The renowned 'paradise' domestically and internationally.
In 2022, Phu Quoc welcomed nearly 5.1 million visitors, a growth of 134% compared to 2021 and nearly reaching the numbers of 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. 2022 was also considered a 'year of triumph' as Phu Quoc harvested a series of prestigious titles such as the 'top natural attraction island in the world' awarded by the World Travel Awards (WTA), or being listed among the top 10 favorite resort islands in Asia by Conde Nast Traveller magazine, and included in the list of the top 25 best islands in the world by Travel + Leisure.
Phu Quoc not only boasts breathtaking natural beauty but also a diverse range of internationally acclaimed resort and entertainment facilities.
Looking at the visitor chart of Phu Quoc from 2016 to 2019, one can witness a remarkable growth, with the city welcoming five times the number of visitors, from less than 1 million to over 5 million. Particularly in 2020, amidst the grim picture of the pandemic, Phu Quoc still welcomed 3.5 million visitors, surpassing even tourism 'icons' like Da Nang, Phuket (Thailand), and the Maldives.
Phu Quoc is also renowned as a favored destination for high-end domestic and international tourists. For instance, during the trial period of welcoming international visitors with vaccine passports, many private jets brought billionaire families from Laos to Phu Quoc. In 2019, the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay resort was chosen by billionaire Kaabia Grewal and groom Rushang Shah as the venue for their 7-day extravagant wedding.
Explaining the allure of Phu Quoc, international media and experts assert that the 'pearl island' possesses the trifecta of breathtaking natural beauty, continually renovated tourism infrastructure, and comprehensive professional tourism services.
A New World Destination
"Phu Quoc is an astonishing new destination in Asia, but we believe it will become a global tourism hotspot. We predict that nominations and awards will continue to grow for this important destination as more brands and products are attracted to develop on the island," said Graham Cooke, President of the WTA.
As WTA honors, Phu Quoc is a rare gem in Vietnam that possesses the 'privileges' of nature, such as its location in the Gulf of Thailand, year-round mild weather, and nearly 365 days of warm sunshine.
Phu Quoc is an ideal destination for relaxation, entertainment, and leisure.
Phu Quoc offers various forms of entertainment and recreation, such as island tours, water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, trekking in the national park, snorkeling to admire coral reefs, and more. However, these tourism products in Phu Quoc have not yet matched the natural beauty and advantages bestowed by Mother Nature. Before 2016, the number of tourists visiting the "pearl island" had never reached 1 million.
Since 2016, Phu Quoc has undergone continuous transformation. A significant breakthrough was the expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport's terminal in 2018, increasing its capacity to serve 4 million passengers annually. The island has also consistently welcomed leading private economic groups such as Sun Group, Vingroup, BIM Group, to invest and develop. Phu Quoc has gradually evolved into a tourism hotspot with a diverse range of world-class entertainment complexes and luxury resorts, quickly becoming Vietnam's first island city.
Sun Group alone, in its six years of investment in Phu Quoc with the aspiration to "beautify the land," has created an integrated tourism ecosystem from entertainment, resorts, to real estate associated with luxury resort tourism in the southern part of the island. Among them, many projects have become iconic landmarks of Phu Quoc tourism, such as the Hon Thom cable car, which holds three world records, Sun World Phu Quoc amusement park, Sunset Town, and the prestigious JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay resort.
At the end of 2022, Sun Group introduced "Kiss The Stars - The Kiss Among Thousands of Stars," the largest multimedia show on the sea in Asia, in Sunset Town. Produced by ECA2, the company behind 60 renowned multimedia shows in 17 countries, Kiss The Stars integrates cutting-edge technologies from around the world. Especially noteworthy is the nearly 1,000-square-meter water stage and the system of three projection domes. The show allows each audience member to become the protagonist in the story, embarking on a multidimensional journey through space and time, with the unpredictable transformation of scenery, water effects, fire, lasers, and lighting.
Returning to Sunset Town in the first quarter, visitors will witness a bustling land of festivals and events as Sun Group introduces The Proposal. Designed by "Italian Cultural Ambassador" Marco Casamonti, the bridge is an architectural masterpiece on the sea surface, blending structure and art. The two branches of the bridge, each 400 meters long, resemble two soft silk ribbons stretching out into the vast ocean, coming close but not touching each other. This small boundary will "welcome" the sunset at its most beautiful moment around Christmas each year.
The Proposal, which debuted in the first quarter of this year, is expected to become a new icon of tourism in Phu Quoc.
"Sun Group not only beautifies the land but also brings prosperity to the areas where the corporation invests. For Phu Quoc, Sun Group is investing most heavily in the service sector with projects that are characterized by class, diversity, richness, and appeal to both domestic and international tourists," shared Mr. Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City.
As of 2022, Phu Quoc has 286 tourism investment projects, accounting for 86% of the total tourism investment projects in Kien Giang province. In the not-too-distant future, world-class resorts and entertainment facilities, as well as vibrant festivals and events, will continue to converge on the "Pearl Island" of Vietnam. Beyond being known as the "World's Leading Island Destination," Phu Quoc asserts itself as a tourism paradise, offering increasingly attractive and luxurious vacation experiences for both domestic and international tourists.
