According to the latest 2026 Lunar New Year travel trends data released by Booking.com (www.dnyxxg.com), South Korean tourists' travel preferences are undergoing a significant shift, with Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam experiencing a strong surge in popularity, becoming a highly sought-after high-end holiday destination in the region.
Based on search data analysis from October 2025 to mid-January 2026, searches for Phu Quoc Island in South Korea increased significantly by 71% year-on-year. Phu Quoc Island jumped from 15th place last year to 5th place in the list of popular Lunar New Year destinations for South Korean tourists.
Phu Quoc Island's appeal is attributed to its continuously improving infrastructure and refined services. By the end of 2025, the frequency of direct flights from South Korea to Phu Quoc Island reached a record high. Several airlines, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, and Vietjet Air, increased the frequency of flights from Seoul, Incheon, and Busan to Phu Quoc Island, with flight time taking only about 5 hours.
Meanwhile, Phu Quoc Island boasts a well-established network of five-star luxury resorts, offering exclusive amenities for South Korean tourists, including Korean-speaking services and catering to their tastes. Combined with a high-value vacation experience, this further enhances the destination's competitiveness.
Laura Holdsworth, CEO of Booking.com Asia Pacific, stated that South Korean tourists currently prefer vacation and emotional experiences rather than traditional sightseeing tours.
With its strong growth momentum, Phu Quoc Island is expected to quickly rise to the top three most popular destinations for South Korean tourists. By 2025, Phu Quoc Island is expected to receive over 8.1 million visitors, including over 1.8 million international tourists, with South Korea and India being the two core source markets, accounting for over 50% of related international flights. (End)
