Vietnam's Phu Quoc records surge in number of S.Korean tourists

Phu Quoc Island, located off the coast of Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, is experiencing a surge in visitors from South Korea, with nearly 480,000 arrivals in the year to mid-April.

According to the leader of the police at Phu Quoc International Airport, as of mid-April 2025, South Korean tourists took the lead among international visitors to the island.

In the same period last year, the number of South Korean travelers to Phu Quoc was only 233,000.

Each day, Phu Quoc receives around eight to 10 international flights out of a total of 20 flights, the official added.

For the upcoming Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers' Day (May 1) holiday, authorities expect an influx of South Korean tourists and this source market will maintain its top position among international markets.

The numbers of tourists from other foreign markets are expected to remain stable.

Explaining Phu Quoc's strong appeal to South Korean travelers, Tran Thi Bao Thu, a representative of Vietluxtour, shared that the South Korean market currently ranks first among the company's Asian market.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, this market has recovered and grown rapidly.

South Korean tourists are drawn to Phu Quoc for its beaches, integrated resorts, diverse culinary offerings, and entertainment options all at more affordable prices than other popular islands in Southeast Asia, said Thu.

She also highlighted the variety of facilities and services available on Phu Quoc, tailored to Korean visitors, including supermarkets, spas, and restaurants. At the same time, travelers can enjoy local cultural experiences and relax on the island's famous beaches.

According to Thu, feedback from Korean tourists has been overwhelmingly positive, and this group also shows a high rate of return visits.

To tap further into this promising market, she recommended that travel businesses continue to refresh their offerings to increase the duration of stays and spending of South Korean tourists, not only on Phu Quoc but also in other popular destinations like Hoi An and Da Nang in central Vietnam.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, South Korea ranked second among the top 10 source markets for Vietnamese tourism in the first quarter of 2025, with 1.26 million arrivals, just behind China. Together, the two countries accounted for 47 percent of all international visitors to Vietnam.

In terms of growth, the number of South Korean tourists in the first three months of 2025 increased 2.2 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

The Kien Giang Department of Tourism reported that Phu Quoc welcomed over two million visitors last quarter, a 66.5-percent year-on-year increase. Its tourism revenue surpassed VND10.5 trillion (US$404 million).

With positive results in the first months of the year, Phu Quoc is optimistic about reaching, and potentially exceeding, its goal of attracting seven million visitors in 2025.

Thanh Ha - Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/04/28-17:55)