Phu Quoc North: US Army Jeep Forest Trails & Rach Vem Lunch

Summary

Old Jeeps, forest air, pepper farms and floating lunches in Phu Quoc’s north

You’ll ride through Phu Quoc’s forests in an open US Army Jeep, taste fresh pepper at a local farm, share lunch above the waves at Rach Vem fishing village, and maybe spot Cambodia from Ganh Dau Cape. The day feels unrushed — just wild air, honest stories, and moments you’ll want to pocket for later.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the faded olive paint on the Jeep — chipped in places, but somehow that made it better. Our driver grinned as we climbed in, dust already swirling around our ankles. Riding through Phu Quoc’s northern hills with the top down is loud and a bit bumpy (you’ll feel it in your teeth), but you catch these wild bursts of green: palms, tangled vines, flashes of red dirt. At one point, our guide Hieu pointed out a pepper farm. I’d never really thought about how pepper grows — turns out the berries are tiny and sharp-smelling when you rub them between your fingers.

We stopped at Ganh Dau Cape where you can actually see Cambodia across the water. There was this weird stillness to it — just fishermen mending nets and kids waving from their bikes. The border stories Hieu told were heavier than I expected; he didn’t sugarcoat anything, which I appreciated. After that came the real adventure: driving deep into Phu Quoc’s forest on old army trails. It smelled like rain even though it wasn’t raining (maybe just humidity?), and every so often we’d slow down for a monkey or some bird I couldn’t name. The day trip to Phu Quoc’s north felt less like a tour and more like tagging along with someone who knows every shortcut.

Lunch was at Rach Vem — a floating fishing village that looks like it might slide off into the sea if you sneeze too hard. We sat on wobbly planks eating prawns and chicken with noodles while salty wind whipped past us. Local beer in hand, toes dangling over clear water, I tried to say “thank you” in Vietnamese and got everyone laughing (I’m not sure I’ll ever get the tones right). On the way back we stopped at Starfish Beach; there were actual starfish everywhere, bright orange against white sand. I still think about that view sometimes when things get too noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phu Quoc Jeep tour and nature visit

• Pickup at hotel by US Army Jeep
• Visit Pepper Farm and learn pepper cultivation
• See Cambodia view at Ganh Dau Cape
• Drive 90 minutes in Phu Quoc Rain Forest
• Lunch at Rach Vem floating fisherman village
• Swim and see starfishes at Starfish beach
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Phu Quoc Jeep tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all guests.

What kind of vehicle is used on the day trip?

You’ll ride in an original US Army Jeep left from the Vietnam War era.

Does this private tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is served at Rach Vem floating village with local dishes like prawns and chicken.

Can you swim or snorkel during this tour?

You can swim at Starfish Beach and use provided snorkeling equipment if you want.

How long do you spend driving through the forest?

The forest trail section is about 15 kilometers and takes around 90 minutes.

Will we visit any local farms?

Yes, there’s a stop at a pepper farm where you learn about growing and harvesting peppercorns.

Is this tour suitable for young children or people with mobility issues?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Are drinks provided during the trip?

Cold beers and bottled mineral water are available throughout the journey.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by classic US Army Jeep, entry to all stops including a working pepper farm and Rach Vem floating village lunch (with prawns, pork, chicken, noodles, rice and vegetables), use of snorkeling gear at Starfish Beach if you’re up for it, plus cold beers and bottled water always ready in the cooler before heading back to your hotel in the afternoon.