Seeing north Phu Quoc by scooter costs about 120,000 to 150,000 VND a day for the rental as of 2026, and the main roads north are paved and mostly quiet. To ride legally, foreign visitors need an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried with a home licence, both covering motorbikes.
A private car costs far more but removes the licence question, the midday heat, rain, and the ride home in the dark after a west-coast sunset. For licensed riders in the dry season, a scooter is the cheaper choice.
The same north-island loop with someone else driving
We collect you at your hotel and drive the whole route, from the starfish in the morning to a west-coast sunset. Free cancellation up to 3 days before.
★North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetStarfish Beach by private boat, lunch on the water, Ganh Dau Cape, the Cua Can mangroves by kayak and a west-coast sunset. · About 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourRach Vem by private boat before the crowds, a swim at the starfish sandbar and seafood lunch over the water. · About 5.5 hoursSee the tour →Scooter or private car: how do they compare?
A scooter is the cheapest way to see north Phu Quoc and a private car is the easiest. The difference comes down to the licence, the weather, and how you feel about riding back after dark. Figures are as of September 2026.
| Rented scooter | Private car with guide | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | About 120,000-150,000 VND a day, plus fuel | Our private day for two: $295 |
| Licence needed | 1968-convention IDP plus home licence, both covering motorbikes | None for you |
| Boats and kayak | You arrange and agree prices on the spot | Arranged before you arrive |
| Heat and rain | Full exposure; slippery lanes after rain | Covered car, out of the sun and rain |
| After sunset | Ride back in the dark | Driven back to your hotel |
| Children | Not suitable for small children | Suitable for families |
A third option sits between the two: a Grab car to Rach Vem costs roughly 250,000 to 400,000 VND each way as of September 2026, but finding a ride back from the far north in the afternoon is unreliable. Our guide on how to get to Rach Vem covers that in detail.
What licence do you need to ride a scooter in Phu Quoc?
To ride a scooter legally in Phu Quoc, a foreign visitor needs an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried together with a valid home licence, and both must cover motorbikes. The rule applies under the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, in force since 1 January 2025.
A permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, the kind issued in the United States and Canada, is not the route Vietnam recognises. A car licence alone does not cover a scooter.
| Offence | Fine under Decree 168/2024 |
|---|---|
| Riding a scooter up to 125 cc without a valid licence | 2,000,000-4,000,000 VND |
| Riding a motorbike over 125 cc without a valid licence | 6,000,000-8,000,000 VND |
| Rider or passenger without a helmet, or strap not fastened | 400,000-600,000 VND |
The bigger risk is insurance. Many travel insurance policies will not pay for injuries to a rider who was not licensed for the vehicle, which can turn a minor fall into a large hospital bill.
What is the ride to north Phu Quoc like?
The ride north from Duong Dong is short and mostly quiet once you leave town. Rach Vem is 20 to 25 km away, 40 to 60 minutes on road DT973 and then the Suoi Cai to Rach Vem road, which runs through the forest of Phu Quoc National Park. Ganh Dau Cape is about 30 km from Duong Dong, and Cua Can is closer still on the west coast.
The Suoi Cai to Rach Vem road is concrete, about 6.5 km long and 6 m wide, and opened in March 2025. It replaced the old red dirt track that many blogs still describe. The last few hundred metres to the raft houses at Rach Vem are village lanes, some of them still rough, so take those slowly.
From May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain, and approach roads in the north can be slippery after a storm. The dry season, from November to April, is also when the starfish at Rach Vem are easiest to see, so it is the better time for the trip either way.
The sunset problem
The ride home is the weak point of a full day by scooter. The north-island route ends with sunset on the west coast, between about 17:38 and 18:30 depending on the month, and it is dark soon afterwards. Riding back from a west-coast sunset at Ong Lang is 15 to 20 minutes to Duong Dong; from Ganh Dau it is 40 to 50 minutes in the dark after a long day in the sun.
When does a scooter make sense, and when does a car?
A scooter makes sense for two confident riders with the right licence, travelling in the dry season, who are happy to arrange the boat at Rach Vem themselves and skip the sunset or ride back in the dark. For that pair the saving is large, and the north is easy to navigate.
A private car makes sense for families with children, anyone without a 1968-convention permit, riders who have not handled a scooter before, and anyone who wants the whole day, from the early boat to the sunset, without logistics. Our one-day north Phu Quoc itinerary shows the order of stops for either choice.
No permit, or no wish to ride back after dark?
We drive the whole north-island route and return you to your hotel after sunset.
North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetAbout 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →North Phu Quoc by scooter: common questions
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Phu Quoc?
A scooter in Phu Quoc rents for about 120,000 to 150,000 VND a day as of 2026, plus fuel. Some shops charge up to about 200,000 VND a day.
Can tourists legally ride a scooter in Phu Quoc?
Yes, with the right documents. Foreign visitors need an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, carried with a valid home licence, and both must cover motorbikes.
What is the fine for riding without a licence in Vietnam?
Riding a scooter up to 125 cc without a valid licence is fined 2 to 4 million VND under Decree 168/2024. Not wearing a helmet, as rider or passenger, is fined 400,000 to 600,000 VND.
Is the road to Rach Vem safe for scooters?
The main road to Rach Vem is paved, and the Suoi Cai to Rach Vem section has been concrete since March 2025. Take the last village lanes slowly and avoid riding just after heavy rain.
Is a scooter or a private car better for north Phu Quoc?
A scooter is better for licensed riders on a budget in the dry season. A private car is better for families, anyone without a 1968-convention permit, and anyone who wants to stay for sunset without riding home in the dark.
Starfish to sunset, and someone else at the wheel
A private car and guide from your hotel, boats at Rach Vem, lunch on the water, Ganh Dau Cape, the Cua Can river and a west-coast sunset, then the drive home.
★North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetStarfish Beach by private boat, lunch on the water, Ganh Dau Cape, the Cua Can mangroves by kayak and a west-coast sunset. · About 10 hoursfrom$91/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$255BOOK →2 guests$295BOOK →3 guests$330BOOK →4 guests$365BOOK →See the full tour page →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourRach Vem by private boat before the crowds, a swim at the starfish sandbar and seafood lunch over the water. · About 5.5 hoursfrom$63/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$175BOOK →2 guests$200BOOK →3 guests$225BOOK →4 guests$250BOOK →See the full tour page →Rental prices, fares and licence rules as of September 2026.