Shadowing Practice: Phu Quoc: Paradise or Overrated? - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Hello guys and welcome to Cool Vision.
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Alright guys, let's have a proper vacation.
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I came to Phucoc Island.
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It's a tropical paradise here in Vietnam.
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Looking for a next island escape?
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Phucoc still feels like a hidden gem, especially compared to places like Thailand or Bali.
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It's far less crowded but still packed with unforgettable experiences.
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Beaches, culture, nature and incredible food.
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So where is it exactly?
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Phucok sits in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by Cambodian islands.
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Weird right?
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That's because it used to belong to Cambodia, where it's called Kho Tral.
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But in the 18th century, Vietnamese settlers arrived and by the 20th century, the island officially became part of Vietnam.
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So here are 10 reasons why Phucok should be on your 2025 travel list.
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Let's dive in.
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Reason number 1.
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It's a beach paradise with over 150 kilometers of stunning coastline.
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You'll find golden sand, swaying palms, beach bars and cozy resorts all around the island.
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But it's down south where you find the real showstoppers, like Cam Beach, a hidden crescent of powder white sand nestled along forested hills.
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The water here is unbelievably clear and calm.
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It feels like a giant natural swimming pool.
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Look at this beach, wow.
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It's pretty awesome.
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Can't wait to go swimming.
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It's a bit exclusive with luxury resorts nearby, but you can find budget-friendly hotels as well.
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Just nearby is Sao Beach, often called the most beautiful beach on the island.
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It's also a hotspot for water sports from jet skiing and parasailing to paddle boarding and snorkeling.
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Whether you want to catch some waves or sip your Vietnamese coffee, Sao Beach has you covered.
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Look at the color of the water, so turquoise, so peaceful.
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Phukok's beaches truly have it all, and the best part?
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They are still refreshingly uncrowded.
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Reason number two, take a ride on the world's longest overwater cable car.
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Don't miss the Hontom cable car.
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It's nearly 8 km long, and it holds the Guinness World Record as the longest overwater, 3-wire cable car system in the world.
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It's a 15-minute flying adventure.
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As you glide high above the ocean, take in the emerald waters, vibrant coral reefs and the scattered Antoy Islands dotted like jewels.
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It's peaceful, breathtaking and totally unique.
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At the ride's end is Hon Tom Island or Pineapple Island where you can explore pristine beaches, catch some shows, indulge in delicious food or hit the water park.
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As you can see right now, Hontom Island is being developed with Santorini style architecture.
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The development includes luxury resorts, entertainment zones and seaside promenades.
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Reason number 3.
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Sunset Town From Santorini, let's relocate into Sunset Town that feels like a slice of the Amalfi Coast.
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Perched on dramatic sea cliffs in the island's southwest, Sunset Town blends European-inspired architecture with tropical vibes.
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Think cobblestone lanes, grand archways, and sweeping ocean views.
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But where's all the people?
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Ciao.
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Check what's going on here.
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Is there anybody in here?
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It doesn't seem that way.
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Anybody?
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You know, it feels a little empty.
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It seems like it's mostly like spa places and coffee shops.
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But it's great for a photo shoot.
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Is it a bit empty?
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Yeah.
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But in a charming, this town is all yours kind of way.
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It gets busy after dark though, when the town comes alive with music, lights and one of the Southeast Asia's most spectacular shows.
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Kiss of the Sea.
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A nightly open-air performance featuring fireworks, dancing fountains, drones and high-tech visuals.
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Impressive!
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Reason number four.
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Vin Wonders, Vietnam's largest theme park.
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Yes, Phucok isn't just beaches and sunsets.
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This massive amusement park delivers all the thrills.
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Giant water slides, aquariums, indoor games and themed zones like feel like movie sets.
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Whether you're into Viking ships, fairy tale castles, or jungle adventures, there's something here for everyone.
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Plus, live shows, parades, and cultural performances run daily, adding that extra spark of magic.
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This park is such a great deal.
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I only paid $37 for everything, including the buggy.
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These buggies go till 6pm, so it's so convenient, they'll take you from one place to another.
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Wow, that's an aquarium!
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I'm standing here, I'm standing here.
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Families can easily spend the whole day here and never run out of fun.
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Plus the entry ticket is just $40.
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Sorry Orlando, Florida.
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Oh look, the monkeys escaped the zoo.
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I'm serious, there they are.
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Wow.
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Reason number 5 is Vin Pearl Safari.
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It is Vietnam's largest wildlife conservation park and it's right next to Vin Wonders.
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No, this isn't your typical zoo.
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It's a sprawling, open-range safari where animals roam freely in large natural habitats.
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Hop on the safari bus and drive through plains where zebras, giraffes, rhinos and even lions stroll just meters away from you.
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What makes it even more special is that you can feed the elephants and giraffes by hand.
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It's an unforgettable and heartwarming experience.
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And my food is almost over.
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Reason number 6.
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Foucault is full of hidden gems.
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Start inland with a visit to the island's famous pepper farms.
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the punchy aromatic black pepper Foucault is famous for.
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Then, swim by traditional fish sauce factories where locals craft what many consider to be the best fish sauce in the world.
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Next, explore sleepy fishing villages for a taste of island life as it used to be, slow, soulful and deeply connected to the sea.
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Wooden boats line the shore, fishermen hauling the day's catch and families prepare fresh seafood right on the water.
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A peaceful and authentic experience.
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One of the island's most beautiful secrets is Starfish Beach hidden in the north.
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Getting here takes effort, a motorbike ride followed by a boat trip but it's worth every moment.
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Calm shallow waters stretch over soft white sand and bright red starfish rest just beneath the surface.
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Or head to Hamron Beach also known as Dragon Beach where you can scuba dive, go sea urchin fishing and explore what locals call the kingdom of starfish.
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Reason number seven.
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Foucault Night Market.
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If you love street food and vibrant night life, Foucault Night Market is a must visit.
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Located in Zon Don Town, it buzzes with energy after sunset.
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The scent of grilled seafood fills the air
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and vendors line the streets with everything from giant scallops and lobster to oysters and sea urchin all freshly caught that day.
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Not a seafood fan?
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No worries, there are Vietnamese pancakes, sugar cane juice and coconut ice cream served in real coconuts.
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Reason number eight.
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Diving and island hopping.
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Phukok is surrounded by smaller islands, hop on a boat for island hopping adventures and snorkel vibrant coral reefs.
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Islands like Honmeirat and Honmonte feel like private paradises.
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Serene, beautiful and perfect for a day of discovery.
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Reason number nine.
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Your money goes a long way in Foucault.
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Here's a bonus many travelers don't realize.
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Foucault is visa-free for up to 30 days.
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And once you're here, you'll quickly realize that luxury doesn't have to cost a fortune.
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Think five-star beachfront resorts, private pool villas, and cliffside spas, all at prices far lower than in Thailand, Bali, or the Maldives.
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Wake up to ocean views, get a full body massage for under $20, or sip cocktails in an infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, all without burning through your savings.
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I stayed at a charming hotel near Cam Beach for just $20 a night.
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Let me show you the room.
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Getting around is easy and cheap just hop on a motorbike for $6 a day
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or rent a car for around $40 I rented this car for $40 a day
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And I think it's a pretty good deal
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because you can go all around the island and motorcycles I just don't trust them ever since I fell in Cambodia.
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I don't like it anymore.
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All right, let's go Reason number 10 is the transformation of Foucault.
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To truly appreciate where Foucault is headed, we need to look at where it came from.
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This island paradise hasn't always been beaches and cocktails.
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Wait, what?
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Barbed wire prison guards?
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What kind of vacation is this?
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Well, this is the famous Foucault prison
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and it was built by the French colonialists from 1949 to 1950 to keep political dissidents.
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Originally built by the French and later expanded by the Americans during the Vietnam War, it once held thousands of political prisoners in brutal conditions.
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Today it's a museum, a powerful, humbly reminder of the island's turbulent past.
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Fast forward to now and Phucoc is transforming at lightning speed.
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We're talking new highways, an international airport, sprawling luxury resorts, casinos and entire themed towns like Grand World, Vietnam's own mini Venice.
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The pace of development is insane.
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I rented a car from a local guy who owns not one but two hotels.
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One cost him $700,000 and the other $500,000.
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Hello Mike, you own two hotels?
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So this is in-campus one hotel and do you know Sunset Town?
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And my hotel Sunset Town and one more.
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Oh wow!
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My hotel two hotels.
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One hotel maybe 700,000.
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One hotel one hotel 700,000 dollar.
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Yeah expensive.
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Yeah so this is in Vietnam so money is very high high.
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How could a local Vietnamese guy afford that?
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Simple, he was in the right place at the right time.
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Land prices have jumped 20 to 30 times over the last 30 years.
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And as someone who was in real estate, Mike seized the opportunity.
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Now, he's a local real estate tycoon.
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A little capitalism never hurt, right?
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So, there you have it.
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From stunning beaches to incredible food, this island is still flying under the radar.
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Now, let me ask you, have you ever been to Foucault?
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Or have you at least heard of Foucault?
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Let me know in the comments down below.
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Don't forget to like this video and subscribe to the channel.
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Thank you
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Who Is This Video For?
This video is perfect for intermediate English learners ready to practice real-world conversation and expand their travel vocabulary. If you’re aiming to describe places, share opinions, or talk about cultural facts with confidence, this dialogue offers relatable, engaging content. It’s also great for learners who want to improve their listening skills with a friendly, conversational tone—no overly formal language here!
Words & Idioms Worth Stealing
- Hidden gem: A place or thing that’s not well-known but amazing. Example: “Phu Quoc is a hidden gem compared to busier islands.”
- Showstoppers: Things that are so impressive they stop people in their tracks. Example: “The south of the island has beach showstoppers like Cam Beach.”
- Hotspot: A popular, busy place. Example: “Sao Beach is a hotspot for water sports.”
- Refreshingly uncrowded: Pleasantly not full of people. Example: “The beaches are refreshingly uncrowded, even in peak season.”
How to Get the Accent Right
The speaker uses a casual, upbeat tone—perfect for practicing natural rhythm. Focus on linking words like “it’s a” (pronounced “itsuh”) and “let’s dive in” (where “let’s” and “dive” flow together). To nail the pronunciation, try the shadowing technique: play a short clip, pause, and repeat it immediately, mimicking the speed, stress, and intonation. For extra practice, use a shadowing app to record yourself and compare. Pay attention to words like “Phu Quoc” (say “Foo Kwok”) and “cable car” (stress the first syllable of “cable”). With shadow speak practice, you’ll soon sound more natural when talking about travel adventures. Keep at it—you’re doing great!
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to belong · used to be |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | being developed · is surrounded · is headed |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | hasn't always been · have jumped |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | guy who owns · someone who was |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.