Phu Quoc Island Grapples with Severe Energy Crisis, Forcing Tourists to Relocate and Resorts to Manage Rising Expenses

Published on December 4, 2025

Phu Quoc Island is facing a major energy crisis as widespread power outages disrupt hotel operations and visitor experiences during the peak tourist season. Damage to a critical undersea power cable has left northern parts of the island without reliable electricity, forcing tourists to relocate to areas with stable power and compelling resorts to rely heavily on costly diesel generators. The situation has created operational challenges, increased expenses, and uncertainty for tourism operators, threatening both revenue and the island’s reputation as a premier international travel destination.

The outages began in late November after a 110 kV submarine cable was unintentionally damaged during coastal road construction. Construction equipment struck the cable, severing a critical source of electricity to the island. Repair work is expected to take at least a month, subject to weather conditions, leaving businesses and tourists uncertain about power availability during the busiest time of the year.

Hotels in the affected areas have had to adapt quickly, implementing scheduled electricity periods to maintain basic services such as lighting, water supply, and air conditioning. Many visitors have shifted accommodations to areas with a more stable power supply, while others have had to adjust travel plans, creating disruptions to holiday itineraries and overall visitor satisfaction.

The economic impact on local tourism operators has been substantial. Operating large generators to supply temporary electricity has added significant daily costs, far surpassing normal electricity expenses. The timing of these outages has been particularly damaging, coinciding with the influx of international visitors from Europe, the United States, and other regions seeking to escape winter in their home countries. Several resorts have reported cancellations or relocations of a large percentage of booked guests, reducing revenue during a critical period for the tourism sector.

The damaged undersea cable is one of two main power supply lines to Phu Quoc, alongside a 220 kV mainland connection. Repairing the submarine line is a highly technical and complex task, requiring specialized equipment and careful planning. Authorities have mobilized personnel and resources to expedite repairs and implemented load management measures, prioritizing electricity to central areas, hotels, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. Despite these efforts, a complete return to reliable power is expected to take several weeks.

The blackout has had ripple effects across the island’s economy. Restaurants, local attractions, transport providers, and other tourism-related businesses are all facing operational challenges and revenue losses due to the unreliable electricity supply. Many operators are calling for support or compensation from authorities and energy providers to help offset financial damages incurred during the outage. With the holiday season in full swing, there is growing concern that prolonged power disruptions could negatively affect Phu Quoc’s reputation as a dependable international travel destination.

To minimize the impact on visitors, hotels have implemented several measures, including sharing daily power schedules with guests, maintaining essential services during blackouts, and adjusting operational routines to ensure safety and comfort. These actions reflect the sector’s urgent need to manage disruptions while sustaining a positive guest experience, emphasizing the critical importance of electricity for the tourism industry.

The current situation has highlighted Phu Quoc Island’s vulnerability to infrastructure disruptions, particularly given its dependence on a limited number of power supply sources. While the outages are temporary, the incident underscores the need for long-term improvements in energy infrastructure and contingency planning to prevent similar disruptions in the future. Authorities and tourism operators are optimistic that once repairs are completed and power is fully restored, the island can swiftly recover, restoring visitor confidence and maintaining its status as a premier tropical destination.