If you’re craving a weekend getaway that feels more like a scene from a fantasy movie than a standard beach trip, it’s time to pack your bags and hop on a quick one hour and 45 minutes flight to Vietnam’s Pearl Island. Discover one of the world’s most impressive marine attractions: The Sea Shell Aquarium at Vinwonders Phu Quoc. Shaped like a colossal, golden-hued turtle seemingly sunbathing on the shore, this record-breaking structure isn’t just your average photo op—it’s actually the world’s largest turtle-shaped building as an aquarium. Visitors can step right inside the belly of this giant turtle to discover 100-metre-long underwater tunnels, penguin kingdoms, magical mermaid shows, and more. Here’s why The Sea Shell Aquarium in Phu Quoc should be on your bucket list.
What’s actually hiding under the world’s largest turtle-shaped aquarium?
Spanning nearly 27,500 square metres and boasting a water volume of more than 20 million litres, Phu Quoc Aquarium is inspired by the legendary turtle of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake and a symbol of longevity in Vietnamese culture.
The massive oceanic attraction is home to 255,000 sea creatures and blends immersive design, cutting-edge technology, a marine conservation. In fact, The Sea Shell Aquarium is ranked among the top five largest aquariums globally with 18,000 types of fish, as well as hammerhead sharks, and penguins.
Highlights include the underwater Glass Ocean Tunnel stretching 100 metres offering a glimpse of 3.5 million litres of seawater, and where you’ll come face-to-face with gliding stingrays, ancient-looking sturgeons, and imposing hammerhead sharks.
Additionally, visitors can wander through themed zones like Midnight Drifters featuring thousands of glowing jellyfish or watch six vibrant species of penguins at The Frozen Palace, which is complete with a huge pool and snowy banks to keep them cool and happy.
Meanwhile, there are interactive experiences that captivate audiences of all ages. For instance, visitors can catch a magical mermaid show every afternoon, watch shark-feeding sessions, and enjoy a unique dinner surrounded by marine life in the on-site restaurant.
Certainly, The Sea Shell is a must-visit destination in Asia for families and marine enthusiasts. Plus, VinWonders Phu Quoc is one of the largest theme parks in Vietnam.
How to get there
Travellers from Singapore can hop on a one hour and 45 minutes flight to Vietnam’s largest island to visit the iconic turtle-shaped aquarium. There are cheap flights with Scoot or Vietjet Air from Changi Airport.
