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SOUTH OF VIETNAM – HO CHI MINH CITY Summary Area: 2,095.5 sq. km Population: 9,396,000 (2011) Administrative divisions: – Urban districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu. – Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham Geography – Ho Chi Minh City is nestled within the Mekong Delta, where Saigon River flows through – The city is an important economic and political center of Vietnam Climate – Saigon climate is hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the wet season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. There is sunshine all year round. History – In the 19th century, Saigon was under the French control and was the biggest and busiest city in Indochina. – In April 1975, the North and the South of Vietnam reunified, and Saigon was renamed into Ho Chi Minh City. Tourism Ho Chi Minh City is an important tourist attraction of Vietnam as it contains many vestiges of the past. It shows the cluster of Eastern and Western cultures via the architecture, costumes, and customs. The historical relics in the city attracts a large number of tourists each year. General information Ho Chi Minh City – the center of Southern Vietnam covers an area of 2,095.5 sq. km and has the population of 9,396,000 (2011). It consists of 19 urban districts (District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan, and Tan Phu) and 5 rural ones (Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, and Binh Chanh). Similar to Hanoi and Da Nang, the majority of the population is the Kinh people. There are also citizens from Hoa, Khmer, and Cham ethnic groups. Geography Along with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is one of the two important cities of Vietnam. It is the center of economy and entertainment. The city is nestled within the Mekong Delta, where the Saigon River flows through. The Saigon Port, which was founded in 1862, is a big inland river port. Climate In general terms, Saigon climate is hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the wet season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27⁰C. The city receives sunshine all year round. History This land was used by the Khmers as a hunting area 500 years ago. In late 19th century, the French colonizers invaded this area, and turned Saigon into a bustling city, and the economic center of Indochina. Traders from different countries came and established the major trading center there. Saigon became the largest city in Indochina in 1874, when the China Town (Cho Lon) merged into. It was considered the Pearl of the Far East. In April 30, 1975, the Viet Cong tanks hit the gates of the Independence Palace and marked the reunification of the North and the South of Vietnam. Since then, Saigon has been renamed into “Ho Chi Minh City”, under the name of the great leader of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City still is a crowded and bustling city. The past and the present stay together in the city, where you can easily find the ancient French architectural works stand next to new skyscrapers. Tourism Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large number of visitors to Vietnam. The City has various attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum, formerly known as Dragon House Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, system of museums, theatres, and cultural houses. Recently, many additional tourist areas evolved with significant investment such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa, which draw numerous people from all over the world. Despite its quite recent past, Ho Chi Minh City still possesses various beautiful buildings, displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European cultures. These include Nha Rong (Dragon House Wharf), Quoc To Temple (National Ancestors Temple), Xa Tay (Municipal Office), Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre as well as many pagodas and churches (Vinh Nghiem, Giac Vien, Giac Lam, Phung Son pagodas, Notre Dame Cathedral). After more than 300 years of development, Ho Chi Minh City presents many ancient architectural constructions, famous vestiges and renowned sights. It is remarkable for its harmonious blending of traditional national values with northern and western cultural features. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SOUTH Reunification Palace The Reunification Palace – Dinh Doc Lap is absolutely a must-visit stop for any Saigon Travel Tour. It is considered a landmark of Saigon. Similar to the United States’ White House, Dinh Doc Lap was the home and the workplace of Southern Vietnam Governors during the Vietnam War. During the Fall of Saigon, the palace marked the end of the War when the Northern Vietnam Army tanks crashed its main gates on April 30th, 1975. The Reunification Palace is not only an extremely important historical site but also a masterpiece of architecture. It is a combination of Eastern and Western styles. Nowadays, it has become a meeting place of the Government and also a national historical and cultural site which attracts a huge number of tourists from every part of the world each year. Address: 106 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, HCMC Opening hour: Everyday, 7.30 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 20,000VND/adult Notre Dame Cathedral This is the city’s Catholic Church built in 1880, which has become the worship place of a large Catholic Community in Saigon. Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed with French-imported materials only.  The twin towers of the church is a distinctive feature which are approximately 60 meters high. In 2005, there was a miracle in the church that the statue of the Virgin Mary shed tears. With its distinctive Western design as well as religious value, the Notre Dame Cathedral is regarded a must-stop place that every traveler should visit. Address: Han Thuyen Street, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: If you visit on weekdays, use the side gate (if the main gate is close) to get inside the church Museum of Ho Chi Minh City Also known as The Museum of the Revolution, the museum is placed in a beautiful French palace (Gia Long palace), which used to be the home of French Governors and President Ngo Dinh Diem – the final residence of the South Vietnam Government. That museum displays the developments of Saigon as well as the revolutionary movement. Visiting the museum, travelers will get exposure to the history of the past Vietnam, to see what happened in Vietnam War through photos, and see how Saigon has changed time after time. Especially, there is a corridor leading the way from that palace to the Reunification Palace. Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m – 6:00 p.m Entrance fee: Free War Remnants Museum Once known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes’, the Museum was first opened to the public in 1975. It offers a shocking reminder of the long and brutal Vietnam War, with many graphic photographs and American military equipment on display, including a helicopter with rocket launchers, a tank, a fighter plane, a single-seater attack aircraft, and a 6,800kg conventional bomb. Address: 26 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3 Opening hour: Everyday, 7.30 am – 12.00 pm, 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 15.000VND/guest Cu Chi Tunnels Nestled about 40 kilometers from the city center of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels is the underground tunnel which was used by Vietnam Army during Vietnam War. It was a 250 kilometer-long tunnel bug by elementary tools and bare hand and was the place where the Vietnamese stay and live during the War. It was later the Viet Cong base during Tet Offensive event – a major military campaign on January 1968. It was used to store weapons and food, as a hospital and a hiding place and living quarters for Viet Cong armed forces. The tunnel, therefore, played a vital role in the victory of Vietnam during the War. Nowadays some plots are open for tourism. Visitors can come inside the tunnel and experience how Vietnamese people did to survive during the War. Address: Ben Dinh, Nhuan Duc, Cu Chi Ward Opening hour: Everyday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Around 80.000VND/guest Central Post Office Located at Paris Commune Street, District 1, Saigon Central Post Office is a must-stop destination for Saigon City Tours.  It is a typical colonial French Building. The post office was built in 1891, based on the design of Eiffel – the globally famous French architect and has become the busiest post office in the city. As a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and French influences, the post office attracts tourists with typical characteristics of French-style architecture. Walking into the Central Post Office, visitors would feel like they are brought back to a 20th-century building in Europe rather than an Eastern post office. Nowadays, the post office still offers all kinds of traditional postal services such as mailing, selling postcards or stamps, and exchanging foreign money. Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 7.00 am – 8.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Jade Pagoda The Pagoda was built in 1892 and is dedicated to Taoism and Buddhism. This pagoda was an important meeting place of Chinese secret societies who planned to overthrow the government in Peking during the Manchu Dynasty. The pagoda is filled with incense, candles, and statues of various divinities and heroes. Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, District 3 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: Visitor can make donation. Giac Lam Pagoda It is the oldest pagoda in the city which has more than 250 years of history. The pagoda make tourists feel that they are entering a different world with its pungent incense, funeral tablets, and carved inscriptions. Carved wooden pillars describe the lives of the monks whose portraits adorn the walls. This pagoda also consists of many beautifully carved wooden statues of the Buddha, reincarnations of Buddha, judges, guardians from Hell, and the Buddha of Mercy. Address: 118 Lac Long Quan Street, District 3 Opening hour: everyday, 5.00 am – 8.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Thien Hau Temple This Temple was built by Cantonese fishermen in late 18th century and is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The altar for the Goddess features three statues of the goddess “Thien Hau”. Votive paper offerings are burned in a large furnace at the entrance. Address:  710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5 Opening hour: Everyday, 8.00 am – 4.30 pm Entrance fee: Free Ben Thanh Market It is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City which has gone through a hundred year of history. The market is highlighted with French-style decoration with an outstanding clock tower at its entrance. Visitors can find a wide range of products in the market such as garments, textile, handicrafts, flowers, and vegetables. It is also a good place to try the authentic Saigon Cuisine. Address: Le Loi Street, District 1 Opening hour: Everyday, 6.00 am – 6.00 pm Entrance fee: Free Recommend: Ben Thanh Night market, which flanks the 2 side roads of the Ben Thanh Building, comes on at about 5 pm and all the way to 12 midnight Chinatown – Cho Lon Cho Lon is the largest China town in Vietnam. Not only does Cho Lon sell a wide range of product, it also displays the influences of Chinese culture in the architecture and customs. The majority of people living there is Chinese-Vietnamese people. The ancient works are well preserved. Visiting Cho Lon, tourists can take a glimpse at the life of the Chinese-Vietnamese community and the cluster of the past and the present. Address: District 5, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hour: 24/7 Entrance fee: Free TRANSPORTATION Ho Chi Minh City is the hub of the South. It is the main junction for railway, road, air, and water transportation systems for both domestic and international routes. Saigon is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot. The National Highway 13 is the main road connecting Vietnam and other Indochinese countries. Regarding railway transportation, Thong Nhat Express Train is the biggest railway system in Vietnam which comes throughout the whole country. Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is a big domestic and international airport. Flights within Vietnam and towards other countries are available there.

1. MUST-TRY DISHES IN VIETNAM Along with the breath-taking landscapes and valuable heritage sites, the cuisine is a distinctive feature of Vietnam. Followings are some distinctive delicacies of Vietnam that visitors should try. Pho, Bun Obviously, no one can ignore that famous dish when visiting Vietnam. “Pho” has been widely known as Vietnamese specialty. There are many of kinds of “Pho”, depending on which ingredients are added into. Travelers can find “Pho” anywhere, from street vendors to luxury restaurants. Just a small tip, the ones where locals gather the most are the places to sit down and take a try. The three most famous regions for “Pho” and “Bun” are Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Hue, and Saigon. The dishes from these places have different tastes, which will leave the customers in awe! Bun Cha This is absolutely a must-eat dish when taking a Vietnam street food tour. “Bun Cha” is the Vietnamese name of “grilled pork”, which contains two types of meat: minced pork patties and strips of meat. They are soaked into dipping soup made from fish sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and chilies. You can dress it up by adding whatever you want. There are also rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. The best way to eat is to dip all these things into the soup and take a full mouth of it. You can order some more spring rolls to make the dish better. “Bun Cha” is even more delicious when you eat at restaurants along the streets. Do not try to find a luxury restaurant, just stop where you can smell the smoky hazes from the grilling. The place with the best “Bun Cha” is Hanoi Old Quarter, where you can get a heavenly tasty dish with a reasonable price. Banh Cuon “Banh Cuon” is popular as a dish for breakfast and a midday snack. The dish is made of an exceptionally thin rolled rice sheet, filled with minced mushroom and ground pork meat. Fried onion and cilantro are added as toppings. Dipping it into light fish sauce can make it much tastier. “Banh Cuon” restaurants are easily found in every street or market in different parts of the country. Find where steams are coming up to get the fresh and hot dish, as the chefs usually make it right in front of the restaurants. Banh Mi Voted as one of the most delicious sandwiches in the world, “Banh Mi” is absolutely a cannot-miss dish for Vietnam Food Tour. “Banh Mi” first appeared during the French colonization. The French people made baguette and sandwiches for their own uses, then the Vietnamese created a new variant. It is a cluster of traditional and Western culture. “Banh Mi” is actually the baguette combined with pork, pate, and various vegetables. These things are put together, then creating a great flavor. Each region has its variant of Banh Mi. The two most famous ones are “Banh Mi Ha Noi” and “Banh Mi Hoi An”. In addition to the distinct flavor in each region, travelers can also vary their “banh mi” by adding different toppings. I’m sure that you cannot stand yourself from eating once you have tried it. Banh Xeo “Banh Xeo” is a crispy cake made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. The cake is pan-fried with several ingredients such as pork slices, shrimps, sliced onions, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. The best taste can be achieved when you eat it with lettuce, herbs and sweet fermented peanut butter sauce. Sometimes people use rice paper to wrap “banh xeo” and all other additional ingredients to make it easier to eat. (http://armstrongpharmacy.com) It is absolutely a great appetizer that visitors should try when having food tours in Vietnam. Xoi Xeo “Xoi Xeo” is a mouth-watering street food that can be easily found in outdoor markets. The dish includes sticky rice and toppings of fried onion and “mung” bean. There are also other ingredients you can add to your dish such as “Cha Lua”, steamed chicken, “ruoc” – smashed and fried salted pork, eggs, and pork belly. It is not only a dish to eat at the restaurant but travelers can also take it away for their long journey. Almost every region has “Xoi Xeo”. It is a popular breakfast for all ages, hence the price is very cheap. You can buy one with only 5,000 VND. For the dishes with more toppings and ingredients, it may cost you about 15,000 – 25,000 VND. So cheap for a good dish, right? 2. VIETNAM SPECIALTIES AND PRODUCTS. In addition to the unique cuisine, Vietnam is also well-known as a country with lots of specialties and export products. Followings are some outstanding products of the S-shaped country. Rice Vietnam is an agricultural country with more than 70% of its people making their living by growing rice. The Red River Delta in the North and the Mekong Delta in the South is considered the two rice baskets placed at two ends of a pole. Not only growing rice for daily uses, Vietnamese farmers also export rice to other countries. Following Thailand, Vietnam is the 2nd largest rice-exporting country in the world. Coffee First introduced by the French in 1857, the coffee industry has increasingly developed and become a major economic product in Vietnam. Vietnam is the second largest producer in the world after Brazil, and most of the coffee comes from the plantations in Highland regions of Central Vietnam. Vietnamese coffee are renowned for its high-end quality. Two most famous brands of Vietnamese coffee are Trung Nguyen Coffee and VinaCafe. Pepper Vietnam is the World’s largest producer and exporter of peppers. Introduced by the French in the 17th century, pepper trees have now been planted in large scale in the South, especially in Central Highland provinces. Phu Quoc Island is another famous plantation of black pepper. Pepper is regarded as the “King of Spices” and used in daily dishes worldwide. Tea Northern Vietnam is home to the famous brand of tea: Thai Nguyen Tea. Enormous tea plantations are found in the northwest regions, mostly concentrating in Thai Nguyen and Moc Chau. Not only do tea plantations bring about a high volume of products, these are also interesting tourist attractions. Fish Seafood industry plays an important role in Vietnam’s economy. Fisheries exports account for a large proportion of the overall revenue. The main markets of Vietnam fish are the United States and Western countries. Textile Textile is a key economic sector of Vietnam. Though a small country, Vietnam is a big player in the textile industry. This sector provides jobs to more than 2 million employees. As Vietnam’s labor is very cheap, the textile products are also affordable, thus enabling the industry to gradually continue even in the struggling economic situation.

Some are sizeable and central while others are tiny assembles of boats and houses built on stilts. Nevertheless, they all carry a unique charm and allure that speak to the hearts of adventurous travellers. The towns and villages in Phu Quoc impress one way or another. Starting with two incredible towns around which all island action unfolds, those of Duong Dong and An Thoi, and moving on to the most charming and adorable fishing villages on the island, you will soon realise that Phu Quoc undoubtedly deserves a place on everybody’s must-visit list. Duong Dong Town Duong Dong is a significant settlement on the island and a point of reference for nearly everything you do or everywhere you go around Phu Quoc due to its geographical location. As you will see, almost all directions have Duong Dong as reference! For everybody coming to Phu Quoc, Duong Dong is the town that has it all, from fine dining facilities and lovely natural landscape to luxury resorts offering modern comforts and amenities, and breath-taking views, such as La Veranda, which is located in the heart of the town, having all main attractions within range (less than a 5-minute radius). Duong Dong, though, remains a fishing harbour that more than 50% of the population on Phu Quoc call home. Hosting a wide range of sightseeing attractions, including the Cau Temple, a plethora of eateries where you can sample great seafood, the marvellous Duong Dong night market, and many more, it is a place that rightfully deserves your attention. An Thoi Town Famous for its prison concentration camp (aka Coconut Tree Prison), An Thoi is a booming small town at the southernmost end of the island and the largest fishing harbour with a protected bay that can accommodate container ships and large vessels. It is even a notorious starting point of many snorkelling and scuba diving trips to the archipelago’s southern regions. Also known for its pristine, white sand beaches, those of Bai Khem and Bai Sao, fish sauce factories, dazzling coral reefs, and commercial fishing industry, An Thoi is one of the most developed areas of Phu Quoc Island, with cafes, hotels, restaurants, banking facilities, local markets selling fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruit, and a small hospital. The islands’ naval bases are also located here. To get there, all you need to do is hire a bike, take a taxi or get a boat from Rach Gia, depending on which part of the island you are heading here from. Ham Ninh Village Conveniently tucked at the east coast of Phu Quoc, less than 20km from the centre of Duong Dong Town, Ham Ninh Commune is home to peaceful beaches, the beautiful Bai Vong Port, and the charming village with untouched splendour of Ham Ninh, particularly famous for its nightly fishing tours in pursuit of squid. Ham Ninh is believed to have been founded by fishermen and people from other places that came to the then deserted island to exploit seafood before nobody-knows-how-many-years-exactly. Some references place Ham Ninh as a hamlet of Phu Quoc under Ming Dynasty in the Ham Chau District, and changed hands several times at the beginning of the French colonial period, as it was mastered by Kien Gian, then Rach Gia, and finally Ha Tien. It was not until 1874 that the village eventually became part of the Phu Quoc District. However, its “masters” succeeded one another even still, and moved around a lot, from a community belonging in the Pha Quoc District to Ha Tien District to Chau Doc and then back to Ha Tien District; and, all that within a decade until 1888. Over the years, Ham Ninh became a thriving fishing village and a safe and quiet mooring spot for both boats of people fishing in the wider Duong Dong sea region and ships from the mainland that often drop anchor here and deliver seafood and transport goods. Even when surrounding areas become crammed with people and the influences of modern life, Ham Ninh maintains its rustic appeal and lives in perfect harmony with nature. All that aside, it is now also one of the most abundant sources providing Phu Quoc with fresh crab and cheap seafood year round. In fact, the fish is so plentiful here that you can even see the pier swarmed by little children selling starfish that they caught in the shallow waters surrounding the village! There is much to fall in love with this charming place. With majestic Ham Ninh Mountain and lush green jungles as the backdrop and an idyllic setting during low tide, when the shores turn into vast stretches of sand, or at high tide, when the floods nurture the land and lick the edge of the forest, Ham Ninh can literally steal your heart stone after stone. Distinguished by thatched bamboo leaves houses and facing the immense shimmering sea, it offers sweeping views up to the Nghe Islet and Pirate Island in the south and Ong Doi Headland (the last headland of Phu Quoc) in the south, alongside some of the most romantic sunsets. Le Bat Le Bat is a small fishing village on Phu Quoc Island not much visited by tourists. This picturesque land is a photographer’s dream location due to the exotic landscape around it. Some bikers make short stops at this hamlet on the way to Vung Bau Beach and Cua Can community (coming from Ganh Dau); a definitely scenic route worth exploring. To get here, one needs detailed directions from someone that really knows this place. So, if you are planning a visit, follow the street to Cua Can (from Duong Dong), head north of Ong Lang Beach, cross the bridge after Hoang Yen Resort, and turn left. Le Bat should be welcoming you to its quaint premises! From there, the glistening sea and powdery beach of Vung Bau with the odd-looking rock formations is a short ride away on dirt roads. Rach Vem Home to Rach Vem beach, Rach Vem village is not the place you would choose to lie around on the beach as it not that developed; unless you like to relax and spend time at remote beaches. In this case, do bring food and water with you because apart from the Phong Lan guesthouse, there are not many opportunities to dine or shop here. The locals are friendly, hard-working people that rely on the sea to feed their families. As for their houses, most of them are built on poles and stilts especially the shelters, right out on the sea, offering an interesting sight on their own. Apart from fishing, the inhabitants also breed ducks and chicken which run freely around the huts, along with Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs, the native (friendly) dog breed of the island (the only one with roots in Vietnam), which are usually found guarding pepper farms and areas where families live. Life has not changed much around here during the past years, which can be fascinating. Tourists, which is a rather rare find in this area, are greeted by a cheerful bunch of children following them around while the locals are willing to get into a nice chat with travellers provided they know Vietnamese or Khmer. Just don’t mention anything about the terror regime of the Khmer Rouge or the Vietnam-Cambodia war as it is a very sensitive topic. For those relaxing, me-times when you walk along Rach Vem’s shore and watch the sea spreading all the way to the coast of Cambodia across the Thailand Gulf, one can’t help but think this must be a slice of heaven and be hesitant to shut their eyelids out of fear of missing out on such raw, authentic beauty. Cua Can A couple of kilometres north of Ong Lang Beach, 10 kilometres south of Ganh Dau, and some 14 kilometres north of Duong Dong town lies the lovely village of Cua Can. Distinguished by pepper plantations, unique ecosystems, and rickety wooden bridges strictly for the use of motorbike and foot traffic, Cua Can village is the getaway to the mighty Cua Can River, which runs deep into the pulsing centre of Phu Quoc, and Cua Can Beach – a great spot for picnicking and swimming in the area. If you visit the region, joining a river tour and kayaking the river are some of the activities definitely worth trying for the serene and calm scenery that will surround you. As for lovers of photography and bird-watching, this is the place to be. Grab your camera and catch the flocks of hornbill flying above you! Also, through the Cua Can River, you will have access to the interior of the magnificent Phu Quoc National Forest. Despite its fairly small size and the less than 4,000 residents, most of whom living in houses built on stilts over the river, Cua Can village has a few places to chill out and enjoy a roadside drink before heading to the more isolated beaches of the North. It is also home to a lovely, yet secluded, sand bar located on the north, which is much favoured by tourists thirsty for adventure and locals alike. Now, if you feel hungry while exploring the roundabouts, there are street-side eateries and a more upscale restaurant that will treat your taste buds with delicious flavours at affordable prices. To get there, take the Cua Can road (one of the island’s main roads) that is easily accessible via Duong Dong up to Ganh Dau and the Vinpearl Resort. From there, drive passed Ong Lang Beach and Vung Bau Beach, and you will reach Duong Dong Town. Cross the river (choose either Hung Vuong Road Bridge or Nguyen Trung Truc Road Bridge) and navigate your way towards Cua Can Road. Ganh Dau Nestled in the north-western coast of the island, about 30 kilometres from Duong Dong town, Ganh Dau village will allow you to take in magnificent sea panoramas that go as far as the Cambodian coastline. Here, you will find some of the most tranquil and peaceful beaches on Pearl Island, including the scenic Ganh Dau and Bai Dai beaches, away from the crowds of the south. If you come here with expectations to find high-end resorts and boutique hotels, you’d better look elsewhere because this small fishing village will only provide you with the basic supplies, such as water, food, petrol and, perhaps, a nice haircut too. But, that is the charm of it, especially if you are after unique experiences infused with the local lifestyle. As you go by people’s homes and walk along the shore, you will see how things were once done throughout the island and how people used to live before some of the areas become more touristy and developed; plenty of fishing boats docked in the harbour, children playing in the streets, and anchovies drying out in the sun before they reach their final destination in a can comprising a key element of the famous Phu Quoc fish sauce. Ganh Dau still holds on to that traditional lifestyle while carefully (and slowly) adopting some modern life features. To savour a tasty lunch, you could either drive a kilometre or so past the village and try Gio Bien’s seafood dishes (a delightful beachside restaurant) or head to the floating fish eatery on the northeastern side of the village. In the latter case, you will need to boat ride to get there, which will offer you additional awe-inspiring views to take with you back home. Hon Thom Located on the second largest island in Phu Quoc and the largest island in the An Thoi archipelago, Hon Thom Island (aka Pineapple Island), the picturesque Hon Thom village with its 2,500 inhabitants is in the heart of a major economic activity taking place on the island. Chances are, we will soon witness a profound transformation in everything about living here, given the plans to develop Hon Thom Island into a tourist destination that will please tourists with vacation homes, resorts, and even a golf course. And, let us not forget the 8-kilometre long Phu Quoc cable car ride that already connects the island of Phu Quoc and Hon Thom, offering a genuinely heart-stopping experience as you hop between islands and soar over coral reefs and a fantastic cobalt sea. Until all that proposed upgrade takes place, you can walk along the two main beaches around Hon Thom village, with the eastern one expected to remain a pleasantly old-fashioned fishermen’s community as it is under the radar of the construction and development plans focusing on the western side at the moment. If you wish, you can also explore the entire island, which is no more than a 30-minute drive (you can rent a motorbike taxi, aka Xe Om) and watch the sun slip behind the horizon from Hon Thom’s main beach. Or, why not, try snorkelling? The waters are rich in superbly beautiful coral reefs and squids. Many tourists prefer cliff climbing instead as it enables them to pay eyes on the incredible natural landscapes specked with sugary beaches, fishermen knitting their nets, coconut rows, crystalline waters, and a variety of rare animals living here, including groupers and turtles. All that combined transfuse a peaceful and soothing, soul-filling sensation. Hungry? Besides the street-side restaurants serving delicious seafood, there are also a few local eateries near the shore preparing traditional Vietnamese snacks and food. To get here, drive south from Duong Dong Town until you reach An Thoi Town after 40-50 minutes or so. Park at the port (parking and entrance fee required, totalling VND 15,000) and catch the local ferry to Hon Thom Island (runs every hour until 17:00). If the weather is good, you will be at Hon Thom Island in about 45 minutes, and the ferry costs VND 30,000 (one-way ticket). To get off the boat and venture onto the island, you will need to be taxied out of the boat, which will cost you an extra VND 10,000. Life in Phu Quoc Island, or Pearl island if you wish, may be hard but the people are friendly, cheerful, and living the magnificence and uniqueness of every moment their own special way. And, as you drive through this green dot of unsurpassable, unspoilt beauty, you can rest your eyes on mind-blowing scenery capable of caressing your inner Self, allowing you to rejuvenate, unwind, and find Zen in the chaos everyday life.