Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese island, has been dubbed the “Maldives of Vietnam”, “Paradise Island”, “Rough Pearl of Southeast Asia” and “Luxurious Paradise Retreat” by various media outlets. It has gained international recognition and praise for its breathtaking natural beauty and alluring appeal of the dreamy beach resorts. Leading publications such as the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveller, Travel+Leisure, and top travel advisory websites like Lonely Planet, Travel Lemming, Travel Off Path, Bored Panda, and reputable South Korean media organisations such as Yonhap and AsiaA have all praised the island.
Lonely Planet highlights the pristine white sand beaches, while CN Traveller recommends the tranquil and untouched beauty of Bai Sao, voted one of the top 10 quiet beaches in the world. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency suggests staying in the southern resorts and exploring Sunset Town - a “Mediterranean town”. AsiaA highlights local experiences such as visiting fish sauce factories and pepper gardens.
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| Tourists were experiencing the world-renowned Hon Thom Cable Car in Phu Quoc |
This unique experience has been highly recommended by major media outlets, making it a must-try attraction in Phu Quoc. The Hon Thom cable car holds the Guinness World Record as the longest tri-cable gondola (3S) cable car system, solidifying its status as a world-renowned marvel.
The most unique way to admire the sea
“If you can take a cable car to the Roman Colosseum, you are in Vietnam”. That's how the New York Times humorously described the Hon Thom cable car in an article published at the end of last October. Patrick Scott, author of the article, visited Phu Quoc in March, taking the 8-km cable car ride across the sea from Sunset Town to Hon Thom Island.
In addition to describing the area around the cable car station as a “complete” version of the Roman Colosseum in Rome, the reporter was also impressed by the sea view from the cable car. He likened the water colour off Phu Quoc Island to “crystal clear”, further enhanced by the colours of hundreds of wooden fishing boats, creating a truly vibrant scene.
The Hon Thom cable car has been receiving international attention for its breathtaking views and unique experience. Travel2Next reports that the Hon Thom cable car offers some of the most beautiful scenery that visitors can find in Phu Quoc. AsiaA, a South Korean publication, also praised the experience, describing it as a 15-minute journey that allows you to take in the stunning views of the emerald sea of Phu Quoc from above, immersing yourself in the clear sky and admiring the surrounding islands. CNN also recommended the Hon Thom cable car as an unforgettable experience that travelers should add to their Phu Quoc itinerary.
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| A tourist was experiencing the breathtaking sunset over the sea by taking a cable car to Hon Thom |
Not only that, for a professional guidebook like Lonely Planet, the Hon Thom cable car is also considered a reasonably priced experience. For only 600,000 VND, visitors can not only travel on the longest sea-crossing 3S cable car in the world, but also enjoy unlimited fun with the “adventure in the wilderness” theme at Aquatopia Water Park or challenge themselves with thrilling games at Exotica Village.
Experience the unique and unparalleled “sea-viewing” that has been continuously recommended by Travel Lemming, Travel Off Path, Bored Panda, and many other travel websites as a top must-try experience when visiting Phu Quoc. With its high recognition, a simple search for “Things to do in Phu Quoc” on Google's image search will result in 2/3 of the top images being of the Hon Thom cable car, gliding over the deep blue ocean with countless boats below. It's safe to say that the Hon Thom cable car has become one of the iconic landmarks of Pearl Island and represents the image of Phu Quoc as a destination, alongside the unique cultural experiences of the local area.
Tourism symbol of “Pearl Island”
It's no coincidence that Phu Quoc has become a rising star in the travel industry, with its rapid increase in recognition on the world travel map. It can be said that the pristine and romantic beauty of nature is the key factor that creates the initial attraction for Phu Quoc. The cable car is one of the tourism products that helps travellers experience that beauty in the most comprehensive way. Experts also evaluate this as an environmentally friendly means of transportation, helping the destination to develop sustainable tourism.
As reported by the New York Times, Steven Dale, the founder of the reputable "Gondola Project" website, has evaluated Vietnam's terrain as ideal for the construction of cable car systems. With its abundance of mountains, forests and islands, Vietnam offers the perfect landscape for this efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
The potential of cable car systems in Vietnam was highlighted by the opening of the Hon Thom cable car in 2018. This remarkable feat set a world record for the longest 3S cable car system, capturing the attention of people around the globe. Beyond this impressive achievement, the Hon Thom cable car has transformed the way visitors explore Phu Quoc. Instead of a 30-minute boat ride to the largest island in the An Thoi Archipelago, travellers can now shorten their journey to just 15 minutes. This 8-km journey over the sea has become an exhilarating experience, offering panoramic views of the vibrant colours of An Thoi Bay and the bustling boat traffic.
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| The Hon Thom Cable Car - the longest sea-crossing tri-cable gondola car in the world - is a source of pride for Vietnamese people |
The latest addition to the Sun World Hon Thom entertainment complex has been hailed as a stepping stone to transform “Pearl Island” from a quiet and uneventful destination to a vibrant and exciting hub of entertainment. This project marks the first of many in the Sun World Hon Thom complex, developed by the renowned Sun Group on the southern island. It serves as a gateway to Hon Thom, which is being envisioned as a luxurious paradise destination, attracting affluent travellers from around the world, akin to famous island destinations like Bora Bora and the Maldives.
With its unique allure, the Hon Thom Cable Car has become a source of pride for Vietnamese people on the world stage. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien said: “As a coastal island city, Phu Quoc has quickly gathered many top-notch tourist attractions. These attractions are capable of leaving anyone who visits in awe due to their uniqueness and level of development. With these achievements, the Vietnamese people can be proud of their country”.
