“The inherent appeal of Phu Quoc’s natural beauty is increasingly amplified by its local cultural identity and world-class attractions” - a brief description by the popular travel platform Travel Lemming sums up the current portrait of the Pearl Island.
Phu Quoc has now become “Asia’s Leading Luxury Destination”. Photo: Anh Duong
At 1 a.m., a Jeju Air flight landed at Phu Quoc airport after a 6-hour journey from Seoul, South Korea. After 30 minutes of crossing the wide avenues leading to An Thoi ward, Kim Ji Won, a reporter for Chosun Ilbo, arrived at the resort at Bai Kem to rest after the long flight. Waking Ji Won up in the morning were the rays of dawn and the scenery that moved the female reporter: “The sparkling sunlight reflected on the clear turquoise sea, and the long, smooth white sand made me feel like I was still dreaming.”
Taking direct flights to Phu Quoc International Airport, speeding along the four-lane roads, waking up in a luxurious 5-star resort with one of the 50 most beautiful beaches on the planet outside the window. Perhaps, Ji Won did not know that her “dreamy” experiences were also the dreams of the people of Ngoc Island two decades ago.
The “Lighthouse” that leads to miraculous changes
In October 2004, Decision No. 178/2004/QD-TTG of the Prime Minister approving the "Overall development project of Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang) until 2010 and vision to 2020" was officially issued with the ultimate task set out: "Step by step building Phu Quoc Island into a regional and international tourism center (ecotourism, resorts and sea tourism) with high-quality services, attracting many international tourists and meeting the needs of domestic tourists".
Like a “lighthouse” guiding the way, since Decision 178, a series of turning points, along with “Vietnamese eagles” have come to the Pearl Island. As a result, investment capital has increased by 64 times (as of 2023). From a ruined island after the war with 3 nos: no electricity, no traffic, no fresh water, Phu Quoc is now a type II urban area, “The best island in the world in 2024”.
The “miraculous” development indicators, the budget revenue increased by more than 200 times in 20 years are the clearest evidence of the Pearl Island’s leap forward. Revenue from tourism in 2023 reached 13,928 billion VND, nearly 50 times higher than in 2004.
Phu Quoc International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, receiving an average of nearly 50 international and domestic flights per day...
A series of high-class resort and entertainment projects have been added. From the "starting line" in 2004, the number of 5-star rooms on the island has now reached nearly 15,000 rooms, all the "big guys" of the world's hotel industry such as Accor, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Rosewood... are present in the island city. In the near future, Marriott Group will bring to Hon Thom Island two "brands of brands" in the hotel industry: Ritz Carlton Reserve and The Luxury Collection.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort at Kem Beach. Photo by Anh Duong
At the same time, from a poor fishing village filled with bushes and red soil, An Thoi ward now has a new, vibrant and vibrant look with Sunset Town - a place that attracts tens of thousands of tourists every day.
The sweet fruit has come to the Pearl Island. But to go further, to sharpen the portrait of a “high-quality tourism and resort service center with identity and appeal to domestic and international tourists” like the Phu Quoc City Master Plan until 2040, it is easy to see that quality products are only a necessary condition.
To be a “world-class” destination, Phu Quoc needs another sufficient condition: to be different from the rest. And according to the Prime Minister’s affirmation at the Conference summarizing Decision 178, that difference comes from: culture.
“In Phu Quoc, the development of cultural industry has foundations, based on different potentials. Unique identity combined with the modern quintessence of the world is the internationalization of our culture. But on the contrary, we also need to nationalize the modern culture of the world. I think this harmonious combination will make a big difference.”
A Pearl Island that is very Vietnamese and also very different
In recent years, the remarkable growth of Ngoc Island on the regional tourism map has come from the serious investment process of the locality and private economic groups with a consistent direction: creating a multi-experience ecosystem with diverse, quality, classy products and taking culture as the foundation.
Pearl Island is like a “hub” - where Vietnamese identity and world culture cleverly combine to achieve a common goal: sustainable tourism development.
Typically, Cau Hon - the bridge that appeared on CNN's front page just a few days after its launch - is also a product of the goal of "internationalizing Vietnamese culture and nationalizing international elements". Inspired by the legendary love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl and the classic Italian love story between Romeo and Juliet; Cau Hon is the "symbol" connecting Vietnamese and Italian cultures.
The Wedding Bridge - a symbolic work connecting Vietnamese and Italian cultures. Photo by Minh Tu
In addition, large-scale, elaborate, and culturally imbued shows have been launched; turning Phu Quoc into a new “entertainment paradise” of Asia.
That is Vietnamese Puppetry with a water puppet show by the sea. Or at Vui Phet night market, young artists through street art performances play the role of “ambassadors”, introducing to tourists the unique features of local culture.
Or on the “infinity” stage of the multimedia technology show Kiss of The Sea; the leading French producer ECA2 chose to present the audience with top-notch technology, light, water and fire performances... based on a plot that combines Hollywood-like fantasy with indigenous culture such as the theory of the five elements or shadow puppetry. Not to mention, through the artistic fireworks show, Phu Quoc is also a rare island in the world that fires fireworks 365 days a year.
The first Vietnamese Puppetry Theater by the Sea in Vietnam. Photo: Anh Duong
Meanwhile, if you want to find a resort with full "identity"; Phu Quoc is also not lacking with JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay - a fictional university containing an interesting story about 19th century architecture and culture, or New World Phu Quoc Resort - a Southern fishing village in the heart of the Pearl Island...
“Forget Phuket, come to Phu Quoc - the new hope of Vietnam tourism” is the title of an article on the famous news site South China Morning Post. This can be seen as an affirmation: Phu Quoc is no longer inferior to Phuket or even the leading “tourist paradises” in the region. However, to continue to consolidate its position, Phu Quoc needs to continue to persevere with the roadmap of “bringing Vietnam to the world and bringing the world to Vietnam”.
Tung Duong
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