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The island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam is 585 square km in area and 50 km in length. Shaped like a teardrop, the island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 15 km to the south of the Cambodian coast and 45 km to the west of Ha Tien. It is made of 22 islands and islets. There is a series of mountainous peaks in Phu Quoc. The tallest of them is Chúa Mountain, while the longest one is Ham Ninh.
Phu Quoc Island had been a French missionary base from 1760s to1780s and it served as a shelter to Prince Nguyen Anh. Much of the island has been made into a National Park.
Most islanders make their earnings from the sea and from black pepper which grows well in the island. It also produces fish sauce from a small fish called Ca Com that contains high levels of protein. Phu Quoc has a unique species of hunting dogs that are characterised by curly tails and blue tongues which are said to detect their masters from a distance of over 1 km.
July to November is the rainy season in Phu Quoc. Most people visit the island during midwinter, as the sea remains calm and the weather is stable. It is pretty hot when not raining, April and May being the hottest months. December to May is the dry season.
Domestic and international ships anchor at the various harbours of Phu Quoc like the Hon Thom and An Thoi harbours. Attractions of historical importance include the King Gia Long relics, military base of Nguyen Trung Truc and the Phu Quoc prison. The Phu Quoc Island can be reached from Ho Chi Minh City, Rach Gia and Ha Tien by boat or flight.
Phu Quoc offers opportunities for motor biking, sea kayaking and scuba diving. Seafood and cocktails are the typical specialties of Phu Quoc. It has backpacker’s lodges as well as star - rated accommodations.
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