What is fascinating about Phu Quoc Island?

Living in HCMC and traveling to Phu Quoc is the most relaxing experience I have had since arriving in Vietnam two years ago.
I did nothing but swim in the ocean, relax on the beach, and eat fresh seafood...ah but that is my kind of vacation!
Just watch out for the prices - ouch! They are a little steep...and the coffee is soybean you'll have to make your own to get real coffee.
If you are the more adventurous type you can tour the market, tour the temples or go snorkeling...and probably more.

drutter wrote:

I did nothing but swim in the ocean, relax on the beach, and eat fresh seafood...ah but that is my kind of vacation!

And that right there is why it won't be 'fascinating and impressive' for your kids. You can add swimming in a hotel pool and a tiny night market, but otherwise very undeveloped, not a lot to do. I'm like Drutter, it's great, but I'm an adult, and I like my tropical islands undeveloped.

gobot does bring up a good point. The island is not very developed yet and there probably isn't much entertainment for young children.

The only place on the island that would be fascinating to children is VinPearl Land (including VinSafari across the street).  I'm not certain whether you can visit their attractions without staying at the resort though, so you may want to book your whole vacation with them.  Their food is great and the service is impeccable.  We didn't stay there (couldn't fit it into our budget and also didn't want to share my space with hordes of children -- two young people at a time is my limit), but one of my honorary nieces works there as hospitality staff and tour guide. 

From everything she told me, I had a feeling that they took a page out of Walt Disney Company's customer service and employee trainings, then add more incentives to both so to keep the smiles on their employees and their guests' faces.

PS: English speaking is one of the requirements to be part of their staff.

Ha Tien is worth a look. There is a festival on this Friday.

I personally love Rach Gia city, which is just across Phu Quoc. Dozens of coffee shops along side the ocean, and prices are very cheap compared to Phu Quoc and other touristy areas. But yeah, there's no beach there although I usually stay at a 4 star hotel with a pool for like USD$40 a night. Man, I feel old saying this, I used to love backpacking.

Friends showed me photos of a very pretty stream the swam in on Phu Quoc. You will have to ask details from your hotel staff.

I really don't know what's so fascinating about the island. Yes, it has a few nice beaches and sunsets, and the seafood is good; but in my experience the much-vaunted snorkelling is mediocre compared to many other places in Southeast Asia, the prices are higher than on the mainland, and rubbish disposal is a disaster. That said, if you rent a motorbike there are some interesting routes in the sparsely populated north(-east), but children may not enjoy them.

I wish I could suggest alternatives in Vietnam for the seafood/snorkelling combo but I can't really think of any, other than many places in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Any suggestions from others?

I have been to this island was last year. And I stay in vinperl  it was nice place for relax and much things to do, you can have coffee shops and restaurants, there is not only one hotel many hotels belong to Vinpear. I was there 3 nights but not bored at all.

Nhon hai beach hostel

I went there once, didn't find anything interesting... it's kind of a worst version of Koh Samui, with huge highway in the middle of the island, and casino... and not fresh seafood in the night market. Beaches so okay though.

I went there and thought it was a terrible waste of a plane ticket. Would never go back.

Quy Nhon is another destination worth checking out

Quy Nhon city isn't bad, small but nice. But beach in front of the complex FLC Quy Nhon not very attractive.