What is Phoenix Island (Phung Island)?
Phoenix Island, locally called Con Phung, is a small alluvial islet that has gradually grown in size due to the constant build-up of silt in the Mekong River. In the 1930s it measured about 28 hectares, but today it stretches to more than 50 hectares of lowland crisscrossed by canals and coconut groves.
The island is also known by other names. Tan Vinh Islet was its older name, while many Vietnamese still call it Dao Dua, or Coconut Religion Island. This name comes from Nguyen Thanh Nam, better known as the “Coconut Monk,” who lived here in the 1960s and founded his own religious sect that promoted peace and a fruit-based diet. He left behind a curious legacy of temples, shrines, and even eccentric monuments that still stand on the island today.
Nowadays, Phoenix Island is firmly on the tourist trail. It is part of the so-called “Four Sacred Animals” islets often included in day tours from Ho Chi Minh City. The scenery of riverside villages and coconut gardens is still real and pleasant, but the atmosphere is strongly shaped by tourism. Boatloads of visitors arrive daily, which makes it easy to visit yet also gives the experience a staged, commercial feel compared to less accessible parts of the Mekong Delta.
The Four Islands of the Mekong
Phoenix Island (Con Phung) is one of the “Four Sacred Animals” islets, locally called Tu Linh. The others are Dragon Island (Con Long / Tan Long), Unicorn Island (Con Lan / Thoi Son), and Turtle Island (Con Quy). Together they sit in the Tien River, with Dragon and Unicorn on the Tien Giang side, and Turtle and Phoenix on the Ben Tre side.
Most day tours from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta include a visit to one or more of these islets, sometimes marketed as a “Four Islands Tour.” Each island has its own mix of orchards, small workshops, and staged tourist activities. Understanding this context helps to see Phoenix Island not as a standalone highlight, but as part of a well-trodden cluster that has become a staple of classic Mekong day trips.
What to See and Do on Phoenix Island
1. Dao Dua Relic Area (Coconut Monk’s legacy)
The most distinctive part of Phoenix Island is the legacy of Nguyen Thanh Nam, the Coconut Monk, who built his own religious site here in the 1960s. The Hoa Binh Tower, the Nine Dragon Courtyard, and other shrines still stand, surrounded by eccentric details like a model of the Apollo rocket.
The mix of Buddhist-style architecture with space-age symbols is unusual and often feels more kitsch than spiritual. In the same area you may also find a flower garden, a crocodile enclosure, and muddy “farmer-style” games. For many foreign travelers, this section feels more like a domestic theme park than an authentic cultural site.
2. Coconut Museum & Coconut Maze
A small museum and “maze” made from coconut wood aim to showcase the importance of coconuts in Ben Tre culture. While not very large or detailed, it does give a quick look at how deeply the coconut tree is tied to life in the region, from building materials to household tools.
3. Coconut Candy Workshops
One of the more genuine experiences on the island is seeing how coconut candy is made. You can watch the process of cooking, cutting, and wrapping by hand, and of course buy some as a souvenir. While the demonstrations are clearly set up for tourists, they still reflect a real craft that Ben Tre is famous for.
4. Beekeeping & Honey Tasting
Several families keep bees here, mainly for honey made from longan flowers. Visitors are usually offered a cup of honey tea, sometimes along with small local snacks. It’s a pleasant stop, though again, very much part of the tourist routine.
5. Traditional Music & Fruit Sampling
Like other Mekong tours, Phoenix Island often includes a performance of Don Ca Tai Tu, the southern folk music recognized by UNESCO. You’ll typically sit in a thatched pavilion, nibbling on seasonal fruits like rambutan, longan, or guava while the musicians play. It’s a cultural touch, though the performances are short and designed for tour groups rather than deep immersion.
6. Local Food
Phoenix Island restaurants serve typical Mekong Delta dishes, often with a coconut twist. Specialties include coconut core salad, shrimp cooked in coconut water, deep-fried elephant ear fish, and fried sticky rice shaped like a giant ball. For adventurous eaters, fried coconut worms are sometimes offered. The food is tasty but geared toward tour groups, so don’t expect small family-run dining.
7. River & Canal Activities
Reaching Phoenix Island involves a boat ride from My Tho or Ben Tre, and some tours add on sampan rides through small canals. Once on the island, visitors can cycle or take a horse-drawn carriage. Be aware that the use of horses is controversial—many travelers feel the animals are not well cared for, and walking or cycling are more ethical alternatives.
8. Games & Tourist Activities
Many of the activities here are lighthearted but staged, especially for domestic visitors. You might try rope-walking, cycling across narrow bamboo bridges, ziplining over ponds, or “slapping the ditch” to catch fish in the mud. These can be fun in a group but aren’t particularly authentic experiences of daily Mekong life.
Location & How to get there
Where is Phoenix Island?
Phoenix Island is located in Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre Province, sitting in the middle of the Tien River. It’s just across from My Tho in Tien Giang, which is why most tours start there rather than in Ben Tre city itself.
Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City
For most travelers, Phoenix Island is visited as part of a 1-day Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City. The drive to My Tho or Ben Tre takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by car, after which you transfer to a boat for the short ride across to the island. This is the easiest and most popular option, but it also means you’ll be following the same circuit as many other groups. Tours can be booked as budget group trips (often quite rushed) or private tours, which are more flexible and less crowded.
Independent Travel
It’s also possible to reach the island independently, though it takes more planning. You can travel by bus or car to Ben Tre City, then use local ferries or boats to reach Con Phung. Another option is to head directly to My Tho, where boats to the Four Islands depart throughout the day.
In both cases, you’ll likely need to negotiate with boat operators or get local help, as there isn’t a straightforward ticket system. Staying overnight in a homestay on the island or nearby can make the visit more relaxed and give you a chance to explore beyond the day-tour crowds.
Staying on Phoenix Island
Accommodation on Phoenix Island is limited, but there are a handful of homestays and one resort-style place that’s still fairly basic by international standards. Don’t expect luxury—rooms are simple, facilities can feel rustic, and service is family-run rather than polished.
The big advantage of staying overnight is escaping the day-trip crowds. By late afternoon, most tour boats have left, and the island becomes far quieter. This makes it easier to appreciate the riverside setting, cycle through coconut groves, or arrange a small boat trip at a slower pace.
For travelers who want a taste of Mekong Delta life without rushing back to Ho Chi Minh City the same day, a night on Phoenix Island can be a rewarding choice. It won’t feel as untouched as more remote parts of the Delta, but it does give you a more relaxed and independent experience than joining a standard day tour.
Tips for visiting Phoenix Island
- Crowds: The island is busiest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon when tour groups arrive from Ho Chi Minh City. For a calmer experience, visit early in the day or stay overnight.
- What to bring: Essentials include mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing suitable for hot and humid weather. Carry some cash, as small shops and stalls rarely accept cards.
- Food: Sampling coconut-based specialties is part of the experience, but keep expectations realistic. Most restaurants here are geared toward tour groups, so meals can feel a bit standardized rather than homestyle.
- Ethical note: Some attractions involve animals—such as horse-drawn carriages, crocodile enclosures, or bees used for honey tasting. Many foreign visitors find these uncomfortable or staged, so it’s worth deciding in advance if you want to skip them.
- Transport tips: If you plan to stay overnight, it’s easier to leave big luggage in Ho Chi Minh City and travel light. Boats and ferries are small, and carrying large bags can be inconvenient.
Is Phoenix Island worth visiting?
Phoenix Island is good for a quick taste of the Mekong Delta—you’ll get river scenery, coconut culture, and a handful of activities within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City. For first-time visitors with only one day to spare, it offers a convenient way to see what life along the river looks like.
The downside is that the experience feels commercial and staged. The heavy flow of day tours has shaped the island into a tourist circuit, which means you won’t find the same authenticity as in deeper parts of the Delta. Performances, workshops, and even some of the attractions are designed more for groups than for cultural immersion.
If you just want photos and a short introduction, Phoenix Island does the job. But if you’re looking for a genuine experience of Delta life, it’s better to spend more time in the countryside around Ben Tre or venture further to places like Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, or Can Tho, where homestays and local interactions feel far less staged.
