Phu Quoc - the ideal residential hub for global citizens.

Centuries ago, Vietnam's largest island was "favorably" given the name Phu Quoc, meaning: a land of abundance, a place to live a prosperous and happy life. That invitation still holds its appeal today.

The irresistible allure of a “land of abundance”

In an article for Travel + Leisure describing Phu Quoc – one of the 25 most worthwhile destinations in the world – writer Esha Dasgupta spared no praise for the island's natural beauty and iconic experiences, such as the world's longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island, Bai Sao Beach, Bai Kem Beach, and Phu Quoc National Park…

The stunning natural beauty and increasingly diverse experiences are the irresistible charm that has fueled over 150 flights departing from all continents each week to Phu Quoc Island. As a result, in 2024, the local tourism industry reached 962,449 international visitors, breaking the 2019 record.

International tourists enjoy taking photos with the fireworks display at Vui Phet night market.

At this time of year, strolling through Sunset Town in the south of the island, everyone will have the same question: Is this Vietnam or a foreign country? Every shop, street, and entertainment venue is filled with at least three languages. Many tourists have chosen Phu Quoc as a long-term vacation destination for their families because of its tropical paradise scenery, visa-free policy allowing stays of up to 30 days, and direct flights that are more affordable than Phuket (Thailand) or Bali (Indonesia).

Or it could also be a representative of the "wave" of global citizens immigrating to the island city, like Arkadius Rieger, 38, a Polish businessman who was captivated by Phu Quoc during his round-the-world trip.

“Honestly, Phu Quoc was never part of my plans. I was on a round-the-world trip, and friends took me to this paradise island. The beaches, the jungles, the island vibe and the freedom… it all captivated me. So, I ended up canceling my flight and decided to stay. Now, Phu Quoc is home. I’ve built a life here, with amazing friends and a job that allows me to stay on the island. Swimming in the early morning or at sunset, cold beer and the twinkling lights of the squid boats, it’s truly magical,” Arkadius Rieger shared.

Lucas, who left Russia for Phu Quoc, a place that Condé Nast Traveler has named the world's best island three times, to "make his dream of living between the sea and mountains a reality," shared his thoughts. " When I was looking for a place to teach in Vietnam eight years ago, Phu Quoc was my number one choice. Initially, I only planned to stay for three months. But nine months, then eight years, have passed, and I'm still here. For about $1,200 a month for two people, you can live very comfortably. I probably won't be moving anywhere else in the near future," Lucas said, his eyes filled with adoration for the land.

Tropical beaches and exciting experiences are attracting international tourists to Phu Quoc.

Arkadius and Lucas are just two of the tens of thousands of people who have settled in Phu Quoc over the past two decades, contributing to nearly doubling the island's population to over 150,000. This progress is not only due to the natural advantages of a leading tourist "paradise" but also to the significant contributions of a series of policies aimed at attracting investment, developing infrastructure, and ensuring social welfare, transforming Phu Quoc into a "living paradise" in the region.

Shaping the portrait of a "paradise to live in"

Every night, the sky above Sunset Town on Phu Quoc Island is illuminated twice by fireworks displays, creating a spectacular spectacle amidst the cheers and thunderous applause of thousands of tourists. In terms of its extravagant approach to tourism, Phu Quoc deserves praise.

However, considering the recent surge in economic , welfare, and investment indicators, the island city deserves applause for its efforts to transform itself into a tourist and residential destination in the region.

Sunset Town - The world's leading iconic travel destination in 2024 according to the World Travel Awards.

From an island with three "no's": no electricity, no transportation, and no fresh water, Phu Quoc – as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the conference summarizing Decision 178 – has "transformed nothing into something, turned difficulties into ease, and made the impossible possible." Local budget revenue has increased more than 200 times in 20 years. The tourism sector alone currently has 274 projects with a total investment of 388,410 billion VND.

Thanks to these advancements, the material living standards and job opportunities in the city have also improved significantly. The average per capita income in 2023 was approximately $5,000 USD/year, 40% higher than the national average. Among the 45,000 workers in the city's tourism industry, there are a considerable number of foreign workers and experts. Sun Group's billion-dollar entertainment complex alone employs several hundred foreign workers.

However, to achieve the goal of becoming a coastal island city by 2040, a center for high-quality tourism and resort services, simply having mega-entertainment complexes with total investments of trillions of dong is not enough. Local authorities are implementing many decisive measures, from seeking approval for public budgets to attracting investment from "big players" to develop infrastructure and improve the quality of life on the island.

One of the key priorities is the development of education and healthcare. In addition to existing infrastructure, on November 16th, the Sun Serenia Hospital in Phu Quoc was launched, aiming to provide high-quality medical services with state-of-the-art equipment and a team of leading domestic and international medical experts and consultants.

The opening of Phu Quoc Sun Hospital will help tourists and residents feel safe and secure when traveling to the pearl island.

Next, projects for waste treatment, wastewater treatment, and clean water supply will also be implemented. These include an 18.5-hectare waste treatment plant in Ham Ninh commune, a spillway on the Cua Can hanging lake with approximately 3 million cubic meters of water, and a combined dam on the Duong Dong lake with 4 million cubic meters of water…

Phu Quoc is not only proving its unique identity and brand on the regional tourism map, but is also getting closer to the image of a "living paradise," as shared by Mr. Tran Minh Khoa - Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City: " Phu Quoc will attract tourists on a weekly basis, and further down the line, it will become a place for foreign experts currently living and working in neighboring countries to settle down and build their lives."

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phu-quoc--hub-an-cu-ly-tuong-cua-cong-dan-toan-cau-post324799.html