Which island rivals the beauty of the Maldives but costs less than Phuket and Bali?

Imagining the Maldives as a dreamlike paradise seen on Instagram, travel journalist Kaza Panzer of the reputable travel guide Fodors was completely disillusioned upon arrival. She spent over $350 on a flight from India to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, only to be met with hours of waiting for a boat and arriving at a sparsely populated island with no entertainment. After the trip, she reflected, "Paradise, when you are alone, is no longer paradise."

Not only Panzer but many tourists have "woken up" to the reality of spending thousands of dollars to visit the "lonely paradise" of the Maldives. The high cost, averaging around $2,457 per person for a week, including transportation, accommodation, and meals (excluding airfare), has been a significant deterrent.

Phu Quoc, ranked as the second most beautiful island in the world after the Maldives, by Travel + Leisure

Another well-known island paradise, Phuket in Thailand, is famous for its affordability. However, in recent times, visitors have been paying higher accommodation costs that do not match the quality of service. On average, a bunk bed in a dormitory-style room (for 8-12 people) costs about $14 per night, sometimes reaching $28 in hostels such as Lub d Phuket Patong. Despite the relatively low prices, many accommodations lack updates and improvements, making these rates less appealing to travellers.

An American tourist shared his experience on a travel forum after visiting Phuket. "The hotel was fine, but that was about it. I didn’t hate it, but I expected more variety. Additionally, transportation on the island was inconvenient and expensive. The Thai culture that you experience in the north was completely absent here." He added, "I live in an expensive city in the United States, so I didn't think Phuket's costs would be an issue. But food prices here are 300 per cent higher than in Bangkok, which is absurd."

World-class quality at a much more affordable price

The Maldives, Phuket, and Bali are all renowned beach paradises, but rising costs have significantly impacted these destinations. The introduction of a tourist tax in Bali and the overall price surge in Phuket and the Maldives have made these places less appealing.

Learning from these predecessors, Phu Quoc has gained international favour by developing tourism sustainably. While it was criticised for overcharging in 2021-2022, by 2023-2024, Phu Quoc has significantly improved, with international visitors consistently praising it as one of the most reasonably priced destinations.

This is why Travel + Leisure, in its December 2024 article, highlighted Phu Quoc as a destination offering outstanding value for money, surpassing many other popular tourist spots. "A three-day holiday in Phu Quoc costs less than a three-day weekend in Singapore or Koh Samui (Thailand) and is only one-third to one-fourth the cost of other well-known destinations in the region," Travel + Leisure noted.

For instance, a night at a standard hotel in Singapore starts at $110, whereas a similar quality hotel in Phu Quoc costs just $37, allowing for a luxurious yet budget-friendly holiday.

South Korea’s KBS television network, reporting on Phu Quoc, a top destination for South Korean travellers, conducted a feature in December 2024 comparing Phu Quoc and Jeju, the largest tourism islands in South Korea and Vietnam. Korean tourists interviewed praised Phu Quoc, stating that although airfare from Incheon to Phu Quoc was twice the price of flights to Jeju, the significantly lower costs of accommodation and dining made Phu Quoc a far more attractive choice.

South Korean tourists enjoying the VUI-Fest Bazaar in Phu Quoc

Lee Hyun Suk, a tourist from Busan, appreciated Phu Quoc’s cost-effectiveness. He remarked that while a cup of coffee in Jeju costs nearly $7, he could have a full meal in Phu Quoc for just $3.5. Moreover, beachfront resorts offering private pool villas, such as New World Phu Quoc and Premier Village Phu Quoc, or hotels with nightly fireworks views like La Festa Phu Quoc – Curio Collection by Hilton, provide luxurious experiences at reasonable prices.

According to a Savills Hotels report, the average price for luxury hotels in Phu Quoc ranges from $100 to $120 per night. Besides international-standard resorts like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and New World Phu Quoc, the Sunset Town area features budget-friendly mini-hotels and modern-style accommodations ranging from $19.6 to over $39 per night, catering to various traveller needs.

Beyond its natural beauty, Phu Quoc’s diverse experiences continue to attract visitors

The island is also home to bustling seafood markets, vibrant night markets, and rich local delicacies. Thai journalist Thasaneya Ratwong from Nation Story visited Phu Quoc in early 2024 and was highly impressed by its affordability. She noted, "The cost of living in Phu Quoc is not high; in fact, food here is even cheaper than in Thailand. The seafood prices in Phu Quoc are about half of those in Thailand."

“As you know, Thailand, with Phuket and Pattaya, used to be very popular destinations. However, in my opinion, Phu Quoc is now much better than those places because the infrastructure is ready, the facilities are new, the services are significantly better, and most importantly, the people always smile. That is very important,” said Mehmet Kin, vice president of Crystal Bay Group.

Not only does Phu Quoc offer great affordability, but it is also becoming increasingly attractive compared to other regional destinations thanks to its world-class experiences and iconic landmarks. The world's longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island allows visitors to admire Phu Quoc’s breathtaking scenery from above, an experience unlike any other. Sunset Town, with the unique "Kiss Bridge", praised by CNN, along with nightly fireworks displays in "Kiss of the Sea" and "Symphony of the Sea" shows, ensures visitors leave with unforgettable memories.

According to top global travel businesses, with its potential and current momentum, Phu Quoc should be compared to world-class tourism icons like Hawaii and the Maldives. "Once infrastructure, roads, and tourist facilities are fully developed, we will witness the rise of the ‘Hawaii of the East," said Hong Jung Min, CEO of Hanatour Vietnam.

Phu Quoc Island becomes world’s second most captivating island, just behind Maldives Hanoi - Besides owning stunning natural landscapes, a series of top-notch entertainment experiences, all-inclusive leisure and hospitality services being continuously invested in have contributed to making Phu Quoc the second most attractive island in the world, just behind Maldives, according to Travel Leisure's vote.

Phu Quoc expects to welcome 1 million foreign travellers in 2025 Phu Quoc island city in the southern province of Kien Giang has set a target of serving 7 million tourists in 2025, including 1 million foreigners, according to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Minh Khoa.

Tourists flood in as Phu Quoc booms The end of the year is the prime time to witness the stunning beauty of Phu Quoc’s natural landscape. However, the final months of 2024 have also marked historic milestones for the island city’s tourism industry.