Phu Quoc Eyes Tourism Boom with 1.9 Million Foreign Visitors in 9 Months

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam's largest island located off the southern province of An Giang, has welcomed 1.9 million foreign tourists from January to September. This figure represents a substantial recovery for the island's tourism sector. In the third quarter alone, the island recorded 597,000 international tourists, an 87% increase year-on-year, according to a report from the provincial Department of Tourism. This surge highlights the ongoing rebound of Vietnam's tourism industry. The island is actively working to expand its international tourism markets by promoting direct and charter flights, including new routes to Japan, as stated on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's portal. A direct flight connection to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was recently launched on September 1. Alongside aviation promotion, the tourism industry is stepping up its use of technology. This includes digitizing tourism data and developing communication products such as e-books and videos featuring AI-generated voiceovers to enhance promotion and visitor experience. Phu Quoc aims to welcome a total of 8.5 million tourists this year, with 2 million of them being international visitors. The current growth trajectory suggests a strong possibility of achieving these ambitious targets. Under Vietnam's one-party system, economic growth is a key priority, with tourism serving as a vital sector for foreign exchange earnings and job creation. Destinations like Phu Quoc are investing heavily in infrastructure and promotional activities to boost international competitiveness. Diversifying tourist sources is also considered important for economic security, especially amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.