from Duong Dong will also collect from Ong Lang and Cua Duong hotels for a small supplement, or free of charge — confirm this when you book, because a self-arranged dawn ride south after a late dinner is nobody's idea of a holiday.

Where to eat once you reach Cua Duong — and on the way

Cua Duong itself is quiet after dark, but there are two good options within walking distance of most Ong Lang hotels. On The Rock sits on the headland of Mango Bay Resort on Hẻm 8 Đường Lê Thúc Nha, serving Vietnamese and European dishes with a sea view; budget $12–24 per person. Hours vary by listing — the resort shows service from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM, while some booking sites list 11:00 AM–10:00 PM — so call ahead for breakfast or late dinner. MAI JO REFINED in Ong Lang Hamlet, Cua Duong Commune, is open daily 10:00 AM–10:00 PM and is a reliable mid-range choice for lunch and dinner.

If you drive the route by day, plan your main meal stop in Duong Dong, which has far more choice at every price point:

Eating cheaply in Duong Dong is almost embarrassingly easy. Locals eat noodle soup for breakfast — look for pho stalls trading from about 6 to 10 AM near the morning market — and com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) at lunch for no more than 30,000 VND per plate on the side streets off Tran Hung Dao. General street food across town usually comes in well under 30,000 VND, or about $1.50, per order. In the evening, head for the Dinh Cau Night Market on Vo Thi Sau Street, the island's top spot for seafood and street food, or The Locals "Night Market", where seafood dishes start from 30,000 VND. Around Dinh Cau temple itself, simple food carts sell snacks and drinks at extremely local prices in the late afternoon and evening — an ideal final stop before the last 8 km up to Ong Lang.

Practical tips for the journey north

Best time of day: mid-morning or mid-afternoon. You avoid both the 7–8 AM tour-bus wave around An Thoi and the sunset rush of scooters returning north to Duong Dong. Best time of year: November to March, Phu Quoc's dry season, when the west-coast road is dry and the sea calm. October and November can bring heavy rain that leaves sand and puddles on the northern stretches.

Fuel: fill up in An Thoi or Duong Dong at proper stations; between Duong Dong and Cua Can options are limited to roadside bottle sellers at around 30,000 VND for a small bottle. Money: bring cash for the bus, xe om and small food stalls — card payments are unreliable outside hotels. Phone signal: is strong along the whole route, so navigation and calls to your driver are never a problem.

Safety: the biggest hazards on this road are not other cars but dogs darting from driveways, sand washed across the road after rain, and unlit stretches after dark north of Duong Dong. Ride at 40–50 km/h, use your horn on blind bends, and you will find it one of the most pleasant drives on the island.