Vietnam Accelerates Phú Quốc’s Rise With Airport Expansion And New Airline Strategy Aiming To Compete With Thailand And South Korea In Asia’s Fiercely Growing Island Tourism Market

Published on December 5, 2025

Vietnam is boosting Phú Quốc’s position in Asia’s growing island tourism market with a major airport expansion and a new airline strategy. These moves aim to make Phú Quốc a strong competitor to popular destinations in Thailand and South Korea. With enhanced connectivity and improved infrastructure, Phú Quốc is set to attract more international travelers, tapping into the booming demand for island getaways in Asia.

Vietnam’s tourism industry is entering a new phase of steady expansion, powered by rising visitor arrivals and a wave of improvements across the country’s aviation network. Several airports have undergone partial privatisation and runway extensions, creating more room for airlines to grow and easing operational pressure, while shifting travel patterns in the region have redirected market demand in ways that work in Vietnam’s favour. Against this backdrop, Phú Quốc — already one of Vietnam’s most recognisable island destinations — is positioned for an ambitious leap aimed at reshaping its future as a regional powerhouse.

A bold development plan is now taking shape with the goal of placing Phú Quốc on the same competitive level as internationally renowned resort destinations in Asia. The approach involves introducing a new airline designed not merely as an additional transport option, but as a cornerstone in a larger strategy to amplify the island’s appeal. The idea reflects a long-term vision: build strong domestic connectivity first, then expand outward into foreign markets once a reliable foundation of passenger demand is established.

Many travellers already reach Phú Quốc with ease from select regions, thanks to steady air links. However, several promising markets remain under-connected, limiting the island’s full tourism potential. The new airline aims to address these gaps by mapping out a growth plan that begins with approximately eight aircraft by the end of 2025. That number is projected to surge to around one hundred aircraft by 2030, including long-haul models capable of linking the island to far-reaching destinations. Such an expansion would radically improve Phú Quốc’s accessibility and elevate its status among global island getaways.

What sets this plan apart is the deeply integrated structure of the enterprise behind it. The organisation operates across multiple segments of the tourism landscape, covering aviation, accommodation, recreation, and visitor experiences. This combination of horizontal and vertical integration enables a degree of coordination rarely seen in emerging destinations. With control over major aspects of a visitor’s journey, the organisation can create seamless packages that connect flights, resort stays, and leisure attractions into a unified experience. This model also allows the island to cater to a broad range of travellers — from those seeking affordable holidays to those looking for highly exclusive experiences.

Such a strategy mirrors successful tourism frameworks in regions such as Europe and the Americas, where similar integrated models have proven capable of driving both visitor growth and economic transformation. For Phú Quốc, the plan represents more than an aviation expansion; it is a comprehensive long-term commitment to reinventing the island’s tourism ecosystem. Strengthening air connectivity is only one part of the picture. By synchronising transportation with accommodation and entertainment, the island can create a more cohesive identity that appeals to both domestic and international audiences.

The new airline is likely to alter how travellers plan their holidays as well. With more frequent domestic services, the island can attract city-based holidaymakers seeking short breaks throughout the year, rather than relying heavily on seasonal peaks. Over time, as long-haul aircraft join the fleet, the island could open direct routes to regions that currently require complex transit connections. This would not only increase arrivals but also diversify the island’s visitor base, reducing dependence on a handful of markets and making the tourism economy more resilient to fluctuations.

The long-term fleet plan offers a glimpse into how rapidly Phú Quốc’s role may evolve. Starting with a modest number of aircraft, the airline’s growth targets reflect a significant shift in ambition. Reaching a fleet of one hundred aircraft within five years would place the carrier among the largest in the region and allow it to operate at a scale capable of reshaping Vietnam’s broader tourism landscape. Long-haul aircraft would further enable the island to pursue direct links with Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and even Oceania — routes that would carry clear benefits for both tourism and trade.

In the bigger picture, the initiative signals how Vietnam is rethinking the future of its island destinations. Instead of relying solely on natural beauty or resort development, the vision for Phú Quốc includes building a strong logistical backbone that attracts repeat visitors, encourages longer stays, and supports investment in new attractions. The strategy acknowledges that connectivity is one of the strongest drivers of sustainable tourism growth — and that control over aviation infrastructure gives an island a rare competitive advantage.

If the plan succeeds, Phú Quốc may soon find itself competing more directly with long-established destinations across Asia. As the island upgrades its aviation capacity, invests in its hospitality offerings, and strengthens its position on domestic and international routes, travellers may increasingly see it not as an emerging alternative, but as a leading destination in its own right.

Vietnam is rapidly advancing Phú Quốc’s tourism potential through airport expansion and a new airline strategy, aiming to rival Thailand and South Korea in Asia’s thriving island tourism market by enhancing connectivity and infrastructure.

The coming years will reveal how effectively the new airline can support this vision. But what is clear already is that Vietnam is preparing to elevate Phú Quốc through a blend of strategic planning, integrated operations, and a strong focus on connectivity — an approach that has worked in other regions and may well redefine the island’s future in tourism.