Provincial authorities, however, have plans to turn the island’s beautiful sandy beaches, forests and pristine landscapes into one of the most-visited sites in the central region.

Phu Quy has also been known as Cu Lao Thu (mackerel island). Local residents say the island was so named since when viewed from the north it looks like a giant mackerel emerging from the sea. Phu Quy received its first residents in the 5th century and became populated in the 15th century.

Nature has endowed Phu Quy with a lot of beautiful landscapes including shores of white sand, transparent sapphire water and the rows of casuarina trees rustling in the blowing wind. The waters off Phu Quy are the most important fishing grounds in Binh Thuan, featuring in a diversity of marine products such as squid, snapper, grouper, tuna and sharks.

Phu Quy covers around 32 square kilometres and is surrounded by a nine islets including Hon Tranh, Hon Den, Hon Trung, Hon But, Hon Nghien and Hon Trao. Hon Tranh is an attractive eco-tourist venue with a white-sand beach, turquoise water and touched coral reefs.

The island is now home to some 4,000 households, most of whom earn a living by catching fish and cultivating marine products. There are some 1,000 boats and ships catching fish to supply 70 seafood processing and aquaculture enterprises on the island. The island residents have also raised ca mu (grouper) and ca mo (a type of fish) for export.

Some tourist guides say that Phu Quy is one of few sites in Vietnam from where tourists can see a lot of boats sailing around. A visit to Phu Quy is worthwhile, particularly for those who are keen to enjoy pristine landscapes and discover the life of friendly and hospitable fishing villages.

Currently, there are five ships that transport passengers from the mainland to Phu Quy Island. However, in the near future, possibly from late this month, tourists will be able to take a speedboat service offered by Thuy Bac Transport Co. The company has recently got the provincial government's permission to transport tourists from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy by an air-conditioned speedboat, which is able to accommodate 98 passengers at a time. The boat trip will take around two hours and a half and costs VND140,000 a person.

Visitors to Phu Quy can make excursions to Linh Quang, Van An and Cao Cat pagodas, which are recognised as national cultural and historic sites. Cao Cat Pagoda, located on the mountain of the same name north of Phu Quy Island, is dedicated to Bodhisattva Kwan Yin. Standing on Cao Cat Mountain visitors can see large rocks in different shapes and several ships anchoring by the dike below.

Phu Quy is an important logistic destination linking the mainland to the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago. It is a "floating base" providing services to ships fishing offshore. With such an important position, a lighthouse has been built to guide ships in and out of the area. The lighthouse is also a tourist attraction on the island.