Have you ever found yourself in an aircraft gazing out of the cabin window in wonder at the world thousands of metres below? The Hidden Journeys Project aims to enliven the flying experience and transform it into a fascinating exploration of the people, places and environments thousands of metres below by providing inspiring information to air travellers about the parts of the world they fly over.
The 7,500-km journey from Bangkok (Thailand) to Sydney (Australia) crosses some of the most isolated, most bio-diverse and most beautiful landscapes on the earth, including Phu Quoc Island (Viet Nam); Sarawak Borneo (Malaysia); Flores (Indonesia); the MacDonnell Ranges, the Simpson Desert, and the Murray Darling Basin (Australia).
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is an island district of Kien Giang Province, about 120km from Rach Gia City by the sea. It is the largest island in Viet Nam with the natural area of 593km². Flying at an altitude of 1,000m, travellers can see the island covered with green colours of Phu Quoc National Park and surrounded by many white sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs. From the lower altitude, Phu Quoc also reveals farms cultivating row after row of peppercorn vines, fruits and vegetables as well as hundreds of boats anchoring in close proximity to another at Duong Dong Fishing Port.
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Duong Dong Boats © Colin Roohan - A bright cacophony of fishing boats strive for space in Duong Dong Port in Phu Quoc |
Phu Quoc National Park covering 70% area of the island has many streams, waterfalls and more than 530 species of flora, 150 species of fauna of 120 branches and 69 families, among them a lot of rare species are listed in Red Book of Viet Nam and the world. Visiting Phu Quoc, tourists also have a chance to discover various 252 species of corals and observe vibrant coloured fishes. The marine reserve in Phu Quoc is one of the few places worldwide where elusive animals can still be found such as dugong, butterfly fish, bright yellow spirobranchus giganteus...
Phu Quoc attracts many tourists thanks to clear, blue beaches such as Sao Beach, Khem Beach, Dai Beach, Truong Beach…. Another attraction in Phu Quoc is Duong Dong Town where Phu Quoc Airport and most hotels on the island are located. Lying nearly Duong Dong Port, Dinh Cau (Cau Temple) is dedicated to Cau (God of the Sea) who protects fishermen and sailors from storms and other sea dangers.
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Rowing kayak in beach in Phu Quoc |
The island is famous for producing black peppercorn, fish sauce and pearl. Located in Duong Dong Riverside, Duong Dong Market is where sell fresh and dried types of seafoods, local specialties…
In fact, Phu Quoc has considered as a "Pearl of the Southern sea area" and become attractive destination for domestic and international tourists thanks to natural beauty and specific culture of locals.
It is possible to reach Phu Quoc by either plane from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Rach Gia (Kien Giang) or by boat from Rach Gia and Ha Tien.
Hidden Journeys has already revealed the breathtaking natural and human landscapes beneath 10 flight paths. It is a not-for-profit resource free for public use, and one part of the Society’s public engagement programmes which aim to foster an informed knowledge of our world.
(Edited by Thuy Hang)