Phú Quốc

Phú Quốc is the largest island in Vietnam.

It sits within the Gulf of Thailand. The island is located south of the Cambodian coast. It lies west of the Vietnamese coastal town of Hà Tiên. The land is also near Rạch Giá and Laem Chabang in Thailand. The island is roughly triangular in shape. It is long from north to south. It is also wide from east to west at its widest point. The special administrative zone includes the main island and 21 smaller islets.

The island's geography is defined by a mountainous ridge. This ridge is known as the "99 Peaks." It runs the entire length of Phú Quốc. The tallest point in this range is Chúa Mountain. The ground is composed of various sedimentary rocks. These include rocks from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic ages. You can find thick layers of quartz pebbles and limestone here. There is also rhyolite and felsite in the formations. These geological layers include the Phú Quốc Formation and several Cenozoic formations like Long Toàn and Hậu Giang.

Phú Quốc has a monsoonal sub-equatorial climate. This system creates two very distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts from April to November. The dry season occurs from December to March. Even during the dry season, some rain still falls. The annual rainfall is quite high for the region. In the northern mountains, rainfall can reach 2,300 mm. April and May are typically the hottest months of the year.

The history of the island involves many different powers. The earliest Cambodian references to the island date to 1615. Around 1680, it was part of the Principality of Hà Tiên. This maritime polity was founded by the Chinese explorer Mạc Cửu. He eventually recognized the authority of the Vietnamese sovereign. In 1856, the island was still described as part of Cambodia. However, it was occupied by the Cochinchinese at that time. In 1867, Vietnamese authorities pledged allegiance to French troops.

Later, the Geneva Accords of 1954 handed sovereignty to Vietnam.

During the mid-20th century, the island saw significant conflict. In 1949, over 33,000 Republic of China Army soldiers were interned here. They remained on the island until June 1953. Between 1953 and 1975, the island housed a large prisoner camp. This was known as Phú Quốc Prison. It was part of the South Vietnamese system for detaining prisoners. In 1975, Khmer Rouge soldiers raided the island. Vietnam soon recaptured the territory.

The economy of Phú Quốc is changing rapidly. Fishing has historically been the most dominant industry.

The island is world-famous for two specific products. These are black pepper and fish sauce. The fish sauce is made from anchovies caught in local waters. Many people believe the best sauce comes from this island.

Additionally, pearl farming began over 20 years ago. Experts from Australia and Japan helped develop this industry with new technology.

Tourism is now a massive part of the local economy. Many people visit the island for its beautiful beaches.

The tourism boom has led to many new infrastructure projects. These include several five-star hotels and large resorts.

The Phú Quốc International Airport serves as a major hub. It connects the island to mainland Vietnam and international destinations. Since March 2014, foreign tourists can visit the island visa-free for 30 days. On June 16, 2025, Phú Quốc became a special administrative zone. This change marks a new chapter in its administrative history.