Explore the north of Phu Quoc island by private US Army Jeeps

The most memorable part of this Phu Quoc tour is the vehicle itself: a vintage US Army Jeep that rattles along forest tracks and rough island roads where a normal car would feel out of place. You get a broad view of the jungle, plenty of fresh air, and a ride that feels more like an outing than simple transport.

I like the private format, which lets you set the pace with a guide such as Tong, Huy, Jack, or Lee. I also like the mix of places: a pepper farm, a border viewpoint, a forest trail, a floating fishing village, and Starfish Beach. The main consideration is comfort. Six hours in an open, bumpy Jeep can be hot, wet, and dusty, and the starfish are easiest to see from December through May.

Key points to know

• A real off-road-style ride: The old Jeep is the star, with rough forest tracks and open-air views.
• Private group of up to three: You get direct attention and some flexibility with timing and stops.
• A strong northern-island route: The day links Ganh Dau Cape, Phu Quoc National Park, Rach Vem, and Starfish Beach.
• Lunch by the water: A local meal with prawns, pork, chicken, noodles, rice, and vegetables is included.
• Starfish depend on conditions: December through May is the best period listed for seeing them.
• Budget for the fuel surcharge: The advertised group price is $210, plus a $25 fuel charge per booking.

Why the old Jeep changes the day

A standard island tour can move you from one paved stop to another without giving you much sense of the ground between them. This outing is built around the ride. The Jeep is an old American military vehicle, described in the tour material as roughly 70 years old and dating to the 1960s. Its age is part of the appeal, but it also means you should expect noise, jolts, and a less polished ride.

I like that the vehicle suits northern Phu Quoc. Much of this side of the island is covered by hills, forest, and smaller roads. The Jeep gives the guide a practical way to reach forest trails and less developed corners, while you get a better view than you would from behind the windows of a taxi.

The private setup matters here. Your group can ask for a slower ride, linger at a stop, or adjust the day when conditions change. Several guides are named in the tour details and customer comments, including Tong, Huy, Jack, Lee, Trong, Son, and Thong. English ability is described positively for several of them, but your exact guide depends on the booking.

Some guides may let you take a turn driving on a rough forest road. This is not presented as a guaranteed part of every departure, so treat it as a possible extra rather than the main reason to book. If offered, it adds a playful touch, especially for anyone who enjoys four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Pepper farm coffee and island agriculture

The first stop is Hai Duong Pepper Farm, with about 30 minutes set aside. Phu Quoc is well known for pepper cultivation, and a farm visit gives you a quick look at one of the island’s local products rather than another beach photo stop.

This is a short visit, so do not expect a full agricultural workshop. The value is in seeing the plants and learning about local fruit, trees, and farming from your guide. One useful tip is to order an iced black coffee at the farm if it is available. It costs extra, but it has been singled out as a particularly good refreshment.

The farm also gives you a gentle start before the more physical parts of the day. You can stretch your legs, take photos, and get a feel for the guide’s style. If you want more time here, say so early. The private format gives you a better chance of adjusting the pace than a large scheduled bus tour.

Ganh Dau Cape and the Cambodian view

The route continues to Ganh Dau Cape, also called Mui Ganh Dau Beach, for roughly 30 minutes. The draw is the view toward Cambodia and the chance to hear about Phu Quoc’s border setting.

This is not a formal museum visit. Its interest comes from geography and the guide’s explanation of the area. You are looking across the water toward another country while standing at the northwestern edge of the island, which gives the day a clear sense of place.

The stop is short, so keep your camera ready and listen as you walk. Conditions at the cape can affect visibility, and the tour does not promise a particular view every day. Even so, it is a useful pause between the farm and the forest, with a different feel from the later beach stop.

Ninety minutes on Phu Quoc National Park trails

The longest drive of the day is through one part of Phu Quoc National Park. The plan allows about 15 kilometers and 90 minutes on a forest trail. This is where the Jeep earns its keep.

The ride gives you fresh air, changing views of the jungle, and a closer look at the island’s natural side. Your guide can point out local plants and some animal species. The experience is less about reaching one famous viewpoint and more about the sound, movement, and changing surface under the wheels.

This section can also be the most demanding. A forest track may be uneven, and the open Jeep offers little shelter from rain or strong sun. One guide reportedly dealt with a fallen tree in heavy rain, which gives you a useful picture of the conditions possible on this route. The fact that the tour may continue through wet weather is part of the adventure, but it is not ideal if you want a smooth, dry sightseeing day.

Wear clothes that can handle dust or mud. Bring sun protection and accept that your hair may lose its battle with the wind. The published physical requirement is moderate fitness, which sounds right: you are not signing up for a hike, but you should be comfortable climbing into an old vehicle and spending time on rough ground.

Rach Vem fishing village and lunch over the water

Around midday, you reach Rach Vem, a floating fishing village. The planned stop lasts about an hour and includes lunch at a floating restaurant.

This is one of the most useful parts of the tour because it connects the scenery with daily island life. Instead of eating at a generic roadside restaurant, you sit near the water and look toward the surrounding national park. The setting is simple, and that is the point. You get a local meal in a place tied to fishing rather than a polished resort dining room.

Lunch includes prawns, pork, chicken, noodles, rice, and vegetables. The menu is broad enough to suit a mixed group, though the information does not specify vegetarian substitutions or dietary arrangements. If you have food restrictions, raise them before departure instead of assuming the restaurant can adapt.

Cold beer and bottled mineral water are available during the journey, and the meal is included. The floating restaurant may be one of the day’s quieter moments, but do not count on a long, leisurely lunch. The schedule allows about an hour before the final beach stop.

Starfish Beach and the seasonal catch

The final major stop is Starfish Beach, with about an hour for swimming and looking for starfish. This is often the emotional high point of the route, but conditions matter more here than at the other stops.

The best season listed is December through May. From June through October, rain can make the water less clear and less calm, which reduces your chance of seeing starfish. That seasonal note is important. If you visit in the wetter period, enjoy the beach for its setting and swimming, but do not book this tour solely on the promise of large numbers of starfish.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can use the stop for more than wading. Still, treat the animals carefully and follow your guide’s instructions. The beach is also a good place to slow down after the forest drive. You can swim, take pictures, and enjoy the water before the return to your hotel or the listed meeting point at about 3 p.m.

The tour material says pickup is offered, while the published start and end point is 1 Duong Nguyen Trai in Duong Dong. Confirm the pickup arrangement when you book. That small check prevents an unnecessary rush across town.

What the $210 group price really buys

The price is $210 per group of up to three people, with a $25 fuel surcharge per booking. That puts the basic cost at $235 for the group before personal spending, or about $78 per person for three people.

That is not a cheap island excursion, but the comparison should be with a private vehicle and guide, not with a large shared bus. You are paying for roughly six hours of private transport, a specialist vehicle, a guide, lunch, bottled water, cold beer, snorkeling equipment, and parking fees. For a full group of three, the value is fairly good if you want a flexible day and care about the Jeep itself.

For one person, the calculation is less attractive. You still receive private service, but the group price is fixed rather than charged per seat. Solo visitors may find the vehicle and private attention worthwhile, while budget-focused visitors should compare it with a shared northern-island tour.

Personal expenses are not included. The pepper farm coffee, if you choose to order one, is extra, and the fuel surcharge should be added to your mental price before you book. The meal and basic drinks are covered, so you are unlikely to need much additional cash unless you shop or order extras.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want northern Phu Quoc to feel more open, rural, and active than a resort transfer. It suits couples, friends, and small families who enjoy unusual transport and do not mind a bit of dust or discomfort.

It is also a good match for photographers. You get the Jeep, forest tracks, the cape, floating dining, and a beach stop in one day. Guides such as Tong and Huy are described as friendly, flexible, and good at explaining the island, while Jack is noted for his cheerful attitude and willingness to help when conditions became difficult.

Families can enjoy the novelty of the Jeep, and the tour information says children have been well accommodated. Still, the ride is bumpy and open, so parents should decide if their children will handle six hours of changing road conditions. The stated fitness level is moderate.

You should think twice if you need air conditioning, a quiet vehicle, a firm timetable, or guaranteed clear water. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Final call: book it for the ride, not just the beach

I recommend this tour if the idea of rattling through Phu Quoc’s forest in an old Army Jeep sounds as appealing as the destinations. The strongest parts are the private pace, the forest route, the floating lunch, and the chance to see a less developed side of the island.

Book between December and May if Starfish Beach is a major goal. Add the fuel surcharge to the price, confirm hotel pickup, and wear clothes suited to sun, rain, and dust. If you prefer a smooth and predictable sightseeing day, choose a standard vehicle instead. If you want a little grit, local food, and a guide who can shape the day around your small group, this is a strong northern Phu Quoc choice.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc Jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The schedule begins with the pepper farm and ends with a return to the hotel or listed meeting point around 3 p.m.

How many people can join the private Jeep tour?

The price covers one private group of up to three people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the published start point is 1 Duong Nguyen Trãi in Duong Dong. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

What stops are included?

The route includes Hai Duong Pepper Farm, Ganh Dau Cape, a forest section of Phu Quoc National Park, Rach Vem fishing village, and Starfish Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included local lunch features prawns, pork, chicken, noodles, rice, and vegetables. Personal extras are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

When is the best time to see starfish?

The listed best season is December through May. During the rainy season from June through October, the water may be less clear and calm, making starfish harder to see.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.