Which beach in Vietnam boasts the Pantone - “color of the year 2026”?
As soon as the Pantone Color Institute unveiled “Cloud Dancer” as the Color of the Year 2026, travel lovers quickly made the connection to Kem Beach – the iconic beach in Phu Quoc famed for its rare, velvety-white sand, soft and distinctive in texture.
For decades, the Pantone Color Institute has been regarded as the world’s most authoritative voice in defining the language of color. Each year, the announcement of the Color of the Year is eagerly anticipated worldwide, not merely as a shade, but as a message reflecting humanity’s collective aspirations and spirit for the year ahead. With 2026 approaching, “Cloud Dancer” – a gentle off-white tone – has officially been selected, symbolizing tranquility and a much-needed pause to recharge amid an ever-changing world.
The smooth, velvety white sand of Kem Beach vividly illustrates Pantone’s “Cloud Dancer” shade for 2026 (Photo: Fabl Belek)
It is fascinating to see how Pantone’s definition of “Cloud Dancer” finds such a natural counterpart in Vietnam. One destination, in particular, seems almost destined for this hue: Kem Beach in Phu Quoc, long celebrated for its creamy-white sand, exceptionally fine and soft, true to its name. The beach has previously been ranked among the world’s top 50 most beautiful beaches and, most recently, was honored by the “Oscars of the travel industry” – the World Travel Awards – as the World’s Leading Regional Beach.
With the message carried by the “Cloud Dancer” shade, Kem Beach effortlessly meets every criterion. Stepping barefoot onto its sand, visitors often feel as though they are walking on a soft “dance of clouds.” This harmony of visual beauty and tactile sensation has turned Kem Beach into a natural icon of Vietnam’s 2026 color trend. Its uniquely fine, cream-like sand remains cool even under bright sunshine, shaping what many regard as a premium beach experience, not only for Phu Quoc but for Vietnam as a whole.
Nature’s perfect palette, where pristine white sand meets crystal-clear turquoise waters at Kem Beach (Photo: Fabl Belek)
Notably, Cloud Dancer’s message of “opening up to the future” resonates strongly with Phu Quoc’s own phase of transformation and acceleration. Selected as the host destination for APEC 2027, the southern part of the island is rapidly refining its image as an international tourism hub. Connectivity is being expanded on all fronts, from ground infrastructure to the game-changing arrival of Sun PhuQuoc Airways. This seamless integration of aviation with world-class entertainment and convention complexes is the key for Phu Quoc to cement its position as a leading tourism and investment paradise in Asia over the coming decade, ready to welcome international visitors and promising partnerships alike.
It can be said that Kem Beach is not only a subtle reflection of the color philosophy for 2026, but also a vivid testament to the Pearl Island’s bright future. Prestigious accolades and continuous international recognition have become a solid springboard for Phu Quoc’s continued rise. As Phu Quoc accelerates with synchronized infrastructure, iconic landmarks and its role as host of APEC 2027, Kem Beach goes beyond the image of a beach dressed in a “trendy” hue. It stands as a symbol of Phu Quoc’s future – where the pure beauty of nature blends seamlessly with the brilliance of a destination shaping global travel trends.