Phu Quoc Island (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

This group of tourists left Incheon International Airport in South Korea to visit Phu Quoc Island in a closed tour package. During their four-day-three-night stay in Phu Quoc, they were offered recreational activities and resort services at Phu Quoc United Center, which was selected by the US’s Time Magazine as one of the most attractive destinations in Phu Quoc.

To prepare for reopening, Phu Quoc authorities have, for months, fully vaccinated local people over 18 and have rolled out vaccination for children aged 12-17. The city has also increased its COVID-19 testing and treatment capacity.

Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the Phu Quoc municipal People’s Committee, said, “Safety for our people and tourists is our biggest concern. If it is not completely safe, no one will come to Phu Quoc. Vaccination is a prime solution for this. We are closely monitoring vaccination roll out in Phu Quoc island. Anyone coming here for work is eligible to get COVID-19 shots. The city is safe now.”

Phu Quoc has reviewed and published tourism companies who are qualified to serve foreign tourists. Their adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols is checked regularly. During his inspection tour to Vingroup and Sungroup, two major service providers allowed to host foreign tourists in Phu Quoc, Doan Van Viet, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said, “Phu Quoc has prepared well for the return of foreign tourists. It’s absolutely right to choose Phu Quoc to pilot our plan to reopen for international visitors. Several scenarios have been crafted so when problems arise, safety and undisrupted services can be ensured.” 

Phu Quoc International Airport

Those working in the tourism industry frequently receive training of the closed-loop reception model. Resorts, water parks, and sea sports areas have ticked all the boxes of “travel bubble”, which, in simple terms, is an agreement between two or more countries to open up their borders for travel without strict quarantine. Per Phu Quoc regulations, foreign tourists with vaccine passports who come to Phu Quoc via charter flights are transferred to designated tourism complexes. After staying there on the first day to get PCR COVID-19 tests, visitors will be allowed to visit other destinations if their results come back negative.

By the end of March next year, Phu Quoc expects to greet 5,000 tourists from South Korea and Europe via charter flights.