Phu Quoc is becoming well known for stunning beaches, untouched natural environment, the easy going and relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. This peaceful tropical paradise floats in the warm turquoise waters in the Gulf of Thailand, 50kms from the Vietnamese mainland and a 50 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City.
Phu Quoc is an nearby island, located in Gulf of Thailand, just 45 kilometers far from Hatien coastal town of Vietnam. Also being known as Ngoc Island, Phu Quoc – the largest island of Vietnam is a part of Kien Giang Province. Phu Quoc has total area of 589 square kilometers and population of 85,000 people. Phu Quoc is a system of 22 small islands. In 2006, Biosphere reserves and coastal islands Kien Giang including Phu Quoc islands were recognized as World Biosphere Reverse by UNESCO.
Phu Quoc has tropical monsoon climate with 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season with average temperature 22 – 35 degree C. It has more than 350 years of history from 1671. Nowadays, Phu Quoc was invested with seaports, resorts, hotels and restaurants. However, it still keeps its primitive beauty of an offshore island. Phu Quoc is famous for many beautiful beaches, streams, pagodas and seafood.
It can be said that Phu Quoc is endowed with many beaches as beautiful as picture which can be compare to Hawaii. Blue sky, blue sea, white sand sparkling in the sunshine and tropical coconuts swaying in the wind are ready to hold any tourist’s footsteps. Especially, Phu Quoc does not have several but dozen of beaches such as: Vinh Dam, Xep Nho, Dat Do, Khem, Truong, Vong, etc. Like Halong Bay, Phu Quoc is also gifted hundreds of small islets with different shapes such as: Thom, Dua, Roi, Dun, Kim Quy, etc in An Thoi islands.
Moreover, like Cat Ba, Phu Quoc possesses a national park where reserves many rare and precious kinds of trees. Several streams such as Da Ban, Tranh with spectacular scenery will be great places for visitors to take photos.
It would be a shortcoming if talking to Phu Quoc without mentioning food here. Being wrapped by the tropical sea, Phu Quoc is abundant of marine resources with fish, shrimp, squid, crabs. Nothing will be greater than sitting on the beaches, hearing the waves, watching the sea at night, smelling the fragrant aroma of baked oysters, grilled squid. Visitors who want to buy something as present for family or friends will have variety of choices such as its fish sauce, pepper, pearls, wine and hundreds of seafood which will satisfy all the tourists’ needs.
Overall, if you are looking for a place as beautiful as heaven, as primitive as the land in the Bible, Phu Quoc is exactly where you want to go. A journey to Phu Quoc absolutely will be an unforgettable memory in your life.
Places to visit and things to do in Phu Quoc Island
Visit Ham Ninh fishing village: Located 20km northeast of Duong Dong town, Phu Quoc district, Ham Ninh village is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery and peaceful daily life of local fishermen. Originally, the residents in Ham Ninh used to solely rely on fishing to make a living, but in recent years, tourism has become a major source of income as they sell seafood and handmade souvenirs to tourists. In hot summer days, traveling to Ham Ninh, visitors are likely to leave their bustling life behind, and be lost in the picturesque scenery here. Stunned by the turquoise sea, tourists are certainly tempted to immerse themselves into the cool water and contemplate small fishes swimming beside them, and seaweed floating in the blue water.
Visiting Ham Ninh, travelers have a golden chance to taste mouth-watering and healthful drinks and seafood like ginseng-seaweed water, “Tram” mushroom (a special kind of mushroom in the island), sea-horse soaking in the liquor and so on. And it is so great to lie on the sand, enjoy boiled flower crab meat and watch the stunning sunset on the beach. Before returning home, visitors can buy flower crabs, a bottle of sea-horse in liquor or some souvenirs made of shell as gifts for friends and family.
Swimming at Dai Beach: With the white sands and the green, clear water, Dai Beach is one of the most beautiful and primitive beaches, as voted by the BBC. Dai beach’s coast is 1500 meters long. Many large trees grow straightaway along to the coast. This beach is new land of great potential which can help Phu Quoc Island develop its tourism.
Sao Beach: On the east side of Phu Quoc lie some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Getting to Sao beach is a bit tricky. You will need some local help to get here. If you take a taxi, it won’t be so difficult to find the place, however remember that it is a little isolated. There are a couple of restaurants here and one place with basic accommodation.
Explore Phu Quoc National Park: Phu Quoc National park covers more than 50% of the island, so it is definitely worth considering a visit, especially if you would like to escape the heat of the daytime sun, take a walk along a park trail or motorbike on one of roads in the north. It will give you a taste of the natural environment on Phu Quoc.
Learn about Phu Quoc Prison: Phu Quoc Prison was built in 1949-1950 by the French colonists to jail those considered especially dangerous to the colonist government. Many of the high ranking leaders of Vietnam were detained here in their earlier days. It is ranked as a special historical relic of national importance by the government of Vietnam. The most famous site in this prison is the “tiger cage”. The prison covers an area of 40,000 square metres. It was closed after the country united and opened for visitors later.
Go to Phu Quoc Market: The market is bustling from early morning with all kinds of boats providing fruit and seafood. The everyday life of ordinary people on the island can be seen from this market.
Enjoy seafood at Dinh Cau Night Market: The market opens daily from 18h to 23h in Duong Dong town, where you can freely select and taste the delicacies that are not to be missed, such as lobster, herring salad and snails.