
Khem Beach
Arrive by cable car, stay for the white sand





About
Bãi Khem sits on the sheltered north shore of Hòn Thơm island, reached via the world's longest non-stop cable car — a 7.9-kilometre ride that delivers you over a glittering Gulf of Thailand archipelago before depositing you at the beach's edge. The sand is white and fine, the water a clear turquoise that makes the 1,000-metre shoreline look almost too good to be true. It's part of the Sun World Hòn Thơm Nature Park complex, so the infrastructure is polished: think manicured beach access, water park facilities, and a family-friendly atmosphere rather than a wild, untouched cove. The north-shore position keeps the water calm and swimming safe, which makes it a reliable choice for families and anyone who wants a fuss-free beach day with a spectacular arrival.
How to get there
The most dramatic way in is the cable car from An Thới station on the south of Phú Quốc's main island — the ride takes around 15 minutes and runs daily. A speedboat from An Thới port is the alternative, also roughly 15 minutes. There is no road access and no parking on Hòn Thơm itself; leave your vehicle at the An Thới cable car terminal on the main island. An entry fee covering the round-trip cable car and full access to Sun World Hòn Thơm Nature Park — including Aquatopia Water Park, Exotica Village, and the beaches — is required; budget in the range of 600,000–650,000 VND per person. The park is open 08:00–17:00 daily.
Who it's for
For couples
The cable car crossing at sunrise — before the day-trippers arrive — gives couples a rare, almost private aerial view of the archipelago that no road trip can replicate. Once on the beach, the calm turquoise shallows and white sand are genuinely scenic without requiring any effort.
For families
The Sun World complex is built with families in mind: safe swimming, Aquatopia Water Park on-site, and the cable car ride itself doubles as an activity that keeps kids engaged before they even reach the sand. The 08:00 opening means you can arrive early, claim a good stretch of beach, and still have time for the water park before the afternoon heat peaks.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Bãi Khem is safe to swim, the water is genuinely turquoise, and the white sand holds up to the photos — those facts are solid. What you need to understand going in is that this is a managed theme park beach, not a wild escape: entry fees apply, outside food is restricted in places, and the atmosphere is family-oriented and busy on public holidays. The cable car arrival is the real centrepiece — 7.9 kilometres over open water is a legitimate spectacle, and it earns its place as a reason to visit beyond the beach itself. Go on a dry-season weekday between November and April, arrive at 08:00 when the gates open, and you'll have the best version of this place. Avoid May through October entirely: the southwest monsoon brings strong winds that can ground the cable car and make the whole trip pointless. It's a polished, well-run day out — just don't come expecting solitude.
What to do
The Hòn Thơm Cable Car itself — just 100 metres from the beach — is worth treating as an attraction in its own right; the aerial views over the Phú Quốc archipelago are hard to beat. Back on the main island, Bãi Sao, Phú Quốc's most celebrated white-sand beach, is about 10 kilometres away and makes a natural second stop on a southern Phú Quốc day. For something quieter, the Trúc Lâm Hộ Quốc Zen Monastery, roughly 9.6 kilometres from the beach area, offers a complete change of pace from the theme park energy.
The cable car station arrival point, with its towers rising from turquoise water, is the single most photogenic structure on the island — shoot it from the beach looking seaward in the morning light.
The white sand shoreline looking west, with cable car pylons receding toward the horizon, gives you a composition that balances natural beauty with the scale of the engineering. For a wider archipelago shot, frame the islands from the cable car gondola itself during the crossing.
Where to eat
Dining options are on the main island near An Thới rather than on Hòn Thơm itself. Quán Ốc Hà, about 1.2 kilometres from the departure point, is a solid seafood and grill spot for a post-beach meal, while Bia Hơi Hà Nội - ANN Restaurant, around 1 kilometre away, covers Vietnamese, seafood, and American dishes if you want something broader. For a lighter finish, Che to Co ut is also in the same 1.2-kilometre cluster.
Where to stay
The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, 2.4 kilometres away, is the headline option if you want a resort stay close to the southern tip of the island. For something more modest, Positano 59 is just 0.6 kilometres from the An Thới area, and Little Phu Quoc offers a mid-range alternative at 1.1 kilometres.
Photography
The cable car arrival point and its towers framed against the turquoise water make for the most striking shot on the island — aim for early morning when the light is soft and visitor numbers are low. From the beach itself, shoot west along the white sand shoreline with the cable car pylons receding into the distance for a perspective that captures both the natural setting and the engineering spectacle.
Good to know
Sun World theme park rules apply throughout the complex, and outside food and drink are not permitted in certain zones — plan accordingly. The cable car can close in strong winds, so always have the speedboat option from An Thới port as a backup. Visitor numbers spike sharply on Vietnamese public holidays, so weekday visits during the dry season give you the calmest experience. Wheelchair users and those with mobility needs should confirm accessibility provisions directly with Sun World operators before travelling, as infrastructure may vary.
Map
Nearby places
Bia Hơi Hà Nội - ANN Restaurant
Quán Ốc Hà
Bánh Xèo Cuội 2 - Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm
Che to Co ut
Phở Hồng Anh
Positano 59
Little Phu Quoc
Khách Sạn Phùng Hưng
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
Tây Tiến Bungalow
Things to see around An Thới
Hòn Thơm Cable Car
World's longest non-stop cable car at 7.9 km, offering aerial views over the archipelago
An Thới Port
Main southern port on Phú Quốc with ferry connections to the archipelago
Bãi Sao
Phú Quốc's most famous white sand beach on the southeast coast of the main island
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
More beaches in Gulf of Thailand
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Vivu Vietnam · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 2 — Kevin Rutherford from United States · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 3 — Kevin Rutherford from United States · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 4 — Kevin Rutherford from United States · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 5 — Autharite · source · CC BY-SA 2.0








