Phu Quoc history

The history of Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, spans centuries, yet its active settlement and administrative formation began relatively recently by historical standards.

Foundation and First Mentions

Initially, the island was sparsely populated and served as a temporary shelter for fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand. A turning point in the history of Phu Quoc occurred in the 17th–18th centuries:

• The Era of Mac Cuu: A crucial role in the development of the region was played by the Chinese merchant and explorer Mac Cuu. In the early 1700s, he founded the prosperous principality of Ha Tien, and Phu Quoc fell within its sphere of influence.
• Integration: In 1708, Mac Cuu officially recognized the authority of the Nguyen Lords, who ruled southern Vietnam, marking the starting point of the island's incorporation into the Vietnamese state.
• A Monarch's Refuge: In the late 18th century, the island played a historic role by becoming a temporary sanctuary for the future Emperor Gia Long, who was hiding here during the Tay Son uprising.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the island was determined by a combination of geographical and social factors:

• Strategic Geography: Its location in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand made the island a convenient stopover for merchant ships and a natural barrier protecting the coast.
• Migration Flows: The island was settled gradually, attracting fishermen from the mainland and settlers, which formed a mixed culture.
• Colonial Influence: During the period of the French protectorate, the island's infrastructure received a new impulse for development; in particular, the foundations of plantation agriculture were laid.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic structure of early Phu Quoc was based on unique natural resources, which remain the region's calling card today:

• Fish Sauce Production: Locals were among the first to produce the famous nuoc mam sauce. Thanks to the abundance of anchovies in coastal waters and the specific climate, a unique technology of fermentation in wooden barrels was developed here.
• Pepper Plantations: The island's agriculture became famous for the cultivation of black pepper. The local soils, rich in minerals, allowed for the production of the highest quality harvest, which was valued far beyond the region.
• Cult of the Sea: The life of the islanders was inextricably linked with the ocean, which was reflected in the construction of temples and sanctuaries, such as Dinh Cau, where fishermen prayed for safety and a good catch.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1671: Chinese explorer Mac Cuu arrives in the Ha Tien region and begins developing the lands, including the territory of present-day Phu Quoc.
• 1708: Mac Cuu officially recognizes the authority of the Vietnamese Nguyen Lords, cementing the island's belonging to Vietnam.
• 1777: The island becomes a refuge for Prince Nguyen Anh (the future Emperor Gia Long) during the Tay Son uprising.
• 1867: Phu Quoc comes under the administration of the French colonial government as part of Cochinchina.
• 1953: Phu Quoc Prison (known as the "Coconut Prison") is founded, which today serves as an important historical monument and museum.
• 1975: Shortly after the end of the Vietnam War, the island underwent a brief invasion by the Khmer Rouge, leading to a border conflict.
• 2001: Phu Quoc National Park is officially established, placing unique tropical forests and the marine ecosystem under protection.
• 2004: The government approves a strategy to transform the island into a high-class international tourism hub.
• 2006: The Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, including Phu Quoc, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 2012: The new Phu Quoc International Airport is commissioned, opening the island to mass tourism.
• 2014: Construction is completed on the submarine electrical cable connecting the island to the mainland's national power grid.
• 2021: Phu Quoc officially receives city status, becoming the first island city in the history of Vietnam.

Stages of Transformation and Development

Over the past two decades, Phu Quoc has made a rapid leap from a quiet fishing district to the status of a leading resort in Southeast Asia. The economic landscape and urban environment of the island have changed radically thanks to several key events:

• Approval of the Master Plan (2004): The Vietnamese government made a strategic decision to turn the island into a "high-class tourism center." This gave the green light to large-scale public and private investments, shifting the vector of development from agriculture to the service sector.
• Opening of the International Airport (2012): The commissioning of the new air harbor allowed for the reception of wide-body aircraft and direct flights from abroad. This event brought the island out of transport isolation and ensured a manifold increase in tourist flow.
• Energy Independence (2014): The laying of a 110 kV submarine cable connecting the island to the mainland power grid became a critical factor for business. Stable electricity supply and reduced tariffs allowed for the construction of large-scale hotel complexes and amusement parks.
• Introduction of a Special Visa Regime: Phu Quoc became the only place in Vietnam where foreign tourists can stay without a visa for up to 30 days. This decision made the resort competitive with giants such as Phuket or Bali.
• Arrival of Major Developers: Investments by corporations such as Vingroup (in the north) and Sun Group (in the south) radically changed the island's urban planning. The emergence of the resort city Grand World, the safari park, and the world's longest sea cable car created new centers of attraction and employment.
• Receiving City Status (2021): Phu Quoc became the first island city in the country's history. The new administrative status expanded the powers of local authorities in matters of urban planning, budget management, and attracting foreign investment.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Development

The architecture of Phu Quoc presents a unique contrast between the modest heritage of fishing villages and large-scale modern projects. Unlike mainland cities with thousands of years of history, the urban fabric of the island was formed in leaps, where pastoral landscapes coexist with postmodern thematic districts.

Traditional Era and Vernacular Architecture

Before the tourism boom, the island's appearance was defined by functionality and the religious beliefs of the local inhabitants. This layer of development has been preserved in old quarters and remote villages.

• Style: Vernacular (folk) architecture.
• Characteristic Features: Use of local materials (wood, palm leaves), stilt structures for protection against tides, red roof tiles.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Dinh Cau Temple (Dinh Cậu): A striking example of the blending of Buddhist architecture and animist shrines. Built in 1937 on a rock at the river mouth, it combines the functions of a temple and a lighthouse.
  • Ham Ninh Fishing Village: Here, the traditional settlement layout is preserved with stilt houses extending directly into the water.

Colonial Period and Military Functionality

The French presence and subsequent military conflicts left a specific mark on the island, expressed not in lavish mansions, but in utilitarian structures.

• Style: Utilitarian militarism and colonial functionalism.
• Characteristic Features: Concrete structures, barrack-type buildings, fortification elements.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Coconut Prison (Phu Quoc Prison): A historical monument of military architecture, demonstrating the camp building system of the mid-20th century.
  • Administrative Buildings of Duong Dong: Some old buildings in the city center retain features of French provincial architecture with characteristic shutters and yellow facades.

Era of Modern Urbanism and Thematic Architecture

Since the beginning of the 21st century, Phu Quoc has become a platform for bold architectural experiments. Major developers have turned parts of the island into settings that imitate famous world styles. This phenomenon can be characterized as "tourism postmodernism."

• Neo-Colonial Style (Indochine):

  A modern reinterpretation of the French Indochina style. Used in premium resorts to create an atmosphere of nostalgic luxury.

  Example: The JW Marriott Phu Quoc resort, designed by architect Bill Bensley. The complex is stylized as a fictional 19th-century French university, combining academicism and colonial chic.

• Mediterranean Style (Mediterranean Revival):

  In the south of the island, an entire town has been created imitating the buildings of the Italian Amalfi Coast. Bright facades, terraces, and imitation ruins create the effect of old Europe in the tropics.

  Example: Sunset Town: A resort town with a clock tower resembling St. Mark's Campanile and dense, colorful buildings on the hillsides.

• European Classicism and Eclecticism:

  In the north of the island, a "city within a city" concept has been implemented with canals and architecture inspired by Venice and European capitals.

  Example: The Grand World complex. Here, Venetian canals, bridges, and buildings with Baroque and Renaissance elements have been recreated, adapted for commercial needs.

• Neo-Traditionalism:

  The revival of classical Vietnamese temple architecture using modern technologies.

  Example: Ho Quoc Pagoda (Chùa Hộ Quốc): The largest Buddhist complex on the island, built in 2012 in the style of the Ly and Tran dynasties (intricate wood carving, curved roofs), but constructed from reinforced concrete and stone.

Prominent Personalities in the History of Phu Quoc

The history of the island is inextricably linked with the fates of rulers, rebels, and visionaries whose actions defined the region's development from a wild coast to a world-class resort.

• Mac Cuu (Mạc Cửu)
  Years of life: 1655–1735
  Role: Ruler of the Ha Tien Principality, Chinese merchant and explorer.
  Historical Significance: The de facto "founding father" of the region. In the early 18th century, he transformed the wild lands of the Gulf of Thailand, including Phu Quoc, into a thriving trade hub. It was Mac Cuu who made the decision to voluntarily annex these territories to the domains of the Vietnamese Nguyen Lords, defining the island's national affiliation.
• Nguyen Anh (Emperor Gia Long)
  Years of life: 1762–1820
  Role: The first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.
  Historical Significance: In the 1780s, while a prince in exile, he used Phu Quoc as a secure refuge and naval base during the war against the Tay Son rebels. Legends say that the locals saved his fleet from storms and starvation, for which the island subsequently enjoyed special patronage from the imperial court.
• Pierre Pigneau de Behaine (Bishop of Adran)
  Years of life: 1741–1799
  Role: French Catholic missionary and diplomat.
  Historical Significance: A close advisor to Nguyen Anh who hid with him on the island of Phu Quoc. He played a key role in organizing foreign military aid for the future emperor. His presence on the island also contributed to the early spread of Catholicism in this region.
• Nguyen Trung Truc (Nguyễn Trung Trực)
  Years of life: 1838–1868
  Role: Leader of the guerrilla movement, national hero of Vietnam.
  Historical Significance: He led the resistance against French colonization in the south of the country. After the fall of mainland fortresses, he moved his headquarters to Phu Quoc, where he organized the last line of defense. He was captured on the island and executed, becoming a symbol of patriotism. A revered temple has been erected in his honor at Ganh Dau Cape.
• Bill Bensley
  Years of life: born 1959
  Role: World-renowned architect and landscape designer.
  Historical Significance: A key figure in the island's recent history. It was his visionary projects (specifically the JW Marriott Phu Quoc resort, stylized as a mythical university) that revolutionized the perception of Phu Quoc, transforming it from a budget destination for backpackers into a magnet for elite tourism and changing the architectural landscape of the coast.