Phu Quoc among world’s 15 best islands to retire on
Phu Quoc island of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been named among 15 best islands in the world to retire on in 2021 by www.travelawaits.com.
Hanoi (VNA) – Phu Quoc island ofthe Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been named among 15 best islands inthe world to retire on in 2021 by www.travelawaits.com.
Experts covering overseas retirement trendsfor more than 40 years have released their latest picks, said the tourismwebsite.
Criteria for top 15 list include “theability to live a simpler, more peaceful life, without breaking the bank,” itadded.
The website noted that the relaxed andsmall island of Phu Quoc may be a bit more expensive to live on than themainland since goods need to be flown or ferried in.
“Still, it’s appealing to retirees for itsmany beaches and opportunities for enjoying the outdoors in tropical weather.The snorkeling is excellent!” it affirmed.
Malta island country tops the list whilethree other Asian islands also made their way into the list besides Phu Quoc,which are Thailand’s Koh Samui, Indonesia’s Bali and Malaysia’s Penang.
Vietnam ranked 10th in the 2021 AnnualGlobal Retirement Index by the International Living, with final scores of 75.5for low cost of living, rich culture and history, and variety of places, fromurban to rural.
The magazine provides in-depth coverage ofthe world’s top retirement havens.
“Vietnammay be growing in leaps and bounds, but for retirees looking for a delightfullycomfortable lifestyle, it remains one of the least expensive countries on earth,”it quoted 65-year-old California expat Deb Aronson, who has been lived inVietnam for 10 years, as saying.
Phu Quoc is also a popular touristdestination in Kien Giang. As the province has remained safe in the COVID-19pandemic, without any community infections recorded, the locality has seen aquick recovery in the number of visitors after each COVID-19 outbreak.
In the first quarter of 2021, Kien Giangwelcomed nearly 1.2 million visitors, down 32.9 percent year-on-year andrepresenting 16.8 percent of its annual target, with total revenue standing atabout 1.56 trillion VND (67.6 million USD)./.
Accompanying with Phu Quoc to welcome tourists, Vietjet operates a series of flight routes connecting domestic destinations to the beautiful Pearl Island.
Tourism operators have been bullish about their business’s bouncing back after being battered by COVID-19 as the summer holidays near and the disease is largely brought under control.
VinGroup on April 21 officially opened Phu Quoc United Centre – a brand-new resort and entertainment complex in Phu Quoc Island, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang – which is poised to help turn the “Pearl Island” into a world-class tourism hub.
The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has called on local travel companies to actively implement promotional programmes and plans to lure tourists now that COVID-19 has been largely brought under control.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.
A corner of Phu Quoc island (Photo: VNA) 
