Current page: About Phu Quoc (PQ)

About Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Phu Quoc Island, the largest island in Vietnam, is part of an archipelago consisting of 22 islands of varying sizes. It is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, off the southwest coast of Vietnam, 71 miles (115 km) from Rach Gia, 29 miles (46 km) from Ha Tien, 9 miles (14 km) south of the coast of Cambodia and 334 miles (537 km) from Laem Chabang, Thailand.

Phu Quoc Island is shaped like a triangle, wider in the north (27 km) and narrower in the south (3 km). From north to south, the island is about 60 km in length. Phu Quoc covers an area of 562 square km and has a coastline 150 km long.

Phu Quoc has a monsoon sub-equatorial climate. There are two seasons in the year, the rainy season (April to October) and the dry season (November to March). The average annual rainfall is 2,879 mm (113 in.) and the average temperature is 27 °C (81°F).

Phu Quoc is called the island of "99 mountains" because of its many sandstone mountain ranges running from the north to the south. The longest range is Ham Ninh which stretches for 30 km along the eastern edge with its highest peak called Mount Chua (603 m). Phu Quoc is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and beautiful sandy beaches.

Phu Quoc's tourism industry has flourished since the Government of Vietnam announced its initiatives (See Preferential Policies) to develop the island into an international ecotourism destination by the year 2020. Find out for yourself why major international business players are investing their money in various locations in Vietnam, including Phu Quoc Island. (See Related Articles and Investment in PQ).

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Major Ecotourism Areas & Infrastructure Upgrades in Phu Quoc

Many areas of Phu Quoc have been designated by the government for development into world-class ecotourism sites. Ambitious plans are underway to upgrade Phu Quoc's infrastructures so that the island can attain the goal of becoming one of the top international ecotourism destinations in Asia.

The planned improvements to the island’s infrastructure include many key components, such as a new international airport, upgrades to various seaports, an improved road network, a hydro generating plant, water supply plants, waste treatment facilities, a hospital, etc.

Here are some facts regarding the new international airport and upgraded seaport facilities:

The new airport, to be built at Duong To, will cover 800 hectares and will be able to accommodate large commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 767 (250 – 350 passengers) and Airbus A321 (220 passengers). It is anticipated that the new airport will welcome 2.5 million passengers annually.

Phu Quoc’s existing seaport facilities will also be upgraded and expanded:

The seaport at Duong Dong will be upgraded to accommodate international and local passenger ships with a capacity of up to 2,000 passengers.
A port at Dat Do Cape will accommodate international ships with a capacity of 2,000 passengers and will also become a cargo port for the west side of Phu Quoc Island.
Dam Bay port will be developed into a passenger and cargo port, able to accommodate ships with a capacity of up to 2,000 passengers and cargo ships up to 30.000 deadweight tons.
An Thoi port will provide a wharf for cargo ships up to 3,000 deadweight tons and coastal passenger ships with a capacity up to 300 passengers, along with a floating dock for cargo ships up to 30,000 deadweight tons and passenger ships with a capacity of up to 2,000 passengers.

Click on the following link to view maps, photos and additional information regarding the designated ecotourism areas (Slides 4 - 25) and the planned infrastructure upgrades (Slides 26 - 41).

Presentation - Ecotourism Areas & Infrastructure Upgrades in Phu Quoc

Note: To enlarge a displayed picture, press the zoom-in button located at the top of the photo album repeatedly. Once you achieve the desired zoom level, hold down the left mouse button to drag the picture to an area of interest.

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Phu Quoc – Positive Ecotourism Developments in Vietnam

Excerpts written by Attila Woodward, G. Washington University, Washington DC, USA.

Positive Ecotourism Developments in Vietnam

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Virtual Tour - Welcome to Phu Quoc, Paradise on Earth!

“...The color of the waters, the soft sand beaches, the landscapes and the sunsets in Phu Quoc are spectacular. If you accompany me, I will show you all this in this online presentation of the paradisiacal island of Phu Quoc...”

Phu Quoc Virtual Tour - by Enric

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