PHU QUOC, VIETNAM – A significant infrastructure failure has struck Vietnam’s premier island destination, leaving thousands of residents and tourists in the dark. A critical fault in the 110kV subsea power cable connecting the mainland to the island has triggered a widespread blackout across Phu Quoc City.
As of Sunday, November 30, 2025, the incident has disrupted daily life and threatened operations at one of Southeast Asia's busiest tourism hubs right at the onset of the peak holiday season.
The Incident: A Severed Lifeline
The power outage was triggered by a technical failure on the 110kV Ha Tien – Phu Quoc subsea cable, the primary energy artery that feeds electricity from the national grid on the mainland to the island.
According to initial reports, the disruption is extensive. Approximately 12,000 households are currently without power. The blackout covers significant residential areas and, crucially, affects numerous commercial zones vital to the island's economy.
Tourism Sector Scrambles
The timing of the incident poses a significant challenge for Phu Quoc’s hospitality sector. With the year-end travel season ramping up, the island is currently hosting a high volume of domestic and international visitors.
Resorts on Alert: While major 5-star resorts have activated industrial backup generators to maintain essential services (AC, elevators, and refrigeration), many smaller hotels, homestays, and restaurants are struggling to cope.
The Experience: Tourists in affected areas are facing a disruption to their holiday plans, with local businesses forced to close early or operate by candlelight.
The Response: A Race Against Time
The Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) has declared this a priority incident. Recognizing the severity of the situation for both the local population and the island's image, EVNSPC has mobilized specialized technical teams and equipment to the site of the fault.
Repairing a subsea cable is a complex, high-stakes engineering operation that requires precision and favorable sea conditions. However, authorities are moving with urgency.
The Timeline for Restoration: Officials have issued a tentative timeline, estimating that power will be fully restored within 24 to 48 hours. Crews are working around the clock to isolate the fault and bypass the damaged section where possible to bring the grid back online sooner.
Advisory for Travelers
If you are currently in Phu Quoc or planning to arrive in the next two days:
Check with your Accommodation: Confirm if your hotel has a backup generator capacity.
Conserve Battery: Keep mobile devices charged whenever power is available.
Carry Cash: ATMs and card payment systems may be offline in affected districts.
We will continue to update this story as EVNSPC provides further details on the repair progress.