The island now has five taxi firms with 1,000 taxis operating on the streets of the island that boasts a population of just 103,000 people. It is forecasted that more taxi firms will be set up in the future, a huge increase on the two firms that operated before 2014.

Nguyen The Duy, a local in Phu Quoc, said it was very difficult to find a taxi before the low-cost Phu Quoc Taxi Company was set up. Then Vinasun bought a small taxi firm to expand its operations in Phu Quoc.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, a visitor from HCM City, said, "You can find taxis everywhere now. Just stand by the street and wave. You don't have to call to the operator anymore. The fares are also cheaper than in HCM City and the drivers won't trick you."

70% of the taxi drivers in Phu Quoc are from the Mekong Delta. As many as 20 members of a family in An Giang Province came to Phu Quoc to work as taxi drivers. 

According to the drivers, when the real estate market bloomed recently, they also became a broker for investors from Hanoi and HCM City and earn huge sums of money.

However, the once idyllic tropical island now experiences congestion during rush hours. 

Le Viet Bac, deputy head of Kien Giang Province Department of Transport confirmed that all taxi firms had followed procedures to keep the fares stable for visitors.

Nguoilaodong/Dtinews