Phu Quoc Island, the best Vietnam destination for honeymooners The tear-shaped Phu Quoc (Vietnamese Ph Quc)

is part of the Kin Giang province. The distance from Ph Quc to mainland Viet Nam is 45 km to H Tin and 120 km to Rch Gi. The island is 50 km long (from north to south)...

The tear-shaped Phu Quoc (Vietnamese Ph Quc) is part of the Kin Giang province. The distance from Ph Quc to mainland Viet Nam is 45 km to H Tin and 120 km to Rch Gi. The island is 50 km long (from north to south) and 25 km wide (from east to west at its widest part).

Surrounded by more than 40 km of white beaches decorated with coconut palms, Ph Quc, situated in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border, is Vietnams largest island. Its western coastline is sparsely populated while the interior is largely covered with jungle and mainly deserted. You can start exploring the island in Dng ng, the biggest town on the island (west of Ph Quc), where most of hotels and resorts are located. Going south, you can drive along Bi Trng (Long Beach), which is a 20 km long, spectacular beach. You will see two pearl farms on the right; the second is worth a visit. At the end of the road turn left (you cant miss it) and follow the signs, you will reach the fisherman village An Thi and the An Thi pier, the islands southern tip. From here the An Thi Islands, a very nice snorkelling and diving area consisting of 15 small islands and islets surrounded by coral reefs in crystal clear water, can be visited by boat.

Continuing to travel north-east, you will see a sign to Bi Sao (the sign is somewhat hidden, around 1 km away from the main road). Bi Sao, with its marvelous white sand and greenturquoise water, is one of the most beautiful, quite untouched beaches on Ph Quc Island. There are a number of simple, on-the-sand restaurants with tasty, fresh seafood in this area.

Before going back to Dng ng, there are some recommendable springs and falls: Sui Tranh and Sui Bn. Sui Tranh (some 10 km north of Bi Sao) is a stream connecting tiny ponds at different levels through small waterfalls. Sui Bn (a stony surface stream, north-east of Dng ng) is an easily accessible white-water creek, gracefully flowing down huge granite boulders, on which you can wake; in some places there are natural pools waiting for a refreshing swim.

A stay on Ph Quc Island would not be complete without visiting one of the factories producing Nc Mm (fish sauce), one of the most popular ingredients of the Vietnamese cooking as well as one of the pearl farms with panels describing the formation of pearls and shops selling pearl jeweler.

The island has a unique species of dogs, the Ph Quc Ridgeback, which has a ridge of hair that runs along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. Much of this islands nature is still protected. Around 70% of the island, an area of 31,422 hectares became a national park in 2001. The rainy season on Ph Quc is from July to November and the peak season for tourism is midwinter, when the sky is blue and the sea is calm. Travelers who know the Thai islands Ko Samui and Phuket often comment: The island of Ph Quc is still natural and untouched like Ko Samui 10 years and Phuket 20 years ago. Not surprising, a larger international airport is being built on the island of Ph Quc, expected to operate within five years. A golf course and a casino will also be completed. If you like untouched nature and pre-touristic surrounding, you should hurry up! Air Vietnam Airlines (116 Nguyen Hue, HCMC, Tel. (08) 824 4482) offers daily flights from both Ho Chi Minh City (around 40 USD one-way, 4 flights daily) and Rach Gia. Boat

Several companies operate high-speed hydrofoils going from Rach Gia to Ph Quc. The boats leave the mainland daily between 7 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., and return from Ph Quc between 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. (150-200 Thousand Viet Nam Dong, 2.5 hours). Tickets must be purchased in advance and most travel agents can book the passage. The most well-known hydrofoil companies (Tau Cao Toc) include Super Dong (Rach Gia 077-878 475, Ph Quc 077-980 111) and Dng ng Express (Rach Gia 077-879 765, Ph Quc 077-990 747). Offices of these companies are located at the dock in Rach Gia and in Ph Quc; the ride can be booked in most of the travel agencies in advance.

Very popular to more adventurous travelers is a round-trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Ph Quc: travel overland through the Mekong Delta (Sai Gon My Tho Rach Gia Ph Quc, taking a ferry from Rach Gia to Ph Quc) and, after staying and discovering the island, take the short one-hour flight back to HCMC.

This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Vietnam Heritage Travel For original article, please visit: http://vietnamhoneymoontours.com/travel-new/phu-quoc-island-the-best-vietnam-destinationfor-honeymooners.html Vietnam heritage Travel agency in Vietnam Tour to Halong Bay Vacation to Vietnam