Phu Quoc Island, attractive resort in Kien Giang province

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).

History

In the early 17th century, Phu Quoc was a desolate area, where Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants earned their living from sea cucumbers. From 1782 to 1786, Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, later Emperor Gia Long, in his confrontation with Tay Son forces.

 

In 1869, the French occupied it and set up rubber and coconut plantations on the island. From 1967 to 1972, a P.O.W detention camp containing 40,000 inmates during the war covering on 400 hectares was built at An Thoi by the Saigon regime.

 

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

 

By Air : Vietnam Airlines ATR72 aircraft fly daily from Ho Chi Minh and 5 times from Rach Gia (Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat.) to Phu Quoc and back (2002 flight schedule).

By Ferry : 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.

Geography

Topography, Flowers & Fruits

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 27^oC. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is in dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.

Traditional products: pepper and fish sauce

pepper garden in Phu Quoc

fish sauce

Phu Quoc has worldwide been famous for its two traditional products: its pepper and fish sauce. The numbers are quite surprising: hundreds of fish sauce workshops (annual output: 10 million litres) and countless pepper gardens (total area: 500 ha). Visitors to pepper gardens will be captivated by word "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny coins" of patient growers while at fish sauce workshops, they will be amazed at the sight of dozens of bulky barrels being lined up and waiting to be jammed full with fresh fish. You will be tempted to try a few pungent green pepper coins and half a spoonful of the tasty salty sauce.

 

Payment and money exchange

Credit cards, cheques, money exchange

 

There are a lot of Gold Shops for money exchange, but they are illegal. Its possible to change money in the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank at its State Office. To be more convenient and faster, you can change them at Saigon Phu Quoc Resort. You can not only change your money but also credit cards as JCB, VISA, MASTER, & AmEs Cards there. It is possible for your cheques to be accepted.

(Source: Nhandan)