Located about 200 km southwest of Rach Gia city, Tho Chu Islands consist of 08 islands and belong to Tho Chau commune, Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province. This is a coastal archipelago with many potentials and advantages for developing tourism and marine economy. At the same time, they constitute an important outpost in the defence of the southwestern seas and islands of the country.
Scientific studies reveal that Tho Chu Islands are composed of sedimentary rock. Among the 8 islands, Tho Chu is the largest one with a natural area of more than 12 square kilometers. In particular, Hon Nhan, located in the south of the island, has been chosen as the A1 reference point to determine the baseline of Vietnam's territorial sea. The average depth of the surrounding water of Tho Chu is about 25 m. Its seabed is distinguished by the diversity and abundance of coral reefs (more than 99 species). Thanks to the cooperation of the Party Committee, government, armed forces and local people, its unique natural ecosystem, especially forest area, has been kept almost intact with about 200 species of plants belonging to more than 80 families, and a coverage of over 90%.
Its special geographical location which is close to the Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh City - Hong Kong important international maritime route, and favourable natural conditions created the islands many advantages for promoting marine economic development. Currently, the Party committees, authorities and people on the islands are focusing on developing sea and island tourism in a sustainable direction, and making tourism and its accompanying services into a spearhead economic sector of the locality. With many beautiful, rustic and wild beaches, such as: Ngua Beach, Dong Beach, Mun Beach, ... Tho Chu has become a great attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists, contributing greatly to improving people’s incomes, eradicating hunger and reducing poverty sustainably. In recent years, aquaculture is being developed robustly on the islands. In particular, Cobia farming on cages brings very high economic efficiency. Along with that, seafood exploitation is also developed towards sustainability, focusing on protection, regeneration and conservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
As part of the national marine spatial planning, with a strategic vision, in the coming time, Tho Chu focuses on developing in the direction of opening up and integration with appropriate roadmaps in order to effectively exploiting its resources, bringing into play its advantages and potentials, contributing to the successful implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated October 22, 2018 of the Party Central Committee (12th tenure) on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. With practical and effective solutions, this place will certainly see new developments in infrastructure, tourism, fishery logistics; improvements in people's living standards, and enhancements in national defence and security, worthy of being a "frontier hedge", a firm fulcrum for fishermen in the southwestern strategic waters and islands of the country.
CAO VUONG