Phu Quoc Island Emerges as Asia’s Most Beautiful Escape
Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island, crowned Asia’s most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, is witnessing a sharp rise in international attention, particularly from Eastern Europe. Charter flights connecting the island with key Eastern European cities have begun operating from mid-December, significantly improving accessibility.
Seasonal charter services from Bucharest are running through mid-January, while additional flights from Chisinau are scheduled to continue until March 2026. The island has rapidly become one of the most searched Vietnamese destinations in Eastern Europe, with online interest more than doubling in recent months.
Phu Quoc holds a unique position as Vietnam’s only destination offering a 30-day visa waiver for all international travelers. Combined with direct flights, turquoise waters, palm-lined beaches, and dense tropical forests, the island delivers a seamless travel experience.
Its culinary identity—centered on fresh seafood, fish sauce traditions, and coastal flavors—adds to its growing global appeal. With sunny weather and clear seas dominating from October to May, the island remains a peak-season favorite.
In the first 11 months of the year, Phu Quoc welcomed nearly 7.6 million visitors, including 1.6 million international arrivals, marking a growth of over 35% year-on-year. These figures surpassed annual targets well ahead of schedule, positioning the island as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing destinations.
Travel Guide - Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Getting There from India:
- Flights: Direct flights from major Indian cities to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) are available via airlines like Vietnam Airlines, IndiGo, and Thai Airways. From Ho Chi Minh City, catch a connecting 1-hour flight to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC).
- Suggested Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, IndiGo, AirAsia.
- Visa Info: Phu Quoc offers 30-day visa-free travel for all nationalities, including Indians.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Salinda Resort Phu Quoc, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc
- Mid-range: Cassia Cottage, La Veranda Resort
- Budget: Phu Quoc Backpackers, Mango Bay Hostel
Tips & Travel Advice:
- Peak season: October to May – ideal sunny weather.
- Explore Sao Beach and Long Beach for pristine sands.
- Try local seafood dishes like grilled fish, fish sauce, and seafood hotpots.
- Rent a motorbike or use taxis to explore the island’s beaches and night markets.
Malaysia Hosts the World’s Largest Hotel Complex
Malaysia stands out on the global hospitality map as home to the First World Hotel, officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest hotel in the world by number of rooms.
Located at Resorts World Genting in Pahang, the massive property features 7,351 rooms and forms the heart of a vast integrated resort complex nestled in the highlands.
The First World Hotel experience extends far beyond accommodation. The resort includes a shopping mall, an indoor theme park, a casino, a golf course, and convention facilities. Dining options range from large-scale buffet restaurants serving Asian and Western cuisines to cafés and dessert parlours offering quick indulgences.
The resort is easily reachable, located approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes by road from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Travel Guide - Malaysia – First World Hotel (Genting Highlands)
Getting There from India:
- Flights: Direct flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai via Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air.
- Travel to Hotel: Drive or bus from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Genting Highlands (~1 hour 38 minutes).
Accommodation at First World Hotel:
- Rooms: Standard, Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, Triple, World Club Rooms
- Amenities: Indoor theme park, shopping mall, casino, golf course, restaurants
Tips & Travel Advice:
- Explore Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park and nearby attractions.
- Peak travel season: December to February and school holidays.
- Try local Malaysian food at Food Factory: Nasi lemak, dim sum, local pastries.
The Philippines Recognised as Asia’s Leading Beach Destination
The Philippines earned the title of Asia’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2025 World Travel Awards, reinforcing its reputation for pristine coastlines and island diversity. Despite this recognition, the country recorded 4.7 million foreign arrivals in the first 11 months of the year, reflecting a slight year-on-year decline.
Lower arrivals from major source markets, particularly South Korea and China, influenced the overall numbers, even as efforts to revive tourism continued.
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, outperformed global cities such as New York and London to be named World’s Leading City Destination at the 2025 World Travel Awards. Often called the Pearl of the Orient, the city blends Spanish colonial heritage with modern urban energy.
Bustling markets, diverse street food, massive shopping malls, and a growing meetings and exhibitions ecosystem have strengthened Manila’s global tourism profile.
Travel Guide - Manila & Philippines Beach Destinations
Getting There from India:
- Flights: Direct flights are limited; best route is via Singapore (Changi), Bangkok (BKK), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL) using airlines like Singapore Airlines, Scoot, AirAsia, Philippine Airlines.
- Primary Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), Manila
- Visa Info: Indians need a visa to enter the Philippines, but e-visa options are available.
Accommodation in Manila:
- Luxury: Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Shangri-La at the Fort
- Mid-range: Red Planet Hotels, Go Hotels
- Budget: Z Hostel, Our Melting Pot
Beach Destinations:
- Popular islands: Boracay, Palawan (El Nido & Coron), Cebu
- Resorts: El Nido Resorts, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, Discovery Shores Boracay
Tips & Travel Advice:
- Peak beach season: November to May
- Try local dishes: Adobo, Lechon, Sinigang
- Island hopping tours are best booked locally for better prices.
- Safety tip: Avoid isolated areas at night; keep emergency numbers handy.
Bangkok Reclaims the Crown as the World’s Most Visited City
Bangkok once again topped global rankings for international arrivals, welcoming 30.3 million visitors this year. The Thai capital benefited from generous visa policies, including visa-free entry for travelers from 93 countries.
Its legendary street food culture, vibrant nightlife, luxury shopping, and affordability continue to draw travelers from every corner of the world.
Following Bangkok, cities such as Hong Kong, London, Macao, Istanbul, Dubai, Paris, and Kuala Lumpur featured among the world’s most visited destinations. These rankings reflect performance across tourism volume, sustainability, economic strength, and safety.
Travel Guide - Bangkok, Thailand
Getting There from India:
- Flights: Direct flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai are available via Thai Airways, Air India, IndiGo, and Singapore Airlines.
- Flight Duration: ~4–5 hours from India.
- Visa Info: Indians get a visa-on-arrival for up to 15 days or can apply for e-visa.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Shangri-La Hotel
- Mid-range: Chatrium Hotel Riverside, Amari Watergate Bangkok
- Budget: Lub d Bangkok Silom, The Yard Hostel
Tips & Travel Advice:
- Don’t miss street food in Chinatown and night markets like Asiatique.
- Use BTS Skytrain and Grab taxis for easy commuting.
- Visit cultural landmarks like Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun.
- Bangkok is busiest during November to February (pleasant weather).
Bonus Travel Tips Across All Destinations
- Currency & Payments: Always carry some local cash, but cards are widely accepted.
- Travel Insurance: Recommended for all international trips.
- Language: English is widely understood in all these destinations, but learning basic phrases helps.
- Connectivity: Buy a local SIM card or eSIM for navigation and local rides.
- Culinary Adventure: Always explore street food and local markets – it’s part of the cultural experience.
- Health & Safety: Stay hydrated, carry sunscreen, and follow safety advisories, especially for island hopping or high-altitude destinations like Genting.
From Vietnam’s rising island paradise to Malaysia’s mega-hospitality landmark, and from Manila’s cultural resurgence to Bangkok’s global tourism leadership, Southeast Asia continues to shape the future of travel. Visa-friendly policies, rich food cultures, and evolving infrastructure are redefining how the world explores the region.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this travel guide is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content, details regarding flights, visas, hotels, and local regulations may change without prior notice. Travelers are advised to verify all information with official sources, airlines, hotels, or local authorities before making any bookings or travel arrangements. The author and publisher of this guide are not responsible for any loss, inconvenience, or damages incurred as a result of following the information provided. Travel decisions and arrangements are the sole responsibility of the reader.Follow Storyantra for more travel, food, and global destination stories from around the world.
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