Phu Quoc, mostly called Pearl Island, is the largest island and most unspoiled island of Vietnam. Being fashioned as the “next Phuket”, Phu quoc has many reasons for both domestic and foreign travelers to check out this beautiful paradise. Nevertheless, there are five main reasons for those choosing Phu Quoc as an ideal getaway in Vietnam and Asia including tranquil beaches, untouched forests, big volume of hotels and resorts, delicious specialties and convenience of getting entry Vietnam visa.
Beaches
Phu Quoc is well-known for one of the five hidden beaches (Long Bank) in the world has many picturesque beaches along 150 km namely romantic Ong Lang Beach, irresistible Bai Sao, sophisticated Bai Dai beach (Long Bank) stretching to the horizon. It is so rare to find an uncrowded and off-the-beaten track island with calm and transparent sea as Phu Quoc. Coral reefs swarming with tropical fish, of every possible color and design. Swimming, sun bathing, boat-sailing, scuba-diving, etc. are all the exciting and relaxing seaside activities, healthful for every individual tourist.
Forest
Phu Quoc national park is one of World Biosphere reserves and among the Parks where the primitive forest is still remained in its original state. The beauty of this National Park is the combination of the forest, the ocean, stream, waterfall and mountain and hill. Phu Quoc island is located in the northwest of Kien Giang province where you can found a complex of beauty spots, historical relics – one of which is Phu Quoc National Park where you should not miss.
Hotels and resorts
Phu Quoc has 75 resorts and hotel, almost 2,000 rooms. Phu Quoc welcomes 200,000 visitors/year. Hotel room rates are much more expensive than other places in Vietnam.
Specialties
Should you ever have a vacation in Vietnam, you must have heard about Phu Quoc fermented fish sauce (nước mắm), the best one in the nation!
In addition, Phu Quoc’s seafood is also fantastic. Numerous fish, dried fish, lobsters, crabs, squid, oyster, arca, etc. are available at your enjoyment. Just come and taste Coi Bien mai Gỏi Cá Trích (dish made of herring fish and vegetables), Rượu Sim Phú Quốc (a kind of wine made from a Myrtaceous fruit), you will feel the very tasty and fragrant Island zone!
Under regulation on foreign entry into, exit from, and residence in Phu Quoc Island, Foreigners and Vietnamese nationals bearing foreign passports who enter Vietnam through an international border gate and then travel to Phu Quoc Island and stay in Phu Quoc less than 15 days will also be granted Vietnam visa exemption. After arriving in Phu Quoc Island, if visitors want to travel to other localities or stay in the island for more than 15 days, the immigration department will be responsible for issuing visas right on the spot.
How to get here?
Just under an hour by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc can also be reached by boat, ship or catamaran. Construction of an international airport on the island is planned next year. But while there are ample connections from mainland Vietnam, access from Cambodia is more complicated.
When to go?
November to March (Dry Season) is the best time to visit but hotels book out fast, especially around Christmas, western New Year and Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Tet is in fact the busiest time of the year on Phu Quoc and some hotels double their rates for the season. If you visit at Tet (late January to early February, depending on the moon) book well in advance.
For now, Phu Quoc remains something of a secret, known only to the enlightened few. Little by little, however, the secret is getting out. Discover it yourself, before it is too late!
Fiona