Travel + Leisure: Phu Quoc makes the list of 25 must-visit destinations in the world
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.
Kien Giang (VNA)♓ – 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.
The renowned global travel magazine Travel + Leisure recently revealed its list of the "25 Most Inspiring Travel Destinations for 2025." The selected locations were chosen based on criteria such as pristine natural landscapes, uniqueness, and tourism development potential.
Kem Beach - Phu Quoc is one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. (Photo: Sun Group)
Phu Quoc has proudly become the sole representative of Vietnam on this prestigious list, alongside world-famous travel hotspots like Phuket (Thailand), Hawaii (USA), the Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Machu Picchu (Peru).
Explaining why Phu Quoc was selected, Travel + Leisure writer Esha Dasgupta describes the island’s enchanting beauty as something that "melts the hearts of all visitors."
“Night markets, crystal-clear waters, abundant diving opportunities, fresh seafood, lush rainforests, and a rich animal ecosystem make up the island's charm,” Travel + Leisure praised Phu Quoc.
The Pristine Beauty of Bai Kem - Phu Quoc. (Photo: Sun Group)
It’s not just the natural beauty that draws visitors; iconic experiences have contributed to the island’s magnetism. Travel + Leisure recommends the experience of riding the world’s longest three-rope cable car to Hon Thom Island.
This isn't the first time Hon Thom Cable Car has received international acclaim. CNN has called it a fantastic experience in Phu Quoc, while the travel bible Lonely Planet considers it one of the island’s most worthwhile experiences.
The Hon Thom Cable Car in Phu Quoc stands out as one of the most unforgettable experiences on the Pearl Island. (Photo: Sun Group)
In addition to the Hon Thom Cable Car, the US magazine also suggests visiting Duong Dong Night Market or exploring the wild at Phu Quoc National Park.
Furthermore, Travel + Leisure highlights the best time to explore Phu Quoc as being from November to April of the following year. The island has now entered its most beautiful season, with a series of new experiences launching to welcome visitors at this time.
The Symphony of the Sea show at Sunset Town is a vibrant mix of jet ski performances, flyboards, and various fireworks displays. True to its name, Symphony of the Sea presents a rare water fireworks show that creates a blooming light garden on the water's surface with breathtaking visual effects.
This performance also strengthens Phú Quốc's reputation as the "fireworks island," as the island now hosts two fireworks shows every night, with the second show taking place at 10 PM at Sunset Town.
The Symphony of the Sea show, a dazzling display of colors, at Sunset Town. (Photo: Sun Group)
At Sunset Town, the festive atmosphere is more alive than ever with the 365-day beer festival, which officially launched in November at Sun Bavaria Bistro. With six varieties of Sun KraftBeer, unique European cuisine, music, and lively dances, visitors can expect “sleepless nights” in Phu Quoc.
In addition to these unique experiences, Travel + Leisure emphasizes another important factor contributing to Phu Quoc’s success: its exceptional visa policy. The 30-day visa exemption for all international tourists has made the island an even more attractive destination for travelers this holiday season.
Tourists Enjoy 30-Day Visa-Free Access to Phu Quoc. (Photo: Sun Group)
“If you don’t have a Vietnamese visa, you can still enjoy a 30-day visa exemption in Phu Quoc,” Travel + Leisure introduces. Furthermore, numerous direct flights from the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe are now available, making it easier for tourists to reach Phu Quoc than ever before.
This marks the second time Phu Quoc has been featured in Travel + Leisure’s list of must-visit destinations this year, following its recognition as the “Second Best Island in the World” in the World’s Best Awards. This recognition not only honors Phu Quoc but also serves as a source of pride for Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Phu Quoc continues to affirm its status as an unmissable destination, gaining increasing international attention and shining brightly on the global travel map./.
The direct flight route from Da Nang to Phu Quoc, with a frequency of four round trips per week, will be relaunched on November 7. This will make it easier for international travelers to explore Vietnam’s stunning coastal destinations.
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?
Phu Quoc, the only Vietnamese destination to make the list of the top islands in the world according to the globally renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller in its 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, was ranked second among the top 10 best islands in Asia.
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.
