Phu Quoc welcomes first int'l tourists under vaccine passport program

The tourists flew from Seoul to Phu Quoc International Airport and were welcomed by authorities.

"I am happy to see everything, from the scenery to the way we were received, is so great," said a tourist on his first trip to Phu Quoc.

Tourists undergo health screening right at the airport, before traveling to Phu Quoc United Center, where they would spend the next four days.

Resorts, entertainment and sport venues, parks and zoos, among other services, would all be available.

During their trip, tourists would be tested twice, once when they enter the island and again when they leave.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said the visit is among the first of the trial vaccine passport program, both for Phu Quoc and Vietnam. It is a step towards resuming tourism in Vietnam, he added.

Nguyen Luu Trung, deputy chairman of Kien Giang People's Committee, said the event marks a new chapter for Phu Quoc's tourism.

"We believe with cooperation between businesses, until the end of the year, Phu Quoc could receive and serve up to 400,000 tourists," he said.

Kien Giang is one of five localities to get the green light from the government to welcome back fully immunized tourists from November onwards along with Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and Da Nang.

Quang Nam received more than 150 tourists this week.