Phu Quoc: Tien Son Dinh Trek & Suoi Tranh Spring with Lunch

4.92

(158 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the light hit the leaves as we started up Tien Son Dinh — almost like someone turned up the green. Our guide, Minh, handed me a trekking pole and grinned, “You’ll thank me later.” He was right. The path was muddy in spots (I nearly slipped once, but Minh just laughed and showed me how to walk sideways on the steeper bits). There was this smell — earthy and sharp, like crushed leaves after rain — that stuck with us for most of the climb. Every so often Minh would stop and point out some plant or tree, telling us how locals use it for medicine or cooking. I tried to repeat one name back; he smiled politely but I definitely butchered it.

We reached a spot where you could see all the way across Phu Quoc — even caught planes landing at the airport in the distance. It felt weirdly peaceful up there, just wind and bird sounds and our group catching their breath. Someone pulled out dried mango from their backpack (not sure if that’s standard on every day trip to Tien Son Dinh from Duong Dong, but it hit the spot). The descent was easier, though my knees disagreed by the bottom.

I didn’t expect to love Suoi Tranh spring as much as I did. The water was cold enough to make you gasp at first, then perfect once you got used to it. Some people tried exploring the cave nearby — I just sat on a rock and listened to everything for a while: water over stones, distant laughter from another group. After drying off in the sun (and nearly falling asleep), we ended up at this local spot for Banh Xeo pancakes. They came out sizzling hot, stuffed with shrimp and herbs — honestly, dipping them in that fish sauce is something I still think about.