The Korea Herald

Will Phu Quoc Replace Guam, Saipan for Korean Families?

The video examines whether Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island will supplant Guam and Saipan as the preferred beach destination for Korean families, highlighted by the launch of Phu Quoc Airways’ inaugural Incheon‑Phu Quoc flight. Vietnam attracted 4.3 million Korean tourists last year, second only to China’s 5.2 million. Rising oil prices and a weakening won have made the traditionally cheap U.S. territories more expensive, prompting travelers to seek alternatives. The narrator notes Phu Quoc’s family‑oriented resorts, emerald‑colored beaches and abundant Korean‑style cuisine, describing the island as a “huge theme park” that feels organized and polished compared with the more rugged Da Nang or Nha Trang. If Korean families shift to Phu Quoc, Vietnam stands to gain significant tourism revenue, while Guam and Saipan could see a decline, reshaping regional travel dynamics and prompting local operators to adapt.