By phuquocislandhistory on Nov 17, 2022Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnam with an area of 574 km², surrounded by 26 islands of various sizes creating a famous tourist area. The long and interesting Phu Quoc island history is associated with the Mac family in the early days of reclaiming this land. Trip to Phu Quoc island will give you the opportunity to experience beaches with unspoiled beauty, outstanding tourist sites, and traditional production facilities.
There is evidence that people began to appear in Phu Quoc in the 5th century BC, with no sign of the Khmer but bearing the characteristics of the culture of Oc Eo instead. According to recorded information about Phu Quoc island history, a Chinese named Mac Cuu from Guangdong province found this place in 1671. At that time, he was on his way to lead his people, including his family, soldiers and some scholars about 400 people on a boat to leave Fujian. After many days at sea, Mac Cuu's delegation landed on a wasteland in the Gulf of Thailand, which is now Phu Quoc islands.
At that time, this island was still belonging to Chan Lap of Champa kingdom, so the delegation immediately found a way to Oudong to seek protection, but there was chaos inside the country. In Phu Quoc island history, Mac Cuu met Ang Sur - Jayajettha III and stayed until 1681, during which time he established 7 casinos and a number of hamlets in Rach Gia, Ha Tien, and Ca Mau, etc.. After those developments, this place quickly became an important and prosperous trading port, with a far-reaching reputation, attracting people from all over to come here to settle down.
In 1708, Mac Cuu contacted Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, then asked to be a subordinate of Lord Nguyen in 1714, was ordained a general to rule Can Khau. According to Phu Quoc island history, Mac Cuu died in 1735 and his son Mac Si Lan succeeded his father to rule this place, and their whole family was elevated to the rank of royalty. In 1758, Lord Nguyen expanded this area and merged it all into Ha Tien town, and handed it over to Mac Si Lan to rule. In 1770, missionary Pierre Pigneau de Béhaine decided to visit Phu Quoc island and confirmed that residents here use Vietnamese. In 1855, Emperor Napoleon III of France confirmed that Phu Quoc belonged to Vietnam.
During the French colonial period, the French placed Phu Quoc as an administrative agent, belonging to the Kien Giang inspection district, then Rach Gia, then Ha Tien in 1867, and Phu Quoc in 1874. Phu Quoc island history witnessed about 30,000 troops of the Republic of China who lost the battle against the People's Liberation Army of China to take refuge in 1949. Then, in 1953, they returned to Taiwan, leaving behind their homes, posts, and so on. The French took advantage of the existing houses to set up a prison about 40ha called "Coconut Camp", with a capacity of 14,000 prisoners.
The history of Phu Quoc island also experienced disputes, but in 1964, King Sihanouk of Cambodia declared that he accepted the colonial Brevie line as the sea border. That means recognizing Phu Quoc under Vietnamese sovereignty, and after April 30, 1975, Phu Quoc officially became a district of Kien Giang province. Phu Quoc at that time had a total of 3 communes including Cua Duong, Duong To and Ham Ninh, but then the first two were divided into Cua Duong, Cua Can, Duong To and An Thoi in 1979.
Phu Quoc Island history received a major transformation on September 17, 2014, when this island district was recognized as a class II city of Vietnam. By 2019, Phu Quoc has become a vital center of Vietnam, with 10 commune-level administrative units, including 2 towns: Duong Dong and An Thoi and 8 communes. Because of the importance of the Phu Quoc island travel industry, this place has been increased to Phu Quoc city in 2020. Duong Dong town was upgraded to a ward, while An Thoi town and Hon Thom commune merged to become An Thoi ward as it is today.
Phu Quoc island history is also considered this land to be the birthplace of Cao Dai religion, with a sanctuary of this religion in Duong Dong town. On the island, there is only one Catholic church in An Thoi town, which was also the place where migrants from the north were concentrated in 1954. On Phu Quoc Island, on the full moon day of the 7th lunar month, people often go to pagodas in Duong Dong town to participate in various bustling religious activities.
Through the information about the Phu Quoc island history above, you probably have a better understanding of this beach tourism heaven. Spending your Holidays to Phu Quoc , you will not only have a chance to be immersed in the cool waters of beautiful beaches, but also can visit ancient historical buildings.
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There are lots of interesting things about history of Phu Quoc that worth exploring-