Game-changer island puts Vietnam ahead of Singapore in tourism 2024
In its list of 25 Places to Visit in 2025, CNA ranked Phu Quoc at No. 7, making it the only Vietnamese destination on the list and one of the few Asian locations, alongside Koh Samui (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), and Singapore.
Sunset Town delights visitors with two fireworks displays each night from world-class performances. (Photo: Sun Group)
Hanoi (VNA)ღ - Singaporean news agency CNA has recently ranked Phu Quoc among the top 25 must-visit destinations in 2025, placing it alongside some of the world’s most renowned travel paradises.
In its list of 25 Places to Visit in 2025, CNA ranked Phu Quoc at No. 7, making it the only Vietnamese destination on the list and one of the few Asian locations, alongside Koh Samui (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), and Singapore. The agency emphasised 2025 as the perfect time to embrace slow travel and prioritize sustainable tourism.
The list features a mix of emerging and well-known destinations that offer fresh experiences, including Osaka (Japan), Cairo (Egypt), Greenland, and Casablanca (Morocco). To compile the rankings, CNA consulted experts and analyzed cultural and lifestyle trends, along with updates on flights, hotels, trains, and cruises.
The beauty of Bai Kem captivates every visitor.
With numerous small islands, a 150-kilometer coastline, and an expansive national park, Phu Quoc is the epitome of a tropical gem, CNA wrote. Singaporean travellers now have even more reason to visit, as Scoot Airlines launched direct two-hour flights to Phu Quoc in December 2024. Jo Hendry Prior, co-founder of Alchemist Travel—a company specialising in luxury travel experiences—highlighted Phu Quoc’s diverse accommodations, ranging from budget-friendly stays to high-end five-star resorts along the beach, making it an ideal getaway from Singapore.
In December 2024, Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most prestigious travel magazines, noted that a three-day trip to Phu Quoc costs significantly less than a weekend in Singapore or Koh Samui (Thailand)—only one-third to one-quarter of the cost of other popular regional destinations. This affordability has fueled Phu Quoc’s rising popularity among international travellers.
International tourists stroll along Bai Kem, Phu Quoc.
Beyond being named a top global destination, Phu Quoc also secured the No. 9 spot among Southeast Asia’s 10 most beautiful islands, according to The Times (UK). Vietnam’s Pearl Island shares the honour with tropical havens such as Koh Phra Thong (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia), and Pulau Pangkor (Malaysia). “Nowhere else in the world offers the same cultural diversity, culinary richness, and breathtaking island landscapes as Southeast Asia,” The Times noted.
Phu Quoc’s stunning natural landscapes are a key factor in its growing appeal. Particularly in the island’s southern region, travellers should not miss Bai Kem and Bai Sao, two of the world’s most beautiful beaches, known for their emerald-green waters, powdery white sand, and golden sunshine.
The island is also home to world-class resorts, including New World Phu Quoc, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, and JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. Notably, The Times was captivated by JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, an architectural masterpiece designed by world-renowned architect Bill Bensley. The resort, inspired by the concept of a fictional French university, features an impressive collection of 5,000 rare artefacts, meticulously sourced by Bensley from around the world.
In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty, Phu Quoc has become a hub for thrilling entertainment and unique experiences. One of the most popular attractions is the world’s longest three-wire cable car ride to Hon Thom Island, offering spectacular aerial views of Phu Quoc’s coastline. Visitors can also walk on the ocean floor at Hon Thom, experiencing marine life up close.
The Symphony of the Sea performance at Sunset Town.
At Sunset Town, Phu Quoc elevates entertainment with two internationally acclaimed performances—Kiss of the Sea and Symphony of the Sea—accompanied by mesmerizing fireworks displays. Notably, Phu Quoc is the only island in the world that hosts two fireworks shows in one night. For those seeking romance and exclusivity, watching the sunset at Kiss Bridge, a unique unconnected bridge praised by CNN, is an experience not to be missed.
Phu Quoc’s growing presence in international media signals the island’s rapid emergence as a premier global destination. During the Lunar New Year holiday alone, Phu Quoc welcomed 40 international flights daily—three times more than the previous year. International tourist arrivals surged to nearly 75,000, a 44% increase year-on-year.
Thanks to its rising popularity, Phu Quoc has played a significant role in Vietnam’s ascent as a top travel destination in 2025. In fact, in 2024, Vietnam surpassed Singapore (16.5 million arrivals) to become the third most-visited country in Southeast Asia./.
In response to the surging travel demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year, China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s aviation giants, has unveiled a direct flight route connecting Beijing to Phu Quoc, Vietnam.
With a strong boom in both the number of tourists and infrastructure development, Phu Quoc has been chosen as the venue of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities in 2027.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
