Phu Quoc Island lies in the Gulf of Thailand, Kien Giang Province, 45 km
from Ha Tien and 15 km south of the coast of Cambodia. It is the largest island
in Vietnam and also part of an archipelago consisting of 22 islands and islets.
The island covers an area of 585km2 and is 50km long.
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.
What to Do ? Phu Quoc is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and
infinite tourism potential. There’s plenty of strips of sand worth exploring
-- Bai Thom on the northeast and Bai Dai on the northwest are both fine beaches
and clear blue sea with Long Beach, Bai Sao, Beach Bai Vong; all is ideal for picnics,
paddling, snorkeling or fishing.
Aside from its beaches, Phu Quoc is known for two things -- its
fish sauce factories
(dotted through Duong Dong town) and Suoi Tranh waterfall (10km southeast of Duong
Dong in the centre of the island), and more of a river over rocks than a waterfall.
Phu Quoc Island has many harbors such as An Thoi and Hon Thom where international
and domestic ships anchor. Also, there are several historical sites on the island:
National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc's military base, King Gia Long relics from the time
he spent on the island, and Phu Quoc prison.
Another minor attraction is the Pearl Farm, which sits about a third of the way
down the length of Long Beach. Again a bit of a filler for a very slow or rainy
day, the farm includes a small educational display about pearls along with the opportunity
to spend a motza on a few sets of earrings.
