Is Phu Quoc Safe in January 2026?

Vendors and taxi drivers swap your 500,000 VND note for a 20,000 VND note (both blue) during the payment exchange, then claim you underpaid. The difference is 25x.

How to avoid: Keep large and small notes in separate pockets. Count your change before accepting it. Pay with exact change when possible at markets and taxis.

At Phu Quoc Airport security checkpoints, laptops and tablets placed in trays have been deliberately moved to the "left behind" pile by staff, then claimed by accomplices before owners retrieve their belongings.

How to avoid: Keep your eyes on your tray and electronics at all times through the scanner. Pass through security quickly and retrieve items before stopping to dress. Photograph your devices before placing in trays.

Motorbike rental operators on Phu Quoc, particularly those serving routes through the northern part of the island toward Ganh Dau and Bai Thom, rent bikes that have pre-existing scratches and damage not documented at handover. Upon return, the operator claims the tourist caused the damage and demands payment far above the actual repair cost, sometimes holding the renter's passport or deposit as leverage. The scam is most common with informal roadside rental shops rather than established operators.

How to avoid: Before renting, photograph and video the entire bike from all angles in the presence of the rental agent, and send the media to yourself with a timestamp. Insist on a written rental agreement that lists all existing damage. Use established rental shops associated with your hotel or a well-reviewed provider, and never hand over your passport as a deposit — offer a photocopy or a cash deposit instead.

Transport, food, and tours in tourist-facing areas of Phu Quoc are significantly marked up above what locals pay. Taxis have no meters. Night market vendors have separate pricing for foreigners.

How to avoid: Use the Grab app for transparent taxi pricing. Eat away from the main tourist strip. Research standard prices before any purchase or tour.

At Phu Quoc's Dinh Cau Night Market and the nearby seafood restaurants along Tran Hung Dao Street, vendors display seafood at attractive per-piece or per-100g prices. After tourists have chosen their items and they are taken inside to be cooked, the bill reflects a different price per unit — often attributed to 'cooking weight loss' or a sudden shift to a per-kilo scale. The difference can double or triple the expected cost.

How to avoid: Agree on the total price for the specific items chosen before they are taken away to be cooked. Get the vendor to write the agreed figure down or confirm it on a phone calculator. Pay only the pre-agreed total.