Phu Quoc Island becomes world-famous tourist destination

Vietnamese Prime Minister recently released Decision 633/QD-TTg stating that Phu Quoc would become a special economic and administrative center for Vietnam.

Making fish sauce on Phu Quoc Island ( Photo: SGGP)

Following the prime minister-approved adjusted master plan to develop Phu Quoc Island through 2030, the island would also become the home for domestic and international resorts, urban development, as well as a forest and marine preservation center.

The Phu Quoc Island, also known as Dao Ngoc ( Pearl Island ), for its famous pearls, has the potential to become a major tourist centre within the country. Located in southwestern Kien Giang Province, 45km from the mainland, the 565sq.km island owns 32,000 hectares of pristine forests, beautiful and clean beaches, and undamaged coral reefs. ABC News selected Bai Dai Beach (Long Beach) as one of the five most beautiful and clean beaches in the world, though it is not well known outside Vietnam.

District Phu Quoc party committee secretary Van Ha Phong said the Kien Giang People’s Committee 52 domestic and foreign-invested projects have been licensed so far, with a total capital of VND43 trillion.  Seven of these, including Berjaya, Long Beach, Veranda and Miramar have become operational.

Along with appealing to investors to build tourism facilities, the development of Phu Quoc into a financial and banking center for the region, and an international trading hub, district leaders have concentrated on preserving the island’s specialties.

The planting of sim fruit (tomentose rose /myrle), which historically grows naturally on Phu Quoc, is one such preservation project. Sim Son tomentose rose myrtle wine, tea and syrup, invented by Trinh Cong Phat, the director of the Son Phat Co. in Duong To Commune, has become another speciality of the region, attracting tourist interest. Mr. Phat said the arable land for growing sim fruit has shrunk; it needs therefore to expand for tourism, which will raise income for residents.

It is understandable that over 80% tourists decided to visit the Coi Nguon (Root) Museum- a 40,000sq.m outdoor exhibition where curator and owner Huynh Phuoc Hue displays around 2,000 ancient artifacts including a 3,500-year-old stone axe, a flock of over 60 rare sea eagles and a 500kg dugong bone.

One of Hue’s hardest won artifacts was a part of a boat used by national hero Nguyen Trung Truc.

One of Phu Quoc District’s strengths is the production of traditional fish sauce. However, most of fishing boats have small capacity which can work onshore.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Truc, Head of Phu Quoc District’s Office of Economy, said the district would support local fishermen who can catch fish offshore. Vietnamese-made fish sauce has become world famous with over 100 producers making more than 10 million liters a year.

In the future, the district will reserve two areas for producing the special sauce: Ben Tram and Sau Bridge. In addition, the district is determined to spend budget funds to grow pepper.

Many construction projects have been undertaken on the island, such as a 900-hectare International Airport, a roundabout road for sightseeing tours and the An Thoi International Wharf. Pham Vu Hong, chairman of the Phu Quoc district People’s Committee, said many more important projects will be operating by June.