Setting a Year-Round “Peak” Travel Season
Previously, Phú Quốc’s international peak season was mainly from November to April, when the weather was ideal and aligned with major foreign holiday periods. The Lunar New Year 2025 holiday saw an explosion in international arrivals to the island, breaking all previous records.
However, thanks to strong growth in world-class resort infrastructure, a series of events, and new tourism products, the “Pearl Island” is gradually extending its travel season and attracting international visitors even during what were considered off-peak months.
In the first six months of 2025, the island city welcomed nearly 4.5 million tourists, an increase of 33.3% compared to the same period last year—reaching 61.1% of the annual target. International visitors alone accounted for nearly 900,000 arrivals, up sharply by 76.7% year‑on‑year. Total tourism revenue reached approximately VND 21,588 billion, marking a 92.6% increase over the same period.
Phú Quốc’s tourism ecosystem is now highly competitive with other domestic and regional destinations.
In June, Phú Quốc received over 20 international flights per day, while last year in the same period the number was only 9–11 flights daily. Recently, Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines announced it will operate flights from Hong Kong to Phú Quốc three times per week starting in July, using Boeing 737‑800 aircraft which is an important link between the island and one of Asia’s most vibrant financial and travel hubs.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong Express increased its flights to Phú Quốc from twice daily to three times daily. Routes from South Korea are operating 7–8 flights per day, reflecting rising travel demand from international markets, especially Northeast Asia.
In the southern part of the island, a top-tier entertainment and resort ecosystem has been built, encouraging visitors to stay for many days and over multiple seasons. Sun World Hòn Thơm recorded a 72% increase in visitors in May compared to the previous year, and in June maintained an impressive 43% growth. Notably, marquee entertainment offerings like the “Kiss of the Sea” bridge and show posted growth rates of 108% and 90% in May and June respectively, compared to the same months in 2024.
Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Director of Sun World Hòn Thơm, said: “Summer 2025 is seeing excellent growth in visitor numbers at our facilities in Phú Quốc. These figures not only reflect the appeal of the island’s southern tourism ecosystem, but also show that Phú Quốc is increasingly meeting trends in luxury resort tourism, cultural experiences, and upscale entertainment, gradually eliminating seasonality.”
Alongside the expansion of international flight networks, these outstanding numbers are blurring the distinction between high and low seasons, turning Phú Quốc into a year-round destination.
“Kiss of the Sea” with nightly fireworks painting the Sunset Town skyline.
The Pull of a Systematically Invested Ecosystem
According to many tourism experts, the appeal of the “Pearl Island” today comes not only from its pristine natural scenery, but more importantly from special visa policies, a systematically invested tourism and resort ecosystem built to international standards, with long-term vision.
Ms. Weichun Liu, CEO of KKday, Taiwan’s leading online travel platform, shared: “I was truly impressed by Phú Quốc’s development compared to my first visit in 2022. Phú Quốc not only has infrastructure and hotels, but many programs, international performances, and night markets, forming a growing ecosystem.”
She also noted that with superb natural beauty and the rapid pace of tourist development in Phú Quốc, the island is meeting the needs of luxury and high‑end tourists, family segments, and even young people who love partying. “I think this is a place you can visit year after year, and each time have a fresh experience,” she said.
Indeed, in just a few years, Phú Quốc’s appearance has transformed significantly with hundreds of investment projects, the involvement of major private economic groups such as Sun Group, Vingroup, BIM Group, and the entry of world-renowned hotel management brands like Marriott, Accor, Hilton, Rosewood…
A variety of resort experiences are drawing visitors to stay for longer stays.
But beyond existing offerings, Phú Quốc is taking steps toward its long-term vision to become an international-level eco-tourism and innovation hub. Leveraging the APEC 2027 momentum, a number of strategic projects are being vigorously implemented to elevate the island’s tourism infrastructure.
Projects such as the expansion of Phú Quốc International Airport, handling up to 20 million passengers per year, and a multifunctional APEC complex capable of hosting 15,000 people at once are necessary preparations to welcome growing international travel, especially MICE and event tourism.
Coming soon, through cooperation with Sun Group, a number of the world’s luxury resort brands, such as Rixos, The Luxury Collection, and Ritz‑Carlton Reserve, will land in Phú Quốc like a “promised land.” The iconic Aspira Tower (Khát Vọng Tower), shaped like a wind‑filled sail, will rise proudly over the southern sea and sky of Phú Quốc, becoming the island’s new tourism icon and a luxury resort, entertainment, and commercial complex that attracts millions of visitors annually.
Aspira Tower, with a total investment of VND 13,000 billion, is expected to complete in 2027.
With high growth momentum and a gradually completing ecosystem of tourism, resorts, and world‑class conference infrastructure, the future in which Phú Quốc becomes an international tourism hub is no longer far off. The expansion of air routes, the growing presence of global brands, and the diversity of international tourists from Asia to Europe are the clearest evidence.
When visitors come to the Pearl Island not only to relax but also to attend events, enjoy art, explore architecture and culture, the concept of an off‑season is gradually being erased, making way for a vibrant Phú Quốc all year round.
