Party Central Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung (front row, second from left) surveys and inspects the progress of the Duong Dong 2 Lake project in Phu Quoc special economic zone. This is a project to serve APEC 2027.
APEC 2027 is considered a strategic “lever” to help Phu Quoc take off, not only creating opportunities for synchronous infrastructure development but also arousing the desire to reach international standards. More than a foreign event, this is a push for the pearl island to affirm its new position, ready to become a leading center of marine economy , tourism and smart urban areas. Phu Quoc is racing against time, preparing step by step, determined to take off and affirm Vietnam's position on the world map.
Great opportunity
Arriving at Phu Quoc International Airport early in the morning, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, a resident of Saigon Ward ( Ho Chi Minh City), could not hide his joy as if he had met an old friend after many years apart. “I came here for the first time in 2022, the most impressive thing was the cable car across the sea. This time coming back, I was overwhelmed by the changes. Not only the infrastructure, hotels, but also many events, night markets, festivals... Everything seems to be connected, creating a vivid picture, both familiar and classy,” Mr. Toan shared.
From the beginning of 2025, Phu Quoc was chosen by the Central Government to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum 2027 - the largest foreign affairs event ever hosted by the pearl island. This is not only an opportunity to promote Vietnam's image, but also a strategic turning point for Phu Quoc to break through and become the leading center of marine economy, eco-tourism and smart city in the region.
Implementing the major policy of the Central Government, on March 27, the Standing Committee of Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee (now the Standing Committee of An Giang Provincial Party Committee) established a provincial Steering Committee, mobilizing all available resources to prepare and organize APEC 2027. The Steering Committee not only plays a comprehensive leadership role, but also directly monitors and urges progress, ensuring absolute quality and safety for the projects.
Diagram of APEC projects being invested in Phu Quoc special economic zone.
On May 17, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 948/QD-TTg, assigning the People's Committee of Kien Giang province (now An Giang) to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to quickly implement key infrastructure projects serving APEC 2027. The total public investment capital is nearly 20,200 billion VND, of which the Central Government supports 70%, the rest is balanced by localities and enterprises. This is an "unprecedented" resource, affirming the Central Government's trust and expectations for the pearl island.
Mr. Toan said he had heard a lot about large projects being rushed to implement, but when he witnessed it with his own eyes, he still found it "extremely fast and overwhelming". The Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project, with a total capital of nearly 22,000 billion VND, is gradually taking shape, expected to increase capacity to 20 million passengers/year, 4.5 times higher than the current capacity, meeting ICAO level 4E standards, applying smart, environmentally friendly technology.
The APEC multi-functional complex on an area of 57 hectares, modern train lines connecting the airport with the convention center, urban renovation and smart urban development in An Thoi, Duong Dong... are turning Phu Quoc into a bustling construction site. In particular, APEC Avenue - an iconic traffic route - received 50% support from the central budget, the rest from localities and investors, opening up new development space.
Walking along the central streets of Duong Dong, Mr. Toan witnessed a series of projects being upgraded, roads being expanded, walls with colorful flowers, cafes, and restaurants by the sea crowded with tourists... The new space not only changes the appearance of the city but also enhances the experience of tourists, creating an attraction that spreads throughout the world.
Phu Quoc Special Zone at night.
Stepping stone after 20 years
In addition to major projects, Phu Quoc also possesses an infrastructure that has been steadily built over the past 20 years. In 2010, the island's roads were still red dirt and the electricity grid had not yet been fully covered. Now, Phu Quoc special economic zone has a road network of more than 220km, most of which have been paved with asphalt and concrete. Provincial roads: 973, 975, 975B... connect communes and wards to the center, convenient for trade and tourism.
Two offshore power lines (110kV and 220kV) ensure a stable supply, 100% of households use the national grid, contributing to reducing living expenses and operating costs for businesses. The lighting system is complete, the rate of solid houses in the inner city is over 70%, Duong Dong reservoir has a capacity of 5.9 million m³, providing enough water for more than 170,000 people and millions of tourists each year.
Perspective of Cua Can Lake to be invested to serve APEC 2027.
Visiting a newly built primary school, Mr. Toan emotionally shared: “Back then, children had to travel far from home to study, on red dirt roads. Now, from schools, international hospitals, to commune and ward health stations, everything is available. That is something that no one dared to dream of before.”
Impressive figures demonstrate strong growth momentum: In 2024, Phu Quoc welcomed 5.96 million visitors, exceeding the plan by 70%; international visitors reached nearly 1 million, an increase of more than 70%. In the first 5 months of 2025 alone, Phu Quoc welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors, an increase of 30.5%; of which, more than 775,000 were international visitors, an increase of 78.3% over the same period; total tourism revenue was VND 17,926 billion, an increase of more than 87%, reaching 76.3% of the plan.
Mr. Bui Thanh Trung, Chairman of Sun Group Southern Region, said: “As one of the private economic groups in Vietnam and having accompanied the locality in investment and development in Phu Quoc for more than a decade, we identify the responsibility and share the responsibility in successfully preparing for the event, creating symbolic and long-term values for the country. We understand that these are not only projects serving the success of APEC 2027, but also strategic infrastructure works, creating important momentum for Phu Quoc to break through and become an international center of ecology, resort, finance and creativity”.
According to Provincial Party Committee member, Deputy Party Secretary, Chairman of Phu Quoc Special Zone People's Committee Tran Minh Khoa, Phu Quoc is not only beautiful but also has enough potential to become an international destination. Mr. Tran Minh Khoa said: "Phu Quoc is ranked by many world travel magazines as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, with wonderful beaches, a system of resorts, and many 5-star and 6-star hotels. This is the foundation to affirm the ability to organize major international events, typically APEC 2027".
Perspective of Duong Dong 2 Lake which will be invested to serve APEC 2027.
Currently, Phu Quoc has about 17 - 22 5-star hotels, enough to meet the high-class accommodation needs of tens of thousands of delegates, tourists and international press. APEC 2027 is not only an opportunity to promote tourism and marine economy, but also to show the image of a green, clean, beautiful city, aiming for the goal of net zero.
To welcome this event, the Government and An Giang province have invested heavily and called on private enterprises to upgrade infrastructure. The APEC complex will become a conference center, park, press center and large-scale exhibition. In particular, Phu Quoc airport is being upgraded with a new runway, capable of serving 18 million passengers/year, affirming the important role of the pearl island as an international gateway.
APEC 2027 not only opens up opportunities for infrastructure development and service enhancement, but also marks a strong transformation of Phu Quoc on its journey to international integration. In the eyes of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, today's change is not only a source of pride, but also a testament to the pearl island's constant aspiration to rise. And when all the foundations are ready, Phu Quoc confidently looks to the future, ready to affirm its new position on the global tourism and economic map.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phu-quoc-va-bai-toan-ha-tang-dich-vu-truoc-co-hoi-apec-2027-bai-1-don-bay-cho-phu-quoc-cat-canh-a425361.html
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