| Previously Phu Quoc had been a secret. Anyone who | | | | hard to disagree with the travel website that |
| visited at the turn of the century will recall a sleepy | | | | recently voted Phu Quoc as one of top five hidden |
| island with few tourist services and not much by the | | | | beaches in the world; although there is a certain irony |
| way of infrastructure. And despite the talk of a | | | | to promoting a destination’s hidden quality |
| construction boom, for many years nothing much | | | | The island is also ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. |
| changed. But there are now signs of a more | | | | In the middle of the island you will find tropical |
| mass-tourist friendly Phu Quoc emerging. The | | | | forests on a low mountain range which makes for |
| on-going construction of two main, long roads from | | | | good trekking. The forest’s diversified fauna |
| Duong Dong town to Cua Can commune in the north | | | | and flora makes it a conservationist’s dream. |
| and to An Thoi town in the south will make remote | | | | One of two famous springs on the island is Da Ban, |
| parts of the island more accessible than ever before. | | | | just outside of Duong Dong by a large lake, which |
| Construction on the new international airport broke | | | | supplies fresh water for the islanders. The only way |
| ground recently, boosting the government’s | | | | to reach the spring is to take a 10-minute trip on a |
| dream to turn Phu Quoc into an international beach | | | | sampan — it is $10 for a return trip. Large |
| destination. | | | | rocks form small ponds around the spring, which |
| What is good news for the State’s coffers | | | | make for ideal baths. |
| and investors might be bad news for those who | | | | Tourists sit in the sun, reading novels, munching on |
| came to Phu Quoc, because of the fact it was off | | | | grilled shrimp. The only dilemma is whether to order a |
| the tourist map and free from tacky resorts. While | | | | fruit juice or a cold beer. You can easily find a |
| infrastructure was limited, you could still jump on a | | | | secluded spot should you wish to bathe au naturel. |
| motorbike and drive around the island; there’s | | | | The setting is postcard perfect with majestic rock |
| nothing like turning down some random bumpy road | | | | formations and pristine forests all around. |
| only to discover a white sandy beach with turquoise | | | | Later on in the evening, you may spot a few signs |
| waters at the end. You could sit back in a hammock, | | | | of what might be to come if tourism continues to |
| order fried squid from a local family and sip on a cool | | | | grow on Phu Quoc. On the beach a number of new |
| beer and smugly grin as though you had discovered a | | | | bars have opened catering for the young, sunburned |
| lost paradise. | | | | and thirsty travellers. Among them, Ahoy is said to |
| It’s not like Phu Quoc has suddenly turned | | | | be the biggest. It features an underground bar. On |
| into Ko Samui, mind you. For the time being many of | | | | one particular visit business is slow. |
| the beaches on the island remain untouched. Away | | | | In fact, there are only three customers. Undeterred |
| from Duong Dong town at the end of the | | | | by the measly crowd a resident Filipino band plays a |
| under-construction roads there’s still plenty of | | | | rousing set. But Phu Quoc is not for bars or late |
| untouched paradise for those who need to get away | | | | nights. The three customers all head off for an early |
| from it all. | | | | night. |
| Flopping around on these beaches, you’ll find it | | | | |