Associate Professor Tran Dinh Thien - former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics - said that APEC 2027 is both an opportunity and a challenge for Phu Quoc's sustainable development. - Photo: Provided by Sun Group
On the afternoon of December 12th, a seminar titled "Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone - Taking Off with APEC" was held in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang province.
Many economic experts and research institutes presented papers seeking solutions to the problem of how to maximize the opportunities from APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc; how to elevate and reposition Phu Quoc as a modern, sustainable, and high-class destination; and what appropriate mechanisms are needed for the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone...
The regulations for Phu Quoc must be those of a central government special economic zone.
Associate Professor Tran Dinh Thien, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, stated that APEC 2027 presents both opportunities and challenges for Phu Quoc's sustainable development.
During the process of building its foundation, Phu Quoc, from a pristine island with unparalleled beauty, has now created momentum for miraculous development, with per capita income increasing 20 times compared to 2014.
Phu Quoc is expected to welcome over 8 million tourists in 2025, including more than 1.8 million international visitors.
This island is also a fertile ground for Vietnamese "eagles" to nest, attracting investment with 311 projects (total capital of 428,000 billion VND). Major brands such as Sun Group and Vingroup have come to create a high-class tourism and resort ecosystem.
APEC 2027 Convention Center - Photo: Provided by Sun Group
APEC 2027 will create momentum for Phu Quoc to become a leading tourism and service center in the region and the world. In addition, this event will help Phu Quoc restructure its infrastructure, open up tourism, and promote its national brand.
The regulations for Phu Quoc should be those of a special economic zone directly under the central government, granting commensurate power, responsibility, and benefits, and establishing an open mechanism for international tourists.
"It is necessary to develop Phu Quoc at the right time, in the right place, and for the right purposes, and APEC 2027 is a historic opportunity that we need to seize. This event will help shape the future of Phu Quoc," Associate Professor Tran Dinh Thien emphasized.
A well-structured post-APEC planning and development strategy is needed for Phu Quoc.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Tourism Economics, said that APEC 2027 is not only an important diplomatic, political, and economic event, but also a "stage" for national promotion, especially for positioning the Phu Quoc tourism brand on the world map.
The event brought together many heads of state, ministers, CEOs, and world economic experts to Phu Quoc; the level of media promotion for Phu Quoc was enormous, leaving a lasting impression on international visitors as a heritage tourist destination.
APEC 2027 will leave Phu Quoc with a new, modern urban landscape, thanks to the completion of its airport, seaport, and ultra-luxurious international MICE conference center infrastructure.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Institute of Tourism Economics - emphasized that APEC 2027 is a historic opportunity for Phu Quoc to step onto the world tourism map - Photo: Provided by Sun Group
Local authorities and relevant units need to view this event as a 5-10 year development cycle and have a systematic post-APEC planning and development strategy, promoting green tourism, community tourism, and attracting international tourists.
It is necessary to review the planning and spatial layout of Phu Quoc and prioritize the completion of key infrastructure such as the airport, seaport, intra-island transportation, water supply and waste treatment, especially establishing a destination governance model involving government, businesses, and the community, and developing sustainable tourism.
"APEC 2027 is a historic opportunity for Phu Quoc to step onto the world tourism map, becoming a center for tourism, MICE, night-time economy, and green tourism. Local authorities, businesses, and the community need to work together in a coordinated manner to develop a clear, distinctive, and sustainable development strategy for Phu Quoc," Dr. Tuan suggested.
Phu Quoc aims to become Vietnam's first zero-emission city.
Mr. Tran Minh Khoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, informed that in addition to completing infrastructure, Phu Quoc is focusing on building a "soft" foundation to serve APEC 2027, including: promoting and mobilizing people and businesses to work together to build a green, clean, beautiful, and civilized city, and building the image of each citizen as a tourism ambassador.
In addition, the locality trains and develops human resources in foreign languages and etiquette skills.
"We are focusing on implementing the project to build Phu Quoc into a model and civilized urban area, especially with green transformation to move Phu Quoc towards becoming Vietnam's first zero-emission city," Mr. Khoa said.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/apec-2027-la-van-hoi-lich-su-de-phu-quoc-buoc-len-mat-tien-ban-do-du-lich-the-gioi-20251212173359054.htm
Comment (0)