Vietnam owns the Second Best Island of the world - Pearl Island Phu Quoc
Recently, Phu Quoc has been ranked the second best island worldwide by the prestigious travel magazine Travel+Leisure, closely trailing the Maldives and surpassing other popular paradises such as Bali and Phuket.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam - A highly praised newcomer
Travel+Leisure recently unveiled its list of the world's 25 best islands for 2024, a category within its esteemed annual World's Best Awards. The result was determined by over 186,000 T+L readers, with more than 700,000 votes assessing premier cities, islands, resorts, hotels, airlines, and cruise ships worldwide.
Among the list, Phu Quoc is described as an “under-the-radar” candidate.
"The top 3 winners included two destinations that need little introduction: The Maldives (No. 1) and Bali (No. 3)" the magazine noted in its opening remarks, and later continued, “But T+L readers heaped praise on Vietnamese newcomer Phu Quoc (No. 2), the so-called Pearl Island of white sand beaches that stretch for miles and where fishing still sustains the local economy.”
“You can feel the genuine smiles of the local people. It’s a must-visit.”
Travel+Leisure’s reader
The magazine portrayed Phú Quốc, situated off Vietnam's western coast, as a newcomer among the world’s travel hotspots, highlighting it as the island's biggest strength.
Compared to other rapidly developed beaches in Southeast Asia, Phú Quốc stands out for preserving its tranquil appeal. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot find luxurious hotels, offering top-notch services and rooftop infinity pools on the island.
Indeed, not only for Vietnamese people but for many tourists around the world, Phu Quoc has long occupied a very special position due to many factors. Following are the reasons why:
The Pearl Island of Vietnam with the most beautiful sunset scenery
It's no coincidence that Phu Quoc is associated with the term "Pearl Island”. For a long time, this island has been known for its breathtaking scenery, often described as a "paradise" with its crystal-clear beaches, expansive stretches of white sand, and swaying coconut palms that create a stunning landscape.
Particularly, Phu Quoc boasts a rich and diverse ecosystem, ranging from beaches that stretch along the island to mountains, hills, and pristine forests. The scenery on this island can easily captivate any tourists.
Phu Quoc is also known as the most beautiful place to watch the sunset in Vietnam. Standing on the beach, admiring the brilliant sunset over the horizon brings about an indescribable feeling. Many young people, especially couples, call this a must-try experience in their lives.
A series of luxurious and classy resorts
As one of the famous "resort paradises" in Vietnam, Phu Quoc boasts a series of luxury resorts and high-class accommodations. It can be said that this island offers a wide range of resort choices, encompassing beautiful architecture and views, excellent services, diverse and plentiful amenities. These factors play a crucial role in elevating Phu Quoc tourism in the eyes of travelers.
Some suggested options: Novotel Phu Quoc Resort, InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Seashells Phu Quoc Hotel & Spa, Sunset Sanato Resort & Villas, Lahana Resort Phu Quoc & Spa.
>> See more at: Things to Do in Phu Quoc ultimate guide: Adventure and Relaxation
Diverse and unique cuisine
When visiting an island, one cannot overlook its diverse seafood dishes. In Phu Quoc, seafood dishes are incredibly diverse and prepared in various enticing ways. Besides, the island is renowned for its unique dishes which can hardly be found anywhere else, such as horn shell noodle soup, Phu Quoc stirring noodles, barracuda salad, bitter bolete, sea urchin, "khéo" cake, and "thốt nốt" palm sugar cake.
A variety of exciting experiences, with friendly and amiable locals
In addition to sightseeing and capturing "Instagrammable" photos, swimming and diving—common activities in any coastal area—Phu Quoc Island offers numerous unique experiences.
Here are some suggestions:
- Fascinating sightseeing spots: Rach Vem Fishing Village, Dinh Cau Cape, Ngoc Ha Pepper Farm, Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Pearl Farm Tour, Phu Quoc Prison Historical Site, An Thoi Cable Car Station, Hon Thom, Sao Beach, Ho Quoc Pagoda.
- Unique experiences: fishing, coral reef snorkeling, hiking, waterfall bathing, exploring pristine forests, sunset watching, visiting Safari zoo, enjoying thrilling rides at the water park, taking the cable car to explore the southern part of the island.
>> See more at: Snorkeling Vietnam: Your Guide to Planning the Perfect Underwater Odyssey
Another aspect that many tourists emphasize when visiting Phu Quoc is the friendliness and amiability of the local people here. This makes the travel experience of tourists to Phu Quoc even more complete.
Currently, Phú Quốc is the only island in Vietnam that grants visa-free entry for visitors staying up to 30 days. Experts predict that Phú Quốc could host as many as 14.6 million visitors in 2024, putting it in direct competition with major Asian tourist destinations like Phuket and Bali.
The island's consistent attainment of international recognition and awards, particularly surpassing two globally renowned paradises in Travel+Leisure's esteemed rankings, underscores its increasing appeal for global travelers.
Following are some recommended itineraries we designed specifically for you to explore this emerging gem:
- Southern Vietnam And Phu Quoc Beach Holiday - 6D5N - From $243
- A Glance At Southern Vietnam And Beach Relaxation - 10D9N - From $555
- Highlight of Vietnam and Phu Quoc Beach - 12D11N - From $1,036
Asia Mystika Travel is Vietnamese local travel agency dedicated to bringing first-hand experience of lovely scenery, and distinctive indigenous cultures to every customer. With professional local guides and prestiged airline partners (4 domestic airlines and over 300 international airlines), we offer unique local experience at an extremely reasonable price. All tours are 100% customizable, no shopping and no extra fee.
Contact us for a personalized travel itinerary according to your preferences:
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