From a destination once known for overcharging tourists, Phu Quoc has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past two years, earning praise from international travelers for its significantly more reasonable prices compared to similar destinations in the region and worldwide.
When "paradise is not paradise"
Imagining Maldives as a dreamlike paradise through Instagram, Kaza Panzer, a reporter for the reputable travel guide Fodors, was utterly disillusioned after spending over 350 USD (approximately 8 million VND) to fly from India to Male, the capital of the Maldives. Waiting for her in Male were hours of waiting on a boat and an overcrowded island devoid of any recreational activities. After the trip, the Fodors reporter reflected: "paradise when alone is no longer paradise."
Not only this reporter, but many tourists have "woken up" after spending thousands of dollars on the "lonely" paradise of Maldives. With its far from affordable prices, an estimated 2,457$ (~60 million VND) is the average cost of living for one person in the Maldives for a week, including transportation, accommodation, and food, and excluding airfare.
Phu Quoc was voted the second most beautiful island in the world, after Maldives, by the prestigious travel magazine Travel + Leisure
Another paradise island, Phuket (Thailand), is known for its affordable prices. However, recently, tourists are paying accommodation costs disproportionate to the service quality. On average, a bed in a dorm room (for 8-12 people) costs around 14 USD/night, even reaching 28 USD (350,000-750,000 VND) at hostels like Lub d Phuket Patong. Although the price is not high, the accommodations do not meet expectations, lacking innovation, making this price difficult to convince tourists.
An American tourist once shared on a forum about his experience after a trip to Phuket: "The hotel was okay, but that's it. I don't hate anything, it's just that I expected more diversity. In addition, getting around the island is inconvenient and not cheap. Here, Thai culture has been diluted, the friendly hospitality you see in the North is completely absent." This person also added: "I live in an expensive city in the US, so I think the cost in Phuket is not a big problem. But eating in Phuket is 300% more expensive than in Bangkok, which is absurd."
Comparable standards, but much more affordable
Maldives, Phuket, and Bali are beautiful and famous beach paradises. However, the rising prices have affected these destinations. For example, the tourist tax policy in Bali, or the rising prices in Phuket and Maldives.
Learning from the experiences of its predecessors, Phu Quoc has recently become increasingly popular with international tourists due to its effective and sustainable tourism development. While the island was frequently criticized for overcharging in 2021-2022, Phu Quoc has made positive changes in 2023-2024, with international tourists consistently rating it as one of the most reasonably priced destinations.
International tourists playing volleyball at Bai Kem beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in Phu Quoc
This is also why Travel + Leisure magazine, in its December 2024 article, pointed out that one of the things international tourists love about Phu Quoc is the superior value for money and better experience compared to other famous tourist destinations. "A 3-day vacation in Phu Quoc has a total cost lower than a 3-day weekend in Singapore, or Koh Samui (Thailand), only 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of other famous destinations in the region," Travel + Leisure noted.
A night's stay at a hotel in Singapore can cost at least 150 SGD (approximately 2.8 million VND), while the same level of hotel in Phu Quoc costs only from 50 SGD (approximately 950,000 VND), offering a high-quality vacation opportunity at a much more affordable price.
KBS, a South Korean television station - the largest source of tourists to Phu Quoc currently - produced a report in December 2024 comparing prices between Phu Quoc and Jeju - the two largest tourist islands of South Korea and Vietnam. According to the report, tourists from South Korea praised Phu Quoc in interviews. Although the Incheon-Phu Quoc flight ticket price is on average double that of Incheon-Jeju, the affordable and high-quality accommodation and food made them very satisfied and chose Phu Quoc.
South Korean tourists experiencing the Vui Phet night market in Phu Quoc, very satisfied with the reasonable cost
Lee Hyun Suk, a tourist from Busan, was pleased with the cost of traveling to Phu Quoc. He shared that while a cup of coffee on Jeju Island costs nearly 10,000 won (approximately 180,000 VND), he could have a full meal in Phu Quoc for only 5,000 won (approximately 90,000 VND). Moreover, resorts with private pool villas right by the beach such as New World Phu Quoc, Premier Village Phu Quoc, or hotels with nightly fireworks views from the window like La Festa Phu Quoc - Curio Collection by Hilton - services considered unique and luxurious in South Korea, are very reasonably priced on the island.
According to a report from Savills Hotels, the average room rate for luxury hotels in Phu Quoc ranges from 100 to 120 USD per night. In addition to the presence of international standard hotels and resorts such as JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, New World Phu Quoc..., in the Sunset Town area, mini hotels and hotels with a friendly, modern style are also very affordable, ranging from 500,000 to over 1,000,000 VND per night, meeting the needs and budgets of all tourists.
Beyond the natural landscape, diverse experiences are increasingly attracting visitors to Phu Quoc
The island also boasts a plethora of fresh seafood restaurants, bustling night markets, and abundant local produce. Thasaneya Ratwong, a reporter for Nation Story (Thailand), visited Phu Quoc in early 2024 and was extremely impressed with the cost of food and drink on the island. The reporter shared: “The cost of living in Phu Quoc is not too high; in fact, the food is even cheaper than in Thailand. I found that the price of seafood here is only half the price in Thailand.”
“As you know, Thailand, with Phuket and Pattaya, used to be very famous destinations, but in my opinion, Phu Quoc is much better than those places because the infrastructure is ready, the constructions are all new, the service is much better, and especially the people always smile. That’s very important,” commented Mehmet Kin, Vice President of Crystal Bay Group.
Not only is it affordable, but the island is also increasingly attractive to tourists compared to other destinations in the region thanks to many new and high-class experiences and many iconic constructions. The world’s longest three-cable cable car to Hon Thom Island allows visitors to admire the entire beauty of Phu Quoc’s sea and sky from above, a fascinating experience found nowhere else in the world. Hoang Hon town, with the unique “untouched” Kissing Bridge, praised by CNN, world-class shows “Kiss of the Sea”, “Symphony of the Sea” with nightly fireworks… provide visitors with unforgettable experiences when visiting the island.
Hoang Hon town, Phu Quoc treats visitors to two fireworks displays in one night
According to many leading global tourism businesses, with the potential and performance Phu Quoc is achieving, this island should be compared to world-class tourism icons such as Hawaii or the Maldives. “When the infrastructure such as roads and tourist attractions is completed, we will witness the emergence of the ‘Hawaii of the East’,” shared Hong Jung Min, CEO of Hanatour Vietnam Company, with high expectations.
