Located 120 km southeast of Phan Thiet city and covering only 18 square km, Phu Quy, an island district in Binh Thuan province, has become a popular destination in recent years, partly due to the efforts of young islanders who have used high-tech to promote tourism. They have also linked with tour operators to offer tourism services.
The speedboat carrying passengers from Phan Thiet city docks at Phu Quy port. (Photo: Doan Sy)
After 2 hours on the sea, a speed ship carrying 600 people, mostly tourists, docked at Phu Quy harbor where young volunteer tour guides were waiting.
Most tourists contact Phu Quy's tour guide teams via social network, phone, or email before coming to the island while local youths are always willing to help any visitor who needs their services.
Nguyen Quoc Bao, a tour guide with the “Wandering around Phu Quy” team, said his team’s volunteers help connect customers with service providers.
“We help tourists obtain boat tickets, bus tickets, and accommodations and then transportation to tourist destinations like Linh Quang pagoda, Cao Cát mountain, and some of the beautiful natural attractions like Trieu Duong bay, Bai Nho (Small Beach), Infinity Lake, and Tranh Islet,” Bao explained.
“Wandering about Phu Quy” members (Photo: Doan Sy)
Do Phuc Thanh, who owns a homestay and La Min hotel on Phu Quy, has recruited a group of young people to help him serve his guests during the peak tourist season. He created a webpage called "Wandering around Phu Quy" to provide visitors with useful information about weather, tickets, service prices, and entertainment venues.
Thanh said they provide useful information about Phu Quy to visitors.
“When tourists arrive, we recommend hotel for them and help them connect with other services like restaurants and motorbikes or canoe rental. We offer them with a program for 3 days, 2 nights. We’re also linking with other service providers,” according to Thanh.
SUP boarding is popular with young tourists who visit Phu Quy Island. (Photo: Doan Sy)
Do Thach Thao, the owner of a restaurant in Phu Quy and a member of the "Wandering around Phu Quy" group, says joining tour guide groups or food service groups is a good way to promote tourism together.
“We, including restaurants and hotels, work closely to grow together. Young people are more flexible in tourism development, from proposing promotion ideas to advertising on social networks like TikTok and Facebook,” Thao concluded.
Nguyen Thi Nhuan, the owner of Bo Cat Vang (Golden Sand) Travel in Phan Thiet city, which specializes in tours to Phu Quy, said the island’s tourism has grown since the launch of speedboat service from Phan Thiet.
Nhuan told VOV, “The current growth of Phu Quy Island is also due to young people, who have set up webpages where tourists can find destinations and connect with local business people. That’s what travelers need.”
Mo Thay Temple is one of places visitors should not miss when visiting Phu Quy. (Photo: Doan Sy)
According to Nguyen Van Linh, Deputy Secretary of Phu Quy district’s Youth Union, organizing youth groups has created jobs for local youths and built a tourism brand for the island.
Linh said the district’s Youth Union has helped establish a cooperative for youth union members to participate in different tourism services.
He added, “This is the first step for young entrepreneurs hoping to open a tourism business in the future. We have also cooperated with agencies and human resource training companies to organize training courses for young people who want to become tourism professionals.”
Phu Quy island has more than 150 accommodation establishments with about 650 rooms. Some offer services such as motorbike rental, stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, or scuba diving.
Doan Sy