The year 2027 marks a historic milestone as Phu Quoc, Viet Nam’s largest island, hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. Beyond its diplomatic significance, the event is a catalyst for Phu Quoc to turn into a key regional gateway for politics and economy.
The 21.86-trillion-VND APEC Convention Centre has also made substantial progress, with reinforced concrete work at the convention and exhibition centre reaching 90% and the multipurpose theatre 80%, both are targeted for completion before May 30, 2027. Photo by courtesy/VNA
Under Prime Minister Decision No. 948/QĐ-TTg dated May 17, 2025, An Giang province has been assigned to take lead in preparing for the event. The assignment has started an inspiring journey where Phu Quoc invests in comprehensive infrastructure to serve not only APEC and long-term sustainable growth for the island.
To realize this vision, twenty-one key projects with an estimated total investment of 137.138 trillion dong (5.31 billion US dollars) have been approved, of which over 85% come from public-private partnerships (PPP) and private investors, including Sun Group.
The 21.86-trillion-VND APEC Convention Centre has also made substantial progress, with reinforced concrete work at the convention and exhibition centre reaching 90% and the multipurpose theatre 80%, both are targeted for completion before May 30, 2027. Photo by courtesy/VNA
The 22-trillion-dong (851.36 million US dollars) expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport is the decisive gateway. Terminal T2, inspired by the mythical fire phoenix, and upgraded aprons and a second runway, will raise its designed capacity to 24 million passengers per year. Concurrently, construction is accelerated for a light rail transit (LRT) system connecting the airport to the Conference Center, together with Provincial Road DT.975 and the APEC Boulevard.
The main venue is the APEC Conference and Exhibition Center at Bai Dat Do area. Covering over 153,000m2 of floor space, the complex features an 11,050m2 column-free ballroom and a multi-purpose theater with over 4,000 seats.
Alongside transport and venue infrastructure, Phu Quoc is investing 3.5 trillion dong (135.44 million US dollars) in wastewater and solid waste treatment plants in Bai Bon, Duong Dong and An Thoi. The island is also deploying a smart operations center to manage local resources efficiently and support a green urban model.
The 21.86-trillion-VND APEC Convention Centre has also made substantial progress, with reinforced concrete work at the convention and exhibition centre reaching 90% and the multipurpose theatre 80%, both are targeted for completion before May 30, 2027. Photo by courtesy/VNA
To keep projects on schedule, the government has approved a special mechanism for Phu Quoc that allows provincial planning adjustments, streamlined construction material licensing and contractor appointment for key packages in special cases. An Giang province has also implemented a “green lane” process to shorten administrative processing times and improve the efficiency of coordination among ministries, sectors and businesses.
An Giang People’s Committee Chairman Ho Van Mung said the province required strict commitments to project schedules and accountability, ensuring strict management of workloads and resources and preventing construction delays, corruption and waste.
APEC 2027 is more than a weeks-long event. The synchronized infrastructure will reshape Phu Quoc’s position in global MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism. With nearly 7,500 hotel rooms and modern exhibition spaces, Phu Quoc is prepared to host high-level multilateral meetings and trade activities well beyond 2027.
Through coordinated efforts from the government, local authorities and private investors, Phu Quoc is finalizing preparations for the event, establishing itself as a modern international conference, trade and tourism center and a “dream destination” symbolizing Viet Nam’s new position in the age of green growth./.