1. Overview of projects for APEC 2027
Perspective of the APEC multi-functional complex and the construction site serving the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.
APEC 2027 brings together leaders from 21 leading economies in the Asia-Pacific region, scheduled to take place in Q4/2027, with a series of Ministerial Meetings, CEO Forums, and the High-Level Summit. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its international standing and promote trade, investment, and tourism relations in the region. The selection of Phu Quoc as the official host not only demonstrates the new stature of the island city but also shows the Government's determination to build an international-class conference and tourism center.
According to Decision 948/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, Phu Quoc (An Giang) will implement 21 key infrastructure projects to serve the APEC 2027 High-Level Week, with a total expected investment of over VND 137,138 billion. This is an unprecedented large investment package for the island, demonstrating the Government's strong commitment to transforming Phu Quoc into an international conference and tourism center.
2. Listing the projects in Phu Quoc to serve the APEC 2027 conference
According to the official plan, the 21 projects are divided into five main groups: Transportation - regional connectivity, Water supply - environment, Urban infrastructure - resettlement areas, Digital transformation - smart cities, Conference facilities - APEC services. These projects not only serve APEC 2027 and have diplomatic significance but also act as a catalyst for sustainable development of Phu Quoc's infrastructure, laying the foundation for a modern, smart, and green international coastal city.
Expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport
Perspective of Phu Quoc International Airport serving the APEC 2027 Conference.
Identified as a key project in the preparation for APEC 2027, and a gateway affirming Phu Quoc's international standing, Phu Quoc International Airport is being upgraded to become a world-class modern airport. The Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project has a total investment of nearly VND 22,000 billion. According to the approved plan, the airport will achieve code 4E, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, allowing it to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 747, 787, or Airbus A350. The project has a total area of 1,050 hectares, increasing the airport's operational capacity to 20 million passengers per year, 4.5 times the current capacity.
The runway infrastructure includes expanding the current runway 1 and building a new runway 2, with lengths of 3,500 m and 3,300 m respectively. The apron system will be expanded to over 120 parking positions, including 71 positions directly connected to modern jet bridges.
The VIP terminal has a construction area of 6,000m2, designed by Italian architect Marco Casamonti, the "father" of the Kiss Bridge icon in Phu Quoc, inspired by the image of the sea eagle – a symbol of freedom, agility, and harmony with nature. The VIP terminal will be the reception point for heads of state during APEC 2027 and for Phu Quoc's important events in the future.
APEC Conference Center
Perspective of the Convention and Exhibition Center serving the APEC 2027 conference in Phu Quoc.
The APEC conference organizing center project is a key project with high symbolic value, with a total investment of VND 21,860 billion, including the following works: Multi-purpose performance hall, Convention and exhibition center, International press center.
The multi-purpose performance hall has a roof area of 17,200m2, a diameter of 148m, and a total construction floor area: including 6 above-ground floors and 1 basement floor with a capacity of 4,094 seats. The space is equipped with modern interior, sound, and lighting equipment to ensure it can host international shows and concerts, welcoming world stars to perform.
The convention and exhibition center has a roof area of 52,520m2, equivalent to 6 standard Fifa football fields. Total construction floor area: 157,375m2, including 4 above-ground floors, 1 basement floor, with functions including: Conferences, banquet rooms, exhibition areas, dinner shows, restaurants.
Notably, there is an exhibition space - a ballroom with an 81m clear span without columns, covering an area of 11,050m2, surpassing the current largest ballroom in the world, Caesars Forum in Las Vegas (10,220m2). This venue can host events for up to 10,000 people, and banquets for up to 5,000 people... In addition to the large conference space, there is a 3,000m2 ballroom and 30 small meeting rooms to serve events and conferences... Adjacent to this is the Dinner Show space with a capacity of up to 2,000 seats, where guests can enjoy unique delicacies while immersing themselves in spectacular, impressive, and rare performances in the world.
The International Press Center ensures capacity for approximately 3,000 - 4,000 reporters. The Convention Center complex is designed with soft shapes like the waves of Phu Quoc, embodying the expansive spirit of the sea.
Multi-functional complex serving APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc special economic zone.
Cua Can Lake
Perspective of the Cua Can reservoir, one of the projects ensuring domestic water supply for residents.
The Cua Can reservoir project is a strategic infrastructure that helps ensure a stable domestic water supply for residents and tourists amidst Phu Quoc's rapid growth and preparation for APEC 2027. The project has a capacity of approximately 7.5 million m³, capable of supplying 45,500 m³/day, meeting the needs of residential areas and tourist zones in the north of the island.
The project utilizes 349.12 ha of land, including the reservoir, auxiliary infrastructure, and systems for diverting streams and ecological protection. With a total investment of VND 1,026 billion, this is a key component aimed at addressing immediate clean water needs and ensuring long-term water security for Phu Quoc.
Duong Dong 2 Reservoir
Duong Dong Lake is an important water supply infrastructure project serving APEC 2027.
Duong Dong Lake 2 is a key water supply project serving APEC 2027, with a scale of 96 ha and a capacity of 4.7 million m3, helping to ensure water supply for daily life and production during the dry season and peak tourist periods. The project is located in Ben Tram neighborhood, near the existing Duong Dong Lake, with a total investment of VND 2,950 billion, of which the central budget supports 70%, expected to be completed in June 2027.
The project is one of 21 items serving APEC 2027 and plays an important role in Phu Quoc's sustainable development strategy. Currently, the island's freshwater source still mainly relies on Duong Dong Lake, built over 20 years ago, supplying water to about 14,000 households. To enhance long-term water security, An Giang province continues to plan for additional reservoirs such as Cua Can, Suoi Lon, Rach Ca, and Rach Tram.
Embankment and land leveling for the APEC Convention Center
The project creates a stable site for the APEC Convention Center and its auxiliary facilities. This is an important foundation for organizing high-standard international events, while enhancing Phu Quoc's image on the Asian MICE map.
Provincial Road DT.975
Perspective of Provincial Road DT.975 - one of the important infrastructure projects serving APEC 2027.
Provincial Road DT.975 (section from DT.973 – Phu Quoc International Airport – DT.975 – DT.973) is one of the most important infrastructure projects serving APEC 2027. The project is constructed by Sun Group Corporation, has a length of 19.26 km, and a total investment of 1,632 billion VND. The road plays a role in directly connecting Phu Quoc International Airport – the largest transportation gateway of the island – with the DT.973 axis, the APEC Convention Center area, An Thoi, and tourist areas in Bai Truong.
The project is planned with a right-of-way of 62 m, a minimum scale of 6 lanes, along with a 15 m land fund reserved for a parallel electric train line. Upon completion, DT.975 will become a strategic transportation axis, creating momentum for the formation of mixed-use tourism urban areas, commercial centers, public services, and new entertainment systems for the island city. Notably, the DT.975 route will directly connect to the 3 km long APEC Avenue, with a cross-section of 68 m, serving as the main axis leading directly to the APEC 2027 Convention Center.
Urban electric train line Section 1
Perspective of the Phu Quoc electric train line's ground section.
Urban electric train line project, section 1 is one of the key transportation projects serving APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc. The project is implemented under a BOT contract, with Sun Group Corporation as the investor, with a total investment capital of nearly 9,000 billion VND. The electric train line is about 18 km long, directly connecting Phu Quoc International Airport to the APEC Convention Center, ensuring large movement capacity during the event.
The entire line includes 6 modern stations, including 1 underground station and 5 ground-level stations, combining three types of operation simultaneously: elevated, underground, and ground-level. Specifically, the line has about 1.3 km running elevated, 14.3 km running at ground level, and 2 km running underground, ensuring optimized infrastructure and minimizing impact on the urban landscape.
The project is designed with a transport capacity of over 4,500 passengers per hour, creating the first smart - green - sustainable public transportation system in Phu Quoc. Upon completion, urban electric train line section 1 will contribute to elevating the island's infrastructure system, supporting rapid movement for visitors, residents, and especially delegations attending APEC 2027.
APEC Boulevard
APEC Boulevard, with a total investment of 1,820 billion VND, is one of the key transportation projects serving APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc. The boulevard is planned on a large scale, playing a role in connecting important sub-divisions of the island city and leading directly to the APEC Convention Center – the venue for high-level activities of the event.
APEC Boulevard is funded 50% by the Central budget and 50% by local authorities and investors. This boulevard is about 3 km long and 68 m wide. Positioned as the "facade" of APEC 2027, APEC Boulevard is not only an iconic transportation axis but also an architectural and landscape highlight, contributing to building Phu Quoc's image as modern, synchronized, and internationally worthy. This will be the route that showcases the new appearance of the island city during the infrastructure breakthrough phase, serving well before, during, and after the APEC event.
Undergrounding of technical infrastructure in An Thoi area
The project ensures synchronized technical infrastructure, from electricity, water, to telecommunications, for the An Thoi area. The undergrounding solution helps preserve the landscape, enhance urban operational efficiency, and protect the environment.
Undergrounding of technical infrastructure in Duong Dong area
The project implements an underground technical system, making the Duong Dong central area modern, clean, and smart. This is an important step for Phu Quoc to meet international standards for urbanization.
Phu Quoc Intelligent Monitoring and Operation Center
This system integrates data on traffic, security, environment, and energy. The center is the foundation for comprehensive digital transformation, enabling efficient and transparent urban management.
Resettlement areas (Cua Can, Suoi Lon, An Thoi, Ham Ninh)
The resettlement areas ensure a clean land fund for projects serving APEC and urban development. This is an important solution for population management and synchronized, sustainable infrastructure development.
Bai Bon Waste Treatment Area (Ham Ninh)
The project increases waste treatment capacity and protects the environment for the island city. This is important infrastructure as tourist numbers increase significantly.
Bai Bon Waste-to-Energy Plant (Ham Ninh)
The facility converts waste into energy, reducing pressure on the island's power grid. This is a sustainable development solution combining environment and energy.
An Thoi Solid Domestic Waste Treatment Plant
The project provides centralized domestic waste treatment, ensuring sanitation in the tourist center area. This is an essential item serving APEC and long-term development.
Centralized Wastewater Treatment Plant in An Thoi area
The project improves water quality and protects the environment in the An Thoi area. This system helps meet sanitation requirements for the international event.
Centralized Wastewater Treatment Plant in Duong Dong area
The project upgrades wastewater treatment infrastructure in Duong Dong, protecting the environment for the island center. This is an important project for maintaining a green and clean city.
Duong Dong 2 Water Plant
Large capacity helps supply water to the Phu Quoc center and surrounding residential areas. This is a water security foundation for APEC and long-term development.
Cua Can Lake Water Plant
The project provides supplementary water supply to the northern part of the island, serving daily life and tourism. This is critical infrastructure for the island-wide water supply system.
Mixed-use Urban Area - Bai Dat Do
The Bai Dat Do mixed-use urban area covers 88.5 ha, with a total investment of 64,000 billion VND, and is oriented to become a high-class urban – tourism – service complex with components such as a convention and exhibition center, large hotels, a marina, a commercial center, a beach square, a park, and a modern entertainment chain.
The project is considered the nucleus for urban upgrading, helping Phu Quoc build an image as a modern island city with sufficient capacity to host international events. The mixed-use urban model at Bai Dat Do will strongly promote MICE tourism, high-end commerce, and beach resort activities.
At the same time, the project creates large-scale public spaces for residents and visitors. As one of the most important projects serving APEC 2027, the Bai Dat Do Mixed-use Urban Area is expected to become a new development symbol and a foundation for Phu Quoc's long-term economic – tourism breakthrough.
Nui Ong Quan Ecological Tourism Urban Area
The project develops an ecological tourism area combined with resort services. The project contributes to completing the tourism and urban ecosystem serving APEC.
3. Strategic significance of the APEC 2027 project series for Phu Quoc
3.1. Creating a leap forward in transportation infrastructure
The series of projects including airport expansion, construction of the DT.975 arterial road, and the urban electric train line helps Phu Quoc significantly increase its regional connectivity capacity and shorten travel time between key areas. Upon completion, the new transportation system will bring Phu Quoc closer to the standards of international tourism – conference centers in the region.
3.2. Standardizing infrastructure to host international events
The APEC Convention Center and APEC Boulevard create a synchronized, modern appearance for the area hosting the APEC 2027 High-Level Week. These projects not only upgrade the quality of event services but also contribute to positioning Phu Quoc as a leading MICE destination in Asia.
3.3. Ensuring energy – water – environment for the island city
The projects for water reservoirs, clean water plants, and wastewater treatment areas thoroughly solve the urban infrastructure problem, which is under pressure from population and tourism growth. The new system helps ensure water security, environmental sanitation, and sustainable development for the entire Phu Quoc before, during, and after APEC 2027.
3.4. Accelerating digital transformation and smart urban governance
The intelligent monitoring and operation center and data infrastructure help Phu Quoc operate the city based on digital technology, from traffic, security, to environment and energy management. This is an important foundation bringing Phu Quoc closer to the modern and transparent "smart island city" model.
3.5. Shaping the future of Phu Quoc after APEC
The key infrastructure projects not only serve APEC 2027 but also create momentum for the long-term development of the island city. Thanks to the comprehensively upgraded transportation, service, technology, and urban infrastructure ecosystem, Phu Quoc has the opportunity to become an international-class tourism – commerce – technology center in the coming decade.
The listing of projects in Phu Quoc serving APEC 2027 shows a comprehensive development picture, from transportation, urban, environmental, to digital transformation. This is not only preparation for an important international event but also a long-term strategy to make Phu Quoc Vietnam's "smart coastal city".
