Vietnam’s Phu Quoc named among world’s top 10 appealing islands

The Vietnamese island was highlighted as an ideal destination for luxury vacations at affordable prices.

The annual ranking spotlights island destinations that are seeing the strongest growth in interest from travelers worldwide.

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s sole representative and one of two Asian destinations on the list, alongside Palawan in the Philippines.

Unlike many rankings based on public voting, the Expedia Island Hot List is compiled using flight search data across the Expedia ecosystem combined with global social media discussion data.

According to Expedia, searches for island destinations in 2026 increased by an average of 55 percent, while social media mentions rose 20 percent year on year.

The trend shows that travelers are increasingly seeking emerging islands that offer beautiful scenery, diverse experiences, and better value for their vacations.

Expedia selected Phu Quoc as 'Best for Affordable Luxury,' highlighting the island as a destination for luxury vacations at affordable prices.

Phu Quoc is rapidly emerging as Southeast Asia’s new luxury hub. It is a standout choice for travelers seeking high-end experiences without the hefty price tag, Expedia said.

According to the platform, social media mentions of Phu Quoc surged 235 percent year on year, reflecting the island’s growing appeal on the international tourism map.

This is also one of the notable trends in the global tourism industry. Rather than following the crowds to long-established destinations where prices continue to rise, travelers are increasingly prioritizing places that offer a comparable standard of service at a more accessible cost.

Alongside Syros in Greece and Porto Santo in Portugal, Expedia regarded Phu Quoc as a prime example of the 'luxury with value' trend, where high-end holidays come with exceptional value.

Phu Quoc’s inclusion in the Expedia Island Hot List extends a growing series of accolades from leading international travel organizations and publications. In 2025, readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted Phu Quoc the most beautiful island in Asia and the third-best island in the world.

In early 2026, the island ranked second in the Best Islands in Asia category at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards. Most recently, the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards ranked Phu Quoc second among the best islands in the Asia-Pacific region, ahead of Bali and behind only the Maldives.

Expedia’s recognition reflects Phu Quoc’s rapid transformation in recent years. From a destination known for its pristine natural beauty, the island is gradually developing an extensive tourism, resort, and entertainment ecosystem that offers visitors experiences from morning to night.

Alongside celebrated natural attractions such as Kem Beach, Sao Beach, and the An Thoi archipelago, southern Phu Quoc continues to introduce landmark attractions and tourism products.

These include the three-wire cable car to Hon Thom, Aquatopia Water Park with new-generation water slides, CNN-praised Kiss Bridge, Sunset Town, and multimedia shows such as Kiss of the Sea and Symphony of the Sea, along with artistic fireworks every night.

This seamless chain of experiences encourages longer stays and brings Phu Quoc closer to the region’s integrated resort and entertainment destination model.

The island also offers a diverse range of accommodations, from hotels and resorts to high-end luxury properties, allowing Phu Quoc to serve different segments of the international market while retaining its cost advantage — a factor Expedia identified as a key distinguishing feature.

The island’s connectivity has also improved, with more international air routes, a 30-day visa exemption policy for foreign visitors, and the launch of Sun PhuQuoc Airways. The airline’s planned expansion of its flight network is expected to improve Phu Quoc’s access to international tourist markets.

Meanwhile, preparations for APEC 2027 are providing an additional boost to infrastructure, from the airport, transportation, and accommodation facilities to convention centers and urban spaces.

This not only prepares the island for an international event but also lays the foundation for Phu Quoc to enhance its competitiveness with leading island destinations in the region.

From an island renowned for its natural beauty, Phu Quoc is gradually emerging as a new hub for resorts, entertainment, and events in Asia.

Expedia’s inclusion of the island among the world’s top 10 appealing islands for 2026 is further evidence of its growing appeal and reinforces Phu Quoc’s increasingly prominent position on the Asia-Pacific tourism map.