Leading Global Tourism Enterprises Hail Phu Quoc as "Hawaii of the East"
Over 70 representatives from leading global airlines, travel agencies, and online travel platforms gathered in Phu Quoc for the famtrip program “Journey to Your True Paradise.” This significant event highlighted Phu Quoc’s potential, with participants unanimously recognizing the island as a “Hawaii of the East.”
Hanoi (VNA) -🍬 Over 70 representatives from leading global airlines, travel agencies, and online travel platforms gathered in Phu Quoc for the famtrip program “Journey to Your True Paradise.” This significant event highlighted Phu Quoc’s potential, with participants unanimously recognizing the island as a “Hawaii of the East.”
“Phu Quoc is doing better than Phuket or Pattaya”
From December 4-6, the “Journey to Your True Paradise” famtrip welcomed over 70 representatives from top travel agencies across South Korea, Central Asia, Taiwan, and major airlines such as Starlux, SCAT, Vietnam Airlines, and Thai Vietjet, as well as renowned online travel platforms like KKday, Trip.com, and Klook.
Sun Paradise Land ecosystem with fireworks every night (Photo: Sun Group)
During their three-day visit, the delegation experienced the Sun Paradise Land ecosystem in South Phu Quoc—a unique complex of entertainment, recreation, and luxury resorts featuring tourism products described by the famtrip group as “incomparable anywhere else in the world.”
Among the highlights were iconic attractions such as Sunset Town, the Kiss Bridge, the world’s longest 3-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island, Vietnam’s first beachfront night market, VUI-Fest Bazaar, and world-class shows like the multimedia extravaganza Kiss of the Sea, the spectacular fireworks-accompanied Symphony of the Sea, and the culturally rich Vietnamese Puppet Show,... each evening culminated with dazzling fireworks displays, leaving participants awestruck.
Phu Quoc welcomes more than 70 world-leading travel and airline businesses to the famtrip. (Photo: Sun Group)
Luxury resorts, including La Festa Phu Quoc - Curio Collection by Hilton, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, and Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, along with the picturesque Eschuri Vung Bau golf course, further demonstrated the premium quality of Phu Quoc’s offerings.
Mr. Mehmet Kin, Vice President of Crystal Bay Group, remarked, “Thailand’s Phuket and Pattaya were once renowned destinations, but I believe Phu Quoc surpasses them significantly. The infrastructure here is ready, the facilities are new, the services are superior, and most importantly, the locals’ smiles make all the difference.”
Mr. Hong Jung Min, CEO of Hanatour Vietnam, one of South Korea’s leading travel agencies, emphasized Phu Quoc’s growth potential: “With the completion of infrastructure and tourist attractions, we are witnessing the rise of a true ‘Hawaii of the East.’”
The world's longest 3-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island is one of the most popular experiences for tourists in Phu Quoc. (Photo: Sun Group)
A Treasure Trove of Potential
As part of the famtrip, a seminar titled Emerging Tourism Destinations in the New Era allowed participants to discuss Phu Quoc’s future potential and strategies for growth.
Businesses sit together and comment on Phu Quoc's potential in a discussion on the afternoon of December 5, 2024. (Photo: Sun Group)
During the seminar, Ms. Nguyen Vu Quynh Anh, CEO of Sun Hospitality Group, outlined Sun Group’s ambitious plans for Phu Quoc. Upcoming projects include Rixos Phu Quoc—the first all-inclusive resort in Southeast Asia, Aspira Tower, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and The Luxury Collection on Hon Thom Island. Additionally, initiatives like the Sun Hospital and a beachfront square in Bai Dat Do promise to transform Phu Quoc into a multi-faceted paradise, encouraging extended stays and attracting both domestic and international visitors.
Phu Quoc will have more luxury resorts following the All-Inclusive model such as Rixos Phu Quoc. (Photo: Sun Group)
Ms. Alivia Gracianti, Vice President of Ennismore Asia-Pacific, expressed optimism about Phu Quoc’s prospects: “I firmly believe there are many untapped international markets that can contribute to Phu Quoc’s success.”
Meanwhile, Starlux Airlines announced plans to launch more charter flights to Phu Quoc in January, stating, “Phu Quoc is a hot destination for Taiwanese tourists, and we are allocating more resources to this market.”
“A Global Destination in the Making”
Phu Quoc’s appeal lies in its extensive investments, which have significantly boosted its international reputation. Ms. Weichun Liu, CEO of KKday, shared her impressions: “I was amazed during my first visit in 2022, particularly with the cable car project. This time, I see not just infrastructure and hotels but also vibrant shows, night markets, and a well-connected ecosystem. Phu Quoc is truly emerging as a top-tier global destination.”
Phu Quoc is increasingly introducing many unique new tourism products, including the Sun Bavaria Bistro beer restaurant, where visitors can dine while enjoying the Symphony of the Sea show. (Photo: Sun Group)
Her optimism aligns with the island’s rising popularity. In 2024, Phu Quoc is expected to welcome nearly 6 million visitors, including 1 million international arrivals—a remarkable 73.4% increase from the previous year, exceeding the annual target by 44.4%. By the end of November 2024, the island had already hosted over 4,000 international flights, a 175% year-on-year growth.
Phu Quoc is increasingly attracting international tourists from a wide range of markets. (Photo: Sun Group)
Ms. Liu highlighted the island’s universal appeal: “Phu Quoc caters to every demographic, from young travelers on a budget to families and high-end tourists. It’s a destination where people can return at different stages of life for entirely new experiences.” She also noted that international visitors often describe their experiences as “beyond expectations.”
The perspectives of global tourism leaders underscore Phu Quoc’s readiness to thrive as a leading destination. With its vision for 2040 to become a coastal urban hub and a center of high-quality tourism and unique cultural identity, Phu Quoc is on a path to solidify its status as one of the world’s premier travel destinations./.
Sun Group and Accor & Ennismore - a leading global hotel management group - on December 5 signed an agreement to bring the world leading luxury all-inclusive Rixos brand to Hon Thom, Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's Pearl Island, has once again earned a spot in Travel + Leisure's list of top destinations to visit in 2025, solidifying its undeniable allure as an "emerging star" on the global travel map.
As winter settles over Europe and the US, people tend to seek out warmer destinations for longer vacations. Phu Quoc – the “rising star” of Southeast Asian tourism – has become one of the most enticing choices to escape winter's chill and enjoy an unforgettable winter getaway.Why is Phu Quoc the best destination in Southeast Asia for a winter vacation?
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.
