Phu Quoc and Chiang Rai: The Two Southeast Asian Destinations Redefining Luxury Travel for Indians

Vietnam's largest island did not become India's favourite new honeymoon backdrop by accident. In December, an Indian billionaire couple hosted a seven day wedding on Phu Quoc with more than 1,130 guests, sending Indian searches for the island up 186 per cent within weeks. It was not the island's first such moment either, another billionaire wedding in 2019 had much the same effect. Further north, Chiang Rai has been building a quieter following of its own, drawing Indian travellers who want elephants and Michelin-recognised tented camps rather than another beach. Together, they have become the new benchmark for Indians who have already done Bali and Phuket.

The numbers back this up. Agoda has recorded a 700 per cent surge in Phu Quoc searches from India, and the island's hotel occupancy hit 90 per cent in early 2026, ahead of Phuket's 80 per cent and Bali's 60. Thailand remains India's third largest outbound market, with 2.49 million Indian visitors in 2025. Two things enabled this: direct New Delhi to Phu Quoc flights, launched 10 December 2025 by Air India, Vietravel and MakeMyTrip, and Thailand's 30 day visa-free entry for Indians, confirmed by the government on 14 July 2026 after a brief scare in May when India was nearly dropped from the list.

Phu Quoc: Vietnam's New Luxury Island

Voted Asia's most beautiful island by Conde Nast Traveler readers, Phu Quoc sits in the Gulf of Thailand with over half its land inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, giving it a wilder edge than Phuket or Bali. The resort line-up has grown to match demand.

• JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, a Bill Bensley design: $240 to $400 a night (roughly ₹20,000 to ₹34,000)

• InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort: venue for the 1,131 guest billionaire wedding, and the island's default choice for large private events

• Peak season is December to February; October, November, April and May bring lower rates and fewer crowds

Beyond the beach, Vinpearl Safari, Southeast Asia's largest wildlife park, and the Hon Thom Cable Car, the world's longest three rope cable car over open sea, add scale. Phu Quoc is also set to host APEC 2027, bringing fresh infrastructure investment.

Chiang Rai: Thailand's Golden Triangle Retreat

Set where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos along the Mekong, the old Golden Triangle has none of Phuket's crowds. Two resorts define its luxury offer.

• Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, another Bensley design with two MICHELIN Keys: entry level rooms from several hundred dollars a night, suites and elephant packages well into four figures

• Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle: around $3,000 a night (roughly ₹2.5 lakh), all-inclusive, just fourteen tents

Both build their appeal around ethical elephant encounters, local spa traditions and longtail boat trips across the three-country border.

Visa and Flight Details for Indian Travellers

Phu Quoc offers Indians visa-free entry for up to 30 days, but only on a direct international flight and a stay confined to the island; any mainland trip needs a separate e-visa. Chiang Rai has no direct India flights at all, so the route is Bangkok, then an 80 minute domestic hop or a three hour drive from Chiang Mai.

Note: Prices are indicative and vary by season and booking channel. Visa rules for both countries have shifted more than once in 2026 and should be confirmed before travel.