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Need to know the facts for the up and coming pub quiz, well here they are!
Phu Quoc Island key facts:
 Vietnam key facts:
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Like Vietnam itself, Phu Quoc Island has a varied history with numerous nations occupying the island over the past couple of centuries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, France and America. Phu Quoc Island forms part of Vietnam, and even though the island was an area of dispute between Vietnam and Cambodia as recently as the late 1980’s, Vietnam today is nurturing the island as the next big eco tourist destination. Up to the mid 1750’s Phu Quoc island was sparsely populated with the local population making a living off fishing the rich waters surrounding the island and harvesting and trading of sea cucumbers. Phu Quoc was famous for its sea cucumbers, shipped by Chinese merchant junks from Phu Quoc to the even the Emperor of China for many years. From the 1760s through to the 1780s, the French missionary Pigneau de Behaine was based on Phu Quoc and it was during this time that he sheltered Prince Nguyen Anh when he was hunted by Tay Son rebels. From 1782 to 1786, Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, who later recaptured the mainland from the Tay Son rebels and become Emperor Gia Long in 1802. During the mid 1800’s, records show a total of 12 villages on the island of Phu Quoc some of which still exist today, including Duong Dong, Ganh Dau and Cua Can. In 1869, Phu Quoc was occupied by the French and came under the administration of the Governor of Cochinchine. During this time the French set up rubber and coconut plantations on the island, though population records advise that less than 1000 people resided on Phu Quoc approaching the late 19th and early 20th century, of which most of these people inhabited remote fishing villages. The temple on Diau Cau rock was built in 1937, and by the end of the Second World War in the 1940’s the population of Phu Quoc was still less than 5,000. There is evidence even today that the population during this time was centered around Duong Dong Town where the French commenced trading activities during their occupation of the island. In 1949, the French enacted a law passing the island of Phu Quoc from the administration of the French to the Vietnamese. During the time of the American war the local population had increased to around 15,000. The Americans had taken over where the French left off and expanded Coconut Tree Prison (Cay Dua Prison) near An Thoi Town, to an area covering 400 hectares and housing 40,000 P.O.Ws, most of which were repatriated to the mainland at the end of the American War in 1975. Coconut Tree Prison remains one of the most visible historical places on Phu Quoc, and still operates as a prison today. On May 1, 1975, Khmer Rouge soldiers raided and took Phu Quoc Island, however, Vietnam soon retook the island and the Vietnam-Cambodian War had begun. While this war missed the headlines, the Vietnamese forces eventually captured Phnom Penh in 1979, bringing about the downfall of Pol Pot. During this time, Phu Quoc became a stronghold of over 50,000 military personnel based mostly in the north of Phu Quoc Island. The discord faded when Vietnam withdrew its troops in the late 1980s. Today, Phu Quoc Island is harnessing its remarkable potential as the next tourist destination, with plans for an international airport by 2010, development of modern infrastructure and extensive tourist resort facilities by the year 2020 with an expected 3 million tourists annually. |
Phu Quoc Island is located in the Gulf of Thailand forms part of the Vietnamese province of Kien Giang, with the closest Vietnamese town of Ha Tien being 46kms away, Rach Gia the capital of Kien Giang Province is 115kms away and Laem Chabang (Thailand) is 540kms away. The island covers an area of 567 km² and is about 50 km long north to south, between 3kms wide in the south and 28kms at its wide point (west to east) in the north. Phu Quoc is situated at 10°01'-10°27' north latitude and 103°51'-104°50' east longitude.
Phu Quoc is actually closer to Cambodia than Vietnam, just 18kms from the Cambodian Province of Kampot, which can clearly be seen most days from Ganh Dau Beach in the north of Phu Quoc.
As the crow flies, Phu Quoc is approximately;
Phu Quoc is both the largest of all Vietnamese islands as well as the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand. The island forms an archipelago of 22 islands of all sizes
Phu Quoc is called both the Emerald Island because of its triangular shape as well as 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 Mount Chua (603m). The second highest peak is Mount Da Bac (448m) which is 20kms due south of Mount Chua, on the east coast of the island.
Vietcombank: has a broad range of services + ATM
Address: 30/4 Khu phố 1 Thị trấn, Duong Dong
Phone: (077) 981 036, Fax: (077) 981 039
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-11am & 1pm-4pm
Web: www.vietcombank.com.vn
Western Union;
Address: 30 Thang 4 Street, Duong Dong
Phone: (077) 384 8621, 848542
Western Union Agent;
Kien Long Bank
Address: Nga Ba Nha Tho,To 4 , KP 3, An Thoi
Phone: (077) 6999 993
Hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm & Sat 7.30am-12pm
Agribank:
Address: No. 2, Quarter 2, Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Town,
Phone: (077) 846 037 / 846 074
Web: www.vbard.com
Mekong Housing Bank: (Western Union Agent, Mastercard & Visa Accepted)
Address: 174 khu Phố 5, Thị Trấn Dương Đông, Phú Quốc,
Phone: (077) 980 507, Fax: (077) 980 404
Web: www.mhb.com.vn
| Description | Telephone Number/s |
| After Hours Doctor | 847 792 |
| Ambulance (Vietnam) | 115 |
| Border Police | 874 604 |
| Customs Office | 846 455 |
| Chinese Pharmacy | 846 156 |
| Directory Inquiries (Vietnam) | 116 |
| Fire Service (Vietnam) | 114 |
| Kien Giang Province Area Code | 077 |
| International Directory Inquiries (Vietnam) | 110 |
| Pharmacy | 846 010 |
| Phu Quoc Airport | 846 742 |
| Phu Quoc District People’s Committee | 847 930 / 846 066 |
| Phu Quoc District Police | 846 051 |
| Phu Quoc Hospital | 846 074 |
| Phu Quoc Taxi | 995 599 / 846 885 |
| Police (Vietnam) | 113 |
| Post office | 846 115 |
| Red Cross | 846 389 |
| Vietnam Airline Office | 846 086 |
Phu Quoc Hospital
Eastern end of 30 Thang 4,
Duong Dong Town
Tel: (077) 384 6074
Ha Tien Hospital
No.4 Mac Cuu St.
Ha Tien Ward
Kien Giang Province
Tel: (077) 385 103
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Wondering which towns to visit on Phu Quoc Island during your visit? Here is a summary of the larger towns and villages on the island. Phu Quoc Island in the district of the same name is the second largest town of Phu Quoc. An Thoi is where you will find the main ferry port for services from the mainland town of Rach Gia, and is also a jumping off point for visiting the group of An Thoi islands to the south. An Thoi has many goods and services on offer, though the selection is limited compared to what you will find in Duong Dong. Many of the islands About 14kms north of Duong Dong town and a couple of kilometers north of Ong Lang beach is the interesting village of Cua Can which has a variety of old wooden bridges that allow only foot and motorbike traffic to pass. While the village is fairly small, it does have a couple of places that offer a chance to relax for a roadside drink before heading to the secluded beaches to the north of the island. There is also a petrol station at the southern end of the village. If you are seeking a little more adventure, try convincing a local boat owner to take you along the Cua Can River, which offers an relaxing way to see life along the river and chance to see some of the larger fishing vessels returning from the sea. There is also a lovely but very isolated sand bar just north of the town, viewable from the coastal road heading north to Bai Dai and Ganh Dau. Located on the western edge of Phu Quoc in the centre of the island, Duong Dong is the largest town on Phu Quoc and is where you will find the best choice of goods and Phu Quoc Airport is located here at the north end of town along with one of the several ports where the larger cruise ships dock. Duong Dong river cuts through town and towards the entrance to the sea, you will find an abundance of blue fishing boats that head out each evening. The town is also the location for some the islands fish sauce factories, in case you’re wondering about that smell! Duong Dong is also the administrative centre and it is here you will also find the islands hospital along with postal services, and most banking facilities. Located in the north western coast of Phu Quoc, about 32km by road from Duong Dong town, the village of Ganh Dau is where you can clearly see the Cambodian coast line just a few kilometres away. Ganh Dau has some of the most peaceful and relaxing beaches on Phu Quoc Island, away from the all action down south, these beaches are no longer closed to tourist access as they were a few years ago. They include the scenic Ganh Dau beach and a few Kilometres to the east is Bai Dai beach. Ganh Dau is a relatively small fishing village where you can get basic supplies along with petrol, water, some food items and also a haircut. Ganh Dau village will give you a taste of the lifestyle that was once the norm on Phu Quoc, where you’ll see anchovies drying out in the sun ready for the fish sauce factories, children playing and plenty of fishing boats in the harbour. There are a couple of places where you can get a tasty lunch as well, you could try either “Gio Bien” following the road around for 1km past the village where you will find a lovely beach side restaurant serving a great range of seafood dishes (see restaurants). Otherwise turning left just before entering town brings to you the north easterly point of the island where you’ll find an interesting floating fish restaurant, though you’ll need to negotiate a ride on a local boat to get there. Located around 14kms from Duong Dong Town on the east coast of Ham Ninh mountains to the west provide a scenic backdrop for the town, the mountain range running for 30kms along this side of the coast, which includes the highest peak on the island, Mount Chua at 603 meters. The waters off Ham Ninh contain the majority of the islands seaweed beds which provide a necessary source of food to the endangered Dugong, of which there are very few remaining. Located in the north of the island, Rach Vem is a relatively small and quiet village where you’ll find the Phong Lan Guesthouse near by. There are some remote sandy beaches along the coast here, however the area is destined for resort development with the approval of multi million dollar facilities. Current availability of good and services are fairly limited, so bring a packed lunch if you’re travelling to Rach Vem. |
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The Vietnamese love their food - in fact, they obsessed about it all day! As soon as they had their breakfast, they will soon think about what they would have for lunch, so it's not surprising that you will find an abundance of small eatery places springing across this tiny island.
The food on Phu Quoc island is heavily influenced by the bountiful harvest of fresh seafood, herbs and vegetable - it is fresh, simple yet utterly deliciously refreshing. Some places you come across might appear to be shabby by western standards, but do not be fooled by their appearances! With a little sense of adventure and you will soon discover some of the tastiest and most inexpensive food you've ever eaten. 
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Night Market Food Stalls | |
| The night market is one of the most atmostpheric places to dine in Duong Dong Town. There are a dozen or mor stalls serving a delicious range of Vietnamese, grills and vegetarian options. | ||
| Cuisine: | Vietnamese, Grill Seafood | |
| Price (US): | $2 - $15 | |
| Location: | Duong Dong Town | |
| Phone: | N/A | |
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Pepper's Pizza & Grill | |
| Almost opposite Chez Carole, this restaurant and pizza place is home to the best pizzas on the island, accroding to long-term residents. Other dishes include steaks, ribs and western stable such as pastas. | ||
| Cusine: | Pizza, grill, pastas | |
| Price (US): | $10 - $15 | |
| Location: | Duong Dong | |
| Website: | (077) 384 8773 | |
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The Pepper Tree Restaurant | |
| In an island style house overlooking the beach and garden, the restaurant is the heart of the La Veranda resort offering a wide range of food and drinks. | ||
| Cusine: | International, Fine dining | |
| Price (US): | $10 - $20 | |
| Location: | La Veranda Resort, Duong Dong | |
| Website: | La Veranda Resort | |
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Sakura | |
| You could be forgiven to think that this is a Japanese restaurant but infact it is a Vietnamese restaurant serving some of the country's favourite dishes including squid stuff with shrimps and mixed seafood rice paper rolls. | ||
| Cusine: | Vietnamese | |
| Price (US): | $2 - $15 | |
| Location: | Ong Lang beach | |
| Phone: | 0122 818 3484 (mobile) | |
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Ti Moon Thai & French Restaurant | |
| Fusion restaurant offering tasty traditional Thai and well as French. Has variety of wine selection. | ||
| Cusine: | Thai, French | |
| Price (US): | $5 - $15 | |
| Location: | Duong Dong | |
| Phone: | 0122 800 4132 (mobile) | |
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Le Bistro | |
| Tucked away in a busy lane way, this French garden bistro offers French home cooking at a distinctly Vietnamese price. The menu includes some Italian and Vietnamese dishes, plus French cheeses and profiteroles. It stays open late as a lively bar with pool table. | ||
| Cusine: | French, Vietnamese | |
| Price (US): | $5 - $15 | |
| Location: | Duong Dong | |
| Phone: | (077) 398 2200 | |
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Pho Cali Phu Quoc | |
| This inviting noodle shop serves tasty bowls of traditional Vietnamese Pho noodle (or Beef noodle) and hot spring rolls. The English-speaking owner is a good source of island info. | ||
| Cusine: | Vietnamese Pho noodle | |
| Price (US): | $2 - $7 | |
| Location: | Duong Dong | |
| Phone: | (077) 994 177 |
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For the best down to earth shopping and life style experience, visiting the local markets on the island is highly recommended. While western style goods are very limited, the local markets offer a colourful range of fruit, vegetables, seafood’s and much much more.
Duong Dong market located in the centre of town along the river is the islands largest and most exciting local market. At most times of the day this can be a busy place with the local traffic running along the road and boats coming and going, loading and unloading their goods, and it is here you will find lovely ladies in conical hats selling everything from tropical fruits to unusual fishing equipment.
Unless you enjoy a decent crowd, we recommend avoiding Duong Dong market when cruise ships arrive (usually once a week) at the pier, bringing thousands of travellers, who fill the town and market place.
The local shops do offer some limited items, depending on what you are after, for instance there a number of supply shops that sell everything from biscuits, soap and shampoo and interesting toothpaste to soft drinks, water and cases of beer. There are also a number of pharmacies, sunglass shops and a number of local laundries that are far cheaper than the resort prices. If you’re in need of building supplies, there are some places that sell tiles, paints, marble, timber and plumbing goods, though the range and quality will not be the same as the mainland.
Clothing stores are limited, however if you’re in need of some long shirts or pants to keep off the dust while riding around the island or any mosquitoes at night, there are some local market style places opposite Duong Dong market on the other side of the bridge opposite that sell plenty of cheap and non fashionable clothing and hats. For something a little more modern, there's also a mini mart (Ph 0773 993366) in town about 1km past the airport at Nguyen Trung Truc after Hung Vuong Street, Duong Dong, which sells a range of clothes, cosmetics, and a variety of other items.
If you are after some up market souvenirs, many of the resorts have small shops or displays offering island gifts, everything from pearl necklaces to t-shirts or caps and postcards.
There are a couple of shops in Duong Dong that now specialise in selling arts and crafts, and while most of the products are from the mainland, these shops are still fairly new and offer discounted prices from time to time. A couple of shops are located opposite Phu Quoc Airport road entrance in Duong Dong, including Phu Quoc Crafts & Cafe (109 Nguyen Trung Truc), Phu Quoc Fine Arts (Khu Pho 4, Duong Dong) with another shop on the way to Long Beach called Phu Quoc Creation (30 Tran Hung Dao Street). Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com.
Another large souvenir shop can be found on the road heading south from Duong Dong Town on Long Beach called Coinguon at 149 Tran Hung Dao (ph 773 980 206, www.coinguonphuquoc.com). They sell a wide range of souvenirs, pearls, jewellery and art and also have a fairly extensive museum towards the rear of the left hand side shop which contains an interesting array of items includes Vietnamese pottery, animal skeletons, old money and more. There is a wide range of souvenirs available so you might like to think twice before purchasing any items made from the many sea shells in the store.
Looking for a last minute purchase, then the airport offers a decent range of postcards, pearls and other jewellery items, along with Phu Quoc books and maps, t-shirts and caps and of course fish sauce (after immigration). There is also currency exchange counter in the arrivals hall, which offer reasonable rates.
If you’re after the real deal, the pearl farm shop run by an New Zealand based company in Duong To Village about 9kms south of Duong Dong along the dirt road that follows Long Beach. See their web site for more information, www.treasuresfromthedeep.com. Here you will find some remarkable pearls and some information about the history of pearl farming on the island. You might find the prices are also quiet remarkable too, judge for yourself.
For alternatives to the best that money can buy, there are numerous pearl shops around the island and many places that sell pearls, most of these are located in Duong Dong town near Saigon Phu Quoc Resort. At these places you can pick up a wide variety of pearl gifts from bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and much more, all at very reasonable prices.
Besides the pearls, you can not go past the opportunity to either visit or purchase one of the products that Phu Quoc Island is world famous for and that is the Fish Sauce. Please note that when departing Phu Quoc by air, carrying fish sauce on the airplane is not allowed and some airlines have banned it altogether because of risk of breakage and the pungent fumes that are extremely difficult to remove. You can however purchase some fish sauce at the airport in the departure lounge, and they currently organise delivery for you to Ho Chi Minh (somehow). See our unique sights page for more details on fish sauce and locating some distilleries.
ADVENTUROUS
Looking for adventure on Phu Quoc Island or something that's a little different, then checkout and try some of our suggestions below for an interesting day out. Let us know if you have any feedback or unusual or exciting activities you would like to add.
This may not sound like the most adventurous activity on the planet, though once you get out on those Phu Quoc red dirt roads and find those out of the way places on the island, you'll understand why hiring a motorbike is an adventurous activity. We're not trying to turn the island into a motor cross rally of course, it's just probably the best and most interesting way of exploring Phu Quoc.
Of course you need to find the right places for adventure, so in the spirit of adventure it's best to find your own. However to give you a start, some of the best off the beaten track places will be found on the up north, including:
This is an island, and where there's an island there's fishing, and where's there's fishing there's boats. So find yourself a keen fisherman and hire him and his boat for the day or a couple of hours wherever you are. Half the adventure is bargaining a price, the other half is exploring what's out there, though no doubt the fisherman know some interesting places, otherwise, just go fishing! Here's a few places that might do the trick;
There are a couple of basic walking tracks in the national park, however if you're thinking of attempting any walk on your own through the thick jungle, please make sure you're very prepared (tell someone where you're going, take water, food etc). There are plans in the future for a walk to the highest point on the island at Mount Chua 603m with a viewpoint, though this is still someway off.
Of the National park walking tracks, one with the best access is found on the road to Ganh Dau Village (forest walk), see Visiting the National Park.
Still new to Phu Quoc, though starting to appear are the usual variety of water sports including jet skiing, kayaking and wind sailing, with just a matter of time before water skiing takes off given the calm waters around the island during the high season. The best places to find these water sports include some of the resorts on Long Beach including Saigon Phu Quoc Resort and some Jet Skis and Kayaks are available on Bao Sao beach at My Lan Resort.
May not sound too adventurous, though when was the last time you've been squid fishing at night? There's plenty of tours on offer, so head out for an evening of squid fishing and if you're lucky you'll have your own self caught dinner grilled on the spot.
See our Tour Operators page for a starting point or visit your hotel or resort reception for more information on squid fishing.
You're in Vietnam so what could be more fun than exploring the local Duong Dong Market early in the morning, see our Local Markets section for a little more information. For a few ideas;
Phu Quoc island is still undeveloped for the time being and even during the high session there are still plenty of remote and empty beaches. Of course it may take a little work trying to find these beaches, pack a lunch and towel, hit the road and venture out and see what you find. We're not giving away any secret locations, though you're best opportunities for empty sun drenched beaches under those coconut trees will be found around the northern part of the island.
DIVING
For divers the true treasures around Phu Quoc Island are hidden below the surface where the panorama bursts into a virtual array of colours and corals. The warm, nutrient rich water draws vast schools of tropical fish. The diverse underwater scenery, and abundant marine life combined with good visibility will delight underwater photographers, marine naturalists and holiday makers alike. The calm and warm waters around Phu Quoc also make for a relaxing adventure for the experienced or first time diver and even people wishing to take advantage of the perfect snorkelling conditions.
This island paradise lies only 10o north of the equator, enjoying a tropical climate with average water temperature of 24oC (75o F) with an extensive variety of aquatic life. The best time for a dive is between October and May in the dry season, however scuba diving is still available all year.
Scuba diving is relatively new to Phu Quoc island, only having been recently introduced in 2002, so divers have the unique opportunity of discovering the marine life around the island for the first time, with many areas around the island still largely unexplored. This underwater frontier continues to yield exciting new dive sites that are only now being made available. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com
Even today, in some areas to the north around Turtle Island and in the coral gardens off Bai Dai, North East off Bai Thom and Rach Vem and virtually a large majority of the An Thoi Archipelago, you may enjoy the pleasure of being one of the first ever to dive the many sites.
Please report any Dive operators to us that do not take care of our marine environment, as we would prefer to promote eco friendly operators to ensure all visits can enjoy the fantastic underwater world for years to come.
The dive shops on the island offer a wide range of professional services including equipment sales, rental, diver training classes and specialty dive courses, one-day dives, multi-day packages, Discover Scuba Diving and Try Dive packages (supervised beginners diving).
For those divers travelling with families, or on a tight time schedule, the local dive-shops offer an excellent selection of dive trips. See the section on following dive operators in Phu Quoc, or visit their websites or contact them directly for more information. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com
It is important to make your own enquires with dive shops if you prefer to dive with PADI certified operators, as not all dive shops on the island are actually PADI certified, and some dive operators are more eco friendly when it comes to protecting the marine habit, so choose carefully.
Coco Dive Center
Address: 58 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc
Tel: 077 982 100
24 Hour Hotline: 0913 462 300 / 0914 468 200
Web: www.cocodivecenter.com
Email: cocodive@dng.vnn.vn
Notes: set up originally in Nha Trang by an ex French Navy Diver, Coco Dive has only been operating for a couple of years though offer a good range of services.
Rainbow Divers
Address: Office is located on Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong or book through your hotel reception or visit the Rainbow Bar on Long beach or the Rainbow Restaurant.
Tel: 0913 400 964
Web: www.divevietnam.com
Web: www.prodive-vietnam.com
Email: info@divevietnam.com
Notes: the longest established, most experienced and probably the most professional operator on Phu Quoc, that is PADI compliant, supports Project AWARE and demonstrates an Eco friendly approach to all diving in Vietnam. They only operate in the dry season when diving is at it's best.
Searama
Address: 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong or 14 Tran Hung Dao St, Duong Dong
Tel: 077 399 4577 / 077 329 1679
Fax: 077 399 4578
Web: n/a
Email: searama@hotmail.fr
Notes: recently established dive operators that offer many services.
Vietnam Explorer
Address: 36 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc
Tel: 077 846 372 / 0914 095 293 / 0914 116 006
Web: www.dive-phuquoc.com
Email: contact@dive-phuquoc.com
Notes: Local operator that tends to venture a little further a field than other operators. They are open all year round.
Mai Phuong Resort
Address: Vung Bau Beach, 9kms north of Duong Dong Town
Tel: 0918 288 647
Notes: Offers diving trips to the northern islands near the resort.
Other Options : Many hotels will have information regarding diving on the island if you are interested, otherwise all the above dive operators are located relatively close to each other before Saigon Phu Quoc Resort. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com.
Dive sites - An Thoi Archipelago
Located south of Phu Quoc approximately a 45 minute boat ride from Duong Dong. The Archipelago is made up of a collection of some 15 islands/islets including the largest being Hon Thon (Pineapple island), followed by Hon Roi (Lamp Island), Hon Dam (Shadow Island), Hon Dua (Coconut Island), Hon Vang (Echo Island), Hon May Rut (Cold Cloud Island), Hon Dam (Shadow Island), Chan Qui (Yellow Tortoise Island) and Hong Mong Tay (Short Gun Island). Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com
The topography in this group of island varies considerably from the 60m deep strait between southern Phu Quoc island and Hon Dua Island and gentle sloping coral gardens off other islands. These islands also support some seagrass gardens which are more common off the eastern side of Phu Quoc, and home to the rarely seen Dugong. The archipelago is home to an abundance of smaller tropical fish, with the occasional grouper, tuna and mackerel also sighted.
Dive sites - Turtle Island (Doi Moi)
Located in the North West off the southern end of Bao Dai beach, about a 30 minute boat ride from Duong Dong, Turtle island is only 50m in length with a few palm trees and bushes with a sandy beach, and is also ideal for snorkelling. The waters surrounding the island are relatively shallow reaching no more than 10m, with an interesting range of hard corals and elephant ear and barrel sponges covered in sea worms and surrounded by small yellow damselfish, stonefish, some blue ringed angelfish and the occasional coral grouper and parrotfish.
Dive operators are ready to introduce you to the underwater paradise around Phu Quoc Island, which is developing among one of Vietnam’s premier diving locations. All dive schools offer courses from beginner to professional levels, by highly qualified instructors. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com
Prices won't vary too much between dive shops, just check out their websites listed above and find the right place for you!
All dive operators in the area are run by professional diving instructors and divemasters with years of experience. In line with the world's premier diving agency, PADI, beginners and experienced divers alike will all benefit from years of diving experience and the build up of operations since 2002.
Scuba diving around Phu Quoc is perfect for all types of divers, whether experienced or trying scuba diving for the very first time, the variety of local dives caters to all levels of experience. For the beginner learning to dive, this is an excellent place to start, with warm and calm waters during the dry season making for a relaxing environment in which to experience breathing underwater for the first time. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com
There is little to compare to the sensational thrill of breathing underwater while exploring the last untamed frontier on the planet Earth. You have seen underwater film and photos, but nothing compares to actually drifting along a beautiful coral reef or swimming through a vast school of colourful tropical fish. The marine environment around Phu Quoc makes for a wonderful classroom in which to learn scuba or to upgrade your level of skills.
Discover SCUBA diving (for non certified divers)
Some of the Dive operators on Phu Quoc offer DSD for people not yet certified. The PADI Discover SCUBA Diving program allows those who have never tried it to safely experience the thrill of SCUBA diving. You escape to a unique part of our world with vivid colours, pristine beauty and fascinating aquatic creatures. You can visit coral reefs bursting with marine life and swim with schools of colourful fish. When you try SCUBA diving, the possibilities are endless.
When you participate in Discover SCUBA Diving, you learn about SCUBA diving in three simple steps. A PADI Instructor conducts a brief orientation, followed by your first underwater experience in a swimming pool or pool-like body of water. Then under the careful supervision of your PADI instructor, you will go on an actual SCUBA dive in shallow water where you safely experience the same sense of wonder and excitement shared every day by SCUBA divers throughout the world.
The PADI Discover SCUBA Diving Program is an experience that gives you a taste of what you experience when you dive. Enrolling in the PADI Scuba Diver course or the PADI Open Water Diver course allows you to go even further, by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a fully qualified SCUBA diver. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com.
Try Dives are a useful way of introducing interested people to the joys of scuba diving. They are usually undertaken in a swimming pool or calm beach and should be good fun for the instructor and the student. Try Dives tend to spend as least time as possible talking on the surface, to get down under to maximise the experience.
While Nha Trang has developed over the year to become one of Vietnams better known areas for diving, diving opportunities around Phu Quoc island are rising as more and more visitors discover the unique underwater world environment in this southern region.
Phu Quoc is also currently being considered for a number of marine protection areas around the island, which will have added benefits for diving around the island. There are plans to protect around 18,000 hectares of marine environment including protection for the aquatic life in the area.
For more information on Diving in general please visit the following sites:
www.padi.com
www.projectaware.org
www.dive-centers.net
If you prefer to take in advantage the perfect snorkelling conditions around Phu Quoc island and just to go along for a ride, most of the dive operators also cater to the snorkelling folk. The warm shallow waters and tropical fish and colourful reef provide ideal conditions for snorkelling and a great day out on the water. Visit the Dive operators on the island or the websites above for more information.
Anh Tu Travel
Address: located near La Veranda Resort and Palm Tree Restaurant, Duong Dong
Tel: 84 0913 820 714
Email: anhtupq@yahoo.com
Notes: Local operator that offers snorkelling day trips including transport, equipment and lunch for small or larger groups to places such as Bao Sao. Prices range from US$15 to US$40/person.
Famous Tony Snorkelling Tours
Tel: 84 0913 197 334
Email: info@tonyanh.com
Notes: Local operator that offers snorkelling day trips starting from US$17/person including transport, lunch and snorkelling equipment. Tony can also arrange private/group island tours. Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com.
John's Island Tours
Tel: 84 0919 107 086 / 84 0982 107 086
Email: info@johnsislandtours.com
Web: www.johnsislandtours.com
Notes: Local operator that offers snorkelling day trips including transport, equipment and lunch for US$20 to US$25/person for full day trips. John can also organise fishing and custom tours.
SPORT
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In need of some physical activity then we've listed a guide to the sports and facilities available on Phu Quoc Island. Many of the larger and established resorts have a variety of leisure and sport activities available, and while facilities on the island are still relatively limited, there are opportunities below to stretch your muscles.
Eager to jump around in the sand to get some much needed exercise, there's a couple of volleyball nets making an appearance on Long Beach, one in front of Thien Hai Son Resort, sometimes in front of Saigon Phu Quoc Resort and a couple further down long beach. Kayaking Phu Quoc provides ideal weather conditions and calm waters during most times of the year for kayaking and more and more resorts now provide either free (Saigon Phu Quoc Resort) or rental kayaks (My Lan at Bai Sao Beach) for visitors. If your after exercise then kayaking on Long beach provides plenty of open space and only a little other boat traffic, whereas other areas on the island provide the additional benefit of exploring parts of the island, like other beaches and coves not generally reachable by road. Kayaks on Bao Sao beach generally charge around US$4-5 per hour Tennis There's plenty of opportunities to play Tennis. If you're not staying at a resort that offers tennis like Saigon Phu Quoc resort or Thien Hai Son Resort, there are some tennis courts in town that may be available when the locals aren't playing a game, otherwise the resorts rent out thee courts when guests are not using the courts. Note, if you intend to play during the day, it will get very hot, so remember the hat and plenty of water. Resorts have spare balls and rackets for hire. Billiards There's a few resorts around like Charm resort and Saigon Phu Quoc Resort that have billiard tables for use, along with one local place in town along Nguyen Trung Truc as you approach Hung Vuong. Golf There are major plans for a couple of world class 18 hole gold courses in the future as the island continues it's march toward tourism development, however for time being if you need to have a hit, Saigon Phu Quoc Resort have a gold driving net for use by guest with a couple of golf clubs available for use. There's also a basic putting green available for kids to use. Gyms If you're after a workout, Saigon Phu Quoc has one gym available for use with limited equipment including a cycling machine, running machine and some weights, otherwise gym facilities on the island are very limited at this stage. Jet skiing Still new to Phu Quoc, though starting to appear are the usual variety of water sports including jet skiing and wind sailing, with just a matter of time before water skiing takes off given the calm waters around the island during the high season. The best places to find these water sports include some of the resorts on Long Beach including Saigon Phu Quoc Resort and some Jet Skis are available on Bao Sao beach at My Lan Resort. Kite surfing There is one company on Phu Quoc (on Tran Hung Dao street) that offer kite surfing on long beach. The alternative is to do windsurfing - which Chen La resort rents out windsurfing and sailing equipment.
Cycling
Most hotels offer bicycle rentals which start from US$1 per day, which can be a great way to adventure around the local area. If you plan on cycling further away, poor road conditions and unsealed dusty roads can make this a difficult experience. We recommend purchasing a face mask before you head off on these longer journeys and take plenty of water. The coastal strip surrounding Phu Quoc makes cycling relatively easy however the island heats up when you get move from the coast. |
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Looking for some entertainment? Phu Quoc island has some interesting options available and in the future as tourism develops there will be more on offer. We have come up with some suggestions below for any of our visitors that are crying out for some fun in the sun. Karaoke For a great evenings entertainment, some of the Resorts on the island offer walk in Karaoke rooms that seat around a dozen people that you can hire by the hour. Prices are very reasonable, with drinks and food also available on order at most places. This is a fantastic experience and will leave you laughing for hours. We have sung at the Karaoke rooms at Saigon Phu Quoc Resort, and found these to be terrific. Here's what is available;
Night clubs
Night clubs in Phu Quoc are still a relatively rare species, though there are a coupe of places that endeavor to provide basic clubs if you're need of some good loud music and a chance to mix with others. Try;
Bars
After an entertaining drink, here's a couple of the more lively bars around town that may be worth trying out for a drink:
Gaming club/casino
Saigon Phu Quoc Resort is planning on opening a gaming club - casino called the Dynasty Club in the future which is anticipated to include slot machines, and gaming tables including blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker. |
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One of the unique sights or smells when travelling around the island, are the many racks of drying anchovies and drying squid, which sell in the markets around Vietnam. These form an important part of the Vietnamese diet, used in many dishes to flavour food, and of course anchovies are the special ingredient used to make fish sauce that Phu Quoc is famous for producing, covered more below. You’ll see these racks mostly along the coastal routes if travelling around the island, from north to south. Phu Quoc dog OK, not your usual tourist highlight, but the Phu Quoc Dog is actually one of the worlds three rarest ridgeback type dogs that have whorls running down their backs. It is closely related to the Thai Ridgeback, though it is suggested that the Phu Quoc Dog is a completely different breed given the difference in their size and the 2cm whorl (line of raised fur). There is a Phu Quoc Dog breeding center on the island and some organised tours will visit this breeding center. Visit out Tour Operators page for more information. They are excellent hunters, unafraid of heights, intelligent and fiercely loyal yet are very trusting of strangers, so they make poor guard dogs. A mature dog is about 20-25kg, with a small head, quite a long snout, and thin ears. They love barking when strangers do approach, but they don't take things any further. The wild female when pregnant disappears into the national park, digging a den to give birth and nurse their pups for up to a month before rejoining the wild pack. There's even a web site that explains more at www.phuquocdog.com Dog lovers are looking to have the Phu Quoc Ridgeback recognised as a seperate domestic dog breed for entry into international dog shows, check out the latest news here. Fish sauce factories For a completely unique experience visit one of the many fish sauce distilleries in either Duong Dong or An Thoi towns. Phu Quoc is famous for its production of very high quality fish sauce which is exported worldwide and is a major contributor to the islands economy. Fish sauce or nuoc mâm is a dipping sauce which complements most Vietnamese meals to add a saltiness flavour. It is made from combining anchovies, salt, and water and sometimes the pepper grown on the island and fermented through various stages for six months up to a year before being drained from the large barrels into different grades from the top quality lighter coloured sauce to the basic cooking sauce, both of which are high in protein. Phu Quoc produces over an incredible 12 million litres of fish sauce each year and has around 85 factories on the island, so it’s well worth visiting one of the many factories on the island. Most factories in Duong Dong are located along the river and they will let you have a look at the large storage barrels which flow into smaller vats and then plastic containers to the bottling process. Some of the organised tours visit these fish sauce factories, however if visiting on your own there’s no admission charge, however you may need a Vietnamese speaking guide. Some factories also have a small shop selling different grades of fish sauce. Please note that when departing Phu Quoc by air, carrying fish sauce on the airplane is not allowed and some airlines have banned it altogether because of risk of breakage and the pungent fumes that are extremely difficult to remove. You can however purchase some fish sauce at the airport in the departure lounge, and they currently organise delivery for you to Ho Chi Minh (somehow). Here’s a few addresses to start with:
For more information on fish sauce checkout the following web site link;www.american.edu/TED/vietnam-fish-sauce.htm Remote beaches Phu Quoc island is still undeveloped for the time being and even during the high session there are still plenty of remote and empty beaches. Of course it may take a little work trying to find these beaches, so pack a lunch and towel, hit the road and venture out and see what you find. We're not giving away any secret locations, though you're best opportunities for empty sun drenched beaches under those coconut trees will be found around the northern and northeastern part of the island. Mount Chua Mount Chua at 603 meters is the highest mountain on Phu Quoc and forms part of the Ham Ninh sandstone chain of mountains that stretch for 30km along the eastern edge of Phu Quoc. There are plans in future to build a walking trail up to a lookout at the top of the Mount Chua. The views over the national park and the island should be excellent. Local myrtle wine Another specialty of the island is the Rose Myrtle Fruit Wine, which is actually quite drinkable compared to the other local wine that contains a wild mixture of herbs and sometimes snakes resembling the taste of kerosene. The Myrtle wine is a slightly sweet tasting wine similar to alcoholic blackcurrant juice that has a violet colour and smells of the sim fruit or tomentose rose myrtle fruit from which is made. The sim fruit grows wild on the island, and due to rising demand and prices many farmers are now growing the tomentose rose myrtle fruit to contribute to the wine production. You can visit the production or this wine on some of the organized tours or try finding the Son Phat Company in Duong To Commune in the southern part of Phu Quoc where the wines inventor Trinh Cong Phat produces Myrtle Wine under the Vuon Tao Phu Quoc label producing “ Ruou Sim Rung” (tomentose rose myrtle alcohol) and “Mat Sim Rung” (tomentose rose myrtle honey) or pick up a bottle at local stores, it’s worth a try and at around 100,000 dong (US$6) it’s far cheaper than most of the imported wines. The wine is also good for digestion, though we’re still testing this theory. Pearl farming If your keen to see the Pearl farms of Phu Quoc you're best bet would be start at the pearl farm shop run by an New Zealand based company in Duong To Village about 9kms south of Duong Dong along the dirt road that follows Long Beach. See their web site for more information,www.treasuresfromthedeep.com. Here you will find some remarkable pearls and some information about the history of pearl farming on the island. You might find the prices are also quiet remarkable too, judge for yourself. |
Phu Quoc Scenic views include some of the best sights that nature has to offer, from the many waterfalls to the variety of plantations on the island.
Suoi Da Ban (waterfall)
Located about 6kms east of Duong Dong Town, this is a pleasant place for a swim, to cool down in the numerous rock pools and enjoy the surrounding vegetation, though we recommend you bring some mosquito repellent if you are staying around for a picnic. Suoi Da Ban is named after the many table like rock formations that make up what is actually a white water stream tumbling across large and interesting granite boulders.
To find Suoi Da Ban, take the northerly road from Duong Dong toward Bai Thom or Ganh Dau and look out for signs (turning right) to Suoi Da Ban that can be seen after about 1 or 2 kms from Duong Dong Town. Admission to the stream is 1000d, motorbike 1000d.
Suoi Tranh (waterfall)
Located about 7kms southeast of Duong Dong Town, after a short 15 minute stroll along the shaded forest path you reach what is the islands largest string of waterfalls and rock pools, also a good place for a swim when the falls are flowing, because the stream tends to dry up before the rainy season arrives each year. The entrance to Suoi Tranh contains large concrete status, fake waterfall and large wood carved signed, though the walk to the actual waterfall is worthwhile, even to just experience the dense vegetation.
To find Suoi Tranh, take the road heading east from Duong Dong for about 7kms toward Ham Ninh Village and look out for a large wood carved sign and concrete status in what could be mistaken for an unfinished inland resort. Travel inside to the small kiosk and walk from there. Admission to the stream is 1000d and motorbike is 1000d, however this is not always enforced or collected.
Pepper plantations
Phu Quoc produces over an incredible 400 tonnes of the best quality black pepper each year. You’ll find pepper plantations mostly around the central and northern parts of the island and most farmers won’t mind you stopping to take photo’s or viewing these amazing storks of pepper trees or the drying pepper. Organised tours also visit the Khu Tuong pepper gardens for a close look at the pepper gardens and cover the overall harvesting and drying process.
Vietnam is the leading global exporter of Black peppercorns with the best quality black pepper in Vietnam coming from Phu Quoc with big solid corns. Phu Quoc currently produces in excess of 400 tonnes of pepper every year, with the main harvesting season running from February through to July, however you can visit the farms all year round.
Peppercorn farmers have been struggling recently due to lower world pepper prices so some farmers are switching to other crops such as the Myrtle fruit for wine production which bring in more money.
Cashew nut plantations
Another lesser known food that is grown in a fair abundance on Phu Quoc is the cashew nut. If you travel to the more remoter parts of the north around Bai Thom you're likely to see all the cashew nut tree with there hugh pear shaped husks when in season and the far smaller cashew nut attached at the end. Harvesting and picking the nuts is very manual intensive work, however it's interesting seeing all these trees.
Mount Chua
Mount Chua at 603 meters is the highest mountain on Phu Quoc and forms part of the Ham Ninh sandstone chain of mountains that stretch for 30km along the eastern edge of Phu Quoc. There are plans in future to build a walking trail up to a lookout at the top of the Mount Chua. The views over the national park and the island should be excellent.
PHU QUOC NATIONAL PARK
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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, a walk along a park trail or motorbike ride on one of roads in the north will give you a taste of this natural environment on Phu Quoc. Background and Park area Phu Quoc National Park was established by the Vietnamese Government in 2001 after upgrading the previous Natural Protection Area and Nature Reserve to include an area of 31,422 hectares, which includes 8603 hectares of strictly protected area, 22,603 hectares of biological restoration area and 33 hectares for administration and services. An additional 6,144 hectares is dedicated to a land-buffer zone and around 20,000 hectares of sea-buffer zone, though the final Marine protection zones are yet to be declared. Location and topography The National Park is mostly located across the North of the island with the northerly and eastern boundaries following stretches of the coastline, except for the northerly villages of Gành Dầu and Rach Vem and Cửa Cạn. The park is situated within the boundaries of the following communes: Gành Dầu, Bãi Thơm, Cửa Cạn and in part of the Communes of Cửa Dương, Hàm Ninh, Dương Tơ, and Duong Dong Township. The highest point in the national park is Mount Chua at 603m, with plans in future for a walking trail to a look out from this point. The national park contains a number of seasonal streams, with the most sizable being the Rach Cua Can river, which flows into the gulf of Thailand on the West Coast of the island just north of Cua Can village. Visiting the National Park Phu Quoc National Park is not strictly defined, however until the National park is made more accessible for the needs of tourism, the following options are available for visitors keen to explore what is on offer;
Flora and fauna Located on an island with mixed terrestrial and coastal climates, Phu Quoc National Park contains many forest types and landscapes including mangroves and wet lands, sparse forested areas, coastal vegetation and forest on rocky mountains. Studies by the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center in 2005 recorded 1,164 higher plant species, including 23 orchid species and 12 rare plant species including the globally endangered Paphiopedilum callosum which was recently found in the park (www.wildlifeatrisk.org). A total of 208 animal species were recorded in the National Park, including 28 mammals, 119 birds, 47 reptiles and 14 amphibians. Of these animal species, 6 mammal, 4 bird and 9 reptile species are globally endangered. The rare species include lorises, the long-tailed macaque, silver langur, otter, and hornbill.The future of Phu Quoc's National Park The national park is well recognised for it’s bio diversity and potential in future to attract tourism given the large portion of the island which is dedicated as national park area. In recent years, local and Vietnamese authorities have made efforts to manage the National Park in a move towards protecting the environment and the ecosystems on the island. While some harmful activities still take place like hunting and trapping of animal, illegal logging, and land clearing, authorities are improving their surveillance and have greater powers in protecting the area. Additionally there is increasing community involvement and education taking place, informing local residents in the environmental value of the national park and in ways to protect the ecosystems.
Satefy tips while walking and trekking
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Phu Quoc Island has a tropical climate that varies throughout the year so its worthwhile knowing what weather conditions to expect before you arrive. The following Phu Quoc Climate and Weather information is based on six years of the most recent climate and weather statistics and first hand accounts of weather conditions, to provide you with a reasonably accurate picture of the weather to expect on Phu Quoc island for an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
Phu Quoc enjoys a very consistent average temperature of 27.7 Celsius (81.9 Fahrenheit), with an average maximum daytime temperature of 31.2 Celsius and average minimum of 24.6 Celsius. With consistently warm temperatures, phu quoc is the perfect place for a beach holiday. The lowest temperature recorded in recent times was 15.7 Celsius in March 2002.
Phu Quoc has a fairly consistent year around humidity, averaging nearly 80%, however you will find that the more humid months of the year also co-inside with the wettest months during the monsoon. Humidity starts to increase from March each as the monsoon approaches, and decrease after the last of the heavy rains in October, with the most pleasant months being December through to February.
Phu Quoc islands calmest months of the year stretch from late October through to April when average wind speed is a mild 7.2km/h, and maximum daily wind speed averages 16km/h.
The months with most rainfall occur during the monsoon from July to October, however even during this period there are a number of days with no rain. During April through to June when the sub equatorial monsoon approaches, there are a greater number of days with thunder and its common during this time to have late afternoon showers, still making this a good time of year to visit the island when tourist numbers are lower and afternoon showers cool the air.
The best months for visibility as you would expect are in the dry season, however visibility is still relatively consistent through out the year. If your looking at scuba diving during your visit to Phu Quoc, the best months are during the high to off peak tourist season from November through to April when rainfall and cloud cover are lower than the rain swept monsoon season.
fish sauce factories are based here, along with the islands naval bases and second largest local market offering a decent selection of fruit, vegetables and fresh seafood and much more. There are some hotels here, limited banking facilities, some travel agents and a small hospital, however most people tend to stay along Long Beach or in Duong Dong half way up the island. One advantage of staying in An Thoi town is that you are closer to exploring the islands to the south and closer to Bai Sao and Bai Kem beaches with their pristine white sands. If arriving by boat, buses, taxis and motorbike taxis are generally available to take you to your desired destination on the island.
services from hotels, restaurants, banks, tour and travel agents, to the large and lively local markets and shopping selections (see places of interest - shopping).
Phu Quoc is the village of Ham Ninh where you will find a jetty that extends a couple hundred meters out to sea to allow for the shallow waters along the coast here. The village is predominantly involved in fishing and you will find some places in village that provide an excellent source of seafood, including a variety of crabs, lobsters, and local mussels. Take away or eat in, the seafood eaten here with pepper, salt and lime is fresh every day of the year.
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