Phu Quoc Heat‑Up: Vietnam’s Tourists Get the Green Light (and Some Fun)
First splash of foreign visitors in almost two years
On Saturday, November 20, a wave of 200 fully‑vaccinated tourists descended on Phu Quoc, the sun‑kissed island that’s been a staple of Vietnam’s travel catalog. It’s the first time the island’s beachfront has seen a crowd since the pandemic tightened the borders.
Why the sudden surge?
- From 18 million arrivals in 2019 (when tourism churned out $31 billion), the numbers dipped sharply to 3.8 million last year.
- Half of Vietnam’s 98 million people are now vaccinated.
- Authorities are eager to rebuild a sector that usually accounts for roughly 10 % of GDP.
The new playbook
Vaccinated travelers no longer face the dreaded two‑week quarantine. Instead, their holiday adventure is neatly packaged inside the sprawling Vinpearl resort complex, and they’ll undergo two health checks during their stay. Think of it as a “no‑frills‑but‑full‑service” tourist experience.
The big words from the Tourism Board
Nguyen Trung Khanh, the chairman of the country’s tourism administration, said the move is a “pivotal first step” toward a full, safe rebound next year.
“We’re handing out fresh, normal‑cy experience kits to our visitors so they can really immerse themselves in Phu Quoc and elsewhere in Vietnam,” he added.
Counting the future arrivals
- By year‑end, the island expects to welcome 400,000 domestic and international tourists.
- Key spots like Hoi An and Danang are also dialing the tables back up to get people back in.
Neighborly inspiration
Vietnam’s bold move follows Thailand’s example, which opened its doors to vaccinated tourists for quarantine‑free holidays earlier this month. The twin strategies hint at a regional shift toward welcoming travelers with less hassle.
Looking ahead
- International commercial flights are slated for January next year.
- Full tourism reopening is targeted for June.
All in all, Vietnam’s got a fresh plan to bring back the sparkle. Should the island and its peers can keep the pandemic at bay, it could light up the country’s economy like never before.
