Vietnam's largest island just proved its 2025 win was no fluke. Readers of Condé Nast Traveler (US) have named Phú Quốc the Best Island in Asia for a second straight year, with 95.26 points — ahead of Boracay, Palawan, Bali and Phuket. The results were announced on October 6 as part of the magazine's 39th annual Readers' Choice Awards, which drew nearly 800,000 votes.

There's more. Over at the UK edition, Condé Nast Traveller, Phú Quốc scored a remarkable 98.26 in its debut appearance, finishing second in Asia behind Palawan (98.99) and posting the second-highest island score worldwide — pipping Barbados, Hydra, Fiji and even the Maldives. Judges and readers rate islands on natural beauty, beaches, food, service and hospitality, so a double nod from both editions carries real weight.

The island's climb has been steep: 8th in Asia in 2023, 2nd in 2024, champion in 2025, and now a title defence. Condé Nast's US editors even led their islands feature with Phú Quốc, recommending its white-sand beaches and coral reefs, the Sun World Hòn Thơm cable car, pepper farm tours, and a stay at the JW Marriott Phú Quốc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa.

Much of the buzz centres on the island's south, where Sun Group has built a cluster of attractions: Bãi Kem beach, the sea-crossing cable car to Hòn Thơm, the sunset-viewing Kiss Bridge, and Sunset Town's evening shows. Two multimedia productions — Kiss of the Sea and Symphony of the Sea — run alongside nightly fireworks, and Symphony of the Sea's upgraded Season 3 launches on November 10, 2026, with a 200-metre ocean stage and triple the fireworks.

Getting there is getting easier too. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the island's namesake airline, has been flying commercially since November 1, 2025, and its growing route network puts the destination front and centre when travellers search for flights.

Big changes are coming in 2027, when Phú Quốc hosts APEC Economic Leaders' Week. A new convention centre, a multi-purpose arena, airport expansion and a light rail system are all under construction. On the hotel front, Rixos Phú Quốc is pioneering ultra-luxury all-inclusive on Hòn Thơm, while the Bãi Đất Đỏ (Ruby Beach) hotel avenue plans over 7,000 rooms initially — scaling toward 20,000 — with brands like JW Marriott Marquis, W Hotels, Le Méridien, The Luxury Collection, SO/ and Conrad.

Why should this matter to you? Because Phú Quốc is at a sweet spot: it now has world-class entertainment, big-brand hotels and direct flights, but it's still cheaper and less crowded than Bali or Phuket. If you've been curious about Vietnam's Pearl Island, the window before the APEC-driven boom and 20,000 new rooms arrive looks like a smart time to go.