Phu Quoc’s Post‑Pandemic Pause: The Island’s Return to Sunny Shores Is Defered
Vietnam’s beach bliss is on hold. The government has pushed back the opening of Phu Quoc, its famed resort island, to foreign visitors until November. The decree comes after a shortage of vaccines and a lag in residents’ shots left the island short of the promised herd immunity.
Why the Delay?
- Vaccination Crunch –
- Only 2.9 % of Kien Giang residents (the province that owns Phu Quoc) have received two doses.
- Vietnam’s overall vaccination rate sits at 7.3 %, one of the lowest in Southeast Asia.
- Phu Quoc officials estimate another 250 000–300 000 doses are needed to hit the herd‑immunity mark.
The island recently spotted a fresh cluster of COVID‑19 cases, but officials say it’s under control and won’t derail the plan. Still, they’ve opted for a cautious, phased reopening that will roll out over six months.
Reopening Blueprint
- Start date: Nov 20.
- Three chartered flights a week.
- Expected visitor window: 3 000–5 000 guests during the trial.
- Mandatory on‑arrival testing, with possible seven‑day quarantine pending health ministry policy.
It’s a tough situation for a country that saw foreign arrivals drop from 18 million in 2019 (when tourism earned $31 bn) to just 3.8 million last year. Tourists are craving a ticket back, but safety must still win the day.
Regional Play‑book
While Phu Quoc holds its breath, neighboring Malaysia is shaking up its Langkawi island, and Thailand has already opened Phuket and Samui to fully vaccinated visitors.
In short, the sun is still shining on Phu Quoc’s beaches, but the ticket to get there for foreign travelers remains on standby—until the island is squeaky‑clean and fully vaccinated.
