If you told me a few years ago that I’d trade city life for an island where pepper farms outnumber traffic jams, I'd probably have laughed. Yet here I am - an expat living my best life on Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s sun-drenched, fast-evolving pearl in the Gulf of Thailand.

And let me tell you - it’s been one wild, beautiful ride watching this little island grow up.

When I first set foot on Phu Quoc, it felt like stepping back in time.
No high-rises. No shopping malls. Just endless beaches, dusty roads, and the steady hum of diesel generators lighting up the few tiny fishing villages after dark.

Getting across the island? That meant bouncing along a pothole-studded dirt track, praying your scooter tires held out.

Fast forward to today: sleek highways slice through lush jungle, an international airport hums with visitors, and resorts sparkle along the coastline like seashells. Phu Quoc isn’t just growing - it’s booming. With projects like Sunset Town and Grand World, it’s clear the island is aiming to be not just Vietnam’s gem, but a global destination.

Living here, I’ve fallen head over heels for different pockets of the island - each with its own vibe:

• Duong Dong: The beating heart. Think night markets, tangled fishing ports, and sunsets that will absolutely wreck your Instagram storage.
• An Thoi: Once a sleepy port, now a booming hub thanks to the gorgeous Sunset Town and cable car rides over a literal sea of emerald.
• Ong Lang: My personal "getaway within a getaway" - quieter beaches, boutique resorts, and yoga classes that might just convince you you’re flexible enough for island life.
• Bai Truong (Long Beach): The new playground for luxury hotels, fancy rooftop bars, and stunning oceanfront cafes where laptops and coconuts coexist.
• And if you ever find yourself at the Hon Thom cable car station. Take the ride! You’ll glide over a jaw-dropping palette of blues, greens, and island specks that will make you forget every stress you ever had.

Beyond the lazy beach days (yes, they’re still a thing), Phu Quoc has become a serious magnet for investors and entrepreneurs.

In just the past few years, the island's gotten a full eco-urban makeover:

• Vinpearl and Sun Group rolled out luxury resorts, golf courses, amusement parks, and safari zoos that could rival anything in Asia.
• Infrastructure boom: New roads, water treatment plants, even plans for a light metro system (yep, a metro - on an island!).
• International port and airport upgrades are about to bring even more global attention (and opportunity).

For those of us with dreams bigger than hammock naps, it's like standing at the gateway to Southeast Asia’s next big thing.

Want to open a boutique hotel? Launch an eco-tourism startup? Start a cozy café by the beach? Here, the horizon - and the opportunity - is wide open.

Big things are on the horizon.
Phu Quoc is gearing up to host the APEC Leaders’ Summit in 2027 - a move that's sending ripples through real estate and business circles already.

Here’s the short version:

• Expansion of the international airport (bigger, better, faster connections).
• Luxury residential and tourism projects popping up faster than beach umbrellas in July.
• Massive investment in healthcare, public transport, and sustainable living projects.

This island isn't just polishing its pearl - it's setting it in gold.

As a photographer and expat, I get a front-row seat to Phu Quoc’s magic - from misty sunrises over pepper plantations to glitzy new developments that promise to redefine the skyline.

But it’s not just about pretty pictures.

It’s about the vibe: the optimism, the opportunities, the community of dreamers and doers coming together from every corner of the globe.

If you’re looking for a place where you can build something real - a life, a business, a legacy - Phu Quoc might just be calling your name.

And hey, if nothing else, where else can you brainstorm your next big idea with sand between your toes and a mango smoothie in hand?

See you on the island. The future's already waiting here - and trust me, it's wearing flip-flops.

Whether you’re here for travel tips, business ideas, or just a little island inspiration - welcome.
Let's make some waves.

Your photographer on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam.

stelmakh photography