GREAT Beauty

Modern-day luxury and old-world elegance merge effortlessly at the Regent Phu Quoc.

- SYAZIL ABD RAHIM

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through social media, especially TikTok, you’ve probably noticed that Phu Quoc is having a major moment. Your For You Page is likely flooded with videos of travellers soaking in the island’s stunning scenery and pristine beaches, indulging in some seriously drool-worthy Vietnamese cuisine. And honestly, it’s hard not to get hooked. Phu Quoc, the largest of the 105 islands that make up Vietnam’s UNESCO-recognised Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, boasts a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich biodiversity and historical landmarks. But the island’s appeal doesn’t stop there — it’s perched along the breathtaking Gulf of Thailand, where you’ll also find the Regent Phu Quoc, a luxury resort that marked the brand’s debut in Southeast Asia after being acquired by IHG Hotels & Resorts in 2018.

A quick flight of 1 hour and 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur lands you on this island paradise, where your arrival feels like stepping into a different world. As the sleek, chauffeur-driven black Mercedes I got picked up in cruises through the quiet streets, you can still sense the island’s roots as a humble fishing village. There’s an effortless calm in the air, reflected in the people’s laid-back pace of life.