Bali Loses Title as Asia’s Most Beautiful Island to Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, According to Condé Nast Traveler Readers
In a notable shift in Asia’s travel landscape, Indonesia’s famed island of Bali has been dethroned as the continent’s most beautiful island. The distinction now belongs to Phu Quoc, a picturesque island off Vietnam’s coast, following the results of the annual Readers’ Choice Awards conducted by American magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
Phu Quoc claimed the top position, surpassing several well-known island destinations in Asia. Bali, which has long been celebrated for its striking natural beauty and rich Hindu-Balinese culture—including intricate dances, rituals, and ancient temples—was ranked sixth with a score of 89.84 out of 100. The top five islands ahead of Bali this year are Phu Quoc (Vietnam), Langkawi (Malaysia), Koh Samui (Thailand), Boracay, and Palawan (both in the Philippines).
The reader survey engaged over 757,000 participants, who shared their travel experiences and opinions on various destinations, accommodations, and travel services worldwide. The Readers’ Choice Awards is the longest-running accolade in the travel industry, recognizing excellence and popularity in hotels, resorts, islands, and other travel categories.
Despite its cultural richness and popularity, Bali has faced growing criticism in recent years. Many foreign visitors consider the island overrated due to issues such as pollution and overcrowding, challenges that have intensified amidst a tourism boom. From January to July 2025, Bali welcomed more than four million foreign tourists, surpassing the 3.89 million visitors recorded during the same period in the previous year.
In response to concerns about the island’s increasingly strained environment and reputation, Bali’s authorities have introduced new guidelines aimed at curbing tourist misbehavior. Measures include strict prohibitions against littering and polluting natural water bodies like lakes and rivers. These efforts seek to preserve Bali’s ecosystems and improve the overall tourism experience.
The ascent of Phu Quoc as Asia’s most beautiful island highlights the growing appeal of lesser-known destinations offering pristine natural environments and emerging tourism infrastructure. This recognition may boost Phu Quoc’s profile as an attractive destination for travelers seeking scenic beaches and authentic cultural experiences in Southeast Asia.
As traveler preferences evolve, destinations like Phu Quoc now compete with long-established tourist hotspots, signaling a shift in Asia’s travel dynamics and the importance of sustainable tourism development.
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