Phu Quoc Island Tour Rules: Shells and Etiquette

Treat reefs, seagrass and shells as protected, dress politely at temples, queue at attractions and do not give money to beggars. Our sources do not give a specific shell rule, a drone rule or a fine amount for visitors, so confirm the current rule with your guide or on the day. Respect for people and places is the safest approach.

Can I collect shells or coral?

Our sources do not state a visitor rule on shells, so leave shells and coral where they are.

They do describe why. The Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area covers over 40,909ha of water surface with coral reefs and seagrass beds. Authorities are working to prevent pollution, illegal land reclamation and destructive fishing in the area. A 2025 coral reef cleanup drive collected 865kg of waste entangled in the reefs.

If you want a souvenir, buy one from a shop and ask about its origin. Confirm the current rule with your guide before you pick anything up. The same habit applies to everything else on the shore: take your rubbish with you, do not break coral to take a photo, and keep your feet off the reef when you swim or snorkel. Choose an activity that suits your swimming ability, and follow the safety instructions of the tour operator.

What are the national park and protected area rules?

Our sources focus on the marine protected area, where tourist boats must follow the rules.

• Tourist boats docking at unauthorised floating platforms inside the protected area were found in violation.
• The Management Board ordered the removal of illegal floating structures.
• Zoning maps were printed and distributed to help people navigate the protected area.

For you, the practical points are simple. Use boats and platforms that your operator names, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not touch coral. Choose an activity that suits your swimming ability. Ask the operator what the local rules are on the day. A good operator can tell you in a sentence where the boat will stop, why it stops there and what you can and cannot do in the water. If the answer is unclear, ask again before you get on the boat.

What is the etiquette at a temple?

Dress politely, be quiet and be patient. The Cao Dai temple is in central Duong Dong, the main town of Phu Quoc.

There is normally no entrance fee, and a small donation is appreciated but not expected. There are no clearly posted opening hours or ticket desk, and access depends on prayer times. Allow about 15 to 25 minutes to look inside, or 5 to 10 minutes for photos from outside.

Visitors are also asked to dress politely at pilgrimage sites and historical relics. A light scarf or shirt in your bag solves most dress problems on a hot day, and you can put it on at the door.

The daytime visit is also the practical choice, because you can look inside when the gates are open and keep your voice low while people pray. If a ceremony is under way, step back, wait or move on. A photo is never worth interrupting worship.

What about farms, photography and drones?

Our sources give no specific rule for farms or drones, so ask on the day.

Use common sense. At a farm, ask before you take photos of workers or enter a work area. For photography at a temple, follow the points above. For a drone, ask the operator and local staff before you fly one, and do not fly near people, ceremonies or protected areas. We cannot confirm a drone rule. If the operator is not sure, do not fly. It is easier to skip a photo than to explain a problem to local staff.

At public attractions, tourism bodies require people to queue in orderly lines while waiting to enter. Authorities also ask tourists to limit their alcohol consumption.

What about beggars, fines and penalties?

Do not give money to beggars, and expect that penalties vary.

Phu Quoc authorities have asked tourists not to give money to beggars, many of whom are children. Panhandling is illegal under Vietnamese law. Panhandlers often gather in front of tourist attractions and pilgrimage sites to ask tourists for money. Authorities in other Vietnamese destinations, including Da Nang and Nha Trang, also pledged to crack down on street panhandling.

We do not quote a fine for visitors, because our sources do not give one. If you are unsure of a rule, ask your guide or the local staff. Politeness works everywhere: ask first, follow the signs, and step back if someone asks you to stop. Keep your drinks modest too, because authorities have asked tourists to limit their alcohol consumption.

What to do next

Pack for the day with What to Bring on a Phu Quoc Island Tour. To plan the route, see North Island Tour Phu Quoc: Price and Route or South Island Tour Phu Quoc: Price and Route.

Message us on WhatsApp if you want us to check the current rules with a local partner before your tour.