One of Asia’s best-kept secrets is a tropical island getaway – go before the rest do
Phu Quoc in Vietnam boasts powder white beaches, evergreen forests, and stunning national parks. Backpackers got there first, and luxury hotels have followed
A rugged place once visited only by backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit, Phu Quoc in Vietnam is the hottest tropical island in the region to visit.
“Phu Quoc is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets, and one of Vietnam’s most idyllic island destinations,” says Piero Bellizzi, general manager at InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach, one of the latest five-star properties to welcome guests to the island.
Beaches with powder white sands fringe Phu Quoc, sparkling waters that are home to a rich collection of marine life and coral reefs lap the coast, and evergreen forests, thick jungle and protected national parks cover half the island.
“Phu Quoc is the fastest growing tourism market in Vietnam,” adds Bellizzi. “The island is on the fast track to becoming Vietnam’s top tourism destination in the coming years.”
Evidence of its growing popularity can be seen in the rapid development of recent years. According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, just 1,500 rooms dotted the island in 2014. This figure rose to 10,000 by the end of 2017, with the island welcoming 1.96 million visitors last year – a 35 per cent year-on-year increase.
