Phu Quoc outpaces the Maldives in visitor growth in the first half of 2026

Maldives growth slows as Phu Quoc visitor numbers surge

The Phu Quoc Special Zone continued to record impressive tourism growth in 2026, with visitor arrivals estimated at more than 6.8 million in the first seven months of the year, an increase of 30.36% from the same period last year. International arrivals exceeded 1.5 million, up 53.49%, while total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 36.447 trillion.

Phu Quoc’s renowned beaches, including Kem Beach, are bustling with visitors from around the world.

According to the People's Committee of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, these figures represent nearly 69% of the full-year target after just over half the year, demonstrating that the Pearl Island continues to maintain one of the strongest tourism recovery and growth rates in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc’s performance becomes even more remarkable when viewed in the context of the regional tourism landscape. The Maldives - one of the world’s leading resort destinations - welcomed more than 1.04 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, down 5% year on year. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc continued to post double-digit growth in both domestic and international arrivals. International visitor numbers to the island rose by more than 53%, reflecting its growing appeal on the global tourism map.

This momentum extends Phu Quoc’s continuous growth in recent years. Once a destination catering primarily to domestic travellers, the Pearl Island is gradually emerging as an international resort and entertainment hub. International arrivals have risen steadily each year, while its source markets have become increasingly diverse, including South Korea, Taiwan (China), India, mainland China, Russia and numerous European countries.

Demand for air travel to the Pearl Island continues to soar, with aircraft movements rising by nearly 44%.

Tourism growth is also clearly reflected in the performance of Phu Quoc International Airport. During the first seven months of the year, the airport served more than 4.48 million passengers, an increase of nearly 38% year on year and the highest volume in its operating history. Over the same period, the number of take-offs and landings reached nearly 27,920, up almost 44%, indicating that demand for air travel to the Pearl Island continues to surge.

Notably, this record was set while Phu Quoc International Airport was simultaneously undergoing a major expansion to serve APEC 2027 and support the island’s long-term development strategy. The 3,300-metre second runway was completed after only around eight months of construction and is now ready for flight calibration. It is regarded as a vital foundation for expanding the airport’s operating capacity to an entirely new scale and accommodating the strong growth in visitor arrivals expected in the years ahead.

Repeatedly honoured worldwide, what makes Phu Quoc so appealing?

Behind Phu Quoc’s impressive growth figures is the combined impact of increasingly modern infrastructure, an expanding flight network and the growing international media reach of the Phu Quoc brand.

Phu Quoc attracts visitors with continuously renewed and one-of-a-kind experiences, including the world’s longest three-rope cable car to Hon Thom.

In 2026 alone, Phu Quoc has received repeated recognition from leading international tourism organisations and publications. Expedia named the Pearl Island among the world’s 10 most appealing islands, while the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 ranked it second among Asia’s best islands. Most recently, Travel + Leisure named Phu Quoc the second most beautiful island in the Asia-Pacific region.

These accolades extend a three-year run of strong recognition for Phu Quoc from the international media. In 2025, Condé Nast Traveler named Phu Quoc the most beautiful island in Asia and ranked it among the world’s three most beautiful islands, helping the Pearl Island become an increasingly familiar name on prestigious global tourism rankings.

Continuously renewed tourism, resort and entertainment offerings are encouraging visitors to stay longer and enjoy a wider range of experiences. Photo: Sun World Hon Thom

Alongside the impact of international media exposure, Phu Quoc’s tourism offerings have undergone a major transformation. Rather than being known solely for its beaches and resorts, the island is gradually positioning itself as a destination offering diverse experiences from morning until night.

The southern part of the island, in particular, has become a major tourist draw thanks to its large-scale tourism, resort and entertainment ecosystem. Visitors can ride the world’s longest three-rope cable car to Hon Thom, explore a water park featuring the world’s first new-generation water slide, or enjoy internationally acclaimed shows such as Kiss of the Sea and Symphony of the Sea, along with two artistic fireworks displays staged every night in Sunset Town.

This ecosystem is not only encouraging visitors to stay longer but also reshaping their spending patterns by combining accommodation, entertainment, dining, shopping and nightlife within a single journey.

Phu Quoc has considerable potential to become a leading MICE destination in the region.

Meanwhile, tourism infrastructure continues to receive substantial investment. Phu Quoc International Airport is simultaneously developing a series of major projects, including Terminal 2, a VIP terminal, upgrades to the first runway, an aircraft maintenance facility, an aviation fuel depot and numerous other modern service facilities. These projects are being implemented in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and as part of the broader ambition to establish Phu Quoc as an international hub for tourism, events and trade.

With strong visitor growth, continuously expanding aviation infrastructure, a growing collection of international accolades and an increasingly comprehensive experience ecosystem, Phu Quoc is demonstrating its transformation from a renowned resort island into an all-round regional destination. Its performance in the first seven months of the year reflects the Pearl Island’s current appeal while laying the foundation for Phu Quoc to move closer to its ambition of becoming a world-class tourism and resort hub in the years ahead.