As Vietnam gradually returns to a new normal, industries, especially tourism, are being reopened after months of hibernating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, Traveloka and the southern province of Kien Giang have cooperated to promote local tourism through the “Live Fully” program, which aims at popularizing the images of Phu Quoc Island as a safe and friendly destination for foreign visitors.

Phu Quoc - One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam

Phu Quoc has long been known as the Pearl Island, or even the “new Maldives” of the world. Surrounded by 150 kilometers of coastline with beautiful beaches like Bai Dai and Bai Sao, crystal clear water, and diverse ecosystems, Vietnam’s largest island, from an almost "unknown" name on the world tourism map, has become a popular name in the most prestigious awards.

Phu Quoc was proud to be the only representative of Southeast Asia to be named as one of the emerging destinations in the world in 2020 by TripAdvisor, the world's most trustworthy travel review site.

On July 20, 2021, TIME magazine (USA) listed Phu Quoc among the World's 100 Greatest Places of 2021 for the first time. The list can be considered a tribute to tourist attractions that have pioneered in looking for innovative solutions to attract tourism in a safe fashion, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic’s severe impact on the tourism industry.

Phu Quoc’s attractions are not just limited to wonderful natural scenery, but extend to local daily life at the night market, the Ham Ninh Fishing Village, or historical sites and architectural landmarks such as Cay Dua Prison, Truc Lam Ho Quoc Monastery, Ganh Dau Cape, and Nguyen Trung Truc Temple.

While being an island, Phu Quoc has had hotels, luxury resorts, and entertainment areas to keep pace with the development of tourism, turning the Pearl Island into a true paradise both on land and underwater.

Phu Quoc pilots welcoming back foreign tourists

As one of the fastest-growing destinations in Southeast Asia, Phu Quoc has reopened its door to international tourists from November 2021. The Chairman of Kien Giang Province on October 21, 2021 issued a pilot plan to welcome back foreign visitors who have “vaccine passports.” This plan will be implemented in two phases over a period of six months when the island is scheduled to reach safe vaccination coverage for its population.

The pilot plan will target tourists from certain countries and territories with high safety level in infection prevention and control, including Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and Oceania.

To be eligible, visitors must have vaccination certificate as recognized by the Vietnamese competent authorities; or certificate of COVID-19 recovery; negative PCR test result for COVID-19 (in English) within 72 hours before departure. Children under 18 years old having negative test results are allowed to accompany their parents, or guardians who have been fully vaccinated, according to the regulations.

Visitors are also required to present round-trip air tickets, health insurance, and to register for package tour programs by travel agencies.

Phu Quoc - A safe and friendly destination

Building the image of Phu Quoc as a safe and friendly destination for tourists from all over the world is essential, especially in the context of complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Positioned as a travel and lifestyle super-app, Traveloka desires to support the development of Vietnam’s tourism sector in general and Phu Quoc’s tourism in particular, taking advantage of its unparalleled technology and a large network of partners.

Traveloka’s participation is not only presented through the “Live Fully” program, but is also in guidelines for safe travel right on the app, equipping tourists with the most comprehensive information so that they can be well-prepared for their trips.

“Traveloka is honoured to become the only booking platform partner that collaborates with Kien Giang Province to support the reopening program of Phu Quoc Sandbox as we see innovation and collaboration as crucial factors to support the whole ecosystem in the tourism sector to continue to grow,” said Huynh Thi Mai Thy, Country Manager of Traveloka Vietnam.

“It is also aligned with our commitment to support the government in driving the national economic recovery, especially in the travel and tourism sector. We hope the ‘Live Fully’ program could contribute to mapping out a path forward for Phu Quoc to rise and shine strongly and revive the tourism industry in the country,” she added.

Ms. Huynh Thi Mai Thy, Country Manager of Traveloka Vietnam.

Nguyen Duy Linh Thao, Director of the Tourism, Commerce, Investment Promotion Center of Kien Giang Province, expressed her warm welcome towards this collaboration as saying: “We genuinely appreciate Traveloka’s positive gesture and effort in pushing through Vietnam’s tourism recovery through this ‘Live Fully’ program. Phu Quoc is planned to reopen on 20 November 2021 and this strategic collaboration is part of our way to promote Phu Quoc as a preferred destination that is ready to open for domestic and international tourists. We believe that through the ‘Live Fully’ program, we will provide the best experiences for the travelers while at the same time also providing informative content regarding the Phu Quoc destinations”.

Ms. Nguyen Duy Linh Thao, Director of Tourism, Commerce, Investment Promotion Center of Kien Giang Province.

This is not the first time Traveloka has made efforts to push through tourism recovery in different cities of Vietnam, as well as participate in pandemic prevention plans.

Traveloka has collaborated with the cities of Da Nang, Hue, Hanoi, and Da Lat to promote local tourism, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. In August and September this year, Traveloka joined HCM City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in online booking for quarantine hotel and quarantine transportation, making it more convenient for people to complete isolation period and easing the burden on centralized quarantine facilities.

With the upcoming communication plans for the “Live Fully” program, Traveloka hopes to popularize the images of Phu Quoc as a safe destination that is ready to open for international tourists.

PV