Phu Quoc - Discover Island Secrets

Southwest of Vietnam, in the Gulf of Thailand. The island of Phu Quoc is rapidly becoming one of the nation's foremost destinations for those seeking relaxation on remote sands. Basking in the tropical sun and traipsing through Phu Quoc national forest, visitors find a unique natural beauty, one not yet sullied by massive tourism.

After just a one hour flight from Saigon, our Vietnam Airlines (VNA) plane at Phu Quoc Airport. We disembarked, beginning our journey on this unfrequented island. The reputation of Phu Quoc as a true haven for nature-lovers had enticed us. As a contingent for VNA, we came to see the hidden treasure of Phu Quoc.

We stayed at the luxurious four-star Saigon - Phu Quoc Resort, conveniently located near the island's center, which was adorned by century-old tree canopies, tropical palms, and fresh flowers. The resort apartments had a natural wood motif and were designed in a quaint Vietnamese style. The ocean views from the balconies were, simply put, magnificent.

The sea called out to our adventure sides, luring us with her waves and cool breezes. We began with a fishing tour, led by a tour guide who easily dispelled our morning fatigue with his of humor. A yacht from Saigon - Phu Quoc Resort brought us to a reservation area, inhabited by multicolored coral and a variety of tropical fishes. Our guide explained that from November until April, lucky visitors could observe the cui fish (Dugong), wich is a rare species that lurks in the southern seas off of Phu Quoc.

After fishing, we roasted and stewed our catches to share with the whole group. It was the first time some of us tasted such delicacies. As we munched our fresh meal, we were already discussing the possibility of another fishing tour. For bigger catches, the tour uses sliver-cheeked fish to bait cod and barracuda, which typically weigh between 5 and 10 kilograms. A smaller possibility, though equally exciting, was catching cuttlefish.

The following day, we set out on a cultural journey to discover the local area. We visited a pepper garden, a fish-sauce factory, a Phu Quoc dog-breeding farm, and we went on a shopping tour by horse-dawn carriages. After a long day of trekking, the Phu Quoc cuisine was unfailingly wonderful. Commonly, we'd settle down at Saigon Restaurant at the Saigon - Phu Quoc Resort to gaze out over the Thailand bay, the bright sun setting in the distance.

As if natural wonders were not enough, the amenities continue to grow on Phu Quoc. Before leaving, our guide informed us that next year there will be a new electronic game station at Saigon - Phu Quoc Resort. Don't say we didn't tell you ... see you there !