Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the
hear-shaped island lies just 62 nautical miles from Rach Gia and nearly
290 nautical miles from Laem Chabang (Thailand). It covers an area of
567 sq. km (about 62 km long and 3-28 km wide) and is situated at
10o01'-10o27' north latitude and 103o51'-104o50' east longitude. Its
population is approx. 85,000 (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.
In the early 17th
century, Phu Quoc was a desolate area, where Vietnamese and Chinese
immigrants earned their living from sea cucumbers. From 1782 to 1786,
Phu Quoc became a stronghold of Lord Nguyen Anh, later Emperor Gia Long,
in his confrontation with Tay Son forces.
In 1869, the French occupied it and set up
rubber and coconut plantations in the island. From 1967 to 1972, a P.O.W
detention camp of 40,000 inmates during the war covering on 400 hectares
was built at An Thoi by the Saigon regime.
After being liberated on 30 April 1975, Phu
Quoc has been converted into an ideal tourist destination for nature and
sea lovers.
Citizens of south-east Asia countries don't
need to have im-emmigrating certifications when entering Duongdong town
within 15 days. If they want to go to other places from here (except
restricted areas), they can get im-emmigrating certifications given by
im-emmigrating management Offices of Duongdong town. Foreign-tourist
ships can arrive or leave Duongdong harbor as the projects signed with
Vietnamese tourist companies. Foreign tourist ships to Duongdong area &
other areas(except restricted areas) have to obey the laws mentioned
above.
Foreign cargo ships are allowed to arrive
or leave Duongdong town to deliver or get cargoes as the contracts
signed business-manufacturing organizations. The crewmen on these ships
can use their passports or sailor's registers to enter Duongdong area
issued by foreign authorities. If they deliver or get goods in other
harbors of Kiengiang province, they have to obey Vietnam's current law.