Asia's '2nd most beautiful island' receives 6.5 million tourists this year

By Hoang Phong September 25, 2025 | 06:30 pm PT

Foreign tourists on Kem beach in Phu Quoc, southern Vietnam. Photo by SG

Phu Quoc Island, voted the second most beautiful island in Asia last year by readers of American magazine Condé Nast Traveler, welcomed 6.5 million visitors from January to September, surpassing last year's total of 5.9 million.

The island received 1.2 million foreign arrivals, up 65% year-on-year, and earned tourism revenues of VND51 trillion (US$1.9 billion), according to a report from the provincial Department of Tourism.

October to May is the peak travel season on the island with sunny weather and clear blue sea.

Phu Quocs tourism outlook brightens in the final months of the year as Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the carrier owned by resort and theme park operator Sun Group, prepares for its inaugural flight on Nov. 1.

A spokesperson said Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to operate eight daily flights between Hanoi and HCMC in the initial phase, five daily flights between Hanoi and Phu Quoc Island, eight between HCMC and Phu Quoc Island, and three between Hanoi and Da Nang.

Vietnam's largest island, known for its long sandy beaches, upscale entertainment complexes, and ancient temples, has earned prestigious accolades from global travel publications.

Most recently, it ranked third on Travel + Leisure magazine's list of the 10 best islands in the Asia-Pacific region, trailing Bali and Koh Samui.

Last year, Phu Quoc was voted the second most beautiful island in Asia, after Bali of Indonesia, by readers of Condé Nast Traveler.