Phu Quoc and Danang, Vietnam
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc – the largest of the islands of Vietnam – is located 65 km. from the southwest coast of the country. Its area is about 600 sq. km, and the velvety white coastline with soft sand stretches for more than 120 km.
The largest of the islands of Vietnam is located 65 km from the South-West coast of the country. Relic, virgin-tender tropical forests, hiding thousands of dazzlingly bright songbirds; rocky mountains emerging from curly tree crowns and dissected by many crystal streams with silvery waterfalls; kilometers of beaches with milky velvet sands, immersed in the turquoise of the gentle, clear sea; coral reefs, whispering tales of a luxurious underwater kingdom to everyone … One gets the feeling that the incredibly secluded resorts of this island draw their own little paradise for everyone, pristinely beautiful and unexplored, colorful and unlike anything else.
Most of the tourist sites are concentrated in the main city of the island – Duong Dong, cozy and quiet, where there are many small private colorful houses and there is not even a trace of such stone jungles that are familiar to us. Approximately 70% of the territory is occupied by Phu Quoc National Park, covered with exotic trees and teeming with picturesque swimming ponds. Halfway from the city to the park lies Khuthuong – a plantation of fragrant black pepper, and Phu Quoc received the name “Pearl Island” thanks to the huge farms for growing delicate mother-of-pearl pearls.
The diversity of the animal world here has always contributed to the development of hunting craft. The islanders even bred their own hunting dog breed, which is called Phu Quoc. These dogs are immensely friendly, and it is simply impossible not to fall in love when they look trustingly into your eyes, affably waving their charming ram tails.
The island is perfect for diving – the underwater world is incredibly diverse here, inhabited by playful fish of breathtaking colors, an ancient coral garden, unique underwater vegetation, and, most importantly, dangerous sharks do not live in these places, which undoubtedly distinguishes Phu Quoc from other favorite divers, places
The islanders honor national traditions and, therefore, here you can often get to one of the many colorful holidays and festivals in honor of national heroes and various religions, where guests from distant countries are always welcome.
Due to its location in the tropical zone and the influence of the ocean, the island has developed a subequatorial monsoon climate with a rich ecosystem, rich and diverse flora and fauna. Fukuoka has two seasons a year – the rainy season, which lasts only a month – October, and the dry season – from November to September, when it is clear and sunny here. The average annual temperature is + 27°. Traditionally, the peak tourist season is the period from mid-November to mid-May.
Danang
Danang – one of the main ports and the fourth largest city in the country, is located almost in the very center of the coast, on the western bank of the Han River – Vietnamese tours are widely spread there.
Da Nang was founded in the 19th century as a port, and over a hundred years has turned from a small settlement of sailors and merchants into a city with a million inhabitants. The reason for this is its location at the intersection of land, air and sea routes. Now it is an industrial center with developed trade and infrastructure, connected by roads and railways with all major cities (where there are tours to Vietnam), as well as with Laos and Thailand.
However, the soul of this seaside town has always been colorful, full of sun and passion, magnificent resorts with a diverse and surprisingly vibrant nature. The aquamarine of the gentle sea and the velvet of sandy beaches, framed by lush tropical greenery, harmonize here with the wisdom of the ancient mountains, reminiscent of instructive parables of antiquity; and deep gorges, equally beautiful and dangerous. One of the most attractive in the city is the “Chinese Beach” (Non Nyok or China Beach). It stretches for many kilometers from north to south along the majestically beautiful Marble Mountains – an incomparable decoration of this area. The mountain range consists of five hills formed from marble. In the early 19th century, King Long, the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, named these mountains according to the names of the five elements of nature: Thui Son (Water), Mokshon (Wood),
Thui Son – the largest mountain – has a number of natural, secret and accessible to all, caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the past centuries, and now numerous believers make pilgrimages here. On the way to Thui Son is Wong Haida – one of the highest points of the mountain range, which offers a magnificent panorama of the South China Sea. In the luxury of exotic greenery on the slopes of the hills, colorful ancient pagodas, mysterious temples, gardens of graceful orchids and fruit trees are lost (this is also what Vietnam tours are interesting for).
An unusually high, tube-like Linyam cave with a small cozy altar inside, from which a path leads to Huen Khong – a cave resembling a cathedral with Buddhist shrines; halls with heavenly (as the legend says) stalactites; residences of wild monkeys and natural viewing platforms, offering fantastic views of the peaks and beaches – all this creates an absolutely special, bewitching atmosphere here and gives the feeling of being in a legend.
In addition to natural splendor, Da Nang is also famous for the cultural heritage of the Cham civilization. The world’s largest collection of Cham sculpture, with more than 300 stone statues decorated with unique carvings, is located in an old museum built by the French at the beginning of the 20th century. Not far from the city is the Michon Temple Complex.
Due to the relatively mild climate, Da Nang (Vietnam tours are also organized here) is hospitable all year round. The tropical climate here is divided into 2 seasons: dry – from March to September, rainy season – from September to December. In January – February, the temperature can drop to 18 C. The average temperature in the year is 28-29 C. The swimming season for all Da Nang beaches lasts from March to August, when the sea is calmest. Surfing is best from September to December – at this time of the year the best waves.