Phu Quoc Island:
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.