“2026 is shaping up to be the year Aussie travellers branch out - ditching the usual hotspots for smaller, slower and seriously stunning destinations,” wrote The Urban List’s Rebecca Keating, urging Australian travellers to broaden their horizons when planning their 2026 getaways.

According to Keating, while 2025 was dominated by European summers and familiar haunts like Bali, 2026 is set to be the year of the 'truly novel' destination.

Phú Quốc takes the top spot on the list of 10 global destinations that the Australian magazine predicts will 'define travel in 2026'. Pearl Island is also the sole representative from Vietnam to make the cut, standing alongside world-renowned names such as Brussels (Belgium), Taipei (Taiwan, China) and Naoshima (Japan).

Kem Beach - 'World’s Leading Regional Beach' by World Travel Awards 2025.

“A tropical island escape with white-sand beaches, lush jungle backdrops and seafood-packed night markets. Phú Quốc is Vietnam’s answer to the tropical island fantasy,” The Urban List wrote.

According to the magazine, it is the profound sense of tranquillity that makes visitors “never want to leave” Phú Quốc. Travellers can spend their days motorcycling around the island, exploring hidden beaches, and snorkelling in turquoise waters before stopping at local markets for grilled seafood and coconut ice cream.

“If Vietnam’s on the list (it should be), this island is the essential add-on,” The Urban List said.

Experience nature’s grandeur from a record-breaking perspective on the Hon Thom Cable Car.

Beyond its allure as a tropical paradise, Phú Quốc’s quiet ascent to the top of global bucket lists is driven by one-of-a-kind experiences found nowhere else on earth. While famed for breath-taking shores like Kem Beach and Sao Beach, the island has also become a hallmark of iconic tourism landmarks.

These include the Kiss Bridge, Sunset Town, and the Guinness World Record-holding multimedia spectacular show, 'Kiss of the Sea'. Remarkably, it is the only island in the world to host two artistic firework displays every single night, 365 days a year. Adding to its prestige is a feat of engineering that has captivated global media: the world’s longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island - a marvel frequently spotlighted by the likes of CNN and Lonely Planet.

Mesmerised by the artistic firework displays at Sunset Town.

The top ranking by The Urban List, one of Australia's most influential travel and lifestyle authorities, is more than just a compliment; it signals a clear shift in international travel trends.

Modern travellers are increasingly seeking out fresh, tranquil destinations that offer both rich experiences and a distinct personality. From its pristine natural beauty and leisurely pace of life to a world-class ecosystem of entertainment, luxury resorts and unique cultural attractions, Phú Quốc is firmly establishing itself as a new tropical paradise on the global map. It is a place designed not just for a one-time visit, but as a destination to return to and linger longer.