Lao tourists are welcomed at Phu Quoc International Airport in Kien Giang Province, December 30 2021. Photo courtesy of Vina Travel Company/ via VNE

They tourists arrived in Phu Quoc on private jets that landed Thursday and Friday on a four-day tour package.

They are relatives of leaders at a Lao private conglomerate which has a representative office in Vietnam, said Nguyen Vu Khac Huy, general director of Vina Phu Quoc Travel Company, which has brought the Lao tourists to Phu Quoc, VNE reported.

The tourists are staying at the Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort and will visit tourist attractions including the Phu Quoc night market, Vinpearl Safari wildlife conservation park and play golf at Vinpearl Golf.

On New Year's Eve, they will be invited to attend a countdown event with fireworks shows and other entertainment events.

The vaccine passport program requires all tourists to furnish certificates showing they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid and tested negative for the novel coronavirus within 72 hours before departure.

Uzbek tourists arrive at Phu Quoc International Airport in Kien Giang Province, December 25, 2021. Photo courtesy of Vinpearl/ via VNE

On Dec. 25, 210 tourists from Uzbekistan landed at Phu Quoc Airport in the on a nine-day tour under the ongoing vaccine passport trial program.

They reportedly arrived on a charter flight operated by Uzbekistan Airlines.

The Uzbek visitors stayed at the Vinpearl Discovery Coastalland Phu Quoc, and the Vinpearl Resort and Spa Phu Quoc for nine days and eight nights.

During their stay, they visited tourist attractions like the Phu Quoc United Center, VinWonders theme park, Vinpearl Safari wildlife conservation park and play golf at Vinpearl Golf.

All tourists were required to furnish certificates showing they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid and tested negative for the novel coronavirus within 72 hours before departure.

Top 20 coolest things to do in Phu Quoc

1. When you first arrive, spend some time unwinding on Sao Beach, the most popular on the main island of Phu Quoc, as suggested by Vicky Flip Flop Travel.

2. Pick up one of the largest overseas cable cars at Bai Truong and test your nerves on the 15-minute journey to Hon Thom island.

Photo: Vicky Flip Flop Travel

3. Get your souvenirs and a snack from Duong Dong Market – the almighty food market I was talking about.

4. Visit the traditional Ham Ninh Fishing village on the east coast for half a day and have lunch in one of the floating restaurants.

5. Get the binoculars out on a trip to Bai Ganh Dau and see if you can spot what’s going on across the ocean in Cambodia.

6. The Coconut Tree Prison may sound like a nice name but don’t let it fool you. During the Vietnam War, this place was pretty grim but now, under its official name Phu Quoc Prison, it’s open to the public for free so you can learn what it was like for the 40,000 living there at one time.

7. Fish sauce is this area’s speciality and you can tour an actual fish sauce factory like Khai Hoan to learn how they go from anchovy to amazing sauce.

8. Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s top location for watersports, so test that out with some paddle boarding on many of the islands’ bays.

9. Bun cha is a traditional Vietnamese dish made of grilled pork and vermicelli and you have to try some at Bun Cha Hanoi. The restaurant serves only this dish so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.

10. Hire a motorbike and feel the open road as you explore the main island’s more remote locations like Gahn Dau.

Photo: Vicky Flip Flop Travel

11. Watch the sunset with views of the sea at Rory’s Beach Bar on Long Beach.

12. Try your hand at a little black jack or practice your poker face in Casino Phu Quoc.

13. Go for a night time swim in the sea to see the underwater life glow in the dark with bioluminescent algae.

14. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is the most popular dog you’ll see on the islands and you can watch them as they speed around a purpose-built race course twice a day for the official dog races for just $2.

15. Snap those postcard beach views complete with coconuts at Long Beach or Ong Lang Beach.

16. Get a little vitamin C by buying the fresh fruit sold by the ladies on the beach.

Photo: Vicky Flip Flop Travel

17. Take a boat trip to the 15 An Thoi Islands off the south end of Phu Quoc Island for more crystal clear waters and dreamy beaches.

18. If you’re visiting in November or December, keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you pass by the An Thoi archipelago.

19. Hike to the top of the Suoi Tranh Waterfall in the centre of the Phu Quoc island.

20. Congratulate yourself for making it by knocking a few back at the popular Embassy Bar.

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