There is a different Phu Quoc but still has a strong Vietnamese identity

Phu Quoc in many people's memory is blue sea, white sand, luxury resorts and cocktails at sunset. But on a deeper level, the "Pearl Island" still retains the sedimentary layers of indigenous culture, where people are still attached to traditional occupations, folk beliefs and artistic expressions imbued with Vietnamese identity.

I was invited to take a spin on a coracle. The wind was light, the water rippled with small waves, and the boatman was quiet. We just drifted silently past fishing houses, anchored boats, and a few dogs sleeping on wooden bridges.

It all evokes such a real-life scene that I feel like I'm a resident here, no longer a tourist.

Late at noon, I visited Dinh Cau – located on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea. This is a sacred shrine for the people of Phu Quoc, with incense smoke billowing and the tinkling of wind chimes.

I suddenly saw an old woman wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress standing and praying next to an incense burner. Although I couldn’t hear all of what she said, the last sentence echoed clearly: “Pray for the boat to return with all the people on board.” The prayer was short, but it contained a lifetime of trust in the sea.

There, religion is not a grand ritual, but a way for people to place their hopes in the uncontrollable. That simplicity is perhaps what made me feel most at peace during the trip.

Article & Photos: Where Are You Going?

Heritage Magazine