Khem Beach

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Khem Beach (Bai Khem) is a short, pristine stretch of fine white sand near the southern tip of Phu Quoc, close to An Thoi and not far from the more famous Sao Beach. For years it sat partly within a restricted military zone, which kept development away and left it one of the calmest, cleanest beaches on the island once access opened up to visitors.

Sheltered by headlands at either end and backed by casuarina and coconut trees, Khem Beach's shallow, gently sloping water and relative quiet compared to the busier beach strips make it a favourite for visitors seeking a simpler, less commercial beach day.

Khem Beach offers much of the same fine white sand and clear water that makes Sao Beach famous, but with a smaller, more sheltered footprint and typically fewer crowds, making it a good choice for visitors who want a quieter beach experience without travelling far from Phu Quoc's southern attractions.

The short, sheltered curve of white sand framed by rocky headlands, calm and shallow turquoise water well suited to swimming, and the relative lack of large-scale commercial development compared to other Phu Quoc beaches are the highlights of a Khem Beach visit.

Swim in the calm, shallow water, relax on the sand with minimal crowds compared to busier beaches, and enjoy a simple seafood meal at one of the small restaurants near the shore.

Many visitors pair a morning at Khem Beach with an afternoon at nearby Sao Beach, or combine both with a visit to Phu Quoc Prison, which sits close by near An Thoi.

The main sheltered stretch of sand and the calm turquoise shallows are the beach's central attraction; the rocky headlands at either end offer a scenic frame and short scrambling spots for photos.

The quieter far ends of the beach, away from the small central cluster of restaurants and loungers, tend to stay noticeably calmer even when the central section sees more visitors.

Khem Beach itself is primarily a natural recreational site; for cultural context, nearby Ham Ninh fishing village or a stop at Phu Quoc Prison, both a short drive away, add historical and cultural depth to a day built around the beach.

The sheltered cove setting, calm clear water, and surrounding tree cover give Khem Beach a slightly more intimate, natural feel than some of the island's larger, more developed beach strips.

The calm, shallow water and generally quieter atmosphere make Khem Beach well suited to families with young children, offering safer swimming conditions than more exposed stretches of coast elsewhere on the island.

There is little to no nightlife directly at Khem Beach, which functions as a daytime beach destination; for evening entertainment, visitors typically head back toward Duong Dong or the Long Beach resort strip.

The calm turquoise water framed by the beach's rocky headlands, especially in the soft light of early morning, and the tree-lined shore looking back from the water are the standout photo compositions here.

Khem Beach's relatively undeveloped character owes much to its former partial status within a restricted military zone, which limited construction along parts of the shoreline for years even as tourism boomed elsewhere on Phu Quoc; access has gradually opened as the island's broader tourism infrastructure has expanded.

The beach sits within the same southern Phu Quoc coastal area traditionally supported by small fishing communities, some of whose members now run the modest restaurants and services found along the shore.

The dry season from November to April offers the calmest water and most reliable sunshine, making it the best window for a Khem Beach visit, ideally in the morning before the day's heat sets in.

Expect a dry, sunny season from November to April well suited to swimming, and a wetter season from May to October bringing more frequent afternoon rain and occasionally rougher water.

There are no festivals held specifically at Khem Beach; it operates as a year-round recreational beach rather than an event venue.

Visit in the morning for calm water and good light, spend a few hours swimming and relaxing, have a simple seafood lunch nearby, and continue on to Sao Beach or Phu Quoc Prison in the afternoon since both are close by.

Half a day is enough for a relaxed beach visit; it pairs easily with a second half-day activity nearby given its proximity to Sao Beach and An Thoi.

Khem Beach is roughly 25-30 minutes by car or scooter from Duong Dong and the Long Beach resort strip, close to An Thoi in the south of the island; taxis, Grab, and organised tours all serve the route.

The beach itself is small and entirely walkable; a rented scooter or car is the practical way to combine it with nearby Sao Beach or other southern Phu Quoc sights.

Phu Quoc International Airport is around 30 minutes away by car; An Thoi ferry terminal, for boat trips to the outer islands, is a short drive further south.

The beach is open access at all times; the small restaurants and lounger rental services along the shore typically operate from around 8am to 6pm.

The beach itself is free to access; sun loungers, where available, typically carry a small rental fee similar to other Phu Quoc beaches, roughly 50,000-100,000 VND.

A handful of small, low-key seafood restaurants sit near the shore, serving grilled fish and other fresh catch in a simpler setting than the larger restaurant rows found at busier beaches.

Grilled and steamed seafood is the highlight here, in keeping with the rest of Phu Quoc's coastal dining, best enjoyed simply with the island's own nuoc mam fish sauce.

There is limited lodging directly at Khem Beach; most visitors stay in Duong Dong or along Long Beach, roughly 25-30 minutes away, with a broad range of options from budget guesthouses to full resorts.

A day at Khem Beach can be managed on roughly 300,000-500,000 VND per person covering lounger rental, a simple seafood meal, and transport.

There's little dedicated shopping directly at the beach; for Phu Quoc souvenirs like pepper or fish sauce, plan a stop at a farm or the Duong Dong night market.

The water here is generally calm and sheltered, but it's still worth checking conditions before swimming out further, particularly outside the dry season, and keeping an eye on belongings left on the open beach.

The main beach area is relatively easy to access on foot, though soft sand can still present challenges for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

Basic English is understood at the small beachfront restaurants given the flow of visitors, though Vietnamese remains the primary language among staff and local families in the area.

Visit in the morning for the calmest water and fewer crowds, bring cash for lounger rental and food, and consider pairing the trip with nearby Sao Beach or Phu Quoc Prison to make a fuller day of the southern part of the island.

Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a beach towel, and cash in small denominations for lounger rental and food.

Use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid leaving litter on the sand, and support the small family-run restaurants along the shore rather than only larger commercial operations elsewhere on the island.

Sao Beach is a short drive away for a second, slightly busier beach option, Phu Quoc Prison is close by near An Thoi, and An Thoi harbour offers boat trips out to the archipelago's smaller islands.

Phu Quoc's tourism promotion office and general Vietnam travel information sites carry current details on beach access; there's no dedicated official website specific to Khem Beach since it remains a public beach.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.