After the demolition order was announced, authorities mobilized machinery to dismantle restaurants, bungalows, and many other illegally built structures. The demolition is expected to last three days. Previously, the resort owner had ceased operations and moved some valuable assets; however, most permanent structures remained.

Excavators dismantle bungalows at The Peak tourist resort. *Photo: Hoang Dung*

The Peak was constructed in mid-2024 on land owned by Le Trong Dai, located on a mountain over 700 meters high. He later leased the property for tourism operations. According to official records, in December 2024, the Duong Dong Ward People's Committee documented numerous violations, including: construction not conforming to planning; arbitrarily converting approximately 5,000 square meters of agricultural land to commercial land; leveling and altering the terrain over an area of 2,600 square meters; and encroaching on public land and protective forest land.

Inside the restaurant being forcibly dismantled. *Photo: Hoang Dung*

Despite administrative penalties and repeated requests to rectify the violations, the project owner failed to comply. The resort owner also repeatedly filed complaints and lawsuits against the penalty decisions, but these were rejected by the High People's Court in TP HCM.

A corner of The Peak tourist resort when it was still operating. *Photo: Duong Dong*

Recently, Phu Quoc has intensified its crackdown on land and construction violations to improve urban aesthetics and prepare infrastructure for APEC 2027. Since May, the locality has forcibly dismantled hundreds of violating structures, including many built on public land or land designated for reclamation.

Ngoc Tai - Hoang Dung