Kien Giang’s Tourism Boom: A Resurgence in Post-Pandemic Travel
According to the Kien Giang Tourism Department, the province is expected to welcome approximately 9.86 million visitors in 2024, reflecting a remarkable 15% increase from the previous year and surpassing the annual plan. International arrivals are projected to reach 978,000, marking a significant surge of over 70% year-on-year and exceeding the annual plan by more than 40%.
Phu Quoc Island City remains the top destination in Kien Giang and the wider region, anticipated to attract up to 5.96 million visitors throughout 2024. International arrivals to Phu Quoc are forecast to surpass 962,000, indicating a substantial growth of over 70% compared to the previous year.
These figures are a testament to the resilience of Phu Quoc’s tourism industry. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the island welcomed approximately 5.1 million visitors, including over 671,000 international arrivals. With this strong recovery, Phu Quoc is poised to reach a new milestone in 2025, expecting to attract 1 million international visitors and solidifying its position as a leading tourism hub.
A bustling service establishment in Phu Quoc, late November 2024, filled with South Korean tourists.
In 2024, the Kien Giang Tourism Department proactively fostered international tourism development through collaborative efforts. They organized meetings and worked with travel agencies from Malaysia and charter groups from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, who visited Phu Quoc for tourism connectivity. Additionally, Kien Giang and Phu Quoc’s tourism offerings were promoted in various programs across key markets, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, France, and Germany.
As a result, Phu Quoc has witnessed a diverse influx of international visitors, supported by an expanded network of international flights operated by over 20 airlines, including both scheduled and charter services. Currently, there are over 100 weekly flights connecting Phu Quoc with numerous countries and territories, such as Kazakhstan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Notably, in December 2024, Scoot Airlines will launch a direct route from Singapore to Phu Quoc, establishing a vital link to one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant aviation hubs. This development opens up exciting possibilities for attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.
A bustling bar in Duong Dong, Phu Quoc, popular among international visitors.
Buzzing with Activity: Duong Dong, the Heart of Phu Quoc
Duong Dong, located on Phu Quoc, is a vibrant hub brimming with restaurants, entertainment venues, and accommodation options. The area has benefited from the growth in both international and domestic tourism, creating a dynamic and bustling atmosphere. During late November 2024, VOV.VN reporters observed a high volume of international guests at establishments, hotels, and restaurants in the Duong Dong area, predominantly from European countries, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Andy Nguyen, the director of Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Duong Dong, noted a significant shift in Phu Quoc’s tourism market this year, particularly with the strong presence of Asian travelers from South Korea, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, and Mongolia. “At Sunset Beach, we’ve seen a more than 40% increase in Asian guests compared to last year. Our estimates show that visitors from Europe, including Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, will account for over 60% of our resort’s occupancy during this peak season. Our booking rates for November, December, and January 2025 have already surpassed 80%, and we anticipate reaching maximum capacity in the upcoming peak months. We forecast that international arrivals to Phu Quoc will continue to grow at an average rate of 20-30% annually over the next 1-2 years, presenting further development opportunities for the region,” shared Mr. Nguyen.
A restaurant in central Phu Quoc bustling with international guests.
Le Dinh Diep, owner of the San Ho Do restaurant in Duong Dong, shared how the consistent flow of international guests since April has been instrumental in their recovery from a challenging period: “The presence of Asian tour groups, especially from Taiwan, has brought life back to the tourism and service industry in Duong Dong. During peak season, our restaurant serves hundreds of international guests daily, offering them a taste of our local cuisine. While they choose us, other spots in Duong Dong are equally bustling with South Korean tourists.”
Looking ahead, Kien Giang’s tourism sector aims high for 2025, targeting 10.45 million visitors, including approximately 1.1 million international arrivals. The province is also on track to finalize the “Proposal for Building Phu Quoc into a Center for High-Quality Ecological Tourism, Beach and Island Tourism of National and International Standards,” which will be submitted to the Prime Minister by the Provincial People’s Committee.
The Coming Chinese Tourist Boom: Vietnam Airlines Set to Soar with 10 Million Passengers by 2025
IPPG, the largest shareholder at Cam Ranh International Terminal, has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Duty Free, China’s largest duty-free operator, to rapidly expand its duty-free offerings in anticipation of a significant surge in passenger numbers from 2025 onwards.
Optimizing the Headline: Kien Giang: Intensifying Action Against Land Law Violations in Phu Quoc
From the beginning of 2024 to the present, Phu Quoc City has carried out forced remediation measures for 19 cases of land law violations, encompassing an area of over 14,600 square meters.
“Experience the Magic of Quang Ninh – A Year-Round Destination”
“The Lure of Quang Ninh: A Year-Round Destination”
A captivating headline to entice and intrigue, reflecting the province’s allure as a dynamic and ever-evolving tourist destination. With this, we aim to boost Quang Ninh’s competitiveness and attract a flurry of visitors to this heritage-rich region during the year-end season of 2024 and beyond.
The Tasty Legacy: Preserving Phu Quoc’s Traditional Fish Sauce Craft
For over a century, the art of fish sauce crafting in Phu Quoc has endured countless challenges and continues to thrive. Thanh Quoc Fish Sauce, a legacy in its own right, is now embracing the digital age and taking a step forward by venturing into e-commerce.
“Crystal Bay Launches New Route Connecting Phu Quoc to Uzbekistan, the Origin of the ‘Silk Road’”
Crystal Bay Travel Group is proud to announce the launch of a new direct flight route from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. This exciting development opens up a world of opportunities for Uzbek travelers eager to explore one of Vietnam’s most renowned island gems.
