Phu Quoc Island on Track for 8.5 Million Tourists with 7.8 Million Visitors in 8 Months

Phu Quoc, voted Asia's most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, welcomed 7.8 million tourists in the first eight months of the year, achieving 92% of its annual target. This marks a significant 30.1% year-on-year increase, underscoring its growing popularity as a premier travel destination. In August alone, the island received 1 million tourists, a 28% rise compared to the same month last year. Phu Quoc has emerged as a leading southern destination, particularly during the recent five-day National Day holiday, driven by increased search interest, abundant flight options, and competitive airfares. Travel industry professionals report a 60% surge in interest for Phu Quoc this year. A four-day, three-night tour package with Vietnam Airlines starts at VND7.3 million (US$280), appealing to a wide range of travelers including groups of friends, families, and corporate delegations. Airfares for the National Day holiday period have also seen a decrease from last year. Round-trip tickets on the Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc route are approximately VND2.6 million, while Hanoi-Phu Quoc tickets cost around VND4.5 million. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has announced that airlines have allocated nearly 1 million seats on key tourism routes for the holiday, a 10% increase year-on-year, with carriers adding flights and capacity to Phu Quoc and other major destinations. Phu Quoc's advantage lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its diverse and high-quality tourism service ecosystem, which helps it maintain appeal even during the current rainy season. The island aims to attract 8.5 million tourists, including 2 million foreigners, by the end of the year. In Vietnam's context as a one-party state, tourism is a crucial sector for foreign exchange earnings and economic growth, with the government actively investing in infrastructure and promotional campaigns. While economic ties with China are substantial, geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea necessitate diversification of tourism sources, which Phu Quoc's growing appeal contributes to.