Phu Quoc – tropical destination with fast growth in Southeast Asia
Phu Quoc, one of the most beautiful islands of Vietnam, has made its way onto a list of the five most outstanding destinations published by Travel Off Path.
The southern waters of Phu Quoc Island (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – In a recent article, travel news source Travel Off Path named the five fastest-growing destinations in Southeast Asia, and Phu Quoc Island of෴ Vietnam’s Mekong Delta 🦩province of Kien Giang is one of them.
The website notes that since the world formally reopened for tourism three years ago, Southeast Asia is finally re-emerging as a leading global destination, with the potential to rival the Americas and even Europe, the world's tourism playground.
It cited Aviation A2Z, an aviation news website of India, as reporting that the region as a whole is experiencing record growth going into 2025, with a “surge” in overall capacity for some airports. A number of them, which serve iconic destinations, hit significant milestones.
Five stand out as the fastest-growing Asian hubs, including Phu Quoc, one of the most beautiful islands in Vietnam where international tourists can enter visa-free.
According to the website, guaranteed fun for travellers can be found on the island’s jungle hinterland, crisscrossed with nature trails, to Duong Dong, a large town hosting a lively night market, to the Disney-style VinWonders, an amusement park featuring princess castles and thrilling theme rides.
Phu Quoc is home to many beautiful beaches from the North to the South, along with various islands of all sizes. (Photo: VNA)
Visitors to the island can explore the charming natural beauty of Rach Vem fishing village, Bai Dai beach, and Hon Mot islet or drop by Dinh Cau Temple and Ham Ninh fishing village. In addition, local delicacies such as “bun quay” noodles, “goi ca trich” (a dish made from raw sardine), and “lau ca mu” (a fish hotpot) are all dishes whetting the appetite of holidaymakers.
Thanks to Vietnam’s open visa policy along with the island’s pristine nature, diverse cuisine, and quality services, Phu Quoc is emerging as a “star” on the tourism map in Asia and the world. It is sure to be ideal for travellers who are seeking a perfect destination for their coming holidays.
The increasing presence of investors over the last five years means Phu Quoc now boasts entertainment and leisure complexes worth trillions of VND. Information about the “Pearl Island”, including prestigious international awards it gained, has also increased on international channels.
In September 2023, Phu Quoc was named a “tropical paradise” by The Travel magazine, which ranked it third among the 17 most budget-friendly tourist islands worldwide.
Part of Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc (Photo: VietnamPlus)
In December 2023, it was selected as the “World’s Leading Nature Island Destination” for the second time by the World Travel Awards.
From 2011 to 2023, local tourism recorded an impressive annual growth rate of over 38%, almost six-fold higher than the national average. In 2024 alone, Phu Quoc welcomed nearly 1 million international visitors, marking a significant advancement in the island's tourism sector.
Currently, more than 20 airlines are operating flights to Phu Quoc, both regular and charter, with over 150 flights per week from various countries and territories.
In January 2025, Phu Quoc Airport posted remarkable growth, with over 108,000 seats added, equivalent to growth of 185.2%, according to Aviation A2Z. This is the highest growth rate among airports in Southeast Asia, proving the effectiveness of the visa exemption policy and the promotion of cooperation among airlines, leading to the launch of new routes and an increased number of flights to Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc was also chosen as the venue for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities in 2027. The event is expected to not only affirm Vietnam’s stature in the world but also help Phu Quoc become a leading tourism, economic, and service hub in the region.
The four other destinations named in Travel Off Path’s list include Phuket and Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Singapore./.
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.
