Location: 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.
Characteristics: Phu Quoc, the largest island in
Vietnam, is also part of an archipelago consisting
of 22 islands and islets. The island covers an area
of 585km2 and is 50km long.
Phu Quoc Island covers an area of 567sq.km (about 62km long and
between 3km and 28km wide), and its population is approximately
85,000 (in 2001).
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 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.
Phu Quoc is also called the Emerald Island because of its
natural treasures and infinite tourism potential. The island is
well known for its high-quality fish sauce; Phu Quoc fish sauce
smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, ca
com, with a high level of protein. The island produces 6 million
liters of fish sauce every year.
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.
Off the coast of the island emerges a group of 105 islands of
all sizes. Some of them are densely inhabited such as Hon Tre
and Kien Hai, 25km from Rach Gia. Visitors can spend time on the
beach or hike while observing the wild animals.
It is possible to reach the island by either plane or boat from
Rach Gia, Ho Chi Minh City (40minutes, by plane), Ha Tien (8
hours, by boat).
Restaurants in Phu Quoc
An Thai Cafe (An Thoi)
A relaxing restaurant
and cafe built on a terrace for cool breezes and views. An Thai
has Cafes all over Vietnam. Quality is assured.
Duong Dong
Gop Gio Restaurant
Popular with locals
and travellers alike. Highly rated in Vietnamese
travel guides. A casual restaurant. Freshest and
cheapest seafood in town!
Duong Dong
Minh Tri Cafe &
Restaurant
Well known to
tourists visiting Long Beach for its delicious fresh
seafood. European and Asian dishes. It's the local
place to relax after a long hot day on the beach
Phu Quoc Restaurant
Guide
Phu Quoc is known mainly
for its seafood, which includes cuttlefish, ca thieu
(dried fish slices), nuoc mam (fish sauce) and black
pepper. Other unusual dishes you may try include deer,
cobra, eel and frog. Conventional Vietnamese cuisine is
also widely available on Phu Quoc.
Southern meals feature
the widest range of ingredients and are usually
accompanied by a light, clear broth to cleanse the
palate. Pork and chicken are popular, and chillies are
used extensively. Southern food can be very spicy!
As mentioned previously,
there are not really any restaurants for western
cuisines. If you're craving a taste of home, you may
wish to check out the restaurants attached to many of
the hotels. Mid Range hotels usually offer at least some
"Western" dishes, and smaller hotels and guesthouses
will normally be able to offer at least something
non-Vietnamese. However, expect it to be a Vietnamese
version of what you're used to. For higher class western
food you could try the Top End hotels, although expect
to pay substantially more than at the restaurants around
town.
We would instead
recommend trying some of the local places around town.
Many will often have a handy English menu. We have
collected a short list of restaurants and eateries in
Phu Quoc to give you a place to start.
Vietnam Airlines flies to Phu Quoc
from Ho Chi Minh City daily (on some flights there is a
short stopover at Rach Gia). If you are travelling
overland you will have to catch a ferry from Rach Gia.
