The vice-chairman of the administration of Phu Quy Island off Binh Thuan Province in south-central Vietnam has denied a rumor that the popular island is home to some of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

The snakes in question are on a smaller island and that their venom toxicity is unknown, vice-chairman Ngo Tan Luc explained.

A video of a den of some 15 snakes found on an island in Binh Thuan Province surfaced on social media over the past two days, with many netizens claiming the island to be Phu Quy.

Several commenters said they were scared to travel to the island due to the video – a serious issue for Phu Quy authorities given that it is currently the peak travel season.

The video recorder first said the snakes were on Phu Quy Island but then revised his claim to explain that they were on Hon Den Islet, a small island that is part of the Phu Quy archipelago.

He called on tourists to take caution when visiting the islands surrounding Phu Quy Island.

Vice-chairman Luc said Phu Quy is a group of islands including Phu Quy Island and nine smaller islets, including Hon Trung, Hon Den, Hon Giua, Hon Do, Hon Tranh, Hon Hai (Hon Kham), Hon Do Lon (Hon Bo), Hon Ty (Hon Vung), and Hon Do Nho (Hon Trao).

Tourism services are only offered on Phu Quy Island and Hon Tranh Islet.

Luc affirmed that the snakes in question have long inhabited Hon Den Islet's caves and waters. 

Occasionally, they are caught in local fishing nets, he said.

While the exact potency of venom in Phu Quy's snakes is unclear, there have been no reported snakebites on the island.

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