Asia's 'most beautiful island' records 123% rise in foreign tourists in January

By Hoang Phong February 8, 2026 | 07:00 pm PT

Foreign tourists shop at Duong Dong night market in January 2026. Photo by Truong Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, voted Asia's most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, welcomed 278,347 foreign arrivals in January, up 122.9% year-on-year and meeting 13.8% of this year's target, according to An Giang Province's Department of Tourism.

Officials of Phu Quoc International Airport forecast a sharp rise in air traffic during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, with flight volumes and passenger numbers expected to climb significantly from the same period last year, particularly during peak travel days, Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper reported.

The Year of Horses starts on Feb. 17 and Vietnam will take a nine-day holiday for the occasion starting Feb. 14.

Based on airlines' operating plans, the total number of flights during the Tet period is expected to rise by about 50% from last year’s holiday, averaging around 75 flights per day.

On peak days, traffic could climb to between 80 and 84 daily flights, with international services accounting for roughly half.

In January Phu Quoc received a total of 983,387 arrivals, a 60.7% year-on-year increase.

Phu Quoc's total tourism revenue last month was estimated at VND6.1 trillion (US$235 million), an increase of 140.9% compared to the same period last year.

2025 was a booming year for Phu Quoc with 8.1 million visitors including 1.8 million foreign arrivals.

The island expects to receive 8.5 million tourists this year, up 5% from last year, including two million foreigners, an 11% increase.