Foreign tourists swarm Phu Quoc on New Year's Day

With the New Year holiday lasting just one day and falling in midweek, many localities saw few visitors as anticipated by tourism insiders.

But Phu Quoc was bursting at the seams.

Hon Thom cable car station area is full of tourists on Dec. 31, 2024. Photo by Phuong Dinh

Major hotels such as Wyndham Grand Phu Quoc and Wyndham Garden Grandworld Phu Quoc, which together have over 1,000 rooms, reported full occupancy, with foreign tourists accounting for 80% of their guests.

Le Tran Phuong Dinh, a tour guide on the island, said the streets were crowded with international visitors while domestic tourists were relatively scarce.

Amusement venues in the northern and southern parts of Phu Quoc have organized art shows and fireworks displays, drawing large numbers of foreign tourists, he said.

Phu Quoc night market on Jan. 1, 2025. Photo by Truong Phu Quoc

Some restaurants in popular areas like Hon Thom were constantly overcrowded and required advance reservation.

"Many people joke that if you want to learn English quickly, just spend two weeks in Phu Quoc because of the sheer number of foreign visitors," Dinh quipped.

The owner of Gio Bien restaurant in the Ganh Dau area confirmed the overcrowding, saying foreign tourist groups had booked tables well in advance.

Other popular tourist destinations such as Con Dao, Nha Trang, HCMC, Vung Tau, and Phan Thiet remained relatively quiet during the holiday.