Phu Quoc District (of Kien Giang province) has two towns (Duong Dong and An Thoi) and 8 communes (Ham Ninh, Duong To, Cua Can, Cua Duong, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau, Hon Thom and Tho Chu). Duong Dong town is the administrative - economic – cultural - trade center of the island and has an airport and a seaport. Population of Duong Dong town is about 93,000 people (2007).
Development potential of Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island is a triangular with the base located in the north. It features with green color of mountains, the blue color of the ocean, red color of roads and has a long coastline. The sea around the island has the depth of less than 10 meters.
Phu Quoc Island many advantages for developing economic. Its average annual temperature is 27 Celsius degrees. It has tropical climate with two distinct seasons, dry season from December to April of next year and the rainy season starts from May to November.
Pepper tree - One popular specialty of Phu Quoc Island
Regarding to biodiversity, the island’s forestland accounts for 62 percent of natural area. The island has rich flora and fauna including 929 plant species, 150 animal species, 89 species of hard corals, 19 species of soft corals, 135 species of reef fish, 132 species of mollusks, 32 echinoderms species and 62 seaweed species. In 2006, Phu Quoc is one of UNESCO's three core areas of Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.
Historic site - Phu Quoc Prison
Uncle Temple
Atoll - guests can dive into the sea to see the beautiful coral reefs
Phu Quoc Island is famous for historical sites: Coconut Tree Prison, Su Muon Pagoda, Uncle Temple, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple; landscapes such as Ham Ninh fishing village, Suoi Tranh, Bai Dai, Bai Truong, An Thoi island, national parks, Duong Dong market, Uncle Temple night market with food and specialties such as h
Phu Quoc Island has many favorable conditions for economic development in the direction of developing traditional craft villages; eco-tourism, resort, entertainment at national and international level. It is the financial center of the region and important clues of the intra-regional transport and international aviation.
Economic development of Phu Quoc Island
For economic development of the island, on 09 November 2005, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1197/2005/QD-TTg on approving the construction plan of Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang provinces to the year 2020 to become an area of economy, administration, tax incentives, free entry visa in order to attract investors and tourists.
The residential area on Phu Quoc Island
New roads being built on the Island
Feeding oysters for pearls
Seafood sold at Uncle Temple night market
Under the strong pressure of economic and urban development, Phu Quoc Island, as well as other tourist sites in Vietnam has to handle with the environment pressure such as changes of the composition and quality of soil, water, air environment that could affect to the ecological environment as well as the public health.
Sustainable Development of Phu Quoc Island
To conserve and protect environmental components, natural scenery of Phu Quoc Island for the sustainable economic and social development, on 10 October 2008, the Prime Minister issued the Decision No. 137/2008/QD-TTg on approving the project on protecting environment of Phu Quoc Island in 2010 and orientation to 2020.
The Decision No. 137/2008/QD-TTg set out the major tasks and theoretically approved some priority projects. It simultaneously assigned tasks to specific ministries, branches and localities. Accordingly, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was assigned to coordinate with the People's Committee of Kien Giang province and other related Ministries, branches to establish, evaluate, approve and implement of priority projects; annually report the implementation results; propose some measures, mechanisms and policies to address new problems arise.
In order to effectively perform the assigned tasks, the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) had proposed to perform the task on “Implementation of Decision No. 137/2008/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on approving the project on protecting environment of Phu Quoc Island in 2010 and orientation to 2020”.
The delegation of the VEA took a survey on Phu Quoc Island
To collect data for the task, the VEA has sent a survey team to Phu Quoc Island from 11 to 18 November 2010. The team went to Cua Can, Ham Ninh, Bai Vong, Coral Island, Duong Dong lake, Dinh Cau, etc to collect data. The team was working with some management bodies of the Island: Department of Natural Resources and Environment, National Park, Meteorology and Hydrology Station, etc.
Phu Quoc Island gradually formed a modern center of tourist, resort, international trade of Mekong River Delta. Government has issued several documents and policies to conserve and protect environmental components, natural sceneries of Phu Quoc Island, serving for the sustainable economic and social development of the Island.
On 05 November 2010, the Prime Minister issued the Decision No. 633/2010/QD-TTg on approving the adjustment of the general plan of Phu Quoc Island to 2030 with the aim of sustainable development of the; harmonizing economic development with preservation of historical, cultural and environmental protection, security, regional and national defense. /.
By Nguyen Xuan Thuy
(VEA, 27/9/2010)
olothurian, fish sauce, pearl, etc.