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From budget considerations to finding the right holiday for the whole family

For years, Guam and Saipan have been familiar destinations for Korean families, thanks to convenient travel connections, a seaside climate, and resort facilities suited to young children. However, as currency fluctuations and rising fuel prices drive up air travel costs, family holiday preferences are gradually shifting, creating opportunities for destinations that can strike a balance between budget and quality experiences.

Phu Quoc is increasingly attracting Korean families with its reasonable costs and diverse experiences.

Phu Quoc is one of the destinations benefiting from this trend. According to Choi Hyun-ho, a Korean traveler vacationing at Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort with his wife, two young children, and parents, the total airfare for his family of six came to around 2 million won, equivalent to US$1,350. In his family’s assessment, this was considerably less expensive than a trip to Guam or Saipan.

Beyond airfare, the cost of living at the destination is another factor driving its appeal. Choi’s family appreciated Phu Quoc’s reasonable prices and noted that hotel babysitting services offered considerable convenience when traveling with young children.

These experiences reflect an increasingly important consideration in family travel decisions: the overall experience should justify the total cost of the trip. For multigenerational families, a destination must also accommodate a range of needs, from comfortable spaces for older family members and activities for children to opportunities for parents to relax.

This trend is unfolding as Vietnam continues to attract South Korean travelers. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 4.3 million arrivals from South Korea, making it the country’s second-largest source market after China, which accounted for around 5.2 million arrivals. Phu Quoc has particular advantages thanks to its island scenery, diverse accommodation options, and experiences that can be flexibly combined within a single itinerary.

An expanding resort and entertainment ecosystem offers more choices for every generation

For families traveling with young children, the quality of a holiday depends on more than beautiful scenery. It also hinges on how well each service meets their practical needs. In Phu Quoc, many resorts are developing family-oriented spaces and amenities, ranging from babysitting services to interconnecting rooms designed for multigenerational groups.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay leaves a lasting impression on holidays in southern Phu Quoc with its distinctive architecture and immersive, discovery-filled spaces.

Some accommodation properties stand out for their distinctive architecture and themes. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay captivates guests with its concept of a fictional 19th-century university, brought to life through pastel-colored buildings, library-inspired interiors, and spaces reminiscent of traditional classrooms. Meanwhile, other resorts prioritize practicality, giving families more options for accommodation and shared living spaces.

However, Phu Quoc’s advantages extend beyond hotel grounds. In particular, in the island’s southern region, Sun Group’s tourism ecosystem enables visitors to combine seaside relaxation with sightseeing, entertainment, and artistic performances.

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An approximately 8-kilometer sea-crossing journey offers sweeping views of southern Phu Quoc’s natural beauty.

From Bai Kem, visitors can continue their journey to Hon Thom via a nearly 8-kilometer, three-rope sea-crossing cable car route, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest three-rope cable car system. The journey takes just over 20 minutes, offering aerial views of turquoise waters and colorful fishing boats before arriving at Hon Thom Island, home to Aquatopia Water Park and a range of entertainment attractions at Sun World Hon Thom.

The combination of relaxation and entertainment allows families to tailor their itineraries to different ages and interests. Children have more opportunities to explore, adults can choose between active pursuits and leisurely relaxation, and the whole family can still share memorable experiences together.

Eschuri Vung Bau Golf offers a sporting experience surrounded by lush greenery and the distinctive coastal scenery of Phu Quoc.

Another advantage is the opportunity to combine multiple activities within the same area. Alongside its beaches and resorts, Phu Quoc also offers golf courses catering to groups who want to spend time pursuing their individual interests. Golf courses, entertainment attractions, and accommodation facilities across key tourism areas further expand the options for travelers seeking flexible itineraries.

For older Korean travelers, familiar cuisine can also contribute to a more comfortable extended stay. Some restaurants and clubhouses in Phu Quoc serve Korean dishes such as grilled galbi ribs, kimchi fried rice, and seaweed soup, allowing visitors to enjoy familiar flavors while exploring local cuisine.

With experiences extending from day to night, Phu Quoc gives travelers more reasons to return

While resorts provide the foundation for a holiday, experiences beyond hotel grounds make a trip to Phu Quoc even more rewarding. In the island’s southern region, Kiss Bridge is a notable destination that brings together architecture, scenic beauty, and entertainment.

Kiss Bridge is a scenic sunset spot in southern Phu Quoc, perfect for capturing unforgettable moments.

The landmark consists of two bridge spans extending out over the sea, with their ends almost touching. During the day, it attracts visitors who come to explore, take photos, and admire the ocean views. As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes more vibrant, with artistic performances and fireworks lighting up Sunset Town.

The multimedia show Kiss of the Sea combines on-water performances, lighting, technology, and fireworks to create an immersive nighttime entertainment experience for a wide range of visitors. Meanwhile, Symphony of the Sea offers another opportunity to enjoy artistic performances against the backdrop of the island's coastal scenery. By combining these shows with restaurants, shopping areas, and seaside promenades, Phu Quoc gives visitors more reasons to spend time outside their resorts rather than ending the day's itinerary after the daytime activities.

Seaside performances accompanied by fireworks enrich Phu Quoc’s nighttime entertainment offerings.

This reflects a notable direction in Phu Quoc’s tourism development: extending the visitor experience, expanding evening activities, and creating more reasons to return. According to plans, Symphony of the Sea is scheduled to debut a new version on November 10, 2026, featuring a 200-meter stage on the water and three times as many fireworks as in the previous season. These changes are expected to refresh the island’s entertainment offerings, enhancing its appeal to both first-time visitors and returning travelers.

Phu Quoc’s appeal is also reinforced by recognition from international travel publications. The island has once again been voted Asia’s most beautiful island by readers of the US edition of Condé Nast Traveler, extending its record of appearing on the list for five consecutive years. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc made its first appearance in the UK edition of Condé Nast Traveller’s global island rankings, achieving the second-highest score. These accolades help raise the island’s international profile, complementing its appeal through natural scenery and tourism experiences.

Looking ahead, improvements to aviation and accommodation infrastructure are expected to create further opportunities for growth. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the airline named after the Pearl Island, began commercial operations on November 1, 2025, helping strengthen Phu Quoc’s presence in travelers’ flight searches and booking journeys. Meanwhile, airport expansion projects, new accommodation developments, and infrastructure investments serving the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting are expected to enhance the island’s capacity to welcome visitors.

Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam will be Southeast Asia’s first all-inclusive resort under the Rixos brand.

In southern Phu Quoc, plans for new high-end resort complexes are also creating opportunities to diversify the island’s tourism offerings, from an all-inclusive resort model on Hon Thom to a large-scale hotel complex at Bai Dat Do. As accommodation options and infrastructure continue to improve, Phu Quoc will be better positioned to serve travelers with varying expectations for service quality, length of stay, and holiday experiences.

For Korean families, Phu Quoc’s appeal lies in its ability to accommodate multiple needs within a single trip: reasonable costs, convenient services for young children, relaxing spaces for older family members, and a diverse range of activities that allows everyone to find something they enjoy. As seaside holidays evolve beyond simply spending time at a resort to include entertainment, dining, and artistic performances, the Pearl Island is steadily establishing itself as an appealing option for family vacations in Asia.