On March 6, 2026, the prestigious travel magazine DestinAsian officially announced its list of the top 10 islands in Asia for 2026 as part of its Readers' Choice Awards. Not only was it the sole representative from Vietnam, but Phu Quoc also made a remarkable impression by climbing to the runner-up position, continuing an impressive three-year upward trend.
Heading the selection list of Travel + Leisure is the Hon Thom cable car in the South of the pearl island, Phu Quoc. This is not merely a means of transportation, but a "unique" experience carrying a Guinness World Record – the longest 3-wire cable car route on the planet.
According to Travel + Leisure, these uninterrupted performances have been instrumental in establishing the "Pearl Island" as one of Southeast Asia’s most notable emerging destinations.
Looking forward to APEC 2027, the island is fast-tracking 21 key projects, spanning transport infrastructure, urban development, technical systems, and specialised facilities designed to accommodate world-class conferences and activities.
Phu Quoc International Airport recorded 50 international flights on February 14, marking the highest daily figure since the airport commenced operations in 2012, welcoming more than 30,600 passengers and signaling a vibrant Lunar New Year peak season for the island.
In 2025 alone, the island welcomed more than 8.1 million visitors, including over 1.8 million foreigners, with the RoK and India emerging as dominant source markets that together drove more than half of foreign arrivals.
According to What’s On, Phu Quoc has long been a familiar resort destination for travellers from the Republic of Korea, China, and Russia, while steadily attracting growing international interest year after year.
An Giang province welcomed more than 80.8 million visitors from 2021-2025, including nearly 3.5 million foreigners, generating over 142.8 trillion VND (5.49 billion USD) in revenue.
More than 750 consecutive nights of fireworks, with over 380,000 fireworks launched, stand as a vivid metaphor for an island persistently striving toward a brighter future.
Savouring Tet on Phu Quoc allows visitors to dive into the island's pristine natural assets, from stunning beaches and untouched primary forests to nearby islets, all wrapped in an effortlessly festive, sun-kissed holiday vibe.
Selecting Vietnam for this year’s list, the New York Times editorial board described the S-shaped country as a rapidly rising tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Tourism hosted arrivals of the first international visitors at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, including those on Vietnam Airlines' VN30 from Germany and Qatar Airways' QR974 from Qatar.
Beyond its striking natural landscapes—an attribute that has consistently earned the island top rankings among Asia’s and the world’s most beautiful beaches and destinations, Business Traveller noted that Phu Quoc’s true strength lies in its ability to offer a complete range of experiences within a single destination.
As part of its annual year-end tradition, Traveller - the travel section of The Sydney Morning Herald published a list of the world’s most compelling destinations. In its latest ranking of the “14 island and beach destinations to visit now,” Phu Quoc was the only representative from Vietnam, joining renowned coastal destinations such as Okinawa (Japan) and Cap-Ferrat (France).
With an estimated growth rate of 21% this year, Vietnam's tourism industry is now regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as one of the fastest-growing in the world.
Phu Quoc International Airport welcomed over 180 Indian travellers on a new direct flight from New Delhi on December 10, marking the start of a month-long flight series that will link the two destinations and bring a fresh wave of visitors to Vietnam’s pristine island.
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.
Although only about 60% of the full version was presented, the rehearsal left the entire directing crew and spectators at Sun Bavaria GastroPub amazed by its grandeur and appeal.
Vietjet Air's Airbus 321-VJ 3522 flight from Vladivostok, Russia, carried 220 passengers on a seven-hour journey to Phu Quoc. These Russian visitors are the first participants in a full-package charter tour, including airfare, accommodation, sightseeing, and local services, directly operated by Anex Vietnam Co., Ltd.
From mid-October 2025 to April 2026, Phu Quoc is set to welcome numerous flights from Russia and the CIS amid a sharp rise in travel demand from these markets.
With the three-room Vietnamese design, where all spaces overlook the pool, New World Phu Quoc is particularly popular with families as parents can easily watch over their children from any corner of the villa.
Phu Quoc alone welcomed more than 6.5 million tourists during the same period, with total revenue reaching nearly 31.14 trillion VND. Notably, the island received some 1.2 million foreign visitors, accounting for 97% of the international arrivals to An Giang, highlighting its position as a premier resort destination in the region.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s “Pearl Island” in the southern province of An Giang, is poised to enter a new era of growth with ambitions to become an international special zone
In Sarah’s view, Phu Quoc’s beaches are “picturesque,” with Kem Beach standing out most - home to the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, designed by architect Bill Bensley.
Phu Quoc special zone in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang is cementing its position as a prime destination for visitors in Vietnam and the world, expecting to welcome more than 7 million tourist arrivals this year.