Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The New York Times recently released its annual travel list, "52 Places to Go in 2026," and Vietnam was successfully included, hailed as a rising tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Notably, the newspaper did not use traditional symbols, but instead used the Phu Quoc Island-Xiang Island cable car as a representative image of Vietnam's tourism industry, highlighting its significant upgrades in tourism infrastructure.
This list, compiled according to the 52 weeks of the year, is an important indicator of global travel trends and was officially released on January 6th. Vietnam's inclusion further confirms its status as a continuously growing tourism hub in Southeast Asia. The New York Times wrote in the list: "As a rising tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Vietnam attracts millions of tourists every year with its world-renowned culinary culture, diverse natural landscapes encompassing mountains and rainforests, and a rich history dating back to the 7th century BC."
The newspaper also emphasized that Vietnam is advancing a series of large-scale tourism infrastructure investment projects, expected to be completed this year, laying a solid foundation for welcoming a new wave of tourists. The Hòn Thơm cable car is a prime example of this upgrade—this three-cable cable car line, nearly 8 kilometers long, is currently the world's longest over-sea cable car, offering breathtaking panoramic views of southern Phu Quoc. Previously, several authoritative international travel media outlets, including CNN Travel and Lonely Planet, have listed it as a must-do experience on Phu Quoc.
This is not the first time the Hòn Thơm cable car has garnered attention from The New York Times. Back in 2023, reporter Patrick Scott described the cable car station as a "complete version of the Roman Colosseum," with the surrounding "Sunset Town" exuding Mediterranean charm, inspired by Italian architecture, complete with clock towers, fountains, and Roman ruins; the view of the "crystal-clear waters and dotted fishing boats" from the cable car is like a vibrant seascape painting.
The image shows tourists enjoying the "Symphony of the Sea" performance on Phu Quoc Island, scheduled for December 2025. (Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency)
Besides the cross-sea cable car, Phu Quoc Island has gradually built a complete ecosystem integrating tourism, entertainment, and vacation, with several integrated projects receiving systematic investment. Among them, Sun Paradise Land in Sunset Town stands out, offering not only dazzling fireworks displays every night but also regular large-scale live performances such as "Kiss of the Sea" and "Symphony of the Sea." Iconic structures like the "Kissing Bridge" have become popular photo spots for tourists. Meanwhile, the island has built a cluster of high-end resort hotels operated by several international brands, comprehensively meeting the accommodation needs of different tourists.
In explaining Vietnam's inclusion in the list, The New York Times specifically mentioned Vietnam's visa facilitation policy, pointing out that citizens of many countries can enjoy unilateral visa-free access. Phu Quoc Island is the only region in Vietnam that implements a visa-free policy of up to 30 days for tourists of all nationalities, an advantage that further enhances its tourism appeal.
Vietnam's inclusion in the list of "52 Must-Visit Destinations for 2026," with the Hon Chong Promenade cable car serving as a prime example, fully demonstrates the international community's recognition of Vietnam's tourism development momentum. With its abundant natural resources, profound cultural heritage, and continuous investment in experiential infrastructure, Vietnam, especially Phu Quoc Island, is constantly enhancing its reputation and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape. (End)
