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.
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