Khem Beach in Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Khem Beach is a pale-sand crescent on the southern side of Phu Quoc, in the An Thoi area, where a formerly quiet fishing coast now shares the bay with high-end resorts and ongoing tourism development. It is a strong choice for travelers who want attractive sand, relatively calm water in favorable weather and easy access to south-island attractions. The main limitation is that the shoreline no longer feels like an entirely open village beach: major resort properties occupy parts of the bay, and visitors who are not hotel guests need to use the public approach rather than assuming every driveway, lounger or beachfront facility is available to them.

Phu Quoc’s tourism authority describes Bãi Khem as a bow-shaped beach set between green slopes and lists access as free. Current hotel and airline sources confirm the beach’s southern Phu Quoc location and the presence of the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay resort. A current Vietnam Airlines guide states that there is no official entrance fee to Khem Beach but advises non-guests to follow the public path near the resort entrance. That distinction is important: access to the sand is different from permission to use private pools, loungers, restaurants or other resort services.

The beach works well for swimming and relaxed shore time when the sea is settled. Its curved bay offers a more enclosed feel than exposed west-coast stretches, and 2026 visitor guidance describes the water as generally calm enough for wading in the better season. The sand is notably light in color, which is one reason Khem is often paired visually with nearby Sao Beach. Travelers should still read daily conditions rather than assuming calm water year-round, especially during the wetter monsoon period.

Khem faces the eastern side of the southern peninsula, so its light is different from sunset beaches such as Ong Lang. Early morning can be especially attractive, while midday brings stronger heat and more resort activity. If photography matters, arriving near morning rather than building the whole visit around sunset makes sense. For a conventional beach session, two to four hours is usually enough; a full day is more appropriate if you have resort facilities, a paid day package or a broader southern-island itinerary.

Access by road is straightforward compared with remote northern beaches. Recent 2026 guidance places Khem roughly 17 kilometers from Phu Quoc International Airport and about 25 kilometers from the former Duong Dong center, while resort websites provide direct road directions to the same bay. Taxi or private car is easiest with luggage or children, and a motorbike is practical for experienced riders. Because the area includes controlled resort entrances, follow public signs and do not rely on a hotel gate as the only possible way to the water.

The wider Bãi Khem area is still evolving. In March 2026, the Phu Quoc Special Zone administration published environmental-review notices for a Bãi Khem eco-tourism complex. That does not mean the beach is closed; it does mean the built environment, access arrangements and construction context can change. Travelers who are sensitive to construction should check conditions shortly before visiting rather than assuming older photographs represent the entire current bay.

Food and services are available in the broader Khem area, particularly through resorts and local businesses, but the cost and access rules vary sharply. A public-beach visitor should not assume hotel showers, toilets, changing facilities or sunbeds are included. If you want guaranteed resort amenities, book them directly through a property and confirm whether a day-use arrangement exists. If you simply want the beach, bring your own towel, water and sun protection and use the public access route.

Accessibility is better than at boat-only or rough-road beaches, but it is not fully documented. Paved roads reach major properties around the bay, yet the public path and sand still require walking, and no authoritative source reviewed here confirms a continuous step-free route to the water or beach-wheelchair service. Resort guests may have more structured assistance, but that should be confirmed with the specific property rather than generalized to the whole beach.

There is no verified public lifeguard schedule for the full beach. Even in calm-looking water, pay attention to weather, waves and any local flags or staff directions. Children should be supervised closely, and swimmers should stay clear of boat activity. During the wetter months, sea clarity and surf can change quickly; a beach that looks placid in dry-season promotional material may feel quite different after rain or strong wind.

Khem Beach is most rewarding when you understand its hybrid character. It remains a genuine Phu Quoc shoreline with a free public component, but it is also a premium resort bay with private services and active development around it. Travelers who respect those boundaries can enjoy the sand and water without confusion. Choose it for a polished south-island beach setting and convenient road access, while keeping expectations realistic about which facilities belong to the public beach and which belong to the resorts behind it.