PHÚ QUỐC — Phú Quốc is attracting visitors from a growing range of international markets, drawn by its beaches, resorts and entertainment facilities. But while many see the island as an emerging holiday destination, their experiences also highlight gaps in transport, dining options and nightlife. In interviews with Việt Nam News reporter Mai Huong, visitors from Saudi Arabia, India and South Korea share their impressions and expectations for the island.

Lojin Ali from Saudi Arabia: Phú Quốc should preserve its identity as it develops

 

This is our first-time visit to Việt Nam. We chose Phú Quốc because there are many activities here, we like the resorts and we wanted to experience something different from what we have in our country.

We visited Thailand two years ago, and at that time we had never heard of Việt Nam or Phú Quốc. Some family members later recommended the island because they knew we liked island destinations more than cities. We had already been to Phuket and Bali, so we wanted to try somewhere new.

We spent about five days in Đà Nẵng before coming to Phú Quốc, where we plan to stay for a week. Our first impression has been amazing. What impressed us most was the beauty of the island, the resorts, the weather and the friendliness of the people. We also tried Vietnamese breakfast noodles with shrimp, which were delicious.

Getting around has been convenient. Our resort is quite far from the centre, so we need a car, bus or taxi. We have been using Grab, which makes travelling between the resort, airport and other places easy.

We believe Phú Quốc has the potential to become a well-known destination for international events and conferences. We have seen a lot of construction taking place, and we think these projects will make a difference once completed.

However, we hope the island will maintain its character as it develops. It should continue improving its facilities while keeping service quality high and prices reasonable. Most importantly, Việt Nam should preserve its own culture, food and identity while becoming more international and welcoming visitors from different countries.

Rajat Mittal from India: Phú Quốc needs more nightlife and better flight connections

This is my first visit to Phú Quốc. I discovered the island through social media because it has become quite popular as a tourist destination.

When I first travelled from the airport towards Sunset Town and the northern part of the island, some areas felt rather empty. But when we reached VinWonders and the northern entertainment complex, everything looked very impressive and carefully planned, almost like an animated city.

I have travelled to many countries, and what makes Phú Quốc different is that it offers many things in one place, from the cable car in Sunset Town to the adventure park and Vinpearl Safari. Compared with Bali, which is known for its parties, or Phuket, I particularly like the calmness and peaceful atmosphere here. I have also found local people helpful and honest.

However, I think Phú Quốc is still a little too quiet. There is a lot of construction, but many shops appear empty or unoccupied. At night, some areas feel almost deserted. I even visited the casino, and it was completely empty. Another challenge is getting here from India. On this trip, we had to take connecting flights with layovers of five to seven hours, which made the journey quite tiring.

I hope the airport expansion will eventually bring more direct flights from India and make travel easier. Despite these problems, I believe Phú Quốc has enormous potential to become a major international tourism destination. There is so much development taking place, and I am interested to see how it changes. I would definitely like to come back in five to seven years to see the results.

Injun Choi from South Korea: good value and attractions, but roads need improvement

 

This is my first time visiting Phú Quốc, although my wife has been here before. Before arriving, I heard that it was the rainy season, but we have had plenty of sunshine. The weather has been very pleasant, and I really enjoy the climate here.

Yesterday, we visited Sunset Town. It was beautiful, and we enjoyed the shows, including the light displays and fireworks. I also like the beaches and natural environment, although I prefer swimming in the resort pool rather than in the sea.

The local food is another highlight. I particularly enjoy bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy pancake) and bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles). The facilities and activities are very good, and many things are much cheaper than in South Korea. I think Phú Quốc is a great destination for a resort holiday.

My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Bali. We mostly stayed inside the resort there, just as we have done in Phú Quốc, so it is difficult to compare all the activities. But I find the weather here more comfortable.

One thing I do not like is the condition of some roads. In South Korea, particularly Seoul, roads are generally clean and well-paved. Here, we have travelled along some unpaved roads, and the taxi rides can be quite bumpy and uncomfortable. There may not be much traffic congestion, but the road conditions still need improvement.

I have also learnt that Phú Quốc will host APEC next year, which helps explain the amount of construction taking place. With so many projects underway, I believe the island has the potential to develop into an international destination capable of hosting major events. Continued government support and infrastructure improvements will be important. If I have the opportunity, I would certainly like to return.

For these visitors, Phú Quốc's appeal lies in its combination of natural beauty, resorts and entertainment. Their experiences also suggest that better connectivity, more diverse services and improved infrastructure will be important if the island is to attract more international travellers beyond APEC 2027. — VNS