Phu Quoc, a resort island in southern Vietnam, has posted record tourism growth as 2026 begins. Visitor numbers for January–February 2026 topped 2.2 million, up 57.7% year on year, and foreign tourists among them jumped an astonishing 86.4%. Hotel occupancy exceeded 90% in January–February 2026, and it's gaining international recognition as one of Asia's premier resorts, on par with Bali and Phuket. Let's take a fresh look at what Phu Quoc is for Japanese travelers now.
Phu Quoc's rapid 2026 growth in numbers
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total visitors, January–February 2026 | Over 2.2 million |
| Year on year (total tourists) | +57.7% |
| Year on year (foreign tourists) | +86.4% |
| Hotel occupancy | Over 90% in January–February |
| Foreign visitors in March 2026 alone | Over 200,000 (a single-month record high) |
| Main visiting countries | China, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, India |
This far exceeds pre-pandemic figures. Phu Quoc, which had languished at around 50% occupancy from 2022 to 2023, is catching up to Bali and Phuket levels in just two to three years.
Why Phu Quoc is growing this fast
A big increase in direct flights
As 2026 began, Air India, China Eastern Airlines, and Cathay Pacific newly set up or increased direct flights to Phu Quoc International Airport. Stronger routes from China in particular (China Eastern's direct Beijing–Phu Quoc flight) tie directly to the surge in Chinese tourists. From Korea too, airlines continue to add flights, and Korea has become established as a major foreign source market for Phu Quoc.
A rush of large resort development completions
New openings by international brands continue, including Marriott International (JW Marriott, Westin), InterContinental, and the Accor Group, and the assessment that "lodging options have exploded" is taking hold. In 2026, Sun Group and Marriott International jointly announced a development plan for 10 facilities and 8 brands, and infrastructure development is accelerating toward the 2027 APEC summit (held in Phu Quoc).
Continued visa preferences
Since 2023, Vietnam has allowed a 90-day valid, multiple-entry e-visa, and Japanese travelers are covered by a visa exemption (45 days). This institutional convenience lowers the hurdle to visiting and has also contributed to the increase in Japanese travelers.
The latest Phu Quoc information Japanese travelers should know
April to May is the "prime chance for an end-of-season trip"
Phu Quoc's best season is the dry season from November to April. Since the rainy season starts in May, April marks the peak of demand for a "last-chance-before-summer trip" at the end of the dry season. Hotel bookings are already busy, so if you're considering a stay around Golden Week, you need to secure it quickly.
Crossing the sea by gondola—Hon Thom Island
Hon Thom Island, a 10-to-15-minute boat ride south of Phu Quoc, is the boarding point for the Guinness World Record-certified "world's longest three-wire ropeway" (7.9 km total length). This gondola, which crosses the sea on an aerial stroll, has become a standard tourist experience.
Conditions for using the casino
Phu Quoc Island has several resort casinos, which foreign tourists can use without limit (Vietnamese only under certain conditions). Post-pandemic deregulation has also increased visits with the casino as the aim.
Vietnam's largest water theme park
VinWonders Phu Quoc is one of Southeast Asia's largest theme parks, a facility that integrates a water park, a zoo, and attractions. It's highly popular with family travelers, on a scale too large to see in a single day.
For those considering a trip to Phu Quoc
When it comes to Vietnamese resorts, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ha Long Bay are the standard, but Phu Quoc holds the rare position of a "full-fledged resort where you can still relax fairly comfortably" within Asia. Direct flights from Narita and Kansai are few (transferring at Ho Chi Minh City is the norm), which is itself a reason it "doesn't get too crowded." 2026 is the perfect timing for a visit.
Those considering a trip to Phu Quoc should also refer to the latest hotel information,the 10-hotel development planned by Marriott x Sun Group.The latest information on travel in general is alsoin the event information for the Vietnam International Travel Mart VITM 2026.Also,the trend of Vietnam's coffee and tea chain market growing to over 1.3 billion dollarsis useful information for trip preparation.
Reference information
– VnExpress International：Phu Quoc Tourism Growth
– Travel and Tour World：72% Growth Report
