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A satellite image of the Gulf of Thailand, with the lighter blue sections of sea highlighting the many shallow patches between the mainland and small islands off the coast.

A Chaetodon octofasciatus, otherwise known as a butterfly fish, off the shore of Phu Quoc. The area's many coral reefs make it a popular destination for snorkelers and divers.

Dardanus megistos , commonly known as a white spotted hermit crab, is one of the many crustaceans which can be seen by divers on Phu Quoc's offshore reefs.

A bright yellow Spirobranchus giganteus appears like an underwater Christmas tree on a Phu Quoc reef. The little worm will hide away if disturbed by fish or by divers.

An aerial view of the coastline of Phu Quoc. The island's white, sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs make it an increasingly popular tourist destination.

A coral reef teaming with life off the shore of Thailand. Shallow, warm water creates ideal condition for both hard and soft coral and the abundance of life associated with them to flourish.

1710 - Joachim Otten's map of the Gulf of Siam was the most accurate map produced in the 18th century, noting many of the small islands dotted around the coastal sections of the Gulf.

A reef off the Similan Islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Vibrant colours of fish and coral and the huge variety of underwater life attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to the Gulf every year.

The white, sandy and relatively deserted beaches of Phu Quoc Island are increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination, with facilities on the island developing to match demand.

The diagram demonstrates the different zones found within a fringing coral reef, such as those in the Gulf of Thailand. Reefs generally thrive in a shallow band of water between sea level and the sea bed.

A typical view off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand - shallow, relatively calm waters with the large number of small islands dotted relatively near to the coastline.

A map showing the Gulf of Thailand, as it stretches between Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Phu Quoc is the large island south-west of Phenom Penh inside the Vietnamese border.

Brightly coloured crinoids (from the Greek for "sea lily") appear like underwater feathers in Phu Quoc's shallow water. These animals have existed in one form or another for thousands of years.

One of many huge trees growing in the widespread tropical forest of Phu Quoc National Park, which covers 70% of the island - roughly the same area as the Isle of Wight.

A dugong feeds on sea grass along the sandy bottom of shallow warm waters. The marine reserve in Phu Quoc is one of the few places worldwide where these elusive animals can still be found.

A detailed view of the beautiful bloom of the Paphiopedilum callosum orchid, a rare and endangered species found growing wild in Phu Quoc National Park.

A great hornbill with its magnificent beak and colouring. Phu Quoc National Park is one of the few places in Vietnam where these birds still exist in the wild.

A pair of crab eating macaque monkeys play on the mud between the roots of banyan trees in the mangrove swamps of Phu Quoc National Park.

The bright pink-purple flowers of the Indigo plant, Indigofera tinctoria which flourishes across the forest in Phu Quoc National Park. The leaves are traditionally used to make a rich blue dye.

A tiny baby long tailed macaque feeds from its mother. Long tailed macaques are one of the 20 endangered species found in Phu Quoc National Park.

The dramatic Suoi Tranh Waterfall in Phu Quoc National Park. The park draws visitors because of its natural beauty, and many tourists choose to swim and bathe in the park's waterfalls.

Many of the visitors to Phu Quoc island choose to venture into the huge National Park to explore the beautiful flora and fauna that is abundant on the island.

Hazy afternoon sunshine on Tranh Spring, whose path crosses the Tranh Suoi waterfall in Phu Quoc National Park. This abundance of water helps to feed the lush green tropical forest.

Mangrove forests such as this one grow along the coastal margins of the Phu Quoc National Park, maintaining a very delicate balance between saline and fresh water.

The Paphiopedilum callosum orchid, one of 23 rare and endangered species of orchid found in Phu Quoc National Park, alongside 1,100 other plant species.

A dugong mother and her calf. Dugongs can live for up to 70 years, but will only produce a small number of offspring during that time, which adds to their population's vulnerability.

Peppercorn plantations on Phu Quoc Island as seen from the air. The vines grow to four or five metre high, supported on poles and trellises in regular rows.

Locals gather at the Duong Dong market on a daily basis, where boats are constantly unloading fresh catches of seafood and farmers sell their dried peppercorns and fresh tropical fruits.

Oyster shells opened to display the forming pearls beneath their thin layer of mother-of-pearl. Cultured pearls are made using these natural procedures with help and conditioning from pearl farmers.

A bright cacophony of fishing boats strive for space in Duong Dong harbour in Phu Quoc. Fishing and associated trades are still at the heart of the island's economy today.

Part of Phu Quoc's busy fishing fleet lined up off shore after a busy morning's work. Fishing is still central to the island's economy and a way of life for many locals.

Phu Quoc from the air reveals the green, lush countryside and tidy farms cultivating row after row of peppercorn vines, or growing other fruit and vegetables.

Fish sauce is decanted from the fermentation barrels for bottling and shipping. Phu Quoc is famous for its nuoc mam sauce, producing enough every year to fill 30 Olympic-sized pools.

Dried fish and other local seafood products for sale at Duong Dong market. Dried fish and products made from seafood, such as the island's famous fish sauce, dominate the stalls.

A traditional fishing boat sails off the shore of Phu Quoc. The area is famous for its unspoilt beauty but also its fish sauce, nuoc mam, made from anchovies caught in its shallow waters.

A small fishing boat anchored in the shallow water of an island off the coast of Phu Quoc. Many locals earn a living as they have done for generations, fishing in small boats for anchovies.

These large barrels are used to produce Phu Quoc's famous fish sauce, nuoc mam, using traditional methods which allows the sauce to ferment for between six months and a year prior to bottling.

Thousands of black peppercorns lie drying in the sun. Phu Quoc is famous for producing black peppercorns, and Vietnam produces over one third of the world's crop every year.

Fishing boats crowd up against the pontoons on the coast of Phu Quoc. Fishing and seafood is still one of the islanders' main source of income, with growing supplements from tourism.