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Researched Updated Oct 19, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About scores

Scores run from 0 to 10, where 10 is best for a remote worker and 5 is an average city.

Cost & Affordability

7 factors · average 7.6
Cost of Living 8.0 Weight 150

A furnished island base is affordable, with a premium over Hanoi and Nha Trang at the researched nomad budget. 42 1

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: nine nomad categories sum to USD 1,173.97/month. SoloSquare October 2026 comfortable range USD 771–1,350; Livingcost June 2026 resident basket USD 518, a different lifestyle.

Accommodation Cost 8.0 Weight 80

Monthly furnished housing is inexpensive internationally; beach resorts cost more than town lets. 43 1

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: Housing nomad USD 421.46, Apartment (1 bedroom) USD 287.36. July 2026 rental guide: Duong Dong 1BR VND 9–13M on 3+ month leases; Livingcost centre 1BR USD 265.

Food & Groceries 8.2 Weight 40

Local meals and staples are inexpensive; imported food and resort dining add a premium. 1 2

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: meal USD 2.30, nomad groceries 95.78 and dining 272.99/month. Livingcost rice USD 0.96/kg, beef 9.84/kg; Numbeo Vietnam meal VND 50,000 (17 October 2026).

Transportation Cost 7.8 Weight 20

Scooters and bus corridors keep costs down, while long cross-island taxis add up. 42

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: taxi start USD 0.69, per km 0.73, 5 km ride 3.45, scooter 114.94/month; nominal pass 9.89 unconfirmed as a product. SoloSquare October 2026 taxi 5 km VND 60,000–120,000.

Entertainment Cost 7.3 Weight 15

Local beer and cinema are cheap; paid parks and marine excursions raise leisure spending. 1 42

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: beer USD 1.72, cinema 3.31, nomad leisure 76.63/month. Livingcost June 2026 cinema USD 3.31; SoloSquare October 2026 bar beer VND 25,000–65,000.

Gym Membership Cost 7.2 Weight 10

Basic gym memberships are affordable; resort training packages are much more expensive. 42 2

Evidence

data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml: monthly gym USD 22.99 (VND 600,039 at prep FX). SoloSquare island band VND 500,000–1.2M/month; Numbeo Vietnam VND 564,734.99 (17 October 2026).

Currency Stability 6.5 Weight 30

The dong depreciates gradually against the dollar and is not a dollar peg. 24

Evidence

IMF end-period exchange rates: VND 24,269/USD in 2023, 25,485 in 2024.

Digital Nomad Essentials

6 factors · average 5.7
Internet Speed 7.0 Weight 100

Dedicated apartment fibre can handle remote work; shared hotel connections need testing. 11

Low confidence
Evidence

Local operator August 2026 reports apartment fibre 50–150 Mbps and hotel lobbies 10–40 Mbps; no representative local median.

Coworking Spaces Availability 2.0 Weight 40

Formal coworking supply is thin; plan around an apartment, cafe or hotel work room. 11 12

Low confidence
Evidence

Checked the August 2026 rental guide for named operators and Salinda facilities for memberships: guide reports no established brand; Salinda lists a Study, without a public desk tariff. Search is limited, not an island census.

Cafes with WiFi 6.5 Weight 30

Town cafes provide workable connections, with more variable service near the beach. 11

Evidence

August 2026 operator table: Duong Dong cafes 30–80 Mbps, Long Beach back-street cafes 20–50 Mbps.

Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes 6.0 Weight 30

Working from cafes is practical in town, but desks, sockets and quiet vary by venue. 11

Low confidence
Evidence

Local guide describes morning laptop sessions around Tran Hung Dao and the market; no named venue audit supplied.

Digital Nomad Popularity 4.4 Weight 100

A small remote-worker community uses the island, well below the regional hubs. 23

Low confidence
Evidence

Homestay guide describes a smaller community than Chiang Mai and Canggu, with high-season growth.

Local SIM Card Availability 8.2 Weight 25

Prepaid SIMs are readily available at the airport and in town; bring a passport for registration. 11 2

Evidence

August 2026 guide identifies airport/town SIM sales; country prep uses national 10GB+ plan VND 150,568/month.

Quality of Life

6 factors · average 6.4
Work-Life Balance 8.0 Weight 30

Beach access and a slower pace support a balanced routine if the workspace is reliable. 7 11

Evidence

UNESCO identifies protected coastal ecosystems; local workspace guide describes long-stay apartment working beside leisure areas.

Environmental Quality 5.5 Weight 15

Protected forests coexist with pollution and development pressure around settled areas. 34 7

Evidence

Police reported about 1,900 tonnes of industrial waste dumped in August 2026; UNESCO documents protected ecosystems.

Cleanliness 5.5 Weight 10

Maintenance varies between managed resorts and public spaces; island-wide cleanliness is not measured. 35 34

Low confidence
Evidence

World Bank 2020 baseline records beach trash and wastewater; September 2026 report documents industrial-waste dumping.

Language Barrier 4.9 Weight 30

English helps in tourist businesses; everyday errands can require translation. 41 23

Evidence

Local homestay guide identifies market/repair language difficulties; 2026 Hello World initiative targets tourism-worker English.

Air Quality 7.7 Weight 15

Modelled annual particulate exposure is relatively low, though above the WHO guideline. 6

Measured Annual pm25 ug m3: 11.2575, Hours: 8760, Period: 2025-01-01/2025-12-31 (Open-Meteo/CAMS modelled grid, 2025-12)
Evidence

Open-Meteo calendar 2025: mean PM2.5 11.2575 µg/m³ from 8,760 non-null hourly grid values.

Family Friendly 7.0 Weight 25

Family resorts and attractions are strong; schooling and specialist-care access need individual planning. 12 37 4

Evidence

Salinda lists kids club and babysitting; VinWonders offers aquarium/themed attractions; Vinmec lists pediatrics and neonatology.

Healthcare

3 factors · average 7.1
Healthcare Quality 6.4 Weight 20

The island has a substantial private general hospital; complex treatment may still require transfer. 4

Evidence

Vinmec lists nearly 150 beds, 10 specialties, CT/MRI, telemedicine and ground/air patient transport.

Healthcare Affordability 8.3 Weight 25

Routine consultations are inexpensive internationally; private admissions and evacuation need insurance. 1 4

Evidence

Livingcost June 2026 GP visit USD 29.8; Vinmec provides transfers for advanced care.

Healthcare 6.5 Weight 20

General care is accessible, with a north-island hospital and a town clinic; specialist transfers remain a limitation. 4

Evidence

Vinmec directory lists Duong Dong Clinic plus surgery, emergency, pediatrics and obstetrics at its hospital.

Climate & Environment

6 factors · average 5.9
Weather 6.0 Weight 80

Warm beach weather is offset by a long wet season and humid nights; dry-season stays are easier. 5

Measured Annual precipitation mm: 3122.56, Period: 2016-01-01/2025-12-31, Min monthly mean high c: 28.42, Max monthly mean high c: 31.25 (Open-Meteo historical reanalysis, 2025-12)
Evidence

2016–2025 modelled monthly highs 28.42–31.25 C; February rain 42.88 mm, September 491.20 mm.

Natural Disaster Risk 5.2 Weight 10

Flooding and rough monsoon seas matter; check local drainage and transport conditions. 35 5

Low confidence
Evidence

World Bank baseline records recurring overloaded drainage and 1 m floods in 2019; 2016–2025 September rainfall averages 491.20 mm.

Green Spaces 7.4 Weight 10

Large forest reserves are accessible by road; daily town parks are less extensive. 8 7

Evidence

Park authority reports 36,262 ha including protection forest and three principal forest ecosystems.

Air Conditioning 7.6 Weight 15

Air conditioning is available in tourist housing and indoor work venues; confirm the electricity allowance. 12 11

Evidence

Salinda advertises air-conditioned fitness space; local workspace guide identifies air-conditioned town cafes and apartments.

Seasonal Variety 3.6 Weight 10

Wet and dry seasons are distinct, with little temperature change and no cool winter. 5

Evidence

2016–2025 monthly mean daily highs span only 2.83 C; monthly rainfall ranges 42.88–491.20 mm.

Noise Pollution 5.8 Weight 10

Quiet accommodation is possible away from traffic and beach clubs; check nearby building work and evening music. 21 33

Low confidence
Evidence

October bar guide clusters nightlife along Tran Hung Dao; EVN describes major local construction projects in 2026; no decibel survey.

Culture & Entertainment

6 factors · average 6.4
Culture 5.8 Weight 20

Fish-sauce heritage, fishing villages and prison history add depth to a resort-led destination. 36 22

Evidence

Nhan Dan records national intangible-heritage listing in 2021; Wikivoyage lists the prison museum and fish-sauce visits.

Nightlife 6.3 Weight 15

Beach clubs, live-music bars and resort entertainment offer a lively but scattered evening scene. 21

Evidence

October 2026 guide lists OCSEN, Rabbit Hole and Blue Monkey; Rory is temporarily closed.

Outdoors & Nature 8.7 Weight 15

Forests, beaches and marine excursions make outdoor access a major strength. 8 7

Evidence

Park authority lists 132 bird species; UNESCO identifies tropical forest and protected coral ecosystems.

Language Learning Opportunities 4.3 Weight 10

Local language education exists, but a Vietnamese course for foreign adults was not confirmed. 41

Low confidence
Evidence

Hello World programme offers English classes for drivers, tourism workers and residents in its 2026 pilot.

Local Experiences & Tours 7.8 Weight 10

Boat trips, diving, food heritage and forest excursions provide varied organised experiences. 22 36

Evidence

Wikivoyage lists diving in European languages and forest excursions; Nhan Dan describes fish-sauce craft heritage.

Indoors Fun 5.5 Weight 10

The aquarium and resort facilities add rainy-day options, though the offer is geographically spread out. 37 12

Evidence

VinWonders lists Sea Shell aquarium and scheduled shows; Salinda has an art collection and library.

Food & Fitness

4 factors · average 6.4
Food Scene 7.3 Weight 25

Seafood and Vietnamese food are joined by Indian and resort dining, with less breadth than the big cities. 18 17 22

Evidence

Sai Rasoi lists North/South Indian cuisine; Bamboo offers homemade Vietnamese dishes; Wikivoyage lists seafood markets.

Yoga Studios 5.5 Weight 10

Yoga is available through resorts and fitness programmes; independent studio choice is less clear. 13 15

Evidence

Regent advertises daily group yoga and private guidance; Nova Elevate includes yoga sessions.

Fitness Facilities 6.2 Weight 15

Resort gyms and a dedicated training retreat provide better facilities than the old basic-gym description. 13 14

Evidence

Regent has a 24-hour Technogym club; Nova advertises HYROX, strength equipment and recovery zones.

Healthy Food Options 6.5 Weight 15

Vegetarian and vegan dining is available, especially in resort and visitor districts. 17 18

Evidence

Bamboo advertises vegan Vietnamese options; Sai Rasoi is entirely vegetarian and Jain-friendly.

Work Environment

5 factors · average 3.4
Time Zone Favorability 4.5 Weight 20

UTC+7 allows afternoon overlap with Europe; conventional American office hours require night work. 10

Evidence

Phu Quoc uses UTC+7; 09:00 New York is 20:00 or 21:00 locally, and 09:00 London is 15:00 or 16:00.

Networking Opportunities 3.5 Weight 25

Informal expat contacts and occasional retreats exist; a regular professional calendar was not confirmed. 23 16

Low confidence
Evidence

Reviewed the homestay community section and founder retreat programme for dated recurring professional events: only informal meetup claims and 20 advertised places on 13–19 July 2026; no current recurring calendar verified.

Remote Job Opportunities 3.2 Weight 20

The local market centres on tourism rather than a broad remote-employer base. 10

Low confidence
Evidence

Phu Quoc overview identifies tourism, fishing and agriculture as primary industries; no local remote-employer census found.

Freelance Ecosystem 3.4 Weight 20

Freelancers can use cafes and foreign clients, with limited verified local professional infrastructure. 11

Low confidence
Evidence

Checked the rental guide for freelance workspace infrastructure: it describes apartment/cafe working and no established named hub; no freelancer directory or local client-market inventory was verified.

Coworking Quality 2.5 Weight 30

Hotel work rooms offer some comfort, but dedicated coworking amenities were not confirmed. 11 12

Low confidence
Evidence

Reviewed rental-guide operator claims and Salinda work facilities: Study has computers/internet, 10:00–20:00; neither page supplies a dedicated coworking membership or audited desk amenities.

Business & Economy

3 factors · average 4.5
Startup Scene 3.3 Weight 15

A founder retreat provides some contact with entrepreneurs; a resident accelerator or investor network was not verified. 16 23

Low confidence
Evidence

Searched the founder retreat programme and homestay community section for local accelerators/investors: retreat advertises 20 places, 13–19 July 2026, and a Silicon Valley partner; no resident island accelerator identified on these pages.

Local Payment Services 6.3 Weight 10

Cards and app payments work in visitor businesses; markets and small purchases still need cash. 20 22

Evidence

Island guide says Xanh SM accepts cash, cards and Vietnamese wallets; Wikivoyage documents town ATMs and cash markets.

Blockchain & Crypto Adoption 4.0 Weight 15

National digital-asset rules are developing, with little verified island-specific activity or merchant use. 28

Low confidence
Evidence

PwC December 2025: digital assets recognised from 2026, five-year trading pilot, crypto not ordinary legal payment.

Transportation

7 factors · average 6.0
Airport Connectivity 7.0 Weight 30

The airport offers useful international routes, including seasonal services, below regional hub breadth. 19

Evidence

FlightConnections 16 October 2026 lists 26 non-stop destinations in 12 countries.

Public Transit 4.5 Weight 20

Electric bus and resort-shuttle corridors help, but do not cover the whole island. 9 20

Evidence

VinBus officially lists routes 17, 19 and 20; October guide also documents a Duong Dong–Sunset Town shuttle.

Walkability 4.4 Weight 20

Central Duong Dong is usable on foot; resort districts and attractions require longer trips. 20 10

Evidence

Island guide describes roughly 50 km from northern theme parks to Sunset Town and multi-kilometre gaps between districts.

Ride-sharing Services 7.3 Weight 15

Grab and Xanh SM provide practical alternatives to driving; remote return trips need planning. 38 20

Evidence

Grab launched a Phu Quoc Premium scheduled-pickup trial on 8 June 2026; October guide confirms both apps.

Cycling 3.8 Weight 10

Quieter roads and some beach paths suit leisure cycling; a protected island-wide network was not found. 22

Evidence

Wikivoyage lists bicycle rentals, a local flat beach pathway and quiet northwest roads, alongside motorbike-led travel.

Intercity Travel Options 6.5 Weight 15

Flights and scheduled mainland ferries provide several ways out, with weather-related limits. 39 19

Evidence

Superdong lists Ha Tien and Rach Gia routes; FlightConnections lists 26 scheduled air destinations.

Scooter/Bike Rental Availability 8.2 Weight 10

Scooters are widely rented; a valid licence and suitable insurance remain essential. 22

Evidence

Wikivoyage scooter listing, updated May 2024: automatic VND 150,000/day and manual VND 120,000/day; daily hire evidence, not a monthly tariff.

Connectivity

4 factors · average 6.7
Mobile Network Coverage 7.6 Weight 20

Mobile data is a useful backup in the developed corridor; rural coverage is less certain. 11

Low confidence
Evidence

August 2026 local guide reports Viettel 4G 20–60 Mbps in Duong Dong/Long Beach and weaker rural signal.

VPN Reliability 6.5 Weight 20

VPN access needs checking with the chosen provider and connection; the internet is censored. 25

Low confidence
Evidence

Freedom House 2025 reports 22/100 internet freedom, Telegram blocking orders and international cable faults; no island VPN uptime tests.

Power Grid Reliability 7.3 Weight 15

Recent transmission upgrades improve resilience, though a battery or backed-up workspace is prudent. 33

Evidence

EVN reports three August 2026 projects completed after a Nov 2025 cable fault interrupted about 30,000 customers for up to five days.

Public WiFi Availability 5.5 Weight 10

Free Wi-Fi is available through cafes, bars and hotels; municipal coverage was not confirmed. 22 11

Evidence

Wikivoyage lists free Wi-Fi at Rabbit Hole; local guide describes town cafes and shared hotel lobby connections.

Digital Nomad Community

3 factors · average 4.8
Nomad Friendly 6.3 Weight 50

An affordable beach base can work for independent remote workers who arrange their own workspace. 11 42

Evidence

Rental guide recommends a dedicated-fibre apartment and cafe sessions rather than a branded hub. SoloSquare October 2026 comfortable budget USD 771–1,350/month; data/city-costs/vn/phu-quoc.yaml nomad sum USD 1,173.97.

Nomad Events & Meetups 3.6 Weight 25

Community gatherings are mostly informal; a reliable current nomad-event calendar was not verified. 23 16

Low confidence
Evidence

Checked homestay meetup section and retreat dates for a current calendar: guide claims monthly informal gatherings without dates; organizer lists 13–19 July 2026 only. No dated recurring nomad meetup verified on these pages.

Online Community Presence 4.5 Weight 20

Expat and nomad groups are useful entry points, with activity levels unverified behind login. 23

Low confidence
Evidence

Homestay guide names Expats in Phu Quoc and Digital Nomads Vietnam as information and meetup channels.

Safety & Tolerance

3 factors · average 7.2
Safety 7.8 Weight 100

Low violent-crime risk supports a comfortable stay, with care needed around theft, roads and boats. 3 23

Evidence

FCDO reports violent crime against foreigners is rare but petty theft occurs regularly; homestay guide echoes road/theft concerns.

Female Friendly 7.0 Weight 50

Solo women can travel independently, while transport and nightlife precautions remain relevant. 3

Evidence

FCDO records sexual assault and harassment reports in tourist areas and recommends official transport apps.

Racial Tolerance 6.9 Weight 50

An international visitor economy supports everyday contact; comparative discrimination data were not found. 23

Low confidence
Evidence

Homestay guide describes European, Russian-speaking, Australian and Southeast Asian community members; no ethnicity-specific outcome study.

About these scores

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 19, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

Compared with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Sa Pa, Dalat, Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, Phong Nha, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Mai Chau, Ha Giang, Bac Ha, Dong Hoi, Cat Ba Island, Con Dao, Cam Ranh, Buon Ma Thuot, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Canggu, Siem Reap, Buenos Aires, Tbilisi

  1. Livingcost Phu Quoc, 21 June 2026Index
  2. Numbeo Vietnam, 17 October 2026Index
  3. FCDO Vietnam safety and securityOfficial
  4. Vinmec Phu Quoc hospitalOfficial
  5. Open-Meteo Phu Quoc historical climate, 2016–2025Measurement
  6. Open-Meteo modelled Phu Quoc PM2.5, calendar 2025Measurement
  7. UNESCO Kien Giang Biosphere ReserveOfficial
  8. Phu Quoc National Park overviewOfficial
  9. VinBus route networkOfficial
  10. Phu Quoc geography, climate and economyReference
  11. Local rental operator coworking guide, August 2026Secondary
  12. Salinda facilitiesOfficial
  13. Regent Phu Quoc wellnessOfficial
  14. Nova Fitness RetreatOfficial
  15. Nova Elevate programmeOfficial
  16. Founders Fitness Retreat 2026Official
  17. Bamboo Cottages restaurantOfficial
  18. Sai Rasoi vegetarian restaurantOfficial
  19. FlightConnections PQC, updated 16 October 2026Reference
  20. Island transport guide, October 2026Secondary
  21. Island bar guide, October 2026Secondary
  22. Wikivoyage Phu QuocReference
  23. Local homestay nomad guideSecondary
  24. IMF Vietnam 2025 Article IVOfficial
  25. Freedom House Vietnam internet freedom 2025Index
  26. Vietcombank current account eligibilityOfficial
  27. Invest Vietnam foreign-owned company procedureOfficial
  28. PwC Vietnam cryptocurrency framework, December 2025Professional
  29. FCDO Vietnam entry requirementsOfficial
  30. RSF Vietnam Index 2026Index
  31. Worlddata Vietnam governanceSecondary
  32. PwC Vietnam individual income taxProfessional
  33. EVN Phu Quoc grid projects, 30 August 2026Official
  34. Tuoi Tre pollution prosecution, 16 September 2026News
  35. World Bank Phu Quoc water project concept, June 2020Official
  36. Nhan Dan Phu Quoc fish-sauce heritage, June 2025News
  37. VinWonders Phu Quoc attractionsOfficial
  38. Grab Phu Quoc scheduled pickup pilot, 8 June 2026Official
  39. Superdong published route timetableOfficial
  40. Ookla Global Index Vietnam, accessible mirror, August 2026Measurement
  41. Phu Quoc Hello World 2026–2030 initiativeOfficial
  42. SoloSquare Phu Quoc, October 2026Index
  43. Phu Quoc monthly rent breakdown, July 2026; three-month-plus leasesListings

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • Accommodation cost 7 8
    • Air quality 7.4 7.7
    • Airport connectivity 6.5 7
    • Cafes with wifi 6.2 6.5
    • Cleanliness 6 5.5
    38 more changes
    • Cost of living 7.3 8
    • Coworking quality 3.3 2.5
    • Coworking spaces availability 4.3 2
    • Currency stability 7 6.5
    • Digital nomad friendly cafes 5.3 6
    • Digital nomad visa availability 3 1
    • Entertainment cost 6.7 7.3
    • Environmental quality 7 5.5
    • Female friendly 7.5 7
    • Fitness facilities 5.3 6.2
    • Food groceries 7.8 8.2
    • Food scene 6.9 7.3
    • Freedom of speech 3.2 2.1
    • Gym membership cost 6.2 7.2
    • Healthcare 5.7 6.5
    • Healthcare quality 4.8 6.4
    • Healthy food options 5.8 6.5
    • Indoors fun 4.4 5.5
    • Intercity travel options 5.7 6.5
    • Internet speed 7.5 7
    • Local experiences tours 7.1 7.8
    • Local payment services 5.8 6.3
    • Natural disaster risk 5.7 5.2
    • Nightlife 5.7 6.3
    • Nomad friendly 6.7 6.3
    • Online community presence 3.7 4.5
    • Political stability 7.5 7.8
    • Power grid reliability 6.8 7.3
    • Public transit 3.1 4.5
    • Public wifi availability 4.7 5.5
    • Ride sharing services 5.8 7.3
    • Safety 8.1 7.8
    • Tax friendliness 5.5 5.6
    • Time zone favorability 7.1 4.5
    • Transportation cost 7.3 7.8
    • Visa ease 7.3 7.5
    • Vpn reliability 7.6 6.5
    • Yoga studios 5 5.5

    Fix pass — coworking-spaces-availability, coworking-quality, freelance-ecosystem, networking-opportunities, startup-scene and nomad-events-meetups evidence now names the pages searched and what remained unverified; low confidence and all scores retained (phuquoc-apartment.com, salindaresort.com, foundersretreat.club, phuquoc-homestay.com)

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