Which island rivals the beauty of the Maldives but costs less than Phuket and Bali?

When paradise is not that "paradise"

Imagining the Maldives as a dreamlike paradise seen on Instagram, travel journalist Kaza Panzer of the reputable travel guide Fodors was completely disillusioned upon arrival. She spent over $350 (around 8 million VND) on a flight from India to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, only to be met with hours of waiting for a boat and arriving at a sparsely populated island with no entertainment. After the trip, she reflected: "Paradise, when you are alone, is no longer paradise."

Not only Panzer but many tourists have "woken up" to the reality of spending thousands of dollars to visit the "lonely paradise" of the Maldives. The high cost, averaging around $2,457 (~ 60 million VND) per person for a week, including transportation, accommodation, and meals (excluding airfare), has been a significant deterrent.

Another well-known island paradise, Phuket in Thailand, is famous for its affordability. However, in recent times, visitors have been paying higher accommodation costs that do not match the quality of service. On average, a bunk bed in a dormitory-style room (for 8-12 people) costs about $14 per night, sometimes reaching $28 (350,000-750,000 VND) in hostels such as Lub d Phuket Patong. Despite the relatively low prices, many accommodations lack updates and improvements, making these rates less appealing to travellers.

An American tourist shared their experience on a travel forum after visiting Phuket: "The hotel was fine, but that was about it. I didn’t hate it, but I expected more variety. Additionally, transportation on the island was inconvenient and expensive. The Thai culture that you experience in the north was completely absent here." They added, "I live in an expensive city in the U.S., so I didn't think Phuket's costs would be an issue. But food prices here are 300% higher than in Bangkok, which is absurd."

World-class quality at a much more affordable price

The Maldives, Phuket, and Bali are all renowned beach paradises, but rising costs have significantly impacted these destinations. The introduction of a tourist tax in Bali and the overall price surge in Phuket and the Maldives have made these places less appealing.

Learning from these predecessors, Phu Quoc has gained international favour by developing tourism sustainably. While it was criticized for overcharging in 2021-2022, by 2023-2024, Phu Quoc has significantly improved, with international visitors consistently praising it as one of the most reasonably priced destinations.

This is why Travel + Leisure, in its December 2024 article, highlighted Phu Quoc as a destination offering outstanding value for money, surpassing many other popular tourist spots. "A three-day vacation in Phu Quoc costs less than a three-day weekend in Singapore or Koh Samui (Thailand) and is only one-third to one-fourth the cost of other well-known destinations in the region," Travel + Leisure noted.

For instance, a night at a standard hotel in Singapore starts at 150 SGD (approximately 2.8 million VND), whereas a similar quality hotel in Phu Quoc costs just 50 SGD (around 950,000 VND), allowing for a luxurious yet budget-friendly vacation.

South Korea’s KBS television network—reporting on Phu Quoc, a top destination for South Korean travelers—conducted a feature in December 2024 comparing Phu Quoc and Jeju, the largest tourism islands in South Korea and Vietnam. Korean tourists interviewed praised Phu Quoc, stating that although airfare from Incheon to Phu Quoc was twice the price of flights to Jeju, the significantly lower costs of accommodation and dining made Phu Quoc a far more attractive choice.

Lee Hyun Suk, a tourist from Busan, appreciated Phu Quoc’s cost-effectiveness. He remarked that while a cup of coffee in Jeju costs nearly 10,000 won (about 180,000 VND), he could have a full meal in Phu Quoc for just 5,000 won (about 90,000 VND). Moreover, beachfront resorts offering private pool villas, such as New World Phu Quoc and Premier Village Phu Quoc, or hotels with nightly fireworks views like La Festa Phu Quoc – Curio Collection by Hilton, provide luxurious experiences at reasonable prices.

According to a Savills Hotels report, the average price for luxury hotels in Phu Quoc ranges from $100 to $120 per night. Besides international-standard resorts like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and New World Phu Quoc, the Sunset Town area features budget-friendly mini-hotels and modern-style accommodations ranging from 500,000 to over 1,000,000 VND per night, catering to various traveller needs.

The island is also home to bustling seafood markets, vibrant night markets, and rich local delicacies. Thai journalist Thasaneya Ratwong from Nation Story visited Phu Quoc in early 2024 and was highly impressed by its affordability. She noted, "The cost of living in Phu Quoc is not high; in fact, food here is even cheaper than in Thailand. The seafood prices in Phu Quoc are about half of those in Thailand."

"As you know, Thailand, with Phuket and Pattaya, used to be very popular destinations. However, in my opinion, Phu Quoc is now much better than those places because the infrastructure is ready, the facilities are new, the services are significantly better, and most importantly, the people always smile. That is very important," said Mr. Mehmet Kin, Vice President of Crystal Bay Group.

Not only does Phu Quoc offer great affordability, but it is also becoming increasingly attractive compared to other regional destinations, thanks to its world-class experiences and iconic landmarks. The world's longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island allows visitors to admire Phu Quoc’s breathtaking scenery from above, an experience unlike any other. Sunset Town, with the unique "Kiss Bridge"—praised by CNN—along with nightly fireworks displays in "Kiss of the Sea" and "Symphony of the Sea" shows, ensures visitors leave with unforgettable memories.

According to top global travel businesses, with its potential and current momentum, Phu Quoc should be compared to world-class tourism icons like Hawaii and the Maldives. "Once infrastructure, roads, and tourist facilities are fully developed, we will witness the rise of the ‘Hawaii of the East,’" said Hong Jung Min, CEO of Hanatour Vietnam, with great optimism.