Phu Quoc will become an attractive destination, a center connecting the region and the world.

Attending the ceremony were former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; General Le Hong Anh, former Standing Member of the Secretariat; leaders and former leaders of several central and local ministries and agencies and Kien Giang province, along with local people and the business community in Phu Quoc City.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that the announcement ceremony is a major event of special significance, marking a new development step for Phu Quoc, affirming its role as a marine economic center, a modern, smart eco-tourism urban area with its own identity, of national and international stature.

An island city is growing strongly

Phu Quoc pearl island has a unique strategic position in terms of national defense, security and geo-economics; has important maritime routes and international air corridors between South Asia, East Asia and Australia, convenient for connecting with major urban centers in the Southeast Asian region, especially on the Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand maritime economic belt.

Nature has endowed Phu Quoc with the captivating beauty of a paradise of blue sea, white sand, golden sunshine, rows of primeval forests, and famous rich products (fish sauce, pepper, cashews, pearls, etc.). This is also the largest and only island in Vietnam that is not affected by storms.

With the attention of the Party and State, the spirit of drastic action, innovation, and daring to think and do of the Party Committee, military government and people; from a remote island district, Phu Quoc has strongly developed to become the first city of Kien Giang province in 2020; to date, it has met all the standards and criteria of a class I urban area with an increasingly synchronous infrastructure system; is one of the most attractive destinations on the world tourism map with the titles of "5 most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia", top 10 most beautiful islands in Asia, the second most beautiful tourist destination in the world with unique and impressive tourism products, rich and diverse cuisine.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha presents the Prime Minister's decision recognizing Phu Quoc City as a class I urban area under Kien Giang province - Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam

Phu Quoc is converging all the conditions to become an attractive destination, a center connecting the region and the world.

Being recognized as a first-class urban area of ​​the province is a milestone affirming the comprehensive development of economy, culture, society, urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life of the people; recognizing the continuous efforts of the Party Committee, government and people of Phu Quoc and Kien Giang Province.

At the same time, it affirms the correctness of the strategic orientation of Phu Quoc development planning; demonstrates the attention and close direction of the Government and Prime Minister in the strategy for developing the national urban system, especially island urban areas.

"We are witnessing a coastal city growing strongly, affirming its important position and great potential on the tourism development map of Vietnam and the world," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

However, Phu Quoc also faces significant challenges in its development process. Rapid population growth, coupled with rapid urbanization, is putting great pressure on technical and social infrastructure, especially electricity, water, and transportation infrastructure. The risk of environmental pollution, climate change with rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion is seriously threatening freshwater resources and the island's ecosystem. Urban management, sustainable urban development, and strict protection of forest and marine ecosystems are also major issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the ceremony - Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam

Developing economic ecosystem

In order to soon realize the goals set out in the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045 in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 and the National Master Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the Deputy Prime Minister requested central ministries, branches, Kien Giang province and Phu Quoc city to focus on a number of key tasks.

Firstly, with 22 islands, an area of ​​only 589.27 km2 - almost the same as the island nation of Singapore, along with beautiful scenery, unique indigenous cultural identity, Phu Quoc can completely research its own development model to become a "sea city, a center of tourism, resorts and high-class, unique services". In particular, focusing on developing space towards the sea, forming international-class trade, service and tourism centers to exploit the advantages of the sea and islands. Developing compact urban areas with multi-functional high-rise buildings, with underground space in the central area, harmonizing and balancing between development and nature protection, "city in the forest, forest in the city", taking advantage of space to form green areas, ensuring a high green coverage rate, preserving primeval forests and mangrove forests.

Focus on developing a smart, green, synchronous, modern urban infrastructure system, especially digital infrastructure, green energy, smart transportation, smart water supply and drainage, developing a waste collection and recycling system according to the circular economic model, using renewable energy. From now until 2030, Phu Quoc strives to have 70% of smart, convenient means of transport being public transport.

In particular, Phu Quoc needs a strategy with a long-term vision right now to solve the major challenges for the development of the island city, which are clean water, energy and environmental treatment.

The second is to maximize potential advantages, promote the development of the marine economy with an economic ecosystem of tourism, seaports and marine aquaculture.

In particular, tourism is the spearhead, aiming towards green and sustainable tourism, harmoniously combining the exploitation and conservation of natural resources, and protecting the marine and island environment. Primitive forests, marine aquaculture, high-tech and smart agriculture, and traditional craft villages will be attractive and valuable tourism resources.

Phu Quoc tourism needs to promote cooperation, connect regional and international tours; build a smart tourism ecosystem based on digital platforms such as digitalized pre-destination experiences; book tickets, hotels, electronic payments, visual exploration on a digital environment with explanations in the preferred language, with diverse and personalized information layers; link with airlines, other service industries...

"Phu Quoc has been honored to be chosen as the venue for the APEC 2027 Conference, with the participation of heads of state, government leaders and leading businesses. This is a special opportunity to promote the beauty of Phu Quoc and Kien Giang to the world," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Phu Quoc City has the advantages to become a seaport logistics center, an international trade gateway with a green, smart, modern port system, to become one of the trade and logistics centers of the region.

Creating urban architecture with unique and symbolic values

Third is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of urban management and development, ensuring that Phu Quoc is developed according to planning and has a plan. In particular, it is necessary to review the planning, the plan to implement the master plan, the zoning plan, the detailed plan, and have a mechanism to mobilize the world's leading consulting organizations, scientists, and design experts to form an island urban area, promote unique cultural and natural values, and have a large center to exhibit the planning; build architectural management regulations to manage and create architectural works with unique values ​​and symbols.

Fourth, proactively and urgently deploy solutions to adapt to climate change, preserve and maintain the island's ecosystem, in which it is necessary to consider protecting forests and water on the island as protecting the core and vital values ​​of Phu Quoc City.

Apply green technology solutions, protect mangrove forests and coral reefs, reduce plastic waste, promote investment in modern aquaculture technology, combine with protection of marine ecosystems, control water and air pollution; implement anti-flooding and anti-coastal landslides, 100% of waste and wastewater are treated according to the circular economic model.

Fifthly, research and propose that competent authorities consider and promulgate strong and attractive breakthrough mechanisms and policies on free trade, financial centers, trade, logistics, etc.

Kien Giang and Phu Quoc City also need to attract high-quality human resources, experts, scientists, and support universities and research institutes to open centers and facilities to become scientific and educational cities.

The Deputy Prime Minister sent a message to the people of Phu Quoc, those who are living and working in Phu Quoc, "Please understand, love and be proud of Phu Quoc in the deepest way, so that you can act responsibly to preserve, protect and develop Phu Quoc - the only island city, one of the most beautiful tourist islands in the world".

Tourists coming to Phu Quoc should be responsible tourists, so that Phu Quoc is always a safe, civilized, friendly destination, in harmony with the environment, so that the natural beauty of Phu Quoc will last forever.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed: Each step of Phu Quoc's development is not only the pride of Kien Giang province but also an important contribution to the overall development of the whole country.

With the achievements that have been made, Phu Quoc will continue to rise, worthy of being a civilized, modern, livable city, an international trade and tourism center, a national marine economic center, becoming a symbol of sustainable development and prosperity, "contributing to bringing the whole country into a new era, an era of national growth".

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phu-quoc-se-tro-thanh-diem-den-hap-dan-trung-tam-ket-noi-khu-vuc-va-the-gioi-102250314163040964.htm