The only place in Vietnam offering visa-free visits to foreigners

September 17, 2024 - 15:22
Exploring Vietnam has never been easier: Phú Quốc Island is an ideal choice for travel and long-term relaxation, offering a complete visa exemption policy for all international visitors valid for up to 30 days, beautiful landscapes, rich biodiversity and impressive architecture.

Superior visa policy

Phú Quốc is currently the only destination in Vietnam with a unique visa policy. According to current regulations, foreigners and Vietnamese people holding foreign passports who enter or reside on Phú Quốc Island are exempt from visas for a temporary stay of up to 30 days. Foreigners can enter Vietnam through an international border gate (including air and sea entry points), stay in the transit area at that border gate, and then transfer to Phú Quốc Island to benefit from this visa regulation.

Kem Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Phú Quốc Island, with cream-coloured sand and emerald seawater.

Phú Quốc has this special visa policy because it is the only island that meets four conditions for visa exemption for foreigners under Vietnamese law. It has an international airport, is a geographically distinct area, is separated from the mainland, and has a socio-economic development policy that does not jeopardize Vietnam’s national defense, security, social order, or safety.

As an isolated island located in the Gulf of Thailand southwest of mainland Việt Nam, transportation to Phú Quốc is very convenient with air, sea, and land routes. Tourists visiting this island can enter and exit through three international border gates: Phú Quốc International Airport Border Gate, Ha Tien International Border Gate, and Duong Dong Port International Border Gate.

Currently, many countries and territories have multiple daily flights to Phú Quốc, including the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. Many other countries are in the process of opening direct routes to Phú Quốc.

Phú Quốc Island is increasingly attractive in the eyes of international tourists

A destination with untouched natural beauty

Recently, Phú Quốc Island was unexpectedly honoured by Travel+Leisure, placing second in the Top 25 Best Islands in the World for 2024, surpassing popular tourist destinations like Bali, Indonesia, and Phuket, Thailand, and coming just behind the Maldives.

As Travel+Leisure and other international media have highlighted, Phú Quốc is known as the "precious gem" of Vietnam, boasting stunning and unparalleled natural beauty. The largest of its island group, Phú Quốc consists of 22 different islands with a total area of 573 square kilometers. It features pristine white sand beaches surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters.

When it comes to famous beaches on the island, Kem Beach, Sao Beach, Truong Beach, and Ong Lang Beach are not to be missed. All of them exude a sense of untouched beauty, tranquility, and serenity. Phú Quốc also boasts a national park and the Phú Quốc Marine Reserve, which cover over two-thirds of the island’s natural area and form part of the core zone of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.

Hon Thom Cable Car is a must-visit attraction in Phú Quốc Island for its breathtaking views

The most enticing attraction for tourists in the southern part of the island is the cluster of 12 different islands in the An Thới Archipelago. Unlike many beaches in Phú Quốc, the southern shores are exceptionally pristine, with smooth, white sand. This area is also known for its abundant marine resources, featuring colorful and diverse coral reefs scattered across the islands. Due to the various species of fish and seaweed, it is an ideal destination for those who enjoy diving and admiring the beauty of the ocean.

All of this explains why Phú Quốc often makes other destinations envious, as the island consistently ranks among the most popular natural destinations.

A destination for new experiences

In an interview about the airline’s plan to increase flights to Phú Quốc in the second half of the year, Mr. Kim Kye Yong, the Executive Director of Korean Air in Vietnam, explained the allure of the island: "Beyond its pristine nature, Phú Quốc is becoming increasingly attractive with its luxury hotels, the world’s longest sea-crossing three-wire cable car, captivating theme parks, and stunning European-style architectural structures. Korean tourists are keen on taking photos to share on social media, which is why they adore this place so much. In other words, Phú Quốc is a destination where you can both relax and enjoy a variety of experiences."

In recent years, Phú Quốc has gradually become a true 'resort paradise' with the influx of numerous world-renowned luxury resort brands such as Accor, Rosewood Hotels, and Hilton, which have launched their superb resorts in Kem Beach, Ong Doi Cape, and Sunset Town.

Notable resorts include JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, New World Phú Quốc, La Festa Phú Quốc (Curio Collection by Hilton), Premier Residences Phú Quốc Emerald Bay, and Premier Village Phú Quốc.

Five-star resorts have transformed southern Phú Quốc into an island paradise. Credit: JW Marriott Phú Quốc Resort (above) and New World Phú Quốc Resort (below)

Positioned to become a "new global destination," Phú Quốc offers a series of superb experiences that are increasingly attractive and diverse from the perspective of tourists.

Phú Quốc is emerging as a "rising star" golfing paradise, featuring stunning and challenging courses that appeal to even the most seasoned players. Eschuri Vung Bau Golf in Phú Quốc, in particular, boasts one of the best locations for golf in Vietnam, taking visitors on a journey "up through the forest and down to the sea" across 18 holes that stretch from old-growth forests to the coastline.

Eschuri Vung Bau Golf is a 'beautiful, unique, challenging' golf course that everyone wants to experience on Phú Quốc Island

Holes #1 to #9 are designed to reflect the pristine beauty of Phú Quốc's primeval forest, with the ancient trees around each hole left intact. The journey from holes #10 to #18 takes visitors to the white sand and beautiful waves of Pearl Island. Notably, hole #14 offers a view straight out to sea, making players feel as if they are hitting the ball towards the horizon.

The Sun Paradise Land entertainment complex in southern Phú Quốc provides a unique experience, where visitors can explore the Kiss Bridge, watch the multimedia "Kiss of the Sea" show and nightly fireworks, and enjoy the vibrant VUI-Fest bazaar.

One experience that no tourist wants to miss is taking the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car to Hòn Thơm Island. Here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Phú Quốc’s seascape, including colorful fishing boats and crystal-clear waters.

During the year-end travel season, Hòn Thơm is set to become a new entertainment hub with vibrant pool parties and EDM shows. At Sun Paradise Land, upcoming performances rich in Vietnamese cultural elements will debut on Kiss Bridge Beach, featuring a fusion of jet ski and flyboard performances with Vietnamese elements such as festival drums, dragon kites, and lion dances. For food lovers, a new brewery is set to open alongside Cá Trích Bazaar, a market dedicated to celebrating Phú Quốc’s herring salad.

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