Phu Quoc Strengthens Tourism Appeal Ahead of APEC 2027

Amid this investment wave, Phu Quoc is emerging as a representative destination, with a series of infrastructure, hospitality and international cooperation projects being developed in preparation for APEC 2027 and the years beyond. Thorough preparations will not only ensure the successful organisation of APEC 2027 events but also help showcase Vietnam as a friendly, peaceful and stable destination while promoting the cultural features and tourist attractions of Phu Quoc and An Giang to the international community. Phu Quoc, also called Pearl Island, rose to second place on the list of Asia-Pacific’s best islands, moving up one position from 2025 and surpassing many renowned destinations such as Bali (Indonesia), Palawan (the Philippines), Langkawi (Malaysia), and Sumba (Indonesia). Ranked only behind Koh Samui (Thailand), Pearl Island was also the sole representative from Vietnam to appear in this year’s ranking. Stretching for more than 3,200 kilometres, Vietnam’s coastline boasts hundreds of beaches, ranging from long stretches of white sand and crystal-clear waters to secluded bays surrounded by lush mountains and tropical forests. Paris Match says Vietnam's appeal extends beyond its landscapes and luxury resorts. Its unique combination of nature, history, cultural heritage and local life offers travellers a wide range of authentic experiences, making the country an increasingly attractive destination for international travellers. Vietnam's pavilion emerged as one of the highlights of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Open Day 2026 in Geneva on July 5, attracting a steady stream of visitors eager to savour authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Many said the experience had inspired them to visit Vietnam in the near future. The festival recorded more than 100,000 overnight visitors per competition night, with the June 27 blast hitting a season-best 117,400. Citywide hotel occupancy sailed past 70%, and plenty of downtown and beachfront properties ran near full. Da Nang is home to nearly 70 craft villages and traditional craft villages, along with around 3,000 craft establishments; many of these have become popular tourist attractions. The country received around 1.7 million international visitors in June alone, an increase of 14.7% from the same month last year, despite the month traditionally being part of the low travel season. Vietnam’s tourism performance has been widely regarded as a bright spot at a time when the global tourism industry continues to face significant challenges, including geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts in several regions, slowing global economic growth, rising oil prices and higher travel costs. According to Biba Magazine, Vietnam's regional culinary diversity, fresh ingredients and refined cooking techniques have elevated its cuisine far beyond iconic dishes such as pho and spring rolls, making it one of the country's most memorable attractions for international visitors. According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), FIT has become one of the defining trends in post-pandemic tourism. Increasingly, travellers are seeking flexibility, personalised experiences and authentic cultural engagement, prompting destinations worldwide to rethink their tourism products, services and marketing strategies. In less than a decade, Phu Quoc has grown from around 1.45 million visitors in 2016 to more than 8.1 million in 2025. In the same year, Sa Pa welcomed around 4.3 million visitors, while tourism revenue increased more than 11 times compared with the period before synchronised investment was introduced. With strong growth momentum, strategic investment in quality tourism, upgraded infrastructure and increasingly diversified source markets, Vietnam is steadily reinforcing its position as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and promising tourism destinations. On a weekend morning, the “5 Cua O” (Hanoi Five Gates) heritage train pulled out of Hanoi Railway Station to the strains of “xam tau dien” - a traditional folk music echoing through a community carriage. Outside the window, the bustle of the Old Quarter gradually receded and the iron span of the historic Long Bien Bridge slid into view. Located about 80km from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Dinh Mountain stretches across Tan Hai, Long Huong, and Chau Pha wards. As the first airline to operate scheduled nonstop flights between Phu Quoc and Chengdu, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is also introducing launch offers of up to 20% off fares, complimentary Sun World Hon Thom Cable Car tickets, and exclusive privileges across the integrated Sun Group ecosystem. By combining modern entertainment with local cultural and ecological experiences, Ho Chi Minh City's coastal destinations are seeking to offer visitors more diverse and memorable holidays this summer Indian arrivals to Vietnam have risen sharply from around 100,000 before 2016 to 750,000 in 2025, 4.5 times higher than in 2019, driven by expanding direct air routes. The number of Vietnamese visitors to India has also maintained an average annual growth rate of 17–20%. Affordable hotels, direct flights, easy visas and breathtaking landscapes are making Vietnam one of the most sought-after international destinations for Indian travellers looking for value and unforgettable experiences. Located between Voi (Elephant) Cave and Ma Da Lake in the Ma Da Valley, within the park’s strictly protected zone, the cave measures about 3,000 metres in length and 70 metres in average width, with several chambers extending beyond 100 metres. It has two entrances leading to separate branches. While the main entrance covers about 5 sq.m, the exit is narrow, allowing passage for only one adult at a time. The Public Transport Management Centre under the city's Department of Construction said on June 25 that the new non-subsidised route (DL06) will connect Saigon Bus Station and Binh Trung. The service will be operated by World Travel Trading JSC using 60-seat open-top double-decker buses. An unexplored cave with a nearly 70-metre-wide entrance and striking multicoloured stalactites has been discovered in the Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve in the central province of Quang Tri. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.