Hanoi (VNA) - The Sun, one of the United Kingdom’s most widely read newspapers, expressed astonishment at the surging demand for flights to Phu Quoc among international travelers and stated that the island is on track to outpace Bali and Phuket.
Recently, The Sun, which has one of the largest daily readerships in the UK, published a feature article dedicated to Phu Quoc. Alice Penwill, the author, noted that Phu Quoc remains relatively new on the global tourism map but is witnessing a remarkable and rapid rise in international visitor numbers.
The paper highlighted that natural beauty is the primary reason Phu Quoc is drawing foreign tourists. The Sun praised the island’s stunning landscape and affirmed that Phu Quoc is known as the Pearl Island for its spectacular scenery, white sand beaches, and longstanding tradition of pearl farming. The article also encouraged travellers to experience activities found nowhere else in the world, including taking the world record holding longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island for panoramic views of southern Phu Quoc.
“Although the island has long been known for its natural beauty, the expansion of the airport and the launch of an airline named after the island will transform it into a new paradise for international travellers,” The Sun wrote.
The paper added that the biggest obstacle for visitors from the UK and Europe is the lack of direct flights, which increases airfare costs. Even so, it noted that reasonable accommodation and dining prices still make Phu Quoc worth the multi stop journey. The Sun concluded that Sun Group’s investment could propel Phu Quoc into new horizons.
Demand for flights to Phu Quoc has risen sharply. In the first nine months of 2025, the island welcomed nearly 1.6 million international visitors, a 1.8 times increase year on year and already reaching 135% of the annual target. The airport is being expanded to raise its capacity to 20 million passengers annually. By 2050, Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to accommodate about 50 million passengers a year.
Express, another UK news outlet, has also offered high praise for Phu Quoc, calling the island “an ideal choice in Southeast Asia” and noting that it stands out as a fresher alternative to Thailand, which has long been familiar to British travellers. Beyond natural beauty, Express stated that Phu Quoc’s appeal lies in its distinctive experiences. A combination of authentic local culture and globally unique activities offered at reasonable prices is what makes British tourists consider Phu Quoc a compelling destination.
With repeated appearances in prestigious international publications and with remarkable growth in visitor numbers, Phu Quoc is steadily narrowing the gap and may soon surpass other well-known islands in the region such as Bali and Phuket, positioning itself to become the “new paradise” as described by The Sun./.
