Phu Quoc will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2027. The island city follows Da Nang (2017) and Hanoi (2006) as Vietnam's host for this important event. The forum is expected to further develop Phu Quoc's urban infrastructure, attracting investment and boosting tourism and real estate.

An Giang province is accelerating 21 key projects for APEC 2027 to ensure timely completion. Ten of these are public investment projects, while the remainder follow the public-private partnership (PPP) model. To expedite progress, the An Giang People's Committee has issued 9 out of 10 emergency orders, three of which have already secured investors.

Phu Quoc Airport rendering. Photo: CPG Consultants

Phu Quoc Airport rendering. Photo: CPG Consultants

One crucial project involves upgrading Phu Quoc Airport to accommodate the increased number of visitors expected during the forum. According to the investor, the airport expansion project has cleared 166 hectares of land. Progress on ground leveling, terminal piling, and ground infrastructure construction ranges from 10% to 60%.

The airport expansion, led by Sun Group, will increase capacity from 18 to 20 million passengers annually and is slated for completion before the second quarter of 2027. This project serves the dual purpose of supporting APEC 2027 and boosting the island's tourism and economy.

The APEC Convention Center and Bai Dat Do Mixed-Use Urban Area project is nearing completion of ground leveling and embankment construction, with test piling currently underway. The multi-functional complex designed for APEC will feature a 10,000-square-meter convention and exhibition center with a capacity of 15,000 people.

Construction site of the APEC Convention Center. Photo: Duong Dong

Construction site of the APEC Convention Center. Photo: Duong Dong

The complex will also include an international press center capable of accommodating 4,000 reporters. This facility will support state-level events and provide a foundation for Phu Quoc's long-term development of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

A third project underway is the Ong Quan Mountain Eco-Tourism Mixed-Use Urban Area. Community meetings to promote the project and preparations for surveying are in progress.

To improve infrastructure, the central government is investing 70% of the capital for a series of public projects. These include two freshwater reservoirs, Cua Can and Duong Dong 2 (each with a capacity of 7.5 million cubic meters), which will ensure a stable water supply of 86,000 cubic meters per day. A 20-kilometer provincial road (DT 975), an urban railway system, and waste and wastewater treatment networks are also planned for Bai Bon, An Thoi, and Duong Dong, aligning with the vision of a "green, clean, and modern island city".

For local funding, the provincial People's Committee has submitted a proposal to the Provincial People's Council for 1,400 billion VND for 2025. The province has also requested over 9,100 billion VND from the Ministry of Finance for the period from now until 2027.

The projects require 16.3 million cubic meters of sand and soil, and 4.8 million cubic meters of stone for construction materials. An Giang has adjusted its planning to include two offshore sand mines and several land and stone mines on the island. According to the director of An Giang's Department of Finance, relevant departments are "monitoring progress daily to ensure timely implementation".

Mr. Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang People's Committee (center, in green), inspects the progress of projects for APEC. Photo: Duong Dong

Mr. Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang People's Committee (center, in green), inspects the progress of projects for APEC. Photo: Duong Dong

In a recent meeting, Mr. Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the An Giang People's Committee, urged relevant units to maximize human and material resources to ensure the earliest possible completion of the projects.

The chairman requested investors and specialized departments to adhere to the construction timeline while complying with all procedures. He emphasized the importance of "early implementation of resettlement areas, providing policies for temporary residents to rent houses, and ensuring that people are not disadvantaged during the process."

The 30th APEC forum, themed "Connecting, Building Inclusive and Self-Reliant Economies," marks a significant milestone, demonstrating Vietnam's regional standing. It presents an opportunity for Phu Quoc to become a center for global economic and social cooperation and trade.

Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone encompasses Duong Dong and An Thoi wards, along with Duong To, Ham Ninh, Cua Duong, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau, and Cua Can communes, covering over 570 square kilometers. In the first six months of 2025, Phu Quoc welcomed nearly 4.5 million visitors, including almost 900,000 international tourists, generating estimated revenue of over 21,500 billion VND—nearly double the same period last year.

Ngoc Tai