Vietnam Welcomes Over Five Million Visitors to Phu Quoc as Over One Million International Arrivals and APEC 2027 Preparations Propel the Island Into a Global Travel Powerhouse

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Vietnam is rapidly strengthening its position in the global travel industry as Phu Quoc welcomed more than 5.7 million visitors, including over 1.3 million international travellers, during the first half of 2026. The remarkable growth has been driven by rising global demand, expanded tourism development, improved visitor services, and extensive APEC 2027 preparations. Supported by record tourism revenue, major infrastructure investment, sustainable tourism initiatives and enhanced destination management, Phu Quoc is emerging as one of Asia’s fastest-growing island destinations and a leading global travel powerhouse ready to welcome millions more international visitors.

Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Sets New Tourism Record With Over 5.7 Million Visitors as APEC 2027 Preparations Accelerate and Global Travel Ambitions Soar

Vietnam is witnessing a remarkable tourism success story as Phu Quoc Special Zone continues its rapid transformation into one of Asia’s fastest-growing island destinations. During the first half of 2026, the famous Pearl Island achieved record-breaking tourism growth, welcoming millions of domestic and international travellers while generating unprecedented tourism revenue. The outstanding performance comes at a crucial time as the island accelerates preparations to host the prestigious APEC Leaders’ Week 2027, an event expected to place Phu Quoc firmly on the global tourism map.

According to official figures, Phu Quoc received more than 5.7 million visitors between January and June 2026, representing an impressive 30.2 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025. The strong growth reflects the island’s increasing popularity among both leisure and business travellers seeking tropical experiences, luxury resorts and premium tourism services.

International tourism recorded even stronger momentum. During the first six months of the year, over 1.3 million international visitors travelled to Phu Quoc, marking an impressive 50.3 percent year-on-year increase. This achievement already represents 65.7 percent of the island’s full-year international visitor target, highlighting the growing confidence of overseas travellers in Vietnam’s expanding tourism market.

The impressive visitor growth translated directly into exceptional financial results. Tourism revenue exceeded VND 31.5 trillion, equivalent to nearly USD 1.2 billion, during the first half of the year. This represented a significant 46 percent increase compared with the previous year and contributed more than 80 percent of the total tourism revenue generated across An Giang Province. The figures clearly demonstrate that tourism remains the island’s most important economic sector and a major contributor to regional development.

The continued success strengthens Vietnam’s ambition to establish Phu Quoc as a globally recognised destination ahead of APEC 2027. Local authorities view the international summit as a unique opportunity to showcase the island’s natural beauty, hospitality, infrastructure and investment potential to world leaders, business delegates and international media.

To further improve the visitor experience, local authorities have introduced the “Every Phu Quoc Resident is a Tourism Ambassador” campaign. The initiative encourages local communities to actively participate in creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors while promoting responsible tourism practices across the island.

In addition, the special zone has established a dedicated Tourism Rapid Response Team. The team has been created to assist travellers, respond quickly to tourism-related incidents and improve visitor safety. Authorities expect this initiative to strengthen confidence among international tourists while ensuring visitors enjoy a smoother travel experience throughout their stay.

Efforts are also underway to preserve the island’s cultural identity. Restoration work continues at several historical and cultural heritage sites, ensuring that tourism development remains closely connected with the preservation of local traditions and history.

Alongside heritage conservation, green transformation and digital transformation have become central priorities for the island’s long-term tourism strategy. Sustainable tourism initiatives are being expanded to reduce environmental impacts while improving operational efficiency through digital services, smart destination management and technology-driven visitor experiences.

Authorities are also implementing a comprehensive tourism code of conduct designed to improve service quality and eliminate practices such as overcharging that can negatively affect visitor satisfaction. By encouraging professional behaviour across the tourism sector, officials hope to strengthen the island’s international reputation as a safe, welcoming and high-quality destination.

Looking ahead, Phu Quoc has established ambitious tourism goals for 2026. The island aims to welcome more than 9 million visitors during the year, including at least 2 million international tourists. Achieving these targets will require continued investment in tourism products, improved accommodation standards and expanded visitor experiences across the island.

Tourism authorities are therefore working to diversify available attractions while enhancing service quality across hotels, resorts, restaurants and recreational facilities. Special emphasis is being placed on developing high-quality tourism human resources, with additional foreign-language training programmes designed to improve communication with international guests.

Marine tourism safety also remains a key priority. Authorities are strengthening regulations covering speedboats, yachts and other coastal tourism activities to ensure safe operations as visitor numbers continue to rise.

Preparations for APEC Leaders’ Week 2027 extend far beyond tourism promotion. Under a development programme approved by the Prime Minister, An Giang Province is implementing 21 major infrastructure projects across the Phu Quoc Special Zone, representing an estimated investment of VND 137.1 trillion. These projects are expected to significantly improve transport connectivity, tourism infrastructure and public services before international delegates arrive.

Additional programmes are being introduced to improve foreign-language proficiency and advanced hospitality skills among tourism workers. Authorities are also preparing to introduce a Green Label certification system for accommodation providers, encouraging environmentally responsible operations while promoting sustainable tourism across the island. Eco-tourism experiences will also be expanded to meet growing demand from environmentally conscious travellers.

Phu Quoc’s record tourism growth is being fuelled by more than 5.7 million visitors, rising international arrivals, and major APEC 2027 investments, positioning Vietnam as one of Asia’s fastest-growing global travel destinations.

With record-breaking visitor growth, rising international arrivals, substantial tourism investment and extensive infrastructure development already underway, Phu Quoc is entering a new chapter in its tourism evolution. As preparations for APEC 2027 continue, the island is positioning itself not only as Vietnam’s premier island destination but also as one of Asia’s leading luxury resort and sustainable tourism destinations, ready to welcome millions of visitors from around the world.