Discovery Series – Phu Quoc
The Starbucks Discovery Series Phú Quốc mug highlights Vietnam’s largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand off the country’s southwestern coast. Long known for fishing and agriculture, Phú Quốc has developed into one of Vietnam’s most popular resort destinations, with white-sand beaches, tropical forests, coral reefs, and a growing tourism industry. The island is also famous for several local specialties, especially fish sauce, pepper, seafood, and pearls. More than half of Phú Quốc is protected within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, helping preserve much of its forest and coastal environment.
– The bowl of gỏi cá trích, or herring salad, is one of Phú Quốc’s distinctive local dishes. Fresh herring is typically combined with herbs, vegetables, coconut, and other ingredients and wrapped in rice paper before eating. Seafood plays a major role in the island’s cuisine, thanks to the rich fishing grounds surrounding Phú Quốc.
– Phú Quốc fish sauce has been produced on the island for more than two centuries and is one of its most celebrated culinary products. Anchovies are traditionally fermented with salt in large wooden barrels, producing the rich amber-colored sauce used throughout Vietnamese cooking. Fish sauce factories remain an important part of the island’s food culture and can be visited to see the production process firsthand.
– The Phú Quốc Ridgeback is a distinctive native dog breed named for the ridge of hair running in the opposite direction along its back. The breed is closely associated with the island and is known for its agility, intelligence, and athletic build. Its appearance on the mug makes for a particularly local symbol rather than a generic tropical reference.
– The red starfish are connected with the northern part of the island, especially the beach near Rạch Vẹm that has become widely known as Starfish Beach. Its shallow, clear water is home to numerous red starfish, making the area one of Phú Quốc’s most recognizable natural attractions. Visitors are advised to observe them in the water without touching or removing them.
– The tropical beaches and coconut palms capture the scenery for which Phú Quốc is best known today. The island has about 93 miles (150 kilometers) of coastline, with beaches ranging from busy resort areas to quieter stretches backed by forest and palms. Sao Beach, Long Beach, Gành Dầu, and Bãi Thơm are among the better-known coastal areas.
– The hammock fits naturally with Phú Quốc’s relaxed beach atmosphere. Hammocks can be found at small restaurants, beach areas, and fishing villages around the island, offering a simple way to enjoy the sea breeze and tropical surroundings. Around Starfish Beach and nearby Rạch Vẹm, visitors can relax by the water while sampling fresh seafood from local floating restaurants.
– The colorful fishing boat reflects an industry that shaped Phú Quốc long before tourism became dominant. Fishing villages such as Hàm Ninh, Cửa Cạn, and Rạch Tràm preserve parts of the island’s traditional maritime lifestyle, with brightly painted boats filling the harbors and fishermen bringing in seafood and anchovies used for the famous local fish sauce.
– Snorkelling and diving are especially popular around the smaller islands south of Phú Quốc. Clear tropical water and coral reefs around the An Thới Archipelago provide opportunities to see colorful fish and other marine life, while boat tours regularly combine swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and island hopping.
– Finally, seafood appears throughout the design, from fish and squid to shellfish and other fresh catches. Phú Quốc’s markets and fishing villages are known for dishes made with crab, squid, oysters, sea urchin, and freshly caught fish. The abundance of seafood, together with the island’s pepper and fish sauce, gives Phú Quốc a food identity that is just as distinctive as its beaches.
