Phu Quoc - the island of "99 mountains"

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.