Best Tips for Visiting Phu Quoc National Park - The World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Table of Contents
General introduction
Location, area
Phu Quoc National Park has administrative boundaries belonging to the communes: Cua Duong, Cua Can, Ganh Dau, Bai Thom, Ham Ninh, Duong To and Duong Dong ward of Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province. Most of the area is concentrated in the North Island. It also includes marine protected areas with a total area of up to 772 km2
Phu Quoc pearl island has an area of nearly 600 km2, of which mountains and forests account for 314 km2 of area. Phu Quoc sea and island were recognized by UNESCO as Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve in 2006.
Phu Quoc National Park was established on June 8, 2001 with an area of 296 km2 including 3 subdivisions: strictly protected (Suoi Da Ngon route, area around Duong Dong lake); ecological restoration (edge of Ganh Dau, Cua Can, Bai Thom); Administrative and service subdivision (National Park area being exploited).
Phu Quoc National Park is one of 34 national parks belonging to Vietnam’s special-use forest system.
Biodiversity
Phu Quoc National Park has high biodiversity resources with more than 490 animals, including 41 animal species on the List of endangered, precious and rare forest plants and animals. More than 1,397 plant species, including 26 plant species recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and 12 endemic species named Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc has 3 forest ecosystems: Tropical broadleaf forest ecosystem; waterlogging and alum ecosystem; and Mangrove ecosystem with 9 typical forest habitats such as:
- Primeval forest habitat of Dipterocarpus.
- Open forest habitat of Dipterocarpus trees.
- Dry forest habitat
- Coastal secondary forest habitat.
- Forest habitat on rocky mountains.
- Melaleuca forest habitat
- Mangrove forest habitat
- Truong Nhum forest habitat.
- Glade habitat and sim mua.
Some photos about Phu Quoc Ecosystems
Outstanding Experiences.
Experience it by yourself
To reach Phu Quoc National Park, you can ride a motorbike or car starting from Duong Dong – the city center, going north of the island about 25 km. The road is quite easy to go. It takes about half a day to visit the national park at FOSE Phu Quoc restaurant. Here you can park your car and buy tickets to visit a short route. It takes about 1 hour to visit the whole area so you can combine it with a visit to Rach Vem fishing village famous for its starfish.
In addition, you can also ride a motorbike through the forest from Rach Vem to Ganh Dau in the afternoon or vice versa with a length of nearly 20 km. This route mainly serves the military. If you’re lucky, you can encounter some types of primates and large trees typical of Phu Quoc.
If you want to trek through the forest, you can choose one of the following locations: Suoi Da Ban, Suoi Tien, Tien Son Dinh…
Experience with a local guide
Currently, we have a number of tour programs allowed to operate in Phu Quoc. With extensive experience, we are confident to bring you the best experience at the National Park.
The 10km Suoi Da Ngon trekking palace, with a rich ecosystem and fairly flat terrain, is very suitable for trekking beginners, children from 8 years old can participate. Similarly for Thay Tu waterfall, the length is equivalent to 10km, the terrain is a bit rough, with many rocky places, suitable for those with moderate level.
There is also Tien Son Dinh mountain climbing ,where you can completely go on your own, refer to the latest article Trekking Tien Son Dinh 2024. You can also join our tour program to have more experiences and understanding. learn more about the local culture as well as avoid unnecessary dangers.
Guided trekking tour
Things to note when self-visiting
Prepare:
If you want to trek to experience Phu Quoc National Park, you should form a group to go together instead of going alone. Prepare all necessary and appropriate items such as clothes, shoes, snacks, backup charger, insect repellent, camera, tent, multi-purpose tools. Don’t forget to research in advance the areas you want to experience and refer to suitable routes. Besides, always carry with you a detailed map of Phu Quoc National Park or a navigation device. There are some parts of the road that completely lose phone signal and GPS.
Other notes
To have an effective and safe trip to Phu Quoc, everyone should pay attention to a few important things.
Currently there is a lot of misleading information and images online about Phu Quoc National Park. Previously, there was a travel company that was allowed to exploit Phu Quoc National Park, but it was mainly for domestic tourists and the service was not professional, so there were many negative comments from international visitors. As of May 2024, no unit has been officially licensed to operate routes designed for tourists. Therefore, you can visit on your own or take a tour with a local guide.
First is knowing how to choose the right time of year to travel to Phu Quoc. Avoid going out during the heavy rainy season.
If you go during the rainy season, you can encounter many types of snakes. One of the most common species is the red-tailed green snake. With a green color, it is difficult to detect in nature. You should carefully observe each step to avoid stepping on it.
The rainy season is the breeding season for mollusks and reptiles. Therefore, to avoid accidentally killing those animals, you should observe carefully. If riding a motorbike, you should go slowly. Do not arbitrarily touch mushrooms, do not eat fruits of unknown origin.
There are some trails through the forest that are banned because of national security and defense concerns. For example, the road to “Núi Chúa” – the highest mount in Phu Quoc. Limit photography in areas with military barracks.
The last important thing is to take nothing but photos. Leave nothing behind but footprints.
Wishing you a wonderful journey.
