What it is
Sun World Hon Thom is a theme park and leisure complex spread across Hon Thom (Pineapple Island), the largest island in the An Thoi archipelago south of Phu Quoc. It opened in 2018 anchored by what was then the world's longest over-sea cable car — 7,899 meters connecting the An Thoi terminal on Phu Quoc's southern tip to Hon Thom island itself. Since then, Sun Group has expanded it into a full-day destination with a waterpark, beach areas, restaurants, and a growing roster of rides.
It's not a quiet beach escape. Think of it more like a polished resort-park hybrid — families, couples on honeymoon itineraries, and day-trippers from Phu Quoc (푸꾸옥 / 富国岛 / フーコック) make up most of the crowd.
Why travelers go
Three reasons, honestly:
- The cable car ride. Fifteen minutes above turquoise water, skimming over small islands. On a clear day, the views alone justify the ticket.
- The waterpark (Aquatopia). Southeast Asia's largest themed waterpark with over 20 slides, a lazy river, and wave pool. Genuinely well-maintained compared to other Vietnamese waterparks.
- The beaches. Hon Thom's Bai Truong and Bai Nom beaches are less crowded than Phu Quoc's main strips, with cleaner sand and calmer water for swimming.
If you're spending a few days on Phu Quoc and want one day that's more structured activity than lounging, this is the obvious pick.
Best time to visit
Phu Quoc's dry season runs November to March — blue skies, low humidity, calm seas. That's peak season and peak crowds at Hon Thom too.
April and May are hot (34-36°C) but still dry, with thinner crowds. The waterpark feels better in the heat anyway.
Avoid September-October if possible: heavy rain can suspend cable car operations entirely, and the island feels grey and windswept.
Weekdays beat weekends significantly. Saturday mornings see queues of 30-45 minutes for the cable car; Tuesday mornings you'll walk straight on.
How to get there
From anywhere on Phu Quoc, head to the An Thoi Cable Car Terminal at the island's southern tip.
- From Duong Dong town center: 25 km south, about 35 minutes by motorbike or taxi. Grab works on Phu Quoc; expect 120,000-150,000 VND one way.
- From Long Beach hotel strip: 20 km, roughly 30 minutes.
- From Phu Quoc International Airport: 18 km south, 25 minutes.
The cable car terminal has free parking for motorbikes and cars. The cable car itself is included in your entry ticket — no separate fare.
Getting to Phu Quoc
Flights land daily from Saigon (1 hour), Hanoi (2 hours), and Da Nang. Fast ferries run from Ha Tien (1.5 hours) and Rach Gia (2.5 hours) on the mainland. Most travelers fly in from Saigon as part of a southern Vietnam itinerary.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
What to do
The cable car
Board at An Thoi terminal. Cabins hold up to 30 people (the larger ones) or 8 in the VIP gondolas. The ride crosses over Hon Dua, Hon Roi, and Hon Thom. Bring your phone charged — the photo opportunities are continuous.
Aquatopia Water Park
The headline attraction on-island. Highlights:
- Typhoon World: high-speed body slides, not for the faint-hearted
- Sea Wave Pool: surprisingly powerful artificial waves
- Lazy River: winds through landscaped tropical gardens, about 15 minutes per loop
- Kids' zones: shallow pools and mini-slides for under-8s
Lockers are 50,000 VND. Towels available to rent but bring your own to save hassle.
Beaches
Bai Truong on the west side has sun loungers (free with park entry) and calm swimming. Walk 10 minutes north along the coast for a quieter stretch. Snorkeling gear is available for rent (100,000 VND) — the coral isn't spectacular but you'll see parrotfish and clownfish in shallow water.
Other activities
- Kiss Bridge and Instagram spots (free with entry)
- Sunset shows on weekends during high season
- Electric kart track (separate fee, around 150,000 VND per session)
Where to eat
On-island dining is park-priced but not terrible:
- Bai Sao Restaurant serves Vietnamese staples — "[com tam](/posts/com-tam-saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン)-broken-rice)" with grilled pork runs about 95,000 VND, seafood hotpot around 350,000 VND for two.
- Pizza & Burger joints near the waterpark entrance — functional, nothing special, 80,000-120,000 VND per item.
- Coconut ice cream stands scattered around the beach areas — 40,000 VND, decent on a hot day.
Pro tip: eat a proper lunch before heading to the terminal. An Thoi town has good seafood spots — grilled squid and "banh canh (반깐 / 粗米粉汤 / バインカイン)" crab soup for half the island price.
Where to stay
Most visitors treat Hon Thom as a day trip from Phu Quoc. The island has Sun Premier Village resort (from 3,500,000 VND/night) if you want to stay over, but it's premium-priced and not necessary unless you specifically want the quiet evening beach atmosphere.
Better value: base yourself along Phu Quoc's Long Beach or Duong Dong, where rooms range from 400,000-1,500,000 VND depending on season and standards.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Practical tips
- Ticket price (2024): Adult combo (cable car + waterpark) is around 750,000 VND online, 850,000 VND at the gate. Book on Sun World's app or Klook for 10-15% off.
- Bring: sunscreen (reef-safe if you snorkel), waterproof phone pouch, change of dry clothes, cash for lockers and extras.
- Time needed: 5-7 hours for a full day. Arrive by 9:00 AM to beat queues and have time for both waterpark and beach.
- Cable car hours: typically 8:00-17:30, last return at 17:30 sharp. Don't cut it close.
- Skip: the VIP gondola upsell unless you specifically want a private cabin photo moment. Standard cars have the same views.
Common mistakes
- Going on a weekend in December-January without pre-booking — queues can hit an hour for the cable car.
- Underestimating the sun. There's limited shade outside the waterpark. Sunburn ruins the next two days of your Phu Quoc trip.
- Forgetting cash. Some food stalls and locker machines are cash-only. ATMs exist at the An Thoi terminal but not on Hon Thom island.
- Trying to combine it with snorkeling tours. The An Thoi archipelago boat trips leave from the same area, but cramming both into one day means you enjoy neither. Give Hon Thom its own day.
- Leaving too late. If you arrive after 13:00, you'll feel rushed between the waterpark and beach before the last cable car.
Practical notes
Sun World Hon Thom works best as a single dedicated day within a longer Phu Quoc stay of 3-5 days. Pair it with quieter days exploring the island's north — pepper farms, Suoi Tranh waterfall, or the Duong Dong night market for grilled seafood and "bia hoi (비아호이 / 鲜啤 / ビアホイ)" on plastic chairs. It's not the reason to come to Phu Quoc, but it's a well-executed addition to the island's offerings.
Last updated · May 25, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
