Should I invest in Phu Quoc beach apartments?
What is the actual operational efficiency, is the cash flow stable, and what factors need to be considered before investing? These are the issues that readers are interested in when wanting to participate in the apartment rental market in Phu Quoc.
Ms. Tuyet Mai (Hoang Mai, Hanoi) asks:
I have about 6–8 billion VND and am considering investing in a beachfront apartment in Phu Quoc for both personal vacation and rental income. However, I am concerned about the stability of cash flow, especially during the low season. Furthermore, is self-managing the apartment complicated, and are new projects like The Sunset subdivision in South Phu Quoc truly promising?
I hope the expert can share a realistic perspective.
Ms. Kieu Thi Nhung, CEO & Founder of Rosie (an apartment management unit in Phu Quoc), advises:
We are directly operating about 50 apartments at the Sun Grand City Hillside Residence project, Sunset Town, South Phu Quoc – and have also been the unit accompanying this market from the very beginning. In the last 2 years, operational efficiency has always been maintained at a high level.
This resort destination has no concept of "low season". Peak season (October to April), apartment occupancy rate is nearly 100%. Other times also have a guest rental rate above 70%. For example, from before Tet until now, if guests do not book in advance and want to stay in Sunset Town, it is almost 100% impossible to find a room.
Sunset Town is considered a prime location for tourism in southern Phu Quoc. Photo: Anh Duong.
Tourists from all over flock here to admire nature, Phu Quoc sunset, experience the entertainment and recreational ecosystem created by Sun Group Corporation: beer restaurants, French bakeries, art shows, fireworks displays, VUI-Fest night market, sea-crossing cable car, water park... or simply to check-in with iconic structures that have become famous in international media. Many international tourist groups tend to come to Phu Quoc to avoid harsh weather in their home countries, or even to live and work long-term. From there, cash flow from operating and renting out beachfront apartments in the South Island area can be completely stable year-round, no longer overly dependent on seasonality.
You can completely operate the apartment yourself, exploit it for rent through Airbnb or other online platforms. However, owners will often "entrust" it to professional operating units to optimize capacity. Apartment operation requires experience in marketing, "selling rooms" to customer care. This is a field that requires market experience to optimize rental prices by season, by day, by event, as well as optimize revenue. Therefore, hiring an operating unit is the most effective solution.
The shows Kiss Of The Sea, Symphony Of The Sea attract thousands of visitors every evening. Photo: Anh Duong.
Also don't "leave it to" the operator! Investors need to choose projects with a "foundation" in service quality. Current tenants not only need accommodation but are looking for a "worthwhile" experience, meaning 4-5 star standards at a reasonable price. Projects with advantages in view, space, and an "all-in-one" ecosystem that allows tourists to experience everything within a few steps will have a clear advantage in rental prices as well as customer retention.
From this perspective, newly launched projects like the The Sunset subdivision under the Sun Grand City Hillside Residence complex have many advantages to exploit well. Firstly, the location – the project is located on the slope of Ong Quan Mountain, with a direct view of the sea, sunset, and fireworks every day. These are “valuable” factors in the accommodation experience, with almost no competitors in Phu Quoc.
Secondly, the project is located within the fully operational ecosystem of Sun Group in Hoang Hon Town (Sunset Town). This means that The Sunset apartments are not "waiting for customers", but can be exploited immediately to welcome the existing flow of customers flocking to the South Island, revolving around iconic landmarks such as Kiss Bridge, the Kiss of The Sea show, Symphony of The Sea, the world's longest Hon Thom cable car, a chain of F&B restaurants, and year-round festivals.
Hon Thom Cable Car – the world's longest 3-rope sea-crossing cable car. Photo: Anh Duong.
Thirdly, it's about supply. The Sunset is the next subdivision of the Sun Grand City Hillside Residence complex - where we are operating many apartments. From our operational experience, we realize that the quantity of high-quality rooms in this area still does not meet demand, especially during peak season. This is why the operator can fully participate in exploitation immediately, even being ready to rent back The Sunset apartments if suitable.
From an individual investor's perspective, I myself have also bought an apartment at The Sunset for myself. The reason lies not only in stable rental income but also in the ability to maintain asset value. Compared to traditional apartment markets in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City – where the supply is very large and competition is high – products with special locations in Phu Quoc have almost no alternative options.
Perspective of facilities serving APEC 2027. Photo: Sun Group.
In the long term, APEC 2027 will be a significant boost, establishing Phu Quoc's name on the international tourism map. When infrastructure is upgraded, flight routes are expanded, and international visitor numbers increase, assets that are ready for operation, centrally located, and offer distinct experiences will be the first group to benefit. Phu Quoc sea apartments are not just a place for relaxation, but can entirely become an asset that generates stable cash flow and accumulates sustainable value over time.