1. History of Mui Ong Doi Linked to the Story of Saving King Gia Long's Life
1.1. Historical Context and Anecdote about the Loyal Captain
Exploring the history of Mui Ong Doi takes us back to the turbulent years of the 18th century. At that time, the war between the Tay Son rebels and Nguyen Anh's forces was extremely fierce and intense. During the intense pursuit, Nguyen Anh and his trusted subordinates had to flee to Phu Quoc Island to hide and seek forces to rebuild. His fleet moved towards the southern waters of Ngoc Island, where the terrain was rugged, in order to hide. However, while moving along the stretch of land jutting out into the sea, the royal barge carrying Nguyen Anh unexpectedly hit a submerged reef. The boat was completely stuck, unable to move or proceed further. At the same time, the distant silhouette of Tay Son warships was rapidly approaching.
Cape Ong Doi is a landmark associated with historical imprints from the Nguyen Dynasty. (Source: Collected)
Realizing the precarious situation, the captain did not hesitate to sacrifice himself, plunging into the swift-flowing sea. He strove to dive to the seabed to remove the anchor and free the ship's side that was stuck on the reef. Thanks to his decisiveness and bravery, the royal dragon boat escaped the reef and quickly sailed away successfully. However, the loyal captain, after completing his mission to save the king, was exhausted and swallowed by the fierce sea.
After the war ended and Nguyen Anh ascended the throne as King Gia Long, he always remembered the life-saving debt from his subordinate officer years ago. The king returned to the coastal landspit of that year to set up an altar for thanksgiving, and officially named this strip of land Cape Ong Doi. This name has since become the official designation, commemorating a chapter of Cape Ong Doi's history full of heroism and noble loyalty.
1.2. Tien Well Relic and Legendary Artifacts
Besides the story of saving the king, Cape Ong Doi's history is also linked to a famous mystical relic located right by the water's edge: Tien Well. According to folk legends passed down by local residents, during their fugitive days on this island, Nguyen Anh's army was depleted due to a lack of fresh water and food. In the vast sea full of saltwater, finding a drop of fresh water for survival seemed impossible. In desperation, Nguyen Anh drew the divine sword from his hip, plunged it forcefully into the hard rock, and looked up to the sky to pray. Strangely, right at the spot where the sword tip was inserted, a stream of clear groundwater gushed out powerfully, quenching the thirst and restoring the strength of all the soldiers.
That miraculous freshwater well was called Tien Well by the local people. What particularly attracts the attention of researchers studying Cape Ong Doi's history is that although the well is only a few steps from the sea waves, the water in the well is always cool and sweet year-round. Even when the tide rises to flood the banks or during long dry seasons lasting many months, the water source at Tien Well never becomes salty and has never run dry.
The Gieng Tien Relic is associated with the legend of King Gia Long at Mui Ong Doi. (Source: Collected)
2. Geographical location and unique natural beauty at Mui Ong Doi
2.1. The privilege of watching sunrise and sunset from the same spot
When studying the geographical location throughout the history of Mui Ong Doi, visitors will realize that this strip of land possesses an extremely special formation. Mui Ong Doi is located at the southern tip of Phu Quoc island city, winding slenderly with two sides directly bordering the vast ocean. The eastern side faces the poetic Gulf of Thailand, and the western side opens to a large sea area. The terrain of the long, narrow strip of land jutting out into the sea creates a rare panoramic view that few places can offer.
Thanks to this two-sided coastal location, Mui Ong Doi offers visitors a unique natural privilege: the ability to fully enjoy both the radiant sunrise and the brilliant sunset from the same spot. In the early morning, visitors only need to stand on the eastern beach to welcome the first rays of the sun rising from the sea.
Cape Ong Doi is one of the few places in Phu Quoc where you can watch both sunrise and sunset from the same spot. (Source: Collected)
As dusk falls, just a few steps to the western beach, you can admire the sun slowly setting into the golden ocean. This experience creates a special attraction, enriching the tourism value alongside the beauty of Cape Ong Doi's history.
2.2. Pristine marine ecosystem and attractive experiential activities
A wild, poetic natural landscape with a stretch of fine white sand at Mui Ong Doi. (Source: Collected)
Not only does it hold the historical depth of Mui Ong Doi, this land is also blessed by nature with an extremely diverse and rich ecosystem. The landscape here is a wonderful blend of long stretches of fine white sand, majestic rocky outcrops winding along the shoreline, and hillsides covered by lush primeval forests. The combination of the green of the mountains and forests and the jade green of the sea creates a captivating natural picture.
Visitors can easily immerse themselves in the cool water, admiring countless species of fish swimming around the coral reefs. Additionally, activities like fishing or boating on the sea offer many wonderful moments of relaxation when visiting the land associated with the history of Mui Ong Doi.
2.3. Directions to Mui Ong Doi
To explore this land imbued with the historical imprint of Mui Ong Doi, visitors can choose various means of transportation according to their preferences. If you want to experience the feeling of gliding on the waves and admire the panoramic view of the southern island's coast, you can rent a wooden boat or a speedboat departing from An Thoi port.
For tourists who love adventure and nature exploration, the road is a very interesting option. From the island's center, travel along National Highway DT46 Nguyen Van Cu towards the south, then turn into the trails leading to the cape. Due to the terrain's natural characteristics, the small roads leading to Mui Ong Doi are mainly dirt trails.
3. Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort Awakens the Potential of Mui Ong Doi
3.1. A High-Class Resort Destination Blending History and Nature
The emergence of Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort in this area is considered a significant turning point, helping to awaken its long-hidden resort potential. The architecture of the villas at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort is designed at different elevations, fully utilizing the views towards both sides of the sea. Guests can choose to stay in villas built on majestic rocky outcrops, where the gentle sound of waves laps against the stone walls. Alternatively, you can opt for villas located on high hills overlooking the green valley and the vast ocean, or villas situated right on the fine white sandy beach.
Private and luxurious resort villas at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Unmissable experiences at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort
One of the activities many families love is organizing a private BBQ party right in the villa grounds. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood dishes, exquisitely prepared, while chatting with family in the cool sea breeze. Additionally, the Corallo restaurant serves Mediterranean BBQ parties every Saturday with a vibrant musical atmosphere and captivating beachside lighting.
Besides a rich culinary experience, the resort also offers health and spiritual relaxation activities. Guests can join Yoga classes in the warm sunset light, relaxing their bodies to regenerate energy. A must-visit check-in spot here is the infinity pool system winding between the East and West shores. The multi-tiered, overflowing pool design creates a sense of endless water stretching into the ocean, offering impressive photo opportunities for visitors to the land that holds the history of Mui Ong Doi.
Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort boasts a unique winding infinity pool connecting two shores. (Source: Collected)
4. Experience visiting Ong Doi Cape and staying at Premier Village Phu Quoc
4.1. Ideal time to visit
To make your journey to explore the landmark that marks the history of Ong Doi Cape as complete as possible, visitors should pay attention to the weather. Phu Quoc's climate is divided into 2 main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season, from November to April next year, is the best time for you to plan your trip.
During the period from May to October, Phu Quoc enters the rainy season. However, thanks to the special geographical location of the southern island area and Ong Doi Cape being in a region with few large waves, visitors can still plan a comfortable vacation. Monitoring the weather forecast a few days in advance will help you proactively arrange outdoor sightseeing schedules and fully enjoy the peaceful space here.
4.2. Essential notes for a complete trip
When visiting historical sites associated with the history of Ong Doi Cape, such as Gieng Tien, visitors should pay attention to dressing politely and maintaining a respectful attitude towards the local spiritual culture. Prepare comfortable sports shoes or flat shoes for easy movement on the trails and rocky shores. Additionally, personal items such as sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a camera are indispensable accessories in your luggage.
5. Combine visits to famous attractions in Phu Quoc
5.1. Sun World Hon Thom
Your journey to explore Phu Quoc Island will be complete when you visit Sun World Hon Thom – a 300-hectare entertainment complex located on Hon Thom Island, amidst the sea paradise of the An Thoi archipelago.
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From An Thoi station, visitors travel to the island by a 7,899.9 m cable car route, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's longest 3-rope cable car. As the cabin glides gently over the sea, the panoramic view of the azure ocean and the An Thoi archipelago unfolds spectacularly, offering an impressive high-altitude sea-viewing experience.
Hon Thom Cable Car is the world's longest 3-wire cable car. (Source: Collected)
Upon arriving at Hon Thom island, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere at Aquatopia water park with over 20 exciting games for all ages. Besides, the Exotica Village theme park impresses with its unique architecture and the wooden roller coaster “Moc Xa Thinh No”, delivering thrilling sensations. All create an entertainment paradise where the whole family can play and enjoy the stunning natural scenery of the South Island.
5.2. Sunset Town
If Sun World Hon Thom offers a vibrant, energetic atmosphere, Sunset Town opens up a tranquil and emotional artistic space. Located on the southwestern coast of Ngoc Island, it impresses with its characteristic Mediterranean architectural style, highlighted by vibrant colors. The multi-hued rows of houses, gently winding stone-paved paths, and the sun-drenched space create a romantic setting, perfect for leisurely strolls, photo opportunities, and enjoying the slow pace of Phu Quoc life.
The highlight of the town is Kiss Bridge, an iconic structure of Phu Quoc. The bridge's design was inspired by Michelangelo's fresco “The Creation of Adam” on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican. Moreover, Kiss Bridge was also designed based on the inspiration from the Ô Thước bridge in the touching love story of Ông Ngâu and Bà Ngâu in Vietnamese literature.
Unique stage of the show Kiss of the Sea. (Source: Collected)
As night falls, visitors can enjoy the multimedia art show Kiss of the Sea. This is a spectacular performance combining light, sound, water, and fireworks, elaborately staged.
5.3. Bai Kem
Bai Kem is located in the south of Phu Quoc and is famous for its fine white sand, clear blue water, and peaceful scenery. Visitors can swim, stroll along the beach, participate in activities such as SUP boarding, kayaking, or enjoy fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants. It is also home to many high-class resorts, suitable for combining vacation and relaxation.
Kem Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Phu Quoc. (Source: Collected)
5.4. Phu Quoc Prison
Phu Quoc Prison is a special national historical relic, once a place to detain revolutionary soldiers during the resistance period. The relic site has now been restored with prison areas, simulated statues, and artifact exhibition rooms, helping visitors better understand the historical periods of the nation. This is a suitable destination for those who love to learn about Vietnamese culture and history.
5.5. Phu Quoc National Park
Phu Quoc National Park is a vast nature reserve with a rich primary forest ecosystem and many rare animal and plant species. Visitors can participate in activities such as trekking through the forest, exploring Tranh stream, Da Ban stream, or admiring the wild natural scenery. The fresh air and green landscape make this an ideal stopover for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The **history of Mui Ong Doi** is not only a beautiful chapter associated with the legend of saving the king and the miraculous Gieng Tien relic, but also the foundation that creates the attraction for the southern pearl island. The harmonious combination of pristine, poetic nature and the resort space at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort has turned this place into a tropical sea paradise. Come to Mui Ong Doi to listen to the waves tell ancient stories, welcome every moment of sunrise and sunset over the ocean, and enjoy complete moments of relaxation.
