Geography

Topography, Flowers & Fruits

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the hear-shaped island lies just 62 nautical miles from Rach Gia and nearly 290 nautical miles from Laem Chabang (Thailand). It covers an area of 567 sq. km (about 62 km long and 3-28 km wide) and is situated at 10o01'-10o27' north latitude and 103o51'-104o50' east longitude. Its population is approx. 85,000 (2001).

Phu Quoc is called the island of "99 mountains" because of its many sandstone chains gradually descending from the north to the south. The longest one is Ham Ninh which stretches for 30 km along the eastern edge with its highest peak called Mt. Chua (603m).

Phu Quoc has a monsoon

sub-equatorial climate. There are two seasons in the year: the rainy season (October only) and the dry season (November to September). The average annual rainfall is 2,879 m and the average temperature is 27oC. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.

History

Phu Quoc has been a sleepy historical backwater most of its life. The temple on Cau rock was built in 1937. During the Vietnam War the island housed South Vietnam's largest prisoner of war camp. On Monday, April 30, 1975, the day a tank crashed though the gates of the Presidential Palace, 5,000 fisherman and farmers on Phu Quoc went about their daily business.

Sadly, the island is on a very old a fault line of dispute between Vietnam and Cambodia. Phu Quoc and large tracts of the rich Mekong Delta became part of Vietnam through decisions make under the French Administration of "Cochinchine" in the late 1800s. Before Hanoi had taken full control of the south, Cambodia moved to reclaim what it believed rightfully belonged to it.

On May 1, 1975, a team of Khmer Rouge soldiers raided and took Phu Quoc Island. Hanoi soon retook the island but a new war had begun. The Vietnam-Cambodia War missed the headlines, but a series of incursions and counter incursions eventually escalated to the capture Phnom Penh by Vietnamese forces in 1979.

Despite the world applauding the overthrow of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge resistance fought on

through a bloody guerrilla campaign. Vietnamese troops held the cities while the Khmer Rouge controlled the rural areas. Phu Quoc became a major military stronghold over 50,000 military housed in bases over the north of the island. The struggle did not end until Vietnam withdrew its troops in the late 1980s. Compared to the 2m+ killed in the Vietnam War, the body count was small, estimated at 30,000 on each side. Tensions along the border continued into the early 1990s but have eased from then. Bitter memories remain.

The early part of this article refers to the recent history of Koh Tral. In fact, Koh Tral is a Cambodian island. In 1856, a Cambodian King, King Ang Duong, just prior to the French protectorate, reminds France of Koh Tral, a Cambodian island.

After being liberated on 30 April 1975, Phu Quoc has been converted into an ideal tourist destination for nature and sea lovers.

Get in

Visitors from any country arriving to Phu Quoc by cruise ship no longer need a visa for stays of up to 15 days. A passport with at least 45 days' validity is still necessary.

Visitors arriving in Phu Quoc by any other means (eg. plane) are still subject to normal visa regulations.

By plane

You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on one of four or five daily Vietnam Airlines flights or from Rach Gia which has two flights per day.

By boat

Alternatively there are ferries to Phu Quoc from Rach Gia and Ha Tien. There are also fast boats from Rach Gia that take approximately 2.5 hours and leave in the morning or the afternoon (last boat is around 1 PM). Public boats ply between An Thoi (in the south) and Rach Gia (6 hours, daily) and between An Thoi (in the north) and Ha Tien (4 hours, once every other day). The best season for these short voyages is from late October to late September when the sea is calm.

Best of the South of the Island Get out on a moto (motor schooter). Head east to pretty Ham Ninh Fishing Village. Contemplate buying pearls. Sample local seafood at Kim Cuong. Head on south and navigate your way to Sao Beach. Refuel with more seafood at My Lan restaurant on the beach. Head further south and have a wander around An Thoi. Head back up the stunning west coast road. Stop off at Phu Quoc Pearl Farm for coffee and good ice cream on your way home. This route is just as good if you start by heading down the coast road and then back via Ham Ninh.

Make a visit to one of the fish sauce factories on the island.

After dark - watch the chain of lights bobbing across the horizon as the local fishermen attach lamps to their boats to attract squid.

There is also a special breed of dogs that live on the island. They are extremely similar to normal dogs except for the fact that they have 2 special markings on their back, where the fur goes in the other direction.

Exploring The North of Phu Quoc Island

The specific trait of geography of the North is the richness of basalt soil. It is where numerous of pepper gardens can be found. Visitors to pepper gardens will be captivated by word of "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny peppercorns" of patient growers.

The scenery of the North is particularly striking when combined with mountains, rainforest and deserted beaches.

Activities: Visiting a traditional pepper garden at Khu Tuong,a fisherman village of Ganh Dau, a fish farm at floating houses by boat, entering and discovering the rainforest at Ganh Dau, Enjoying the beach of Ganh Dau overlooking to Cambodia in just 3 kms, and the unique aromatic flavor of Phu Quoc fish sauce at a traditional fish sauce factory.

Explore the South of Phu Quoc Island

The south much of original lowland tropical evergreen forest cover has been cleared leaving behind a mix of agricultural and secondary forest landscape and a variety of rural and settlements. The nicest beach of the South, Sao beach is a not to miss destination whether you are alone or with friends.

Activities:

- Phu Quoc Australian Pearl farm: Where a wide variety of pearls made and collected from Phu Quoc island are displayed for your contemplation and shopping.

- Phu Quoc Coconut prison: A historical former prison built in the wars of French and American.

- Sao beach: Is a not to miss destination where sea, sand & sun blended in a perfect harmony.

- Ham Ninh: A traditional fisherman village of Phu Quoc Island.

- Pepper garden: Enjoy the specialty of Phu Quoc pepper.

- A traditional fish sauce factory: Enjoy the unique aromatic flavor of Phu Quoc fish sauce.

Snorkeling and fishing in An Thoi archipelago

Consisting of numerous islets, An Thoi archipelago is the best place for snorkeling and fishing. You will know the meaning of remote and undiscovered as we head out in our own charter boat to explore some secret spots hidden in the 12 An Thoi islands due south of Phu Quoc.

If you are with somebody special, then you are rarely have a chance to do something more romantic than making this a private trip for two.

The best way to explore the wonders of An Thoi archipelago is by boat. This underwater world is visually impressive from above and below the water. The diverse mangroves, beaches, hidden coves and uninhabited islands are parts of the beauty of Phu Quoc island.

You will know the meaning of remote and undiscovered as we head out in our own charter boat to explore some secret spots hidden in the 12 An Thoi islands due south of Phu Quoc.

On this tour, you will be able to snorkel numerous remote locations, enjoy the white sandy beach and discover an uninhabited island of An Thoi archipelago.

Come and explore An Thoi archipelago with us, you will not be disappointed.

Trekking Da Ngon waterfall

Located in the preserved rain forest, Da Ngon waterfall is ideally for trekking the mountain and enjoying the wild nature.

It is also where you can enjoy the unique natural Jacuzzi that you have ever had.

Activities: Trekking the mountain, discovering the wild nature within the rain forest, enjoying fresh water and have a massage with water flow, enjoying the unique natural Jacuzzi.

Trekking Suoi Tien - the Fairy stream

Located deeply in the rain forest and is reachable by motorbikes only, Suoi Tien is known to be the mysterious stream where legend has it that a woodcutter being lost in the forest after several days looking for water, he then found a stream. While trying to get his water, he saw some beautiful fairies taking bath just near by and since then, the place was named Suoi Tien – Fairy stream.

Having a soft adventure with Suoi Tien is a great fun and enjoyable.

Duong Dong town short tour

A visit of Duong Dong market is a nice way of getting into real life of the local people. You will be captured by a lively and cheerfully atmosphere of the marketplace from vendors in conical palm hats sitting on the ground with baskets of vegetables to sales people at their well stocked stands.

Visit Dinh Cau temple, a symbol of Phu Quoc Island, where sand, sea, sun and stone blend in perfect harmony.

It is also the place, where the local fishermen pray for luck before setting sail

Visit a fish sauce factory and enjoy the aromatic flavor from Phu Quoc fish sauce

Snorkeling in Mong Tay and Doi Moi Islet

Doi Moi and Mong Tay islets are the other attraction of Phu Quoc island and are ideal for snorkeling and discovering the wild nature of marine life. Whilst not populated with larger fish such as manta-ray and sharks, the corals around Doi Moi & Mong Tay islets are teeming with colorful small reef fish.

On this tour, you will be traveling by speed boat along Long Beach to see the full view of Duong Dong town and be able to snorkel and discover the wild nature of marine life at Doi Moi & Mong Tay islets due North of Phu Quoc island.

Sunset fishing & night squid fishing

As the name goes, the combination of fishing and squid fishing at sunset and night times are the interesting activities while you are on Phu Quoc Island. This is particular interesting for the group of friends or family.

Just experience your self as a fisherman and enjoy the achievements from the fishing. Boat service will be pleased to cook your dinner with the squids and fish captured.

A new independent guide book to Phu Quoc has been published by MySherpa Travel. This contains reviews of all the tour operators, and self drive itineraries. Available from La Veranda, Mango Bay, Ancient Village, Cassia Cottage, Hiep Thanh and Charm Shopping Village or online at www.mysherpa.info

Try to get out on a boat one evening for some squid fishing yourself. Make a visit to Phu Quoc National Park and swim in a quiet pool.

Motorcycles are plentiful and cheap, hire one off a local and go cruising around the island. Petrol can usually be purchased around the island at various beaches served fresh in glass bottles.

Some beaches stretch for kilometres with overhanging palms, no one else in sight what more could you want?

Try SCUBA diving. The shallow waters (max deep to 12-16m) allow even unexperienced divers to have nice dives. There is some nice coral to see and if you are lucky you might see a bamboo shark.

Eat

It has to be fresh fish.

Nice place to eat and go out, relax and listen to some music is the Eden Bar. The friendly owner Haba (who owns a simliarly named place in Saigon) welcomes you with tasty food and cold drinks while you sit at the beach. The prices are reasonable.

Sleep

Hotels in Phu Quoc are wonderful; however, the quantity of rooms are usually limited here because of a great number of tourists coming here. Contact us for further information.