This guide covers what I actually tell people on arrival: where to park your scooter, which direction to walk for breakfast, what to expect at check-in, and the four house rules I go through every time. I wrote it because I was answering the same WhatsApp messages over and over — now you have it before you land. Anything not covered here, just message me.
- Check-in from 2:00 PM; early/late arrival always possible — message ahead.
- Scooter parking: covered courtyard at the rear, locked overnight with CCTV.
- Best breakfast: turn right out of the gate, 250 m north to Tran Hung Dao street banh mi cart or pho stall.
- Night market (Dinh Cau): 5-minute walk north-west — no scooter needed.
- Long Beach: approximately 700–900 m west (about 10 minutes' walk) along Nguyen Du street.
- House rules in brief: shoes off at the door, no smoking inside, quiet after 10:30 PM, close the gate gently.
How Do I Get to Sabrina Homestay from the Airport or Ferry?
From Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), the quickest option is Grab or a metered taxi. The airport is about 11 km south-east of the homestay, so the drive takes 20–25 minutes and runs 150,000–200,000 VND ($6–$8). Set the destination to “16 Nguyen Du, Duong Dong” in the Grab app and confirm the fare before you get in.
Coming in by ferry from Ha Tien or Rach Gia? Bai Vong Port is about 15 km east — roughly 20–25 minutes by metered taxi, 100,000–150,000 VND. Shared minibuses from the terminal go for around 50,000 VND per person; ask the driver to drop you at “Nguyen Du, Duong Dong.”
I can arrange a pick-up if you prefer a fixed price and someone waiting at arrivals with your name. Message me on WhatsApp with your flight or ferry number. Check current rates for the flat fee — no haggling at the kerb, the price is set before I send the driver.
What Happens at Check-In — Logistics and Timing
Standard check-in is from 2:00 PM. I am usually at the property by 10:00 AM and will check you in earlier if your room is clean — just send a WhatsApp message that morning so I can do your room first. No charge for coming early.
Late arrivals are never a problem. The gate code is in your booking confirmation and works 24 hours. I do ask that you text me when you are on your way — not because I need to open anything, but so I know you arrived safely, especially if it is after 10:00 PM. At check-in I walk guests through the kitchen, point out the nearest breakfast spots, and run through the four house rules. Usually takes ten minutes.
You will get a room key or key card (depends on your room), the Wi-Fi password, and a small bottle of locally made Phu Quoc fish sauce — I give one to every guest. I also hand you a printed map of the neighbourhood with distances I have walked and timed myself. The full list of what is in the room is on the amenities page; options are on the rooms page.
Where to Park Your Rented Scooter at the Homestay
The covered parking courtyard is at the rear of the property — about a two-minute walk from the front entrance through the side alley on Nguyen Du street. It holds up to six motorbikes, locks from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and has a CCTV camera.
I ask guests to park rear wheel to the wall. That sounds like a small thing but it genuinely doubles the usable space when everyone does it. When you pick up your scooter rental from Tran Hung Dao street (about 350 m from here), tell the shop your accommodation is on Nguyen Du — they know the street and will confirm parking is fine.
Two things worth knowing: if you are renting for more than two days, ask for a basic front-brake lock — about 20,000 VND per day and useful on longer excursions. And fill up before you come back each evening; the nearest petrol kiosk is a 4-minute ride south on Tran Hung Dao, open until 9:00 PM. More on getting around the island in the Phu Quoc transport guide.
Which Direction Should I Walk for Breakfast?
Turn right out of the gate and walk north about 250 metres to the junction with Tran Hung Dao.
The banh mi cart is right there on the left-hand pavement before the junction — no sign, just the cart. Open from 6:00 AM until sold out, usually around 9:30. Bread baked fresh each morning, housemade pâté, fully loaded sandwich for 20,000–25,000 VND. Buy two. You will wish you had.
Pho Thanh is another 100 metres north on the same road — look for the blue plastic stools on the left. The chicken pho is a proper Phu Quoc-style bowl: clean broth, fresh herbs, lime. Open 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 45,000–55,000 VND a bowl. I usually go around 7:00 AM when the broth is freshest, though local regulars queue earlier.
For eggs and strong coffee, head to the Long Beach area (roughly 700–900 m west, about 10 minutes), where several cafes open from 7:30 AM. The full food guide has a neighbourhood eating map.
Your Duong Dong Neighbourhood: Distances from Sabrina Homestay
The homestay is on Nguyen Du street, one block east of Tran Hung Dao and four blocks south of the river mouth. The night market, Long Beach, the morning market, and the main road are all a short walk — I have paced these out myself. Here is what that looks like.
| Destination | Distance | Walk time | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banh mi cart (Tran Hung Dao) | 250 m | 3 min | Turn right (north) | Open 6:00–9:30 AM |
| Pho Thanh breakfast stall | 350 m | 5 min | Right then straight north | Open 6:00–11:00 AM |
| Dinh Cau Night Market | 450 m | 5 min | Right, then left (west) toward river | Open 5:00–10:30 PM daily |
| Dinh Cau Lighthouse & Temple | 600 m | 7 min | North-west to river mouth | Best at sunset |
| Long Beach (Bai Truong) start | approx. 700–900 m | ~10 min | Left (west) along Nguyen Du | 20 km of free public beach |
| Duong Dong morning market | 400 m | 5 min | Right (north), follow market signs | Open 5:00 AM–12:00 noon |
| Tran Hung Dao main road (shops) | 250 m | 3 min | Right (north) | Scooter rentals, SIM cards, pharmacies |
| Nearest petrol kiosk | 600 m | 4 min scooter | South on Tran Hung Dao | Open until 9:00 PM |
| Nearest convenience store | 300 m | 4 min | North on Nguyen Du | Open 24 hours; bottled water 8,000 VND |
| Nearest ATM | 400 m | 5 min | North then west to Tran Hung Dao | Vietcombank & Techcombank ATMs |
See the interactive map on the location page for a satellite view with pins.
If you want to explore further — Sao Beach, the Vinpearl cable car, the national park in the north — the best areas guide covers directions and scooter times from here.
The Shared Kitchen — What Is Available and How to Use It
The kitchen is open 24 hours. Gas stove (two burners), rice cooker, kettle, microwave, full-size fridge, pots, pans, knives, crockery for four. In the cupboard you will always find Phu Quoc fish sauce, soy sauce, cooking oil, sugar, and salt — use whatever you need.
The best way to stock up is a morning walk to Duong Dong market (400 m north, open from 5:00 AM). That is where I shop myself — I usually go around 6:30 AM before the heat picks up. The fish comes off the boats that morning, eggs run 4,000–5,000 VND each, tropical fruit is cheap and good. For the fish sauce I always go to the same stall, the one on the north side of the covered section run by the older woman with the red umbrella — she has been there since I moved to Duong Dong and her sauce is the best in the market. A full breakfast-and-lunch shop for two people comes to 80,000–120,000 VND ($3–$5).
Three rules I ask everyone to follow: wash your own dishes before leaving the kitchen; put leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge rather than leaving them out (ants are fast in this climate); and please do not cook fish before 8:00 AM, as the smell travels through the walls to other rooms. Check the amenities page for the full kitchen inventory.
What House Rules Does Sabrina Always Mention at Check-In?
Four things. I have been running this place since 2018 and these are the ones that actually come up — the small frictions that make a difference to other guests when everyone is sharing a space.
1. Remove shoes at the door. Rack is just inside the entrance. Sandals are fine to leave on for a quick in-and-out, but proper shoes off. The floors stay clean and it is standard practice in Vietnam.
2. No smoking indoors. Balcony and courtyard are both fine. Close the room door when you smoke on the balcony so the smell does not drift in. There is a small ashtray on every balcony.
3. Let me know your check-out time the evening before. The most helpful thing you can do. I clean rooms myself and knowing your time means I can plan the morning. A quick message is enough — no formality needed.
4. Close the courtyard gate gently. The metal latch is sharp and carries sound right through the property at night. This was the first rule I added after my very first week of hosting — the gate is next to the lightest sleeper’s room and I heard about it daily until I started asking. A firm push until you hear the click is all it takes.
Everything else is easy. Use the common areas whenever you like. The FAQ page has answers on laundry, towel changes, and other day-to-day questions. Cancellation policies are on the booking page.
Check-Out and Luggage Storage
Check-out is 11:00 AM. Late check-out until 1:00 PM is available when the room has no same-day booking following yours — ask me the evening before and I will check. After 1:00 PM a half-day rate applies; see pricing for current amounts.
If your flight or ferry is in the afternoon or evening, leave your bags in the locked storage room after check-out and collect them any time before midnight. Free of charge. One thing: please do not leave food in stored bags — even sealed packaging draws insects in the tropical heat. The room is not climate-controlled either, so keep medicines and heat-sensitive items with you during the afternoon.
On your last morning, the cluster of small cafes around the Dinh Cau Night Market area opens from 7:00 AM — it is a five-minute walk and a good final coffee before the airport run. Metered taxis are at the rank on Tran Hung Dao (350 m north) from 5:00 AM. Grab usually has a two-to-five-minute wait in Duong Dong town.
