Phu Quoc's New Port Draws Yacht Operators as Tourism Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion

Phu Quoc has generated more than VND50.3 trillion (US$1.95 billion) in tourism revenue this year, surpassing its annual target by over 10.6 percent as the island's new port pulls in a wave of yacht operators betting on sustained demand. The island off An Giang Province attracted more than 9.2 million visitors, including over two million international arrivals, according to figures that underline how quickly marine tourism has scaled.

The crowd is visible on the water. Vo Van Phuoc, operations manager at tour operator Let's Vietnam, said on Thursday that international visitors were flocking to the island, with many opting for yacht tours to nearby May Rut, Gam Ghi, and Hon Thom Islands. His company's Crazy Party Hopping yacht, which accommodates 175 passengers, has been consistently busy, with bookings extending through March 2027.

That booking horizon — nearly two years out — signals operators see the demand as structural rather than seasonal.

Why international partners are signing on

Northeast Asian and European tourists place particular emphasis on maritime safety, Phuoc said. He credited the port's standardized docking procedures and improved navigation channels with making it easier for tour operators to work with international partners.

For an industry where a single safety incident can dry up foreign bookings, infrastructure credibility is a commercial asset as much as a operational one. Sun Group, the port's developer, said the spacious facilities have encouraged tourism operators to expand their fleets.

Fleet expansion is already underway

The capacity buildout is concrete and dated:

• Halora is operating a three-deck yacht with a swimming pool and a capacity of 120 passengers.
• Halora expects to add another vessel of the same size in November.
• Other operators plan to introduce yachts accommodating 99 to 300 passengers for sightseeing, dining, and sunset cruises.

The spread of vessel sizes — from 99 to 300 passengers — suggests operators are segmenting the market between premium dining cruises and higher-volume sightseeing runs.

The province-wide picture

The An Giang Department of Tourism reported that the province has welcomed more than 25 million tourist arrivals so far this year. Of those, over 2.1 million were international visitors, generating more than VND63 trillion (US$2.44 billion) in tourism revenue province-wide.

Phu Quoc accounts for roughly 80 percent of that revenue, a concentration that explains why operators are directing new vessel investment at the island rather than spreading it across other provincial destinations.

The island's visitor count — 9.2 million — also exceeds the international segment alone province-wide, showing domestic travelers remain the volume base while foreign arrivals drive the premium marine-tourism products now being commissioned.

What comes next

With bookings locked through March 2027 and new capacity arriving in November, operators are positioning for a second year of growth on the strength of the port's expanded facilities. Whether the pace holds will depend on international arrivals continuing to climb, but the current trajectory — a target exceeded by more than 10.6 percent — gives Phu Quoc's marine tourism sector its firmest commercial footing to date.