Why was Phu Quoc chosen to welcome Vietnam's 20 millionth international visitor?

Foreign tourists relaxing on May Rut Trong Island, Phu Quoc, An Giang on January 3rd. Photo: Tuong Vi.

On the afternoon of December 15th, at Phu Quoc International Airport, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Vietnam National Tourism Administration and the People's Committee of An Giang province, held a ceremony to welcome the 20 millionth international tourist to Vietnam.

This event marks a special milestone in the 65-year journey of the tourism industry's formation and development.

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, choosing Phu Quoc as the venue for the event is not only symbolic but also clearly reflects the increasingly important role of the island in the national tourism landscape.

Karolina Agnieszka Muskus (in the white shirt in the middle) is the 20 millionth international visitor to Vietnam. Photo: Vietnam National Tourism Administration.

Phu Quoc is currently a leading island and coastal tourism center, possessing all the advantages of natural resources, modern infrastructure, and a comprehensive tourism ecosystem. The locality is gradually asserting its capacity to organize national and international events, aiming towards APEC 2027. This event is considered a historic opportunity, but it also presents numerous challenges for Phu Quoc.

The continuous attraction of major domestic and international brands, along with numerous prestigious awards from global tourism organizations, shows that Phu Quoc Island is gradually asserting its position on the world tourism map.

APEC is not just a standalone event, but is expected to contribute to shaping the development profile of Phu Quoc in the next one to two years, at a new level.

In preparation for APEC 2027, Phu Quoc demonstrated the spirit of "rapid progress," not only developing quickly but also aiming for green, sustainable, civilized development while preserving its cultural identity.

"Today, Phu Quoc is not only the place that witnessed the moment of 20 million visitors, but also a vivid representation of a new phase of development for Vietnamese tourism: greener, more sustainable, and of higher quality," emphasized a representative of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration.

Tourists enjoy scuba diving, paddleboarding, and savoring fresh seafood when visiting Phu Quoc. Photo: Vinh Gấu.

The impetus for this role comes from the strong recovery of tourism in Phu Quoc . In the first 11 months of 2025, the island welcomed nearly 7.6 million visitors, an increase of 35.2% compared to the same period and exceeding the annual plan by 4.7%. International visitors alone reached 1.86 million, an increase of 93.6%, far exceeding the set target.

This year, Phu Quoc is expected to welcome 8.14 million visitors, generating total revenue of 43,879 billion VND , a 104% increase compared to 2024.

This growth stems from several factors, including warm, sunny weather ideal for winter visitors from Russia, South Korea, and Eastern Europe; a 30-day visa-free policy; and an expanding network of direct international flights.

Currently, international tourists to Phu Quoc come from more than 150 countries and territories, with direct flights connecting to Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and many charter flights from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and Russia.

According to Agoda , searches for Phu Quoc increased by 266% compared to 2024, helping the island continue to be recognized as the most popular destination in 2025.

This year, Phu Quoc has consistently been featured in international rankings such as the top 3 most amazing islands in Asia ( Condé Nast Traveler ), the second most beautiful island in the world ( Travel + Leisure ), the top best destinations in Asia ( DestinAsian ), and the top 5 fastest-growing destinations in Southeast Asia ( Travel Off Path ).

In late October, CNBC, citing the Unpack'26 - The Trends in Travel report by Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, stated that Phu Quoc ranked 4th in the top 10 most trending destinations in the world in 2026, with a 53% increase in searches, making it the only representative from Southeast Asia in this ranking.

Marie Claire Korea magazine published summer-themed photos of Seulgi, a member of the girl group Red Velvet, taken in Phu Quoc in May. Photo: @marieclairekorea .

The milestone of reaching 20 million visitors was marked by a flight by LOT Polish Airlines from Poland, bringing over 200 international tourists to Phu Quoc on the afternoon of December 15th. The 20 millionth visitor was Karolina Agnieszka Muskus, a Polish national.

The event took place against the backdrop of Vietnam implementing a visa exemption policy for many key markets , including Poland. This initiative contributes to boosting the flow of European tourists and affirms Vietnam's efforts to improve the tourism environment and enhance its competitiveness as a destination.

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