Traveloka joins with Kien Giang to welcome back int'l tourists

Resorts and hotels in Phu Quoc are ready to welcome back international tourists. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Phu Quoc will welcome international tourists from November. Chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee on Oct. 21 issued the pilot plan to receive foreign visitors carrying "vaccine passports."

The pilot plan will be implemented in two phases over six months when the island is scheduled to reach safe vaccination coverage for its population, targeting tourists from certain countries and territories with high safety levels in infection prevention and control, in Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and Oceania.

To be eligible, visitors must have a vaccination certificate as recognized by competent Vietnamese authorities; or a certificate of Covid-19 recovery; negative PCR test result for Covid-19 (in English) obtained within 72 hours before departure. Children under 18 with negative test results are allowed to accompany their parents, or guardians who have been fully vaccinated according to regulations.

Visitors are also required to present round-trip airline tickets, health insurance, and to register for package tours via travel agencies.

The reopening program aims to promote the image of Phu Quoc as a safe and friendly destination. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Huynh Thi Mai Thy, country manager of Traveloka Vietnam, a travel and lifestyle app, stated: "Traveloka is honored to become the only booking platform partner to collaborate with Kien Giang Province to support the reopening program of Phu Quoc sandbox. We see innovation and collaboration as crucial factors to support the tourism sector to continue growing."

"It is also aligned with our commitment to support the government in driving national economic recovery with unparalleled technology and a large network of partners, especially in the travel and tourism sector. We hope the "Live Fully" program could contribute to mapping out a path forward for Phu Quoc to rise and shine strongly and revive the tourism industry in the country," Thy added.

Traveloka's participation is not only presented through the "Live Fully" program, but also in guidelines for safe travel right on the app, equipping tourists with the most comprehensive information ahead of their trips.

Nguyen Duy Linh Thao, director of Tourism, Commerce, Investment Promotion Center of Kien Giang Province. Photo courtesy of KITRA

Nguyen Duy Linh Thao, director of Tourism, Commerce, Investment Promotion Center of Kien Giang Province, praised the cooperation in pushing Vietnam’s tourism recovery.

"This strategic collaboration is part of our way to promote Phu Quoc as a preferred destination ready to open to domestic and international tourists. We believe that through the ‘Live Fully’ program, we will provide the best experiences for travelers while at the same time providing informative content regarding Phu Quoc destinations," she said.

Previously, Traveloka had collaborated with Da Nang, Hue, Hanoi, and Da Lat to promote local tourism, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign travelers. In August and September this year, Traveloka joined hands with Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau in online booking for hotel quarantine and transportation, making it more convenient for people to complete isolation while easing the burden on centralized quarantine facilities.

Phu Quoc has long been known as the Pearl Island, or even the "new Maldives" of the world. Surrounded by 150 kilometers of beautiful beaches (e.g., Bai Dai, Bai Sao), crystal clear water, and diverse ecosystems, the destination, from an almost unknown name on the world tourism map, has become a household name in the most prestigious awards.

TripAdvisor, the world's most prestigious travel review website, voted Phu Quoc the only representative of Southeast Asia among the emerging tourist destinations in the world for 2020. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

On July 20, 2021, TIME listed Phu Quoc among the World's 100 Greatest Places of 2021 for the first time.

Phu Quoc attractions aren't just limited to wonderful natural scenery, but extend to local daily life at the night market, Ham Ninh Fishing Village, or historical sites and architectural landmarks including Cay Dua Prison, Truc Lam Ho Quoc Monastery, Ganh Dau Cape, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, and a collection of hotels, luxury resorts, and entertainment areas.