A quiet Vietnamese island is having a moment. Phú Quý, a special zone about 56 nautical miles off the mainland in Lâm Đồng Province, has seen visitor numbers climb since high-speed ferries cut the crossing from Phan Thiết to just over two hours. Locals are welcoming the boom — but the island's administrators want growth without wrecking the beaches, reefs and fishing-village culture that make the place worth visiting in the first place.
The numbers show how fast things are moving. Phú Quý now counts 261 accommodation providers with more than 2,100 rooms, spanning hotels, guesthouses and homestays. During the September 2 National Day holiday, families like one from Hàm Thuận Commune made the trip and came back raving about the seascapes, seafood and friendly locals — with plenty of spots left unexplored for a return visit.
What's actually there? Coastal roads for slow exploring, natural rock formations, clear water, and trips out to Hòn Tranh by speedboat. Snorkelling on coral reefs and stand-up paddleboarding have joined the standard itinerary of sunrise watching and long seafood lunches. Much of the appeal comes from proximity to everyday island life — fishing routines, local culture, quiet corners away from the crowds.
Growth has exposed some growing pains. Inspections found businesses at tourist sites that hadn't displayed their prices; they corrected that after reminders. Officials acknowledge that planning for some tourism areas is unfinished, and that speedboat routes, mooring points and marine activity zones need clearer rules for safety.
The big response came at an October conference, where the People's Committee approved a green tourism development project for 2026–30, with a vision stretching to 2045. The plan pushes eco-friendly products, clean energy and net-zero emissions, and — notably — aims to eliminate single-use plastics and non-biodegradable bags across all coastal tourist areas, attractions and accommodation on the island. Committee chairman Lê Hồng Lợi says the strategy ties the island's marine potential to environmental protection and preservation of local culture, alongside better staff training, more tech-driven visitor information, and managing visitor numbers to match what the island can handle.
Why should this be on your radar? Phú Quý is at that sweet spot where infrastructure has arrived (fast ferries, decent room supply) but mass tourism hasn't. If the green agenda holds, it could stay that way — an island where you kayak, snorkel and eat your way around without queues. Going now, and treading lightly while you're there, means seeing it before the guidebooks catch up.
