The “Kiss of the Sea” performance in Phu Quoc was awarded the title of “Largest permanent water projection theater” by the Guinness World Records on April 23rd.
For the first time, an open-air theater in Vietnam has earned a Guinness World Record, becoming only the second such accolade for Phu Quoc after the island was recognized for having the world’s longest three-wire cable car system with the Hon Thom Cable Car.
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The formal event for presenting the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Permanent Water Projection Theater in the World” to the “Kiss of the Sea” performance took place on April 23, 2025. The photograph was provided by Sun Group. |
The title of “largest permanent water projection theater” was granted according to two primary factors.
Initially, the theater can accommodate up to 5,108 spectators, making it bigger than most global open-air multimedia entertainment spaces with water projections. Its seating capacity is approximately two to three times greater compared to comparable performances like “Wings of Time” in Sentosa, Singapore (with 2,500 seats), and “Legend of Pangu” in Lanzhou, China (which holds 1,500 attendees).
Secondly, the stage includes a substantial, fixed, and specialized water projection screen designed solely for one daily performance. This water screen measures 23 meters in height and 44 meters in width, offering a total projection area of approximately 920 square meters.
The Guinness World Record highlights a significant milestone for “Kiss of the Sea,” which stands as the inaugural major multimedia spectacle in Phu Quoc. According to Nguyen Tuan Anh, who serves as the director of Sun World Hon Thom—the entity behind the production—this acknowledgment from Guinness World Records represents a momentous accomplishment for both Sun Group and the broader landscape of Phu Quoc’s tourism industry within Vietnam. He expressed confidence that this accolade would boost “Kiss of the Sea” into prominence as a premier entertainment attraction and global events destination, thereby supporting Phu Quoc’s aspirations to become a top-tier center for art and leisure activities in the region.
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“Kiss of the Sea” offers an impressive blend of technology and performance. The photo is provided courtesy of Sun Group. |
This production stems from a partnership between Sun Group and ECA2, a renowned French creative firm recognized for iconic events like the opening ceremony of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in Paris, the millennium celebration at the Eiffel Tower in 2000, and more than 60 multimedia spectacles spanning 17 nations.
With a total investment of VND1.6 trillion (US$61.5 million), “Kiss of the Sea” was not only designed to impress but also to set records. At the show’s premiere in Phu Quoc, Jean-Christophe Canizarès, CEO of ECA2, said that this is the largest open-sea show in Asia, and possibly in the world, that ECA2 has ever created. “The scale of this project is reflected in every aspect, from architecture and engineering to creative design and production processes.”
Emmanuelle Charlotte, the Deputy Director of Business Development at ECA2, highlighted the advanced technologies employed in the exhibition. She underlined that this event marks the debut of the globe’s first staging with three seamless projection domes. This distinctive configuration generates an unparalleled level of depth and captivating visual experiences.
Thanks to ECA2’s direction, “Kiss of the Sea” offers a dazzling artistic journey where stories of love, the ocean, and humanity are told through a symphony of light, water, fire, fireworks, music, live performance, and high-tech visuals. The nightly fireworks display, in particular, has earned Phu Quoc the nickname “the 365 Days of Fireworks Island.”
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Each night, the mesmerizing fireworks display enchants all visitors. Photo courtesy of Sun Group. |
Thanks to this latest Guinness record, Phu Quoc solidifies its position as one of the most appealing travel spots both within the region and globally. This achievement underscores the forward-thinking strategy and substantial impact of Sun Group in crafting Phu Quoc’s tourism brand and boosting its international profile through landmark developments.