Located within a five- to six-hour flight from South Korea and offering a 30-day visa-free stay, Phu Quoc has become an accessible option for travelers seeking to combine light physical activity with leisure travel. Its year-round warm climate, open coastal landscapes, and wide seaside promenades provide practical settings for outdoor running, an activity that continues to gain popularity among Korean visitors.

Running has become a mainstream activity in South Korea in recent years, extending beyond individual exercise to a broader lifestyle trend. Industry and tourism data indicate that around 10 million Koreans now identify as runners, nearly double the figure recorded in 2015. With minimal equipment required and recognized mental and physical health benefits, running has become a common way to manage stress in urban environments.

Alongside this growth, travel patterns are also evolving. Rather than focusing solely on competitive races, many runners are embracing race-cations and running tours, which prioritize the experience of running in new environments. These trips emphasize exploration, scenery, and relaxation over performance metrics.

This shift is reflected in the experiences of Korean visitors to southern Phu Quoc. Some groups have chosen to explore the area through relaxed runs across Kiss Bridge and through the streets of Sunset Town, without competitive goals. The routes offer coastal views, open spaces, and sea breezes, allowing running to blend naturally into sightseeing and leisure activities.

For many participants, the appeal lies in the contrast with familiar urban running routes at home. Paths around Kiss Bridge, known for its distinctive “non-touching” design extending over the sea, and through the European-inspired architecture of Sunset Town provide varied scenery, turning routine exercise into part of the travel experience.

Fireworks ignite Sunset Town’s night sky. Photo courtesy of Sun Group

Beyond daytime activities, Phu Quoc’s tourism and entertainment offerings contribute to its appeal. The island hosts large-scale evening productions such as “Kiss of the Sea” and “Symphony of the Sea”, as well as regular fireworks displays that have become a recognizable feature of the destination. Attractions such as the Hon Thom cable car, the world’s longest three-wire cable car, are also frequently highlighted in international travel coverage.

As race-cations gain traction among global travelers, including those from South Korea, destinations that combine accessibility, outdoor activity, and diverse leisure options are increasingly sought after. In this context, Phu Quoc is gradually expanding its profile from a traditional beach destination to one that also supports active travel and longer, experience-focused stays.