Phú Quốc (Vietnamese: [fǔ kǔə̯k]) is the largest island in Vietnam. Phú Quốc and nearby islands, along with the distant Thổ Chu Islands, are part of Kiên Giang Province as Phú Quốc City. The island has a total area of 574 km2 (222 sq mi) and a permanent population of approximately 179,480 people. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island city of Phú Quốc includes the island proper and 21 smaller islets. Dương Đông ward is located on the west coast, and is also the administrative and largest town on the island. The other ward is An Thới on the southern tip of the island.
Its primary industries are fishing, agriculture, and a fast-growing tourism sector. Phú Quốc has achieved fast economic growth due to its current tourism boom. Many infrastructure projects have been carried out, including several five-star hotels and resorts. Phú Quốc International Airport is the hub connecting Phú Quốc with mainland Vietnam and other international destinations.
Since March 2014, Vietnam has allowed all foreign tourists to visit Phú Quốc visa-free for a period of up to 30 days. By 2017, the government of Vietnam planned to set up a Special Administrative Region which covered Phú Quốc Island and its peripheral islets and upgrade it to a provincial city with special administration.
The historical Phú Quốc Prison was based here; the prison was built by the French to detain captured Viet Minh fighters. Continuing into the Vietnam War, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army POWs were monitored by South Vietnamese soldiers.
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