Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Thailand about 15km south of the coast of Cambodia, with palm fringed beaches, dense forests and year round average temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius. It is a part of the Kien Giang Province and has a similar area to that of Singapore with a total area of 574 km sq, with a permanent population of approximately 100,000.

The economy is centred on fishing, agriculture and a fast-growing tourism sector. The island is famed across Vietnam for its production of high-quality black red and white pepper, traditional fish sauce (nuoc mam), natural pearls and abundance of fresh seafood. Phu Quoc is well-known for its ridgeback dogs with curly tails. Muscular, energetic and loyal, they are said to be able to pick up their master’s scent from over 1km away.

Phu Quoc is set to become a special economic zone of Vietnam with the main focus of development on eco-tourism and luxury resorts. A large part of Phu Quoc Island is under the protection of Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, with National Park being a UNESCO designated site since 2001, covering close to 70% of the island.