Red River Tour – Deep Sea Fishing By Boat In Phu Quoc

The main draw here is simple: you leave Phu Quoc before sunrise, reach the fishing grounds by boat, and try for a 3 to 5 kilogram catch using local techniques. If the fish cooperate, your lunch includes part of what you bring aboard.

I like the early ocean departure, which gives you sunrise views before the heat builds. I also like that breakfast, lunch, bait, rods, and basic snorkeling equipment are included, so you do not need to assemble your own fishing kit. The small group limit of 10 people should keep the boat from feeling crowded.

The catch is never guaranteed, and the 5:00 AM pickup is very early. You should also check the pickup surcharge before booking if you are staying outside Duong Dong, since the extra cost can reach 400,000 VND per person.

Key points at a glance

• Sunrise departure at 5:00 AM: Reach An Thoi Port early and watch the light change over the open sea.
• Fishing lesson on board: The captain explains how to fish in the local style before the boat reaches its fishing spot.
• Target catches of 3 to 5 kilograms: The advertised goal is a respectable fish for the table, though nature makes no promises.
• Breakfast and lunch included: Eat on the boat, with caught fish added to the midday meal when available.
• Small group of up to 10 people: A useful size for sharing equipment and getting help from the guide.
• Transport and equipment included: Duong Dong hotel pickup, rods, bait, life jackets, masks, snorkels, and insurance are part of the package.

Leaving Phu Quoc before sunrise

This is a full morning and early afternoon on the water, not a quick fishing add-on. Pickup begins at 5:00 AM, so you will want your clothes, sunscreen, and personal items ready the night before.

The included pickup and drop-off apply to boarding locations inside Duong Dong town. The ride takes you to An Thoi Port in the south of Phu Quoc, where you board the fishing boat.

If you stay in Ong Lang, Cua Can, Vung Bau, Bai Dai, or Ganh Dau, the trip can still work, but you pay an extra pickup fee. The surcharge is 100,000 VND per person from listed Ong Lang hotels, 200,000 VND from Cua Can and Vung Bau, and 400,000 VND from Bai Dai and Ganh Dau. Ask about other hotel areas before paying.

Breakfast and sunrise on the boat

The first meal is served after you board. The stated breakfast includes sunny-side-up eggs, bread, vegetable salad, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea.

That is a sensible menu for an early start. It gives you something warm and filling without making the morning meal too heavy. The exact menu can change with the season, so treat the published selection as a guide rather than a promise.

The sunrise is one of the best reasons to accept the early pickup. You will be offshore as the day begins, with time to enjoy the open-water views before the fishing starts. The boat setting also gives the morning a clear rhythm: eat, look around, learn the basics, then fish.

Bring sunscreen and any personal items you need. Towels and sunscreen are not included, and the operator provides only one bottle of water per person.

Learning the local fishing method at 6:00 AM

After reaching the boat, the captain gives the group a short lesson on how to fish like a local in Phu Quoc. That matters if you are new to sea fishing or usually fish from a riverbank, pier, or lake.

The lesson should help you understand the equipment, bait, and basic handling before the boat reaches the fishing area. Since the group is capped at 10 people, you have a better chance of following the demonstration than you would on a large party boat.

The official language for the guide and instruction is English. The supplied information does not name the individual guide or captain, so do not expect to request a particular person by name.

Reaching the fishing spot at 8:00 AM

The boat is scheduled to reach its fishing spot around 8:00 AM. At that point, the crew anchors and fishing begins.

The advertised target is a fish weighing roughly 3 to 5 kilograms. That gives you a useful sense of the intended scale, but it is not a catch guarantee. Sea conditions, season, bait, and luck all matter, and a day on the water can produce a smaller catch or no prize fish at all.

I like that the tour gives you several hours for the main activity instead of treating fishing as a brief photo stop. You can continue fishing after lunch, so the morning is not rushed once the boat reaches the anchor point.

The fishing equipment and bait are included. That makes the $170 price easier to assess, especially if you do not want to purchase or carry your own gear in Vietnam.

Lunch with the day’s catch

Lunch is scheduled for noon. The menu includes fried chicken, soup, stir-fried noodles, fresh fruit, and caught fish.

The caught fish is the memorable part. If you land something suitable, it can become part of the meal, giving the day a direct connection between the activity and what you eat. If the catch is limited, the other dishes provide the main meal.

You can continue fishing after lunch, which is a practical touch. Many boat activities stop once the meal begins, but this schedule leaves more time for another attempt before heading back.

The operator notes that menus may change by season. Dietary details are not provided, so if you have food restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming the lunch can be adjusted.

Returning from An Thoi Port at 1:30 PM

The planned return to An Thoi Port is at 1:30 PM, followed by the transfer back to your hotel. In practice, the day runs from a 5:00 AM pickup to an afternoon hotel return, so it takes up most of your day even though the listed validity is one day.

That timing works well if you want an early activity and a free evening. It works less well if you plan to combine the trip with another morning excursion or a long-distance island transfer.

The port departure and return point also make this a focused fishing outing rather than a general sightseeing cruise. The central purpose is time on the water with rod and bait, not a long list of separate stops.

What the $170 price includes

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Phu Quoc. Its value depends on how much of the included package you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

The price covers:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off inside Duong Dong town
• The fishing boat
• An English-speaking guide
• Fishing equipment and bait
• Breakfast and lunch
• One bottle of water
• A mask, snorkel, and life jacket
• Tourism insurance, with a maximum of 30,000,000 VND per case

For someone who wants a private fishing setup without buying gear, hiring a boat separately, finding bait, and arranging meals, the package is convenient. You also get a small group limited to 10 people, which adds value compared with a crowded boat.

The price does not include VAT, personal expenses, sunscreen, towels, or pickup outside Duong Dong. A public Tet holiday surcharge of 20 percent may also apply on the listed dates, including January 1, April 30 to May 1, September 2, and the stated Tet period. Confirm the final total before booking.

Snorkeling equipment, with one important distinction

A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. That gives you basic water equipment, but the main program is fishing.

The supplied schedule does not list a dedicated snorkeling stop or explain when you would use the equipment. I would not book this trip solely for snorkeling. Think of the gear as an extra option or safety provision unless the operator confirms a separate water stop for your date.

The life jacket is especially useful on a fishing boat, while the mask and snorkel may appeal to anyone who wants to look into the water if the captain allows it. Ask about the planned use of this equipment if it is important to your decision.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most

This outing suits you if you like early starts, open water, and the chance of bringing food back to the lunch table. It is also a good match if you want a guided fishing experience but do not own equipment.

The small group size should appeal to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a more personal boat outing. The English-speaking instruction is helpful for first-time sea anglers.

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, need a late start, or expect a guaranteed large catch. The 3 to 5 kilogram figure describes the hoped-for catch, not a promise. It is also not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure and epilepsy.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You need to provide your full name, phone number, and hotel address when booking. The activity is offered by Red River Tour, with an office at 379 Tran Hung Dao, Duong To, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang.

The supplied contact details include 0297 7309 986, 0297 730 9986, and a main office number of (+84) 2977 303 339. Use the contact listed on your booking confirmation if the numbers differ.

The activity offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, which helps if your island schedule is still shifting. The published cancellation terms say you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Separate shared and private tour terms are also provided: a shared trip canceled one day ahead has no fee, while a same-day cancellation loses the full booking value. A private trip has stricter penalties, with 50 percent charged two days ahead and 100 percent one day ahead.

Weather matters. The operator may cancel for natural disasters, poor weather, epidemics, or war. In those cases, the stated refund covers the paid tour ticket and extra service charges, but not other costs you may have arranged separately.

My verdict on the $170 outing

I like this trip for its clear purpose. You leave before dawn, eat breakfast on the boat, learn the basics from the captain, fish for several hours, and have lunch with the possibility of eating your own catch.

The strongest parts are the included equipment, the small group limit, and the long fishing window. The sunrise adds a pleasant setting without turning the outing into a sightseeing program that distracts from fishing.

The main caution is price and uncertainty. At $170, you should want the complete package, not just a few hours with a rod. You should also be comfortable with the possibility that the hoped-for 3 to 5 kilogram fish does not appear.

Should you book Red River Tour?

Book it if sea fishing is the reason you are going, you value a guided setup, and you are happy to wake before sunrise. The included boat, bait, meals, instruction, and transport make the cost easier to justify for a first-time fishing outing in Phu Quoc.

Skip it if you mainly want snorkeling, a relaxed late morning, or a guaranteed catch. Before you commit, confirm your hotel pickup fee, the weather outlook, the exact cancellation terms for your tour type, and how the snorkeling equipment fits into the day.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip take place?

The activity takes place in Kien Giang province, Phu Quoc, with boarding at An Thoi Port.

What time does hotel pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 5:00 AM.

When does the boat reach the fishing spot?

The schedule places arrival at the fishing spot around 8:00 AM.

What time does the boat return to An Thoi Port?

The planned return is at 1:30 PM, followed by transfer back to your hotel.

How many people can join the group?

The small group is limited to 10 participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are free for boarding locations inside Duong Dong town. Surcharges apply to several areas outside Duong Dong.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes eggs, bread, vegetable salad, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea. Lunch includes fried chicken, soup, stir-fried noodles, fresh fruit, and caught fish. Menus can change by season.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Deep sea fishing equipment and bait are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included.

What language is used by the guide?

The instructor and tour guide use English.