In recent years, Phu Quoc - the most beautiful island in Asia and a top destination globally, is emerging as a 'hot spot' on the travel map for Korean tourists. Specifically during the 2026 New Year holiday, Phu Quoc witnessed a strong increase in international visitors, notably a surge in visitors from South Korea. On January 3rd, Phu Quoc International Airport recorded a record 46 international flights in a single day, with flights from South Korea accounting for the largest proportion, including 13 flights from Incheon, Busan, and Cheongju.
Over January 1st and 2nd alone, over 4,500 Korean tourists arrived on the 'Pearl Island'. During the 4 peak days from January 1st to 4th, the total number of flights to Phu Quoc reached 288, a 27% increase compared to the same period, indicating that Phu Quoc is increasingly becoming a favored destination for Korean tourists during holidays. The rapid increase in Korean visitors is not only reflected in record numbers of flights and arrivals, but also clearly demonstrates Phu Quoc's growing appeal in international media.
Korean Media Unanimously Praises Phu Quoc
On July 15, 2024, the data network Rankify Korea announced the top 10 overseas destinations most loved by Korean tourists. According to the ranking, Phu Quoc scored 12,855 points, far surpassing familiar destinations for Korean tourists such as Nha Trang (10,157 points) or Tokyo (3,796 points). Notably, the demographic showing the most favor towards the 'Pearl Island' falls within the 30-39 age group, with women making up 67%. This segment was once considered the 'backbone' of the international tourism market due to high spending power, distinct aesthetic preferences, and a tendency to prioritize experiences that can be widely shared on social media.
This impressive breakthrough quickly attracted a wave of attention from the Korean media. Phu Quoc is continuously mentioned with glowing terms befitting a Southeast Asian destination. South Korea's largest news agency, Yonhap, once referred to Phu Quoc as a 'rising star'. However, less than a year later, that description no longer seems sufficient to capture the island's current standing.
Korean newspapers praise Phu Quoc.
In an article published in July 2024, The Korea Herald – the English-language daily with the largest readership in South Korea – depicted Phu Quoc as a place that "captivates the heart" with its sunset moments and the romantic beauty characteristic of tropical nature. As for Chosun Ilbo – one of the three largest mainstream newspapers in Korea – Phu Quoc's appeal lies in its nature being able to "fully satisfy all five senses" of tourists.
Most recently, reporter Ham Young-hoon of Korea Herald – one of South Korea's leading reputable economic and consumer dailies – mentioned Phu Quoc as a typical choice for the early months of the year, especially January, when the demand for South Korean tourists to "escape the cold" is high.
Not stopping at newspaper pages, Phu Quoc also conquers Korean artists and KOLs. "K-pop goddess" UEE publicly expressed her fondness for the island, while travel blogger Mango Fairy – who has 16,000 followers on Naver – affectionately calls Phu Quoc the "Maldives of Vietnam". According to her, the beachfront villas here are not only high quality but also have more "pleasant" prices compared to famous resort destinations like Phuket (Thailand).
"K-pop goddess" UEE "shares photos" in Phu Quoc.
Increasing appearances in newspapers, social media, and tourism platforms have helped Phu Quoc complete a clear transformation from a suggested "to try" destination to a sought-after choice for Korean tourists seeking new and luxurious resort experiences.
What attracts Korean tourists to Phu Quoc?
For Korean tourists, Phu Quoc is increasingly seen as a destination that converges all the elements for an ideal vacation. The first reason that makes Korean tourists easily "fall in love" with Phu Quoc lies in its natural beauty. The island boasts up to 28 large and small islands, a coastline of about 150km, along with 14 beaches with fine white sand and clear water, and a warm, sunny climate year-round. For tourists coming from countries with long and harsh winters, the feeling of stepping onto an island full of sunshine, blue sea, and fresh air just a few hours after a direct flight is an extremely attractive experience.
Particularly, Phu Quoc National Park and the Marine Protected Area occupy more than two-thirds of the island's natural area, forming the core of the An Giang World Biosphere Reserve. In the context of sustainable tourism increasingly gaining attention in South Korea, Phu Quoc's preservation of its vast natural space, rich in biodiversity, and its development of tourism alongside conservation is a major plus, frequently highly praised by the Korean media.
Phu Quoc possesses beautiful nature.
Not only nature, Phu Quoc also captivates Korean tourists with a well-invested entertainment ecosystem offering deep experiential value. Standing out among them is Sunset Town in the South of the island. As sunset falls, the sun gradually sinks below the horizon, leaving a gentle golden-orange light covering the sky and the sea, creating a scene that is both romantic and peaceful. That moment is not only beautiful to behold but also profound enough to make many tourists remember it forever, considering it as one of the most precious memories of the trip.
Sunset Town also particularly attracts tourists who love photography and exploring new spaces. Winding cobblestone slopes, colorful squares, and small European-style streets by the sea create a feeling as if walking in a town on the Mediterranean coast.
Iconic structures like Kiss Bridge further make this place a check-in spot that many people wish to experience. This very attraction has led many couples to choose Sunset Town as a place for wedding photos or to mark important moments in their romantic journey.
Kiss Bridge - the bridge of art and love.
Besides the beautiful scenery, Sunset Town is also attractive for its vibrant entertainment life that lasts all day long. During the day, visitors can leisurely stroll around Sunset Bazaar, enjoy colorful street performances, and feel the bustling yet pleasant atmosphere.
As night falls, the show Symphony of the Sea unfolds an impressive visual feast with brilliant fireworks, graceful water music, along with skillful performances by the world's top jetski and flyboard athletes. Immediately after, the Kiss of the Sea show continues with a romantic atmosphere on the sea, where music, light, and fireworks blend, concluding a complete and emotional experience.
As night falls, the shows unfold an impressive visual feast.
Cuisine in Phu Quoc in general and Sunset Town in particular is also a big plus in the eyes of Korean tourists. Tourists can easily find diverse options, from exquisite European cuisine, authentic Korean dishes to restaurants serving Halal food, meeting various tastes. The presence of international culinary brands such as Eric Kayser - Maison Kayser contributes to elevating the culinary experience.
Another experience frequently mentioned by the Korean press is the world's longest three-rope cable car route connecting the South island to Hon Thom. Sitting in the cabin, tourists can cast their eyes over the entire Phu Quoc archipelago from above, feeling the majesty of nature and the jade-green beauty of the ocean.
Phu Quoc also scores points thanks to its diverse accommodation system, suitable for various types of guests. Luxury resorts such as JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, New World Phu Quoc Resort or La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton cater to the luxurious resort needs of high-end guests, families, and those on long holidays. Meanwhile, hotels and boutique hotels in Sunset Town are suitable for young travelers with moderate spending but still want to enjoy beautiful spaces and amenities.
The sunset in Phu Quoc captivates everyone.
Finally, convenient accessibility is a key factor that makes Phu Quoc a top choice for Korean tourists. With numerous direct flights from Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, a separate visa exemption policy for Phu Quoc, and Korean airlines continuously opening new routes, the distance between the two countries has been significantly shortened. As a result, Phu Quoc is not just a destination for short trips but is gradually becoming a place where Korean tourists return multiple times, each visit offering a new experience while retaining a pleasant, familiar, and memorable feeling.
