Rach Vem Fishing Village: The Rustic Beauty of "People of Yore" in the Heart of Pearl Island

Rach Vem is located in Group 5, Rach Vem Hamlet, Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province. The village is situated in the northern part of the island, about 20–25 km from Duong Dong center, equivalent to a 30–40 minute drive. From VinWonders Phu Quoc amusement park (Vinpearl area), visitors only need to travel about 21 km more to reach the fishing village.

Located right on the coast, Rach Vem is surrounded by green mountain ranges, mangrove forest ecosystems, and long wooden bridges leading to floating raft houses on the water. Spanning an area of about 50 hectares, it is currently home to over 180 households living along the shore, creating a fishing village space that feels ancient and rustic while retaining the characteristic tranquility of an island sea region.

Rach Vem is considered an ancient fishing village with a history of over 100 years. The village was formed during a period when fishermen from the Mekong Delta migrated to Phu Quoc to seek new livelihoods from the sea.

From the early days of village establishment, local residents mainly made a living through fishing and aquaculture. They lived on raft houses built with bamboo poles, wooden planks, and coconut thatch roofs—a simple architectural style that adapted well to island conditions. Remarkably, this lifestyle has been largely preserved across generations, becoming a signature cultural aspect of the local fishing community. As tourism in Phu Quoc boomed in recent years, Rach Vem began seeing floating rafts serving visitors and offering seafood dining. Nevertheless, the fishing village space maintains its rustic charm and inherent slow pace of life. 

One of the factors that makes Rach Vem a prominent attraction in northern Phu Quoc is its “starfish kingdom,” where visitors can easily spot hundreds of five-pointed red starfish in shallow waters, just 0.5–1 m deep, especially during the dry season. The scenery here is formed by fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear blue water, floating raft houses built on wooden stilts, and plank bridges extending out into the sea. All blend together into a signature natural picture of northern Phu Quoc's coastal island region.

Best times to experience Rach Vem

• Early morning: As sunrise blankets the sea surface, visitors can observe fishermen's activities as they cast nets and prepare for a day at sea.
• Late afternoon: As sunset descends over the floating rafts, the orange-gold light reflecting on the water creates a truly impressive scene.
• Starfish season (November – April, best in March – April): This is when starfish appear in high density in the shallow waters. 

Compared to other famous beaches like Sao Beach or Dai Beach, Rach Vem offers a more relaxed space where visitors can enjoy activities like SUP paddling, sea gazing, and enjoying the slow coastal lifestyle.

Visiting Rach Vem, tourists can not only admire the seascape but also have the opportunity to experience the life of the local fishing community and participate in many activities closely tied to island culture in Phu Quoc.

• Starfish hunting and photo check-in: Walk or rent a small boat (100,000–150,000 VND/person) at low tide. Note: Only take photos; strictly avoid lifting starfish out of the water for too long (they easily die due to lack of oxygen and heat).
• Visit raft houses and go boating: Relax at Tinh Yeu Raft House or Nguon Song Raft House, ride banana floats, paddle SUPs, kayaks, or ride jetskis.
• Take a canoe to Ham Rong: From Rach Vem for only 250,000 VND/person, where the water is clearer, with trees leaning out over the sea and calm waves—ideal for photo check-ins.
• Fisherman experience: Ask to board fishing boats, cast lift nets, or go night squid fishing (very fun for groups).
• Sunset & sunrise watching: Combine with a North Island tour to optimize your time.

Since late 2023, this area has added several water recreational activities to serve tourists. However, the fishing village space still maintains its characteristic natural atmosphere, suitable for families, groups of friends, or couples seeking a gentle island experience close to nature.

One of the notable culinary experiences when visiting Rach Vem is fresh seafood caught daily. Thanks to local supply from nearby fishermen, seafood prices here are typically 30–50% lower than in central Duong Dong.

• Raw herring salad
• Grilled shrimp, garlic butter mantis shrimp
• Grilled sea urchin with scallion oil
• Grilled pen shell scallop adductor muscle
• Blue swimmer crab, squid, sweet snails, cobia

Popular eateries (open all day):

• Tinh Yeu Raft House (096 642 20 40)
• Nguon Song Raft House (038 935 97 37)
• Son Hai Restaurant (097 337 90 16)
• Con Sao Restaurant (091 872 99 97)
• Xuan Thuy Raft House (093 924 23 31)

Typically, an average cost of around 400,000 – 600,000 VND/person allows visitors to enjoy a rich seafood meal. Many raft houses even allow guests to select fresh seafood directly from the net cages to be cooked to order, offering a unique dining experience enjoying food while admiring the sea view right on the floating raft.

To ensure a smooth journey exploring Rach Vem, visitors should prepare in advance regarding transportation, visiting times, and necessary notes. Located in northern Phu Quoc, the route to the fishing village is fairly easy to find, but some specific road sections require attention.

How to get there:

• Self-drive motorbike (cheapest, flexible).
• Taxi or private car (contact 0911 380 111).
• Route: From Duong Dong along DT973 - Suoi Cat intersection - Ganh Dau - turn left and drive straight. The last segment is about 5 km of dirt road (bumpy, difficult to drive in the rain).

Ideal time: Dry season (November–May), best in March–April. Arrive in the morning (9–11 AM) for clear water and a safe return trip. Avoid the rainy season (June–October) due to rough waves and murky water.

Visiting Rach Vem, tourists not only find a standout attraction in the North Island but also have the opportunity to feel the slow rhythm of life of the fishermen—the “people of yore” who remain bound to the sea day after day. It is this simplicity that creates its unique charm, making it a memorable stop on your journey to explore Pearl Island. If you have the chance to visit Phu Quoc, spend a day at Rach Vem to admire the sea, savor fresh seafood, and experience traditional fishing village life—a very different side of this famous island.