This information is from a report by the An Giang Department of Tourism. International arrivals reached nearly 980,000, a 74.1% increase. Total tourism revenue for the island is estimated at over 24,866 billion VND, a 93.6% rise.

May through July is typically the low season for international tourism, yet Phu Quoc still attracted over 350,000 international visitors, with an average monthly increase of nearly 80% compared to the same period last year.

Tourists at Kem Beach, Phu Quoc. Photo: Sun Group

Tourists at Kem Beach, Phu Quoc. Photo: Sun Group

According to booking platform Agoda, Phu Quoc currently ranks second among South Korean tourists' favorite destinations (after Nha Trang) and third among Chinese tourists. Statistics from Phu Quoc International Airport also show a 472% increase in Chinese arrivals, a 311% increase in arrivals from Russia and CIS countries, and a 178% increase in South Korean arrivals compared to the same period last year. Regional markets such as Thailand and Malaysia have also seen growth.

Experts believe this consistent growth makes Phu Quoc a promising year-round destination, creating opportunities for investors in services such as accommodation, dining, and entertainment to approach the market sustainably.

In the south of the island, Sun World Hon Thom, with the world's longest oversea cable car and the show "Kiss the Sea," saw an 188% increase in international visitors in the first 6 months of the year. During the peak week in July, Indian visitors increased by 1,349%, and Chinese visitors by 936% compared to the same period last year.

International tourists experience the world's longest 3-rope cable car at Sun World Hon Thom. Photo: Sun Group

International tourists experience the world's longest 3-rope cable car at Sun World Hon Thom. Photo: Sun Group

Data from Sun Paradise Land shows that activities in areas like Kem Beach, Sunset Town, and New An Thoi are flourishing. Service utilization in shophouses is projected to increase by over 30% in the last 6 months of the year compared to the first half. Meanwhile, Superdong's Q2 revenue reached 138 billion VND, a 10% year-on-year increase; the Ha Tien - Phu Quoc route alone saw a 25% increase.

Woo Sung, a South Korean tourist, said the island is only a 4.5-5 hour flight from South Korea, making it easily accessible. He was impressed by the marine activities, diverse cuisine, and high-quality resorts. On the search platform Naver, Phu Quoc is a trending travel topic, with numerous recommendations shared by the South Korean community.

Phu Quoc aims to become an international tourism hub. Currently, the island has 320 investment projects with a total registered capital of over 431,375 billion VND. Large corporations such as Sun Group, Vingroup, and BIM Group, along with global hotel brands like Marriott, Accor, Hilton, and Rosewood, contribute to creating a diverse and high-class tourism ecosystem.

In the south of the island, 5-star resorts, large-scale entertainment complexes, night markets, nightly fireworks displays, and new icons such as the Kiss Bridge and international shows are shaping Phu Quoc into a nighttime entertainment hub in Asia.

To serve the long-term strategy and the APEC 2027, Phu Quoc International Airport is being upgraded to handle 20 million passengers annually. Coastal transport routes, tourism infrastructure, urban areas, and convention centers are also being developed synchronously. An Thoi International Passenger Port is being expanded to accommodate large cruise ships, while waste and wastewater treatment systems and digital infrastructure are also being prioritized.

The "Kiss the Sea" show attracts many visitors to Phu Quoc. Photo: Sun Group

The "Kiss the Sea" show attracts many visitors to Phu Quoc. Photo: Sun Group

Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Indochina Unique Tourist Company, said Phu Quoc has undergone a significant transformation in recent years thanks to the arrival of international resort brands, attracting both tourists and investors.

Along with tourism infrastructure, special mechanisms for Phu Quoc are being researched and implemented. This is expected to further leverage the "Pearl Island" into a world-class tourism center, leading the trend of high-end resorts and opening up new opportunities for strategic investors.

Tue Anh