Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island enchants South Korean travelers

The first half of 2025 saw a massive influx of South Korean tourists, reflecting the strong appeal of the island.

An official from Phu Quoc International Airport told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that South Korean visitors topped the list of international tourists arriving on the island between January and June.

During this period, the island welcomed over 725,110 international arrivals on more than 4,440 flights, a 91.4-percent year-on-year surge.

Among those, South Korean arrivals jumped by 38.4 percent, followed by Taiwan (13.1 percent), China (12.1 percent), and Kazakhstan (7.7 percent).

Hoang Thi Ngoc, a tour guide, attributed the growing interest from South Koreans to the launch of direct flights between Seoul and Phu Quoc in 2022.

“South Korean tourists favor high-end resorts with private beaches and enjoy golf and ocean activities," Ngoc said.

“They usually travel to the island with their families and book exploration packages. 

"Their average stay is around five days."

Nguyen Thanh Long, a representative from a travel firm based in Vung Tau Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, noted that Vietnam has gained popularity among South Korean tourists owing to an increasing number of flights, reasonable fares, and diverse experiences and services.

Vung Tau Ward was formed by merging Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4, Ward 5, Thang Nhi Ward, and Thang Tam Ward in Vung Tau City under the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, as per a national merger.

The merger includes the combination of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Province, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province into the current Ho Chi Minh City, effective from July 1.

Social media groups dedicated to travel tips and destinations have seen South Korean tourists describe Phu Quoc as a ‘paradise’ or ‘the Vietnamese Maldives.’

With beachfront resorts and a wide range of affordable experiences, the island offers more value than similar destinations in South Korea.

Since late 2022, when the direct Seoul–Phu Quoc air route was opened, the island has become a trending topic on South Korean social media and travel forums.

Today, a simple search for ‘Phu Quoc’ or any resort name on the island yields numerous images of South Korean tourists checking in and enjoying their stay.

Data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism indicated that China remained Vietnam’s largest international source market in the first half of 2025, sending 2.7 million visitors to the latter, accounting for 25.6 percent of its total international arrivals.

South Korea followed closely with 2.2 million visitors, representing 20.7 percent of the total.