1. Project Overview of the APEC Convention Center
In 2027, Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum for the third time. Phu Quoc has been selected as the main organizing center, thanks to its tourism advantages, rapidly developing infrastructure, and potential to create a new international mark. To meet the requirements for hosting high-level programs, the APEC Convention Center project is being implemented with the goal of becoming a key project, converging international standards in infrastructure, technology, security, and services. With its strategic location, modern design, and orientation to become a local iconic highlight, the project promises to enhance the national image in the eyes of international friends, while also creating long-term development momentum for the MICE tourism industry and high-quality services.
The APEC Convention Center project is a key iconic work, contributing to enhancing the national position in the new era, with a total investment of VND 21,860 billion, including: Convention and Exhibition Center; Multipurpose Performance Hall; APEC Park.
1.1 Convention and Exhibition Center
The APEC 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 and 1 basement floor. The facility is a venue for conferences, including banquet rooms, exhibition areas, dinner shows, and restaurants. Notably, the exhibition space - ballroom spans 81m without columns (a large event space without columns, creating an open and seamless area, requiring complex construction techniques), with an area of 11,050m2, surpassing the current largest ballroom in the world, Caesars Forum in Las Vegas (10,220m2).
The Convention and Exhibition Center will be the main venue for APEC 2027 activities.
This venue can host events for up to 10,000 people, and banquet space for up to 5,000 people. In addition to the large convention space, there is a 3,000m2 ballroom and 30 small meeting rooms for events and conferences. Adjacent to this is a Dinner Show space with a capacity of up to 2,000 seats, where guests can enjoy unique culinary delights while immersing themselves in spectacular, impressive, and world-rare performances.
The International Press Center ensures capacity for approximately 3,000 - 4,000 journalists. The Convention Center complex is designed with soft forms like the waves of Phu Quoc, expressing the expansive spirit of the sea. The shape and architectural language evoke coastal fishing villages, coral reefs, and rocky shores, harmonizing naturally with the landscape and the memories of the island's residents. The interior space is organized to be open and flexible, filled with natural light, creating a continuous connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Architectural details such as the “wave crests” on the roof help the structure welcome sun and wind, and “breathe” with the sea and sky, becoming a dynamic symbol of the interplay between nature, humanity, and knowledge.
1.2 Multipurpose Performance Venue
The Multipurpose Performance Venue has a total construction floor area of approximately 67,720 m², comprising 6 above-ground floors and 1 basement level, with a capacity of 4,094 seats, designed by leading US consulting firms such as SOM and Apeiro. The structure features a circular form – symbolizing Heaven – placed next to the square Convention Center – symbolizing Earth, embodying the balanced philosophy of “Round Heaven - Square Earth” in Eastern culture.
The exterior of the building is inspired by dragon scale patterns, evoking the legend of “Children of the Dragon and the Fairy” (Con Rong chau Tien), while the theater's roof is supported by 50 pillars symbolizing the 50 children who followed their father down to the sea, and also evoking the image of Vietnamese village bamboo ramparts. The interior space is equipped with modern sound and lighting systems, meeting the requirements for hosting shows, concerts, and international events; after APEC, the venue is expected to become a cultural highlight with performances, grand concerts, and events promoting Vietnamese culture.
The multifunctional performer with a round shape - symbolizing Heaven - placed next to the square Convention Center - representing Earth, embodying the balanced philosophy of “Round Heaven - Square Earth” in Eastern culture.
1.3 APEC Park
APEC Park is planned as an open space that evokes a sense of familiarity, taking the image of a coastal village communal house roof as the main inspiration, creating a harmonious connection between people and heaven - earth. Along the main axis is the symbolic garden, representing the participating countries of the conference, contributing to honoring the spirit of exchange, cooperation, and cultural diversity within the APEC community.
The overall project is not just a modern architectural design, but also a symphony of shapes, symbols, and national spirit - where art, history, and culture converge.
2. The APEC Convention Center project is being constructed at breakneck speed
Built from June 2025, in just about 6 months, the overall progress of the Convention Center and the multifunctional theater has been maintained at 33% of the total construction volume. Of this, the Convention Center in Sub-zone S3 has completed 100% of the foundation and reached 31% of the structural work. The absolute completion of the foundation is an important prerequisite to ensure the technical aspects for the giant column-free structure.
The APEC Convention Center, rapidly constructed, has completed 100% of its foundation and reached 31% of its structural work.
Meanwhile, the multi-purpose theater (Zone S2) also reached 95% of its foundation and 20.5% of its structural work. Both projects will complete the steel structure by January 31, 2026, exterior finishing by June 30, 2026, and interior finishing by January 31, 2027.
The completion level of the multi-purpose theater (Area S2) has also reached 95% of the foundation and 20.5% of the rough structure.
Another key project being focused on is Phu Quoc International Airport, although construction only began in July 2025, items such as the new runway number 2, VIP terminal, and passenger terminal T2 are rapidly nearing completion. Difficulties and obstacles have been basically resolved.
According to the construction unit representative, with a speed of driving 700 large piles per month, by the end of November, Terminal T2 had completed 85% of the rough structure. The VIP terminal completed 100% of the rough structure and steel structure. Runway number 2 reached about 30% of the workload. Just four months after groundbreaking, the entire terminal complex has been constructed up to the 4th floor, aiming for completion in March 2027. The project is expected to be completed after only 18 months of construction, achieving a record speed in the aviation industry.
Compared to Changi Airport (Singapore), from the start of implementation to the first operation was 6 years (normally large airport projects can take up to 10 years), this can be seen as a rapid construction progress, helping the project to be ready for operation to serve APEC 2027. The Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project has a total capital of nearly 22,000 billion VND, with implementation from 2025-2027. According to the approved plan, the airport will achieve code 4E according to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), allowing it to receive 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 operating capacity to 20 million passengers per year, 4.5 times the current capacity.
In November 2025, after inspecting, checking, and working with the An Giang Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of projects serving the APEC 2027 Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung assessed: 'With a very large workload, difficult conditions regarding weather, labor, construction, and transportation, the projects are being carried out at an unprecedentedly fast pace.'
Also according to the Deputy Prime Minister, 'the two projects assigned to Sun Group are being done very well. After 2 months of inspection, we were amazed. We are very reassured about the progress with the efforts of all agencies, including the investor and the contractor.'
Important transportation projects are being deployed simultaneously to help Phu Quoc complete its infrastructure.
Besides, other projects to be implemented in the coming time include: Provincial road DT.975 with a length of 19.26km, a width of 62m, a minimum of 10 lanes, with a total investment of 1,632 billion VND; an urban electric train line with a length of about 18km, connecting from Phu Quoc International Airport to the APEC Convention Center, including 6 modern stations (1 underground, 5 above ground)… will also be deployed soon, helping to complete the urban infrastructure picture for Phu Quoc, not only serving the APEC 2027 conference but also acting as a lever for this special zone to accelerate development in the new phase.
3. Strategic significance of the APEC Convention Center project
3.1 Elevating national image
The APEC Convention Center project is expected to become a new symbol of Vietnam's international event organizing capacity, contributing to affirming the nation's position and prestige on the regional and global map. The project not only meets the stringent standards of high-level conferences but also conveys a message of a modern, integrated, and culturally rich Vietnam.
The APEC Convention Center Project is expected to become a new symbol of Vietnam's international event hosting capacity.
3.2 Infrastructure for Diplomacy - Economy - Conferences
With a system of international standard conference rooms, bilateral meeting spaces, and a press center, the project plays an important foundational role for multilateral diplomatic activities and economic promotion. This will be an ideal venue for hosting high-level conferences, business forums, and regional policy events.
3.3 Driving Force for Services, MICE, and Tourism Development
The presence of the APEC Convention Center creates a strong impetus for the MICE tourism industry, leading to synchronized development in accommodation, services, entertainment, and commerce. In the long term, the project contributes to enhancing the destination's competitiveness, attracting high-quality visitors and large-scale international events.
From the progress update information of the APEC Convention Center Project, it can be seen that the project is gradually transitioning from the preparation phase to actual implementation. With the participation of major investors like Sun Group, top-tier contractors, and close supervision from the Government, the construction is expected to be completed on schedule to be operational by 2027.
Not only serving APEC 2027, the convention center also opens up a new future for Phu Quoc: becoming an international MICE destination, a commercial hub, and a leading modern event city in Vietnam.
