President Wants Phu Quoc Island to Become Regional Tourism Hub

President Wants Phu Quoc Island to Become Regional Tourism Hub

Vietnam President Tran Duc Luong has asked the local authorities in southernmost Kien Giang province to develop Phu Quoc Island into a major eco-tourism center in the region.

Visiting Vietnam’s largest island from March 5 to 7, the president said that Phu Quoc has “the great opportunity and advantage” to turn itself into a “paradise island.”

The island boasts a good location, plentiful and diverse sea and forest resources and a favorable climate, the president commented.

President Luong urged the local authorities and people to develop a long-term development plan focusing on eco-tourism and combining economic development with the protection of the local environment and ecology.

He agreed with the province's plan to build an international airport, expand the local transportation network and develop its power industry in order to turn Phu Quoc Island into a tourism and commercial hub in the region. Currently, visitors can travel by plane and boat from either Ho Chi Minh City or Rach Gia to the island.

To date, the local government in Kien Giang province has licensed nine tourism projects capitalized at VND412 billion (USUS$26.2 million) on the island and is considering 51 other applications.

The 561sq.k island has a 150 km coastline. It is home to tropical and mangrove forests, sea grass, coral reefs and many rare flora and species that are listed in Vietnam's and the World's Red Book. The island is also considered the cleanest area in Southeast Asia.

While staying in the province, the State president also visited Tho Chu commune, the most remote island commune in the country, and the Phu Quoc island-based naval force and coast guards of Zone V.

He told the forces to promote cooperation with marine armed forces of neighboring countries to prevent disputes and create peaceful borders on the sea.

VNA, The People