Phu Quoc Primary Forest: An Uncommon but Fascinating Destination
Besides popular spots, Phu Quoc primary forest holds many interesting things waiting for you to explore. Here, you can not only immerse yourself in nature but also enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. Let’s discover this hot forest through the article below!
1. What is a Primary Forest?
A primary forest is an area that has not been affected by human activities, preserving its natural ecosystem including diverse flora, fauna, river systems, and especially fresh air free from external pollution.
Primary forests play a crucial role in biological research and conservation. (Source: Collected)
Globally, there are not many primary forests left due to human impact. Phu Quoc primary forest is one of Vietnam’s unique features, maintaining its natural beauty and fresh air. This makes it a preferred destination, especially for nature enthusiasts and those seeking to return to nature.
Where is Phu Quoc Primary Forest and What is Special About It?
Location of the Primary Forest on Phu Quoc Island
The Phu Quoc primary forest is part of Phu Quoc National Park, located in the northeast of Phu Quoc island, about 35km from Duong Dong town. This vast area covers over 31,000 hectares, accounting for 70% of the island’s area.
Phu Quoc primary forest is within the scope of the Northern Island Nature Reserve, along with Ham Rong Mountain, Ganh Dau, and Cua Can areas.
Phu Quoc residents are proud of this primary forest, which is considered the green lung of the Mekong Delta. (Source: Collected)
2.2. What Are the Features of Phu Quoc Primary Forest?
One unique feature of Phu Quoc primary forest is the preservation of ancient primary forests to this day.
Unlike other forests in Vietnam with a single ecosystem, Phu Quoc primary forest includes all types of forest ecosystems such as mangrove forests, Melaleuca forests, secondary forests, and is home to many rare and protected animals.
When visiting Phu Quoc primary forest, don’t miss out on the following activities:
- Explore Diverse Flora
Phu Quoc National Park is known for its rich and diverse flora. In the primary forest, you will see tall trees providing shade, from vines to hardwoods, creating a cool space.
Walking under the shade of Phu Quoc primary forest, you will feel relaxed and refreshed. (Source: Collected)
The Phu Quoc primary forest is home to rare plants such as Cypripedium, Beautiful-leaved Cymbidium, Mountain Cymbidium. If lucky, you might see even rarer species like Polygonum multiflorum, Codonopsis pilosula, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Artemisia annua, Erythrophleum fordii…
Phu Quoc primary forest is not only rich in flora but also home to many rare animals listed in the Red Book, birds, and more. (Source: Collected)
- Enjoy a Cool Bath in Picturesque Streams
Besides seeing the green foliage, when you step into the heart of the old forest, you will immediately feel the cool breeze from streams like Tranh Stream, Da Ban Stream, and Da Ngon Stream flowing from Ham Ninh mountain range.
Bathing in the streams and enjoying the cool water is an experience you should try when visiting Phu Quoc primary forest. (Source: Collected)
Note that for Tranh Stream and Da Ban Stream, you should visit during the rainy season to enjoy their magnificent beauty. During the dry season, the streams might dry up. Additionally, Phu Quoc National Park has Da Ngon Stream with seven beautiful layers of water flowing year-round, one of the most beautiful spots on the pearl island.
Da Ngon Stream with seven layers of water is like a paradise on the pearl island. (Source: Collected)
- Conquer the “Roof” of Phu Quoc
After enjoying the fresh air and cool water, try some physical activity by climbing the “roof” of Phu Quoc – Chua Mountain located in Bai Thom commune. This is the highest mountain on the pearl island with an altitude of 603m, part of the Ham Ninh mountain range.
From the top of Chua Mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the forest, a perfect spot to admire its beauty. (Source: Collected)
3. Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Phu Quoc Primary Forest
3.1. Preparation Before the Trip
To fully explore Phu Quoc primary forest, you need to prepare a few things:
- Wear well-fitted, lightweight sports shoes for easy movement as you will have to walk on dirt roads and climb mountains a lot.
- Choose moderately loose clothing made of thin, sweat-absorbent material for comfort while moving. It is especially recommended to wear long clothes to avoid insect bites in the forest.
- If you are traveling by motorbike, check the fuel, brakes, and tires before going, as there will be no repair shops if you encounter a problem.
- Bring water and food as you may get dehydrated and tired on the forest road.
- Finally, have a good sleep and keep a relaxed mind before the trip to have enough energy to explore the entire Phu Quoc primary forest.
3.2. Directions to Phu Quoc Primary Forest
The way to Phu Quoc primary forest is not difficult. From Duong Dong ward (Phu Quoc), take the Duong Dong – Ham Ninh road to Ham Ninh commune. From here, to reach Phu Quoc National Park, head north about 10km to find the welcoming green forest.
The road to Phu Quoc primary forest (Source: Collected)
However, this is just the beginning because you will then have to traverse about 50km through the primary forest, taking 1-2 hours. If you like adventure and are confident in your ability to navigate forest roads, you can freely explore. However, if you lack experience and it’s your first time on forest roads, it is advisable to join Phu Quoc primary forest tours to have a guide, avoid getting lost, and save time.
Phu Quoc primary forest has 12 bridges for adventurers to cross (Source: Collected)
4. Important Notes When Visiting Phu Quoc Primary Forest
Besides preparing your gear before the trip, you should also note a few things:
- Bring some essential medicines like basic treatment, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent to handle unexpected situations. Also, bring extra clothes to change if needed. Don’t forget to bring a camera or phone to take beautiful pictures, along with a power bank to avoid running out of battery.
5. Hotels Near Phu Quoc Primary Forest
To fully explore Phu Quoc, besides thoroughly preparing your gear, you should also choose an ideal place to stay to easily move around and explore more beautiful Phu Quoc tourist spots.
Among the resorts in the north of the island, you can consider the Vinpearl Phu Quoc system with many high-end hotels/resorts to choose from. Some names to mention include: Vinholidays Fiesta Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Discovery Greenhill Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Wonderworld Phu Quoc, VinOasis Phu Quoc…
Not only do these places offer luxurious accommodation and top-notch amenities, but staying here also allows you to easily participate in other nearby entertainment activities such as exploring the sleepless city Grand World Phu Quoc, enjoying at VinWonders, and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc.
Besides exploring Phu Quoc primary forest, you can also experience many other activities at Vinpearl Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc primary forest has pristine beauty and is a destination worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime. We hope this article provides you with useful information to explore the largest forest on Phu Quoc island and prepare well for your journey.
