Phu Quoc, Vietnam: The road less traveled

After 25 hours of travel...

• 16 hours from LA to Hong Kong + a 3 hour layover,
• a 2 hour flight to Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) + another 3 hour layover,
• and a short 1 hour puddle jumper from Saigon, 

we finally arrive to our first destination: Phu Quoc island, Vietnam. It was quite the journey to get here, but it was worth every second. The only other place I've been to that looks and feels like this is Hawaii. Tropical, humid weather, lush and vibrant greens. Water surrounds and dominates every aspect of life here. 70% of the island is covered in jungle.

The people of Phu Quoc have little in the way of material possessions and live simply. Many make their living from the sea and the land (Phu Quoc is the world's largest exporter of fish sauce and peppercorn). You see lots of makeshift homes, made from recycled materials and other miscellaneous materials. Despite some less than ideal conditions, you find an abundance of love and generosity. People readily welcome you in with a smile and are quick to help. I'm very grateful for the little Vietnamese I can speak, it has certainly helped us get around a bit.

While the surroundings have been breathtaking, I've been most blown away by how beautiful the people are, and especially the children. They are full of love and laughter and are happy to play in your presence - they are smart, very respectful, and clever as well. The majority of families live and work together, many times setting up shop right outside or in their home. It really is something else.

The only intention that Jeff and I set before our trip was to explore places off the beaten path, and Phu Quoc is just that.

I'll let the photos tell the story...

Love,
Hoang

Saigon from the plane out. Way bigger than I had imagined. Concrete jungle full of people.

Phu Quoc from the plane in.

Our quaint bungalow at Thanh Kieu resort.

The beach, about 30 yards from our bungalow.

Long Beach, Phu Quoc.

Fresh seafood at the night market (chợ đêm). The night market is the central hangout in Duong Dong (the largest city) in Phu Quoc, at night. Vendors lined two sides of a street and primarily sold fresh seafood that was caught earlier that day - you pick the product, they cook it to your desire and serve to you at tables in an open air setting. I could get used to this.

Sunset on the jetty, just outside the night market.

The jetty at Duong Dong.

The night market at Duong Dong.

Plate full of cockle, first course of our first meal on the island. We ate and drank like kings. Total cost was about $15USD.

Day market. Vendors selling fresh seafood and vegetables.

Another vendor selling fresh fruit.

More greens.

Banh mi - vietnamese sandwich on a french baguette. $0.50USD for the most amazing sandwich. My brother, Billy, and his wife Trisha, are so jealous.These vendors/stands are all over the island, each specializing in one or a few menu items (from sandwiches to bowls of pho to rice plates and desserts). Street food is all Jeff and I have been eating, and it's not only cheap, but some of the best Vietnamese food I've ever tasted.

Vendors selling fresh fish. The men do the fishing, the women work the markets to sell the goods.

Jeff and I rented motor bikes for $7USD per day and rode all around the island. This was the most fun I've had in a long time. Everyone is on a motor bike or bicycle in Phu Quoc (and Vietnam). It is truly unruly - you just go and use common sense. Pretty crazy but amazing fun. On our way to Ham Ninh, this spot on the side of the road called to us so we stopped - what we found was unbelievable. A beautiful hike through the jungle to a waterfall and swimming hole.

"Statues of concrete" as our friend Hao called them.

Hao and Jeff. Hao has been on the island for 7 years and never been to these falls. We happened to bump into him at the entrance and ended up spending a few hours with this gracious young man. His English was really good and he was asking for Jeff and I for pointers on certain phrases as he works in the tourism industry and wanted to improve his communication.

The falls and swimming hole. The gem of our day.

Kids swimming, playing at the falls.

One of my best friends and bad ass travel partner, Jeff Birek. This was taken at Ham Ninh, the eastern port city on Phu Quoc.