Sunday, June 7, 2026

The Ngo's Family Reunion - Phu Quoc , Rach Gia /Kien Giang - March 2026

 Our final destination today was Rach Gia, Kien Giang. We took the ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia Port, where our two vans were waiting to continue our land journey. Taking advantage of the ferry's late-morning departure, Bao led us to a 'surprise' location in Phu Quoc, promising he had "saved the best for last". Shortly after passing Phu Quoc city center, we turned down a winding road that lead to scenic overlook restaurant.  

View of Phu Quoc from the hilltop restaurant.


Another pretty view.

From the hilltop restaurant.

The ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia /Kien Giang port was smooth until minutes before arrival, when torrential rain suddenly hit.


Waiting for our van at the terminal.



Rach Gia is a vibrant coastal city in Kien Giang Province. It was the first city in Vietnam to successfully reclaim massive land areas directly from the ocean, expanding its western coastline. Today, it serves as an essential transit hub and gateway to the beautiful Nam Du and Phu Quoc Islands.

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Visiting Rach Gia is a personal must-do while in the Delta because it is my father's birthpalce. He left Rach Gia as a young boy, eventually relocating to Saigon permanently.
My earliest memory of Rach Gia is a quick trip with my father to visit his brother (Bac Ba)  there. I recall visiting the family graveyard and the land near my uncle's house. I later heard that this area was eventually annexed to be part of the Rach Gia airport. 

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We will have a short stay in Rach Gia, spending just one night at the Hoa Binh Rach Gia Resort, which features beautifully manicured grounds.


The perfect restaurant for dinner just a few steps from the hotel. 


Many popular dishes and the famous claypot rice (com nieu).

We spent an evening in the city center enjoying the cool ocean breeze and the calming pace of life.  While driving around, we noticed widespread stalled hotel and luxury resort developments. Similar to what we observed in Phu Quoc, this was caused by severe oversupply, corporate cash flows shortage and slower-than expected tourism.. 










 Although our visit to Rach Gia was short, being here in the year of my father's  100th  birthday was very special. The memory of the visit will stay with us for a long time!.

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