Asia's 'most beautiful island' forecasts record-breaking influx of Russian tourists

By VNA October 14, 2025 | 04:22 pm PT

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

By the end of this year, a wave of direct and charter flights from major Russian cities and member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will head to Phu Quoc, signaling a surge in international arrivals to Phu Quoc, voted Asia's most beautiful island.

Vietnam's largest island Phu Quoc has been named the most beautiful island in Asia this year, according to readers of the American magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

From mid-October 2025 to April 2026, Phu Quoc is set to welcome numerous flights from Russia and the CIS amid a sharp rise in travel demand from these markets.

The charter flights, operated by Anex Tour Vietnam in collaboration with Azur Air and Vietjet Air, will depart from 14 cities across Russia and the CIS, with a frequency of 75–80 flights per month.

Notably, this includes the resumption of direct flights from Moscow to Phu Quoc.According to Anex Tour Vietnam, the charter flight program alone is expected to bring around 60,000 Russian and CIS tourists to Phu Quoc between October 2025 and April 2026, utilizing 1,200 – 1,500 hotel rooms daily.

On average, each visitor from these countries will stay more than 10 nights on the island.

Thanks to these positive developments, the number of tourists from Russia and the CIS is projected to increase by 30–35% year-on-year.

Data from Phu Quoc International Airport also show that air traffic from Russia to Phu Quoc has increased significantly, with passenger numbers rising by more than 300% compared to the same period last year.

This growth reflects a shift in Russian travel trends, as many now seek warm-weather destinations in Southeast Asia for long winter getaways.

While Bali and Phuket were once top choices, Phu Quoc, whose international profile has risen sharply in recent years, has become an appealing and refreshing alternative.