Phu Quoc
Location: Kien Giang Province, in the gulf of Thailand, off the southern coast of Vietnam and Cambodia, 45km from Ha Tien.
Access: 1 hour by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, 2 hours and 30 minutes by speed boat from Rach Gia, 1 hour and 20 minutes by hydrofoil from Hon Chong.
Main attractions: a mountainous and forested island with purest beaches, fishing villages, fascinating streams, pepper gardens and fish sauce workshops; an exciting destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, angling and countryside trekking.
The island stretches out on the ocean surface as a splendid teardrop shaped pearl at 48km long, 28km across bearing over a dozen of bays and beaches with transparent turquoise waters where marine life live in abundance. The monsoon sub-equatorial climate enables trips to be made all year round, although the best time is the dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.
Those who love to escape from bustling cities can find themselves mesmerized by unspoiled and tranquil beaches. The aptly named Ice Cream Beach boasts a stretch of dazzling-white soft coral sand tucked away in a wide cove. An Thoi Islands, off the southern tip of the main island, abound with scenic beaches, azure waters, colorful coral reefs and colonies of rare fishes. Hon Thom or Duong Dong River market can provide a nice way to get an insight into the life of a locality and exotic fishing products: huge fish, odd fishing tools … A lively and cheerful atmosphere permeates the market place from vendors in conical-palm hats with their small baskets of little fruits and vegetables to salespeople at their big well-stocked stands.
Phu Quoc is a real serene retreat for those who wish to put away the time in contemplation or meditation. Quite a few temples and shrines lie scattered across the island. Some worthy examples are Sung Hung Pagoda, with its original structure and intriguing statues, Su Muon Pagoda, always an inspiration for visitors thanks to its unique blend of nature and architecture.
Snorkeling service by Saigon-Phu Quoc Hotel For sports-addicted people, a host of leisure activities awaits you such as swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, trekking through forest park while observing exotic species of flora and fauna, or just lounging.
