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There’s no doubt Venice is popular with tourists – perhaps a little too popular.
On its busiest days, the floating city can see up to 120,000 people, far more than it can handle.
In fact, overcrowding there has got so bad in recent years, controversial rules and regulations – such as a tax for day trippers and limits on the size of tour groups – have had to be introduced to manage footfall.
And while the city is certainly beautiful, other just-as-picturesque destinations (only without the congestion) are being overlooked.
One such place is Grand World, a ‘bizarre’ entertainment complex on the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam.
The attraction – which opened in 2020 and is part of the 1,000-hectare Phu Quoc United Centre – features a winding river, gondolas, bridges, and colourful houses, designed to look just like Venice.
Aside from strolling the Venetian-style streets or floating along the ‘lake of love’, visitors will find plenty to do.
Known as ‘the sleepless city’, Grand World is open 24/7, 365 days a year, offering round-the-clock entertainment, from immersive evening light shows to street parades.
It’s also well-equipped with cafes, restaurants and bars, as well as a large museum dedicated to teddy bears.
What’s more, it’s completely free to enter.
Travellers, Britt and Mitch recorded their visit to the theme park on TikTok (@brittandmitchworldwide). And in the footage, they revealed deserted streets and almost zero other tourists – a far cry from its inspiration.
‘We went there about two weeks ago and there was hardly anyone there,’ commented one follower. ‘It was cool but eerie.’
To this, the couple replied: ‘It was pretty bizarre. Very empty but so many buildings/restaurants and not that many people. Felt like a ghost town.’
Another TikToker, @fit_nomads, described the resort as an ‘abandoned ghost town’ in their own video, while @lozzatravels__, said it was ‘one of the most bizarre places with no one there’, adding that it was ‘so interesting and huge’.
Phu Quoc (pronounced foo kwok) is an archipelago of 22 islands in Vietnam.
To visit you can fly directly to Phu Quoc International Airport, which is connected to major cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The large island – which is roughly the same size as Singapore – is known for its white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and lush tropical forests.
TikToker @cass.awad described Phu Quoc as ‘an island you must visit before it’s too popular’, in a clip showing the island’s colourful streets and azure beaches.
One user described it as ‘literally paradise,’ alongside others who declared it ‘beautiful’ and ‘magical’.
In addition to Grand World, which can be reached by shuttle bus or taxi, Phu Quoc also has a replica of the Amalfi Coast – Sunset Town, which opened at the end of 2023.
Located on the southwest bank of the island the town features cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured housing and tiled roofs.
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