Move over Sri Lanka! This beautiful island is Asia’s new holiday destination

Share the article

Sri Lanka has been surprisingly Asia’s new hotspot for years, whether you fancy a solo adventure with jungle-penetrating train rides or are looking for your own slice of paradise on what feels like an unspoiled coastline.

That’s not to say that time has passed for Sri Lanka, but there is another island that is becoming famous and known as Asia’s ‘Hawaii’.

Here at Travel Off Path, we realize that when most travelers think of Vietnam, images of vast rice fields, scooter madness and piping hot bowls of pho come to mind before embarking on a pristine beach destination.

But that’s why the island is Phu Quoc is one of the most exciting emerging destinations – to experience a side of Vietnam, away from the famous bustling cities, in one of Asia’s most astonishingly beautiful settings.

Do you find “Aloha” in Vietnam?

Newcomers to travel are probably not as well known as seasoned veterinarians. If Phu Quoc has enjoyed any level of fame, it is due to its adopted nickname as the “Hawaii of Vietnam”.

While you probably won’t find it puka dogscolorful Hawaiian shirts or epic surf spots, here you will find some elements of America’s most beautiful paradise.

For example, be prepared for a stunning vocabulary. You can swap apostrophe-laden tongue twisters like “Lumi’au’au” for names that seem to rhyme and are still likely to be mispronounced. Let us know if you visit Duang Dong Town…

But seriously, besides the beautiful beaches, some of the aspects that Phu Quoc travelers love are the family-friendly atmosphere and the hospitable locals – two obvious things that can also be said about Hawaii.

Phu Quoc offers its own “Disney World”, if you will. VinWonders is clearly an ode to Disney, whether the oversized rodents approve or not – it even has a fairytale castle upon entry.

Of course, there is no friendlier American community than the Hawaiians, and the same can be said for Vietnam on this side of the world. Even with a wave of tourism in recent years, you don’t hear that the locals have had enough of the crowds.

Affordable luxury and beautiful beaches

It’s currently the middle of peak season, so there’s no better time to plan a trip.

That’s why we’ve done some research for you to find the best hotels and resorts you can call home. Best of all, the rates aren’t even the same as Waikiki or most Asian resort hot spots.

If you like cozy boutique stays with beautiful views, Rocks Beach Boutique Phu Quoc is just yours for $50 per night.

If you want complete luxury without paying your entire salary, then 5-star is an option Ocean Bay Resort & Spa Phu Quoc is exactly what you’re looking for for $110 a night on the other side of the island.

Or if you’re a true budget traveler, you can easily book numerous three-star stays under $30 per night. Keep in mind that you sometimes compromise on views and walkability.

But Phu Quoc is budget-friendly across the board, regardless of whether you jump into the market the world’s longest cable car or enjoy a soulful bowl of pho.

Wherever you stay, you are sure to relax by the sea along one of the many beautiful beaches. According to TripAdvisor, this is currently a traveler’s favorite Bai Tắm Sao (here we go with the vocabulary…) because of the white sand and beach bars.

Know what you need to know: Phu Quoc has its own unique visa policy

When you check Vietnam’s entry requirements, you might miss a little caveat about Phu Quoc as it has a different setup than Hanoi, Da Nang and the like.

Phu Quoc requires Americans to obtain an e-visa in advance (not upon arrival) as you plan to venture somewhere else in Vietnam.

Once secured, the e-visa allows a stay up to 30 days and can be used for both single and multiple entries. You can apply here.

Reaching Phu Quoc is easier than ever

Since Phu Quoc will receive over 8 million visitors by the end of the year, exceeding the expectations of the island itself, they were still prepared for the influx by recently launching their own airline.

It’s true, Sun PhuQuoc Airways was launched last fall and is still expanding its network. Expect a new route from fellow Vietnamese paradise Da Nang at the start of the calendar, with more to come as Phu Quoc continues to appear on more travelers’ radars in 2026.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

See also  Europe's best winter vacation: Americans flock to this beach destination