THE DAY BEFORE LEAVING PHU QUOC, VIETNAM – 4 OCTOBER 2025

“A mind stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions”. - Oliver Wendel Holmes Jr.

As with the previous day, as I got back to the hotel from the KingKong Mart last night, I requested the owner of the hotel to get me a combo ticket for the tour of Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders this day. She told me that the combo ticket would cost me 1,450,000 VND and that the taxi would cost 1,000,000 VND. The combo ticket for Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders, which gave me a discount of 350,000 VND. Moreover, she told me that the combo ticket price includes a free lunch in any of the two attractions. That, indeed, was a bargain, to my mind. The higher cost of the taxi, as compared to the previous day, was because of the distance to be covered to visit the attractions in the northern parts of Phu Quoc Island. She also told me that, as an alternative, I could rent an electric motorbike for just 150,000 VND, or about ₹500. I left that decision to be taken in the morning. 

While the cost was indeed a consideration, the weather was even more so, as it looked it would rain sometime during the day. Thus, after a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bun, coffee and fruits I decided on hiring a taxi for the day. That settled, I paid the lady for the combo ticket and the taxi. Bac would be the 'guide' today too.

As we started our ride for the day, Bac asked me, using Google translate, of course, if I would like to go to a retail shop of Vietnamese silk. He said that their products are sought after the world over. I thought it would be a good idea to see the products and judge for myself. At the entrance to the showroom, as it was with the Pearl Farm the previous evening, I was given a visitors tag to wear before going in.

I was told that the production of Vietnamese silk has been a traditional craft passed down through generations, and it has a rich history deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. It is one of the souvenirs that visitors take back from their Vietnamese visit. First I was shown how the silkworms work their magic and produce the white and yellow yarn.

The person explaining the process prized open the cocoon and told me that they are a delicacy in Vietnamese cuisine. He took me to a room where different types of duvets and covers, made of the finest silk, were nearly stacked. He opened a few of them and explained the intricate work and weave of the products. Soon I moved over to the other sections where silk and silk mixed fabric and stitched clothes, as well as scarves were on sale. I must say that the prices were reasonable too.

We left the city and drove to the Vinpearl Safari Park. The number of vehicles parked near the entrance indicated that many visitors had already gained entrance. As I had already bought the ticket in advance, I slipped the ticket counter and went directly to the turnstile, where my digital ticket was examined and scanned and I gained entry to the humongous Park.

Spanning 380 hectares, the must visit Vinpearl Safari is home to over 150 animal species, employing more than 3,000 individuals, and boasts 1,200 plant species from around the globe. This expansive park offers wildlife enthusiasts a unique opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. It is, undoubtedly, an unforgettable experience in Phu Quoc.

The Vinpearl wildlife sanctuary is divided into 2 areas, namely Safari Park and Open Zoo. While one can walk through the latter, the former is explored in a free business tour. The massive open zoo starts with a flamingo park and wends through enclosures for giraffes, tapir, rhinos, lemurs, crocodiles, orangutans, camels, aviary, white lions, royal Bengal tigers, antelopes, gaur and many, many more. The Kids Zoo is also part of the Open Zoo as also animal shows. I was truly awed by the hornbill show.

The Safari Park is traversed through dense forests where leopards, lions, tigers, antelopes of different types, bears, rhinos, hippos, etc can be seen in their natural habitat. Truly an exhilarating experience. You need strong legs and lots of time in humid conditions to navigate the massive park. After trudging enthusiastically for over two hours, I lost much of my steam.

After the enjoyable, though exhausting Safari exploration, I was a bit short on legs and enthusiasm when I landed at VinWonders. However, the minute I got down from the taxi and saw the grand fountain and entrance, a second wind goaded me on. It is truly a magical place which features six meticulously designed themed zones, inspired by human civilizations and legendary fairy tales from around the world.

The journey starts at the European Avenue, where one is transported to a charming medieval town, walking along cobblestone streets lined with grand Renaissance buildings and lively shops. Then comes the mythical multiverse at Fantasy World, where favourite stories like Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Thumbelina come alive. It also has The Dragon’s Spell – Vietnam’s first-ever dark indoor interactive ride.

The Viking Village is where rope courses, jungle zip lines, and treetop bridges await. At the Adventure World the stout hearted can brave Wrath of Zeus – one of the fastest roller coasters on Earth, reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h. Many of the rides are not open to those above the age of 60, and I was denied. The Sea Shell aquarium is ranked among the world's largest. Typhoon world is the largest water park in Southeast Asia, with 36 rides.

VinWonders packs activities for all ages, with plenty to eat and drink. The multi-themed park with its performances, rides and special shows make this an unforgettable experience. At the hotel I had been told that the combo ticket entitled me to a meal in one of the two attractions. I was famished by the time I reached VinWonders. The aromas that wanted from the restaurant that served the buffet drew me like a magnet. However, at the entrance I was told that I would have to by a separate ticket for the meal. I spoke to the owner to confirm if what I was being told was correct. She rang me up in a while, profusely apologetic about the discontinuance of the promotional offer the previous week. Apparently, the agent had not updated her about the revision. She was so embarrassed that she offered me free dinner at her restaurant later in the evening. I told her that she should not dwell too much on it because it was a genuine mistake. Later, I relaxed a while in a small restaurant and had a cup of Vietnamese noodles, much like the Maggie noodles back home.

The next stop for the day's tour was the Starfish beach. But I stopped for some time after teg VinWonders tour at the Grand World, which is promoted as "The City That Never Sleeps", which is a 24/7 experience 365 days of the year. It is apparently a unique experience, spanning over 85 hectares.

Grand World possesses splendid and magnificent architecture; bustling and trendy commercial streets; vibrant festivals and parties; and is the center of bustling entertainment. At the entrance is an unusual building. it is said that 42,000 bamboo trees were used to create this masterpiece, a 15-metre-high creation in an area of 700 sqm. The three main cultural symbols of Vietnam, the bamboo tree, lotus and the bronze drum are interwoven into the unique structure.

Time being scarce, I did not venture into the main entertainment areas of Grand World. I was struck by the Urban Park adjacent to the Bamboo Legend structure. This outdoor art park blends contemporary art with nature, featuring numerous large-scale sculptures, themed walking paths, and artistic installations. It showcases over 55 artworks, including pieces like "Hair of Rivers," "Mother Earth," and "Blooming Life". Indeed, an awesome place to spend time and relax.

The Starfish Beach, at the northern end of the Phu Quoc island, was apparently only discovered in 2014. The last few kms to the starfish beach is a test of one's patience and integrity of the body. The bone shaker ride, in the end, was not worth its while. Once the taxi was parked, I was approached by a young man who asked if I was there to see starfish. I almost sneered and wondered why I would need his assistance to see starfish on the beach. As I neared the waterfront, I found it muddy and dirty. Surely, one cannot see starfish there. Many ramshackle, wooden bridges led to what apparently were waiting sheds from where one has to take a boat to an island where there are literally thousands of starfish in the sea. The posts on the internet, thus, were misleading. None of them talked about having to take a boat to go to an island to watch the starfish. I decided to skip that routine and get back to the hotel.

When I returned to the hotel the owner was waiting for me to apologize in person for the inconvenience she had inadvertently caused about the lunch. She invited me for dinner later. After a can of Bia Saigon I went to the restaurant and ordered a starter of shrimp and a main course of prawns with mushrooms with white rice. I slowly got through the large portions sipping on a couple of more beers. After the email the owner told me that she would give me a 50 percent off the bill. I refused her offer of recompense, telling her that it was a genuine mistake and had not resulted from a deliberate attempt to dupe me. Besides, I also paid her for the taxi to drop me off at the airport the next day. Thus ended the sightseeing tour of Phu Quoc over the Dussehra vacation.