The
heart-shaped Phu Quoc island of Vietnam ranked third in the list of best winter
trips 2014, according to the U.S.-based National Geographic Traveler magazine.
honey moon in Phu Quoc island
The
periodical noted that there’s no reason to hibernate this winter when there are
new beaches, slopes, sports, and festivals to discover. This year’s list of
best winter trips is a global collection of 15 editor-recommended
destinations.
Some of
Vietnam’s best beaches are on Phu Quoc island, making them closer to Cambodia
than the Vietnamese mainland.
Phu Quoc once
housed the so-called “coconut tree prison” (now a museum), where Vietcong
prisoners of war were held through 1973. What’s bringing international
travelers and, so far, restrained development to Phu Quoc today are its warm,
turquoise waters; secluded, deep sand beaches; and lush, mountainous interior (protected
as a national park).
Most resorts
are located south of Phu Quoc International Airport on Long Beach, and provide
airport transfers to their guests. The most convenient way to travel around the
island is by motorbike taxi or (with extreme caution) by motorbike.
The magazine
also suggested tourists to visit the bustling Dinh Cau Night Market to try
whatever local fishermen hauled in that day (sea urchin, prawns, clams, squid,
scallops, sardines). Held most evenings near Cau Temple in Duong Dong, the
market has dozens of stalls and is a good place to shop for souvenirs (although
most items aren’t produced locally).
Phu Quoc is
Vietnam’s nuoc mam (fish sauce) capital. The island’s signature (and powerfully
pungent) sweet-sour Phu Quoc sauce is the essential Vietnamese condiment and,
in 2013, became the country’s first product granted the European Union
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
Other ideal
destinations include Paris (France); Lake Baikal, Siberia, (Russia); Santa
Margherita Ligure (Italy); Nosara Beaches (Costa Rica); Winter Wolf Viewing,
Lamar Valley Yellowstone National Park (the US); Gold Coast, Queensland
(Australia); Winter Festivals in Miami, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables, Florida;
Muscat-to-Salalah Coastal Route (Oman).
