Phu Quoc becomes new hotspot for Korean tourists

Korean media reported on May 2 that Phu Quoc, once a hidden gem two decades ago, has undergone one of Vietnam’s most dramatic makeovers thanks to massive infrastructure upgrades and a proliferation of luxury resorts.

A corner of Phu Quoc island (Photo: VNA)
A corner of Phu Quoc island (Photo: VNA)

Seoul (VNA) - Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam is quickly becoming a favorite getaway for Korean travellers, with arrivals growing and Koreans now playing a major role in the local tourism boom.

Korean media reported on May 2 that Phu Quoc, once a hidden gem two decades ago, has undergone one of Vietnam’s most dramatic makeovers thanks to massive infrastructure upgrades and a proliferation of luxury resorts.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) remains one of Vietnam’s biggest tourist markets, pumping millions of visitors into the country every year. While Da Nang used to be the go-to spot, Koreans are now heading south in droves, and many are calling Phu Quoc the “Jeju of Vietnam”.

Korean vibes are everywhere on the island. Hits like Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and Rosé’s “APT” blast from speakers, while Korean-language signs, menus, and special services cater to the crowds.

At restaurants and tourist information centres, written materials follow a clear hierarchy: Vietnamese first, Korean second, and English third.

On top of vibrant entertainment choices, Phu Quoc is rolling out premium resorts perfect for privacy and nature escapes. Korean guests now make up the majority of guests at many properties, exceeding 70% in some cases. Direct flights from Incheon, plus the island’s safety and convenience, have further driven the influx.

According to Korean experts, Phu Quoc is fast becoming one of Southeast Asia’s top resort destinations and is poised to further burnish its appeal to Korean visitors in the coming years./.

VNA

See more

Participants in Trang An Marathon 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Ninh Binh turns sporting events into tourism engine

In 2025 and early 2026, Ninh Binh hosted a lineup of high-profile international sports events, including the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup & National Championships 2025, AFC Champions League Two, the ASEAN Club Championship, the SEA V.League, and the Li-Ning Vietnam International Series 2025 badminton tournament.

A performance staged at the opening ceremony of the Sa Pa Summer Festival 2026 in Lao Cai province on April 29, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Sa Pa Summer Festival underway

The festival serves as a key highlight in the locality’s series of cultural and tourism activities, featuring a wide range of distinctive events, including the Fansipan rose festival, the Sa Pa brocade festival and Ban Ho commune’s cultural and tourism day.

Participants in the tourism promotion programme introducing the cultural and travel potential of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China step up tourism cooperation through Xinjiang promotion programme

VNAT Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai noted that China has consistently been Vietnam’s largest source of international visitors in multiple periods, including 2011–2020 and 2024–2025. Conversely, Vietnam ranks among the top five outbound markets for China, with Vietnamese arrivals at times exceeding 8 million annually.

The northern province of Phu Tho welcomes nearly 6.5 million visitors during the 2026 Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Hung Kings Temple Festival (Photo: VNA)

Phu Tho serves nearly 6.5 million visitors during Hung Kings Commemoration Day 2026

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s festival and the Ancestral Land Culture - Tourism Week 2026 featured a wide range of activities across the Hung Kings Temple historical relic site and surrounding areas, drawing pilgrims and tourists from major cities including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City.

A key highlight in Huong Tra eco-village is a cluster of nine ancient fragrant rosewood trees, aged between 100 and 150 years. (Photo: VNA)

Fragrant rosewood festival draws crowds in Da Nang

Festival-goers can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hot air balloon rides offering panoramic views of the eco-village, traditional 'ao dai' performances, music exchanges, art sketching and programmes honouring women’s beauty. Outdoor experiences such as jogging, cycling under blooming rosewood trees and a “wish string” ritual add to the appeal.

The main gate of Mau Temple in Hung Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

Hung Yen rolls out vibrant cultural and culinary activities for upcoming holiday

Hung Yen welcomed around 3.9 million visitors in 2025, including approximately 71,000 international arrivals, with tourism revenue estimated at 1.7 trillion VND (64.05 million USD). In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the province received about 1.7 million visitors, including 35,000 foreigners, underscoring its growing appeal as a cultural tourism destination.

Travellers explore Pu To Co with backpacks and trekking poles, embracing the spirit of adventure. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam tightens oversight of adventure tourism with new standard

Tran Hau Ngoc, Vice President of the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ), highlighted that the standard requires comprehensive risk assessments before any activity takes place, covering terrain, weather, route difficulty and emergency preparedness, while also guiding the matching of routes to suitable participant groups.

The red sails are expected to become a unique visual highlight and popular check-in feature (Source: Quang Ninh's online portal)

Quang Ninh launches traditional sailboat tours along Ha Long Bay

The initiative follows strong public and visitor interest during the recent Lunar New Year (Tet), when the sight of the traditional wooden boat with its signature red sails drew widespread attention, both on-site and across social media, particularly among international tourists.

Visitors scan a QR code on the Km0 Ha Giang marker to access tourism information. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s tourism sector accelerates with AI

Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh said AI is opening up new opportunities, from analysing trends and personalising products to optimising promotion, revenue management and visitor flow forecasting, while shaping a smart tourism ecosystem.