Phú Quốc
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Phú Quốc (known as Koh Tral by Cambodians) is an island currently administered by Vietnam, although the island is the subject of territorial disputes between Vietnam and Cambodia. It has been invaded by Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. It is currently the largest island in Vietnam, part of Kiên Giang province, is also part of an archipelago consisting of 22 islands of all sizes. The island covers an area of 585 km² and is 50 km long. Phú Quốc is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and high tourism potential. The island is well known for its high-quality fish sauce; Phú Quốc fish sauce smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, cá còm, with a high level of protein. The island produces 6 million liters of fish sauce every year.
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[edit] Geography
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island lies just 62 nautical miles from Rach Gia and nearly 290 nautical miles (540 km) from Laem Chabang (Thailand). It covers an area of 567 km² (about 62 km long and between 3 and 28 km wide) and is situated at 10°01'-10°27' north latitude and 103°51'-104°50' east longitude. Its population is approximately 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 (603 m).
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 27 °C. 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.
[edit] Traditional products
Phu Quoc is famous worldwide for its two traditional products: fish sauce and pepper. The numbers are quite surprising: hundreds of fish sauce workshops (annual output: 10 million liters) and countless pepper gardens (total area: 5 km²). Visitors to the pepper gardens will be captivated by the "itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny peppercorns" of patient growers while at fish-sauce workshops, they will be amazed at the sight of dozens of bulky barrels being lined up and waiting to be packed with fresh fish. You will be tempted to try a few pungent green peppercorns and half a spoonful of the tasty salty fish sauce.
[edit] Traditional customs and festivals
Like special events everywhere, the local festival days are based on the lunar calendar and fall on Oct. 16 (Dinh Cau Temple); Nov. 20 (Thuy Long Thanh Mau Temple); July 15 (Temple consecration ); July 30 (Sung Hung Ancient Pagoda consecration); Ham Ninh Lady's spirits memory; Oct.7 & 8 (Su Muon Pagoda); Sept. 25 & 26 (Suoi Da Pagoda; Sept. 26 & 27 (Ganh Gio Pagoda); August 27 (Nguyen Trung Truc monument's day) ; July 27 (Phu Quoc jail martyr Vietnamese monument's day); Jan. 15 (Gia King's Temple day); From Oct.3, 1997 (Many local people died in the Storm no. 5 ); May 16 (Bon Canh Temple day).
[edit] Tourist entry and exit procedures passport/visa
Citizens of south-east Asian countries don't need certification when entering Duongdong town for up to 15 days. If they want to go to other places from here (except restricted areas), they can get immigration certifications given by the immigration and emigration management Offices of Duong Dong town. Foreign-tourist ships can arrive or leave Duong Dong harbour due to projects signed with Vietnamese tourist companies. Foreign tourist ships which visit Duong Dong area & other areas (except restricted areas) have to obey the laws mentioned above.
Foreign cargo ships are allowed to arrive or leave Duong Dong town to deliver or receive cargoes as stated in contracts signed by business on manufacturing organisations. The crewmen on these ships can use their passports or sailor's registers to enter Duong Dong area. If they deliver or pick up goods in other harbours of Kien Giang province, they have to obey Vietnam's current laws.
