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Asia’s ‘most beautiful island’ earns $866M in tourism revenue in first four months

Sandy Verma | May 12, 2026 11:24 AM CST

Tourists shop at a night market in Phu Quoc in January 2026. Photo by Truong Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, voted Asia’s most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, recorded tourism revenue of VND22.8 trillion (US$866 million) between January and April, up 60.4% year-on-year, driven by rising international arrivals and improved digital infrastructure.

International visitors to the island during the year’s first four months reached over 1 million, up 61.5% year-on-year and reaching nearly half of its annual target thanks to expansion of direct routes to Asian destinations such as Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong, according to An Giang Province’s Department of Tourism.

Phu Quoc authorities are rolling out a range of digital tourism initiatives to improve visitor experience and support the island’s shift toward smart tourism amid a sharp rise in visitor numbers.

Tran Minh Khoa, chairman of the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People’s Committee, said the island, one of the key tourism hubs of Vietnam, is expanding its digital infrastructure to better serve both residents and tourists, Your Three newspaper reported.

He noted that major attractions across the island now have access to broadband internet, 4G/5G connectivity, and that tourism operators are increasingly adopting online booking systems, cashless payment options, and free Wi-Fi services.

Across multiple tourism sites, QR code systems have been introduced to offer visitors instant access to information, digital maps, and navigation guidance, further integrating technology into the travel experience.

Phu Quoc has set its target of welcoming 8.5 million tourists this year including 2 million foreigners.

The island’s tourism industry generated VND44 trillion ($1.67 billion) in 2025.