Located in the gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, one that stretches for 48 km across its length. This is a holiday haven for tropical island tourists to soak up the sun on white sandy beaches or for those travelers looking for genuine forest trails and natural landmarks to explore.
Even for the Vietnamese, Phu Quoc is considered a rather new tourism site. Blessed with an environment of 37,000 hectares of virgin forest, unspoiled beaches and off shore coral gardens it is not hard to see why this island has great tourist potential. A limestone mountainous ridge known as 99 Peaks runs north to south for the 30-kilometre length of the island Despite building up reputation as prominent getaway destination, most of areas on Phu Quoc are still pretty much underdeveloped. The majority of the Island is dedicated to National Park and a protected marine environment. Slipping away from the resort area at Long Beach one finds oneself close to nature in a pristine environment with great opportunity for exploration.
Marine and island activities abound to fill a holiday on Phu Quoc. These include diving or snorkeling over colourful reefs, kayaking in the bays, forest trekking, track bike riding and interacting with friendly locals. Alternatively, lounging on the beach, enjoying fresh seafood lunches or dinners and perhaps a pampering massage by the sea add another dimension to holidaying on this lovely island.
For indulging accommodation, La Veranda Resort is a boutique resort off the white sand of Duong Dong Beach overlooking the Western Gulf of Thailand. Here with its background of tropical forest this resort is reminiscent of a French Colonial seaside mansion and boasts 70 rooms that feature dark timber, mosaic tiles, unhurried ceiling fans from crafted ceilings and the romance of double doors on to balconies. All rooms come complete with modern 5-Star facilities and indulgent service.
The four restaurants at the resort include the fancy Le Bar sporting an excellent wine list, international beers and spirits along with meals and regular live music and Le Pepper Tree, offering stunning views over the ocean with selections of Pacific Rim cuisine.
Phu Quoc Island provided us with a most fulfilling holiday. Here we were able to either throw ourselves into active holiday mode or relax in the charming luxury of the La Veranda Resort or its warm waters off the beach.