Phu Quoc Named Among Expedia’s Top 10 Island Destinations for 2026

Phu Quoc Named Among Expedia’s Top 10 Island Destinations for 2026

Sunset Town Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Island Destinations for 2026 in Expedia’s newly released Island Hot List 2026.

International tourists enjoy a beach holiday in Phu Quoc during the 2025 year-end travel season.

Vietnam’s largest island ranked 9th on Expedia’s prestigious list, making it one of only two Southeast Asian destinations featured, alongside Palawan (Philippines). The remaining islands include St. Lucia (Caribbean), Porto Santo (Portugal), Praslin (Seychelles), Syros (Greece), the Lofoten Islands (Norway), Culebra (Puerto Rico), Sanibel (United States), and Fiji.

According to Expedia, the rankings are based on global search trends, traveler interest, and the tourism growth potential of island destinations. Data from the platform shows that worldwide demand for island vacations is rising rapidly, with online searches increasing by an average of 55% year-over-year and social media discussions growing by approximately 20%.

Notably, Expedia stated that this year’s list highlights islands experiencing the strongest growth in travel demand between September 2025 and March 2026. St. Lucia, which topped the ranking, recorded an impressive 125% increase in searches over the past year, driven by its lush rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and distinctive white- and black-sand beaches.

Hon Thom cable car

Expedia also noted that travel preferences are shifting away from well-established destinations toward emerging island escapes, where visitors can immerse themselves in nature, discover local culture, and enjoy a slower, more relaxing pace of life. The company recommends booking accommodations and travel services well in advance or visiting during the low season to save money and avoid overcrowding.

This is not the first time Phu Quoc has earned international recognition. Over the past several years, the island has consistently appeared in prestigious global travel rankings thanks to its stunning beaches, world-class luxury resorts, and increasingly diverse tourism experiences.

In 2024, Travel + Leisure included Phu Quoc among the World’s Best Islands, as voted by its readers. During the same year, Condé Nast Traveler also named Phu Quoc one of Asia’s Most Attractive Islands.

Phu Quoc’s growing appeal is also reflected in tourism statistics. According to data released by Traveloka, Phu Quoc and Da Nang were the two most searched accommodation destinations in Vietnam during this year’s summer travel season.

Kiss bride

According to the An Giang Department of Tourism, Phu Quoc welcomed nearly 5.8 million visitors in the first six months of the year, representing an increase of more than 30% compared to the same period last year. Of these, approximately 1.3 million were international visitors, up 50.3% year-over-year, fulfilling 65.7% of the annual target.

Total tourism revenue during the first half of the year reached an estimated VND 31.507 trillion, marking a 46% increase from the previous year and achieving 69.2% of the annual goal.

Industry experts attribute Phu Quoc’s remarkable growth to several key factors, including Vietnam’s visa exemption policy for international visitors, continued improvements in transportation infrastructure, and the development of large-scale integrated resorts and entertainment complexes.

These advantages have helped extend visitors’ average length of stay, increase tourism spending, and expand the island’s international visitor base, particularly from South Korea, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, India, and countries across Southeast Asia.