1. Overview of APEC Summit Venues
The APEC Summit is one of the most important diplomatic - economic events in the Asia-Pacific region, gathering leaders from 21 member economies. Each APEC summit is not only a place to discuss economic - trade development strategies but also an opportunity for the host country to showcase its organizational capacity, infrastructure potential, and international standing.
Among these, architectural works and convention centers play an extremely important role, serving as venues for high-level meetings and as symbols of construction technology, cultural identity, and national development vision. Being selected as a venue for the APEC Summit helps these structures enhance global recognition, attract tourists, increase investment appeal, and create a lasting impression on the international event map. Let's list 10 prominent structures worldwide that have hosted the APEC Summit, while analyzing in detail the hosting time, architectural scale, and the event's impact on each structure's reputation.
2. Listing Famous Structures Worldwide That Have Hosted the APEC Summit
2.1. Hwabaek International Convention Center, South Korea
Hwabaek International Convention Center is where the APEC 2025 Conference was just held.
APEC Conference organization time: October 31 - November 1, 2025
Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO), located within the Bomun Lake Resort complex in Gyeongju, is the focal point of APEC 2025 hosted by South Korea. This is the modern convention center of Southeast Korea, notable for its open design, spacious exhibition areas, and international standard meeting rooms. The facility was built to serve large-scale events, with the capacity to welcome thousands of delegates simultaneously.
During the APEC 2025 Conference, Hwabaek International Convention Center serves as the main venue for a series of important events during the chairmanship year, including opening meetings, SOM sessions, ministerial programs, and preparatory activities for the Leaders’ Meeting. Hosting APEC significantly enhances the venue's prestige, while also strengthening Gyeongju's position in the tourism industry, combining modern event infrastructure with the unique cultural and historical values of the ancient Silla capital. After the APEC 2025 Conference, Hwabaek International Convention Center is expected to attract more international conferences and major economic and tourism events.
2.2. Lima Convention Center, Peru
The Lima Convention Center is one of the most modern and largest convention centers in Peru.
APEC Conference date: 10-11/2024
The Lima Convention Center is one of the most modern and largest convention centers in Peru, built to meet the demand for organizing large-scale international events. The facility has 18 floors, including many multi-functional meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, press conference areas, and notably a main auditorium with a capacity of about 3,500 seats, meeting the standards for heads of state sessions and ministerial conferences. Modern design, flexible space division capabilities, and international standard technical-security systems help the Lima Convention Center become the heart of the MICE industry in this South American country.
2.3. Moscone Center, San Francisco, USA
Moscone Center is one of the largest and most modern convention centers in the US.
Thời gian tổ chức APEC Summit : ngày 11-17/11/2023
Moscone Center, located in the SoMa (South of Market) district of San Francisco is one of the largest and most modern convention centers in the US, with a total area of over 190,000 m², comprising three main areas: Moscone North, Moscone South, and Moscone West. Following multi-million dollar expansions and upgrades, Moscone Center boasts a system of versatile meeting rooms, large convention halls, a technology exhibition area, and an international standard media center, capable of hosting tens of thousands of delegates, business people, and global press agencies.
During APEC 2023, Moscone Center served as the 'nerve center' for the entire agenda, from the APEC CEO Summit, ministerial meetings, bilateral activities to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. After APEC, Moscone Center continues to be an international focus, attracting more large-scale events, exhibitions, and conferences related to technology, economy, and diplomacy, contributing to the city's tourism – trade growth.
2.4. Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is where high-level press, security, and reception events take place.
APEC Conference period: APEC Conference : ngày 14-19/11/2022
During the APEC 2022 Conference, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center was where high-level press, security, and reception events took place. It is an iconic convention center in Bangkok, chosen as the main venue for the APEC 2022 Conference. After a large-scale renovation and reopening in 2022, it has become one of the most modern convention centers in Asia, with a total area of up to 280,000 m², capable of hosting tens of thousands of delegates daily. The space includes two large exhibition halls, numerous multi-purpose meeting rooms, a media center, and facilities for international events.
2.5. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang, Viet Nam)
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is one of the venues for APEC Summit 2017.
Date of APEC Summit : November 10-11, 2017
This is a luxury resort located on Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, invested by Sun Group Corporation, managed by the internationally renowned hotel group IHG. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has 197 rooms and villas nestled amidst lush greenery, designed by Bill Bensley, a world-leading architect. Besides, the resort also has a luxurious conference area, a private beach, a spa, and fine dining restaurants.
Ahead of APEC 2017, the conference area was expanded, adding international standard function rooms to meet the requirements for hosting high-level conferences. Becoming the venue for APEC 2017 helped InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort “make its mark” on the international map, attracting tourists, media, and global leaders. According to reports, the resort not only served delegates but also impressed global high-level leaders and the international media, thereby contributing to enhancing the prestige of Vietnam in general, and Da Nang in particular, on the global map.
Not only famous as the venue for the APEC Summit 2017, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is also a destination chosen by many top celebrities and the super-rich for their retreats. This resort is also continuously honored with the most coveted awards in the hospitality sector, notably, it has been awarded the title of the World's Leading Luxury Resort for many consecutive years by World Travel Adwards.
2.6. Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila, Philippines
Philippine International Convention Center was the venue for APEC 2015.
Time of APEC Summit: from November 18 to 19, 2015.
Venue: Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City, Metro Manila - the largest convention center in the Philippines.
Built in the 1970s, PICC is one of the first modern convention centers in Asia. With an area of over 70,000 m², the complex consists of five main buildings with many large halls, multi-functional meeting rooms, and exhibition spaces - sufficient to accommodate large-scale international events.
PICC hosting APEC 2015 has strongly consolidated its position as a leading destination for international conferences and events in the Philippines. After APEC, PICC is prioritized by many major organizations as a venue for global conferences, forums, and MICE events - contributing to enhancing Manila's image as a professional and international conference destination.
2.7. Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center - Bali, Indonesia
Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center is the main convention center in the Nusa Dua area, Bali.
APEC Summit held: from October 5 to 7, 2013 in Bali.
Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center is the main convention center in the Nusa Dua area, Bali, a famous and luxurious resort area of Indonesia.
During the organization of the APEC Summit 2013, hotels, resorts, and infrastructure around BNDCC were all prepared, ensuring security, services, and accommodation for delegates and supporting staff.
Hosting the APEC Summit 2013 helped Bali in general, and Nusa Dua & BNDCC in particular, shine brightly on the international tourism and conference map. Bali's image is not just a resort tourism destination but also a place capable of hosting global forums. This creates a competitive advantage for Bali in the MICE tourism sector, increasing the number of business travelers, conferences, and major events after the APEC Summit.
2.8. Russky Island - Vladivostok, Russia
Russky Island was built synchronously to prepare for APEC 2012.
Time of organizing the APEC Summit : from 9 to 10/9/2012
Russky Island has an area of about 97.6 km², a length of about 18 km, and a width of about 13 km. To serve APEC 2012, many items such as the world's longest cable-stayed bridge connecting the island to the mainland, an upgraded airport, a new campus of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) were built, and many hotels, resorts, accommodation facilities, services, and entertainment were developed extensively.
APEC 2012 transformed Russky Island from an isolated area, almost not dedicated to tourism/public use, into an urban - academic - tourist area with modern infrastructure. Russky Bridge, FEFU campus, hotels, resorts… later became long-term assets for Vladivostok: attracting students, tourists, businessmen; contributing to the economic, tourism, and educational development of Russia's Far East region.
2.9. Hawaii Convention Center - Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii Convention Center is a large convention center in Honolulu.
APEC Summit held APEC Summit : from 12 to 13/11/2011 in Honolulu.
Hawaii Convention Center is a large convention center in Honolulu - the main convention center of Hawaii state, capable of hosting international conferences and events. Hosting APEC 2011 helped Hawaii, especially Honolulu, affirm its international position, not just as a natural resort tourist destination but also as a venue for international conferences and forums. This contributes to enhancing Hawaii's tourism and convention brand, attracting more tourists, businessmen, and subsequent international events.
2.10. Shanghai International Convention Center, Shanghai, China
Shanghai International Convention Center was chosen as the main venue for APEC Summit 2001.
Date of the APEC Summit: from October 20 to 21, 2001.
Venue: Shanghai International Convention Center, Pudong district, near the Oriental Pearl Tower and overlooking the Huangpu River, with views towards the famous Bund.
Shanghai International Convention Center was built and completed in 1999, with a total floor area of approximately 110,000 m², including a convention area, exhibition center, numerous multi-purpose meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, and a 5-star hotel named Oriental Riverside Hotel. The Gala Ballroom (grand ballroom) spanning approximately 4,400 m² is considered one of the largest column-free halls in Asia, capable of serving around 3,000 guests for banquets or up to 4,000 people for conferences. Additionally, the center features approximately 34 multi-purpose rooms and halls, small to medium-sized meeting rooms (for 50 to 800 people), a range of conference services, hotel, dining, and parking facilities, making it a complete complex for international events.
The selection of Shanghai International Convention Center as the main venue for the APEC Summit 2001 affirmed the center's status as a leading international convention and diplomatic facility. Following the event, the center continued to host numerous forums, major conferences, and international events, helping to enhance Shanghai's reputation as a global city, promoting the development of MICE, business tourism, and trade.
3. Venue for the APEC Summit 2027: Phu Quoc APEC Convention Center
Multifunctional complex area serving APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc special economic zone, Vietnam.
In 2027, Vietnam will once again host the APEC Summit, and Phu Quoc has been chosen as the venue. This is an important turning point in the strategy to make Phu Quoc an international tourism, trade, and event center. To meet the stringent standards of the APEC Summit, Phu Quoc island is accelerating investment in the construction of a series of key projects, including the expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport and the Phu Quoc APEC Convention Center…
The APEC Convention Center project is a highly symbolic key project, with a total investment of nearly 22 trillion VND, including the facilities: Multifunctional Performance Hall, Convention and Exhibition Center, and International Press Center.
The Multifunctional Performance Hall has a roof area of 17,200m2, a diameter of 148m, with a total construction floor area comprising 6 above-ground floors and 1 basement level with a capacity of 4,094 seats. The space is equipped with modern interior furnishings and sound and lighting equipment, ensuring it can host international shows and concerts, welcoming world-class stars to perform. The Convention and Exhibition Center has a roof area of 52,520m2, equivalent to 6 standard FIFA football fields. The total construction floor area is 157,375m2, comprising 4 above-ground floors and 1 basement level, with functions including: Conferences, banquet rooms, exhibition areas, dinner shows, and restaurants.
Perspective of the Convention and Exhibition Center serving the APEC 2027 Summit in Phu Quoc.
Notably, the exhibition space - a ballroom with an 81m column-free span and 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 convention space, there is a 3,000m2 ballroom and 30 small meeting rooms to serve events and conferences… Adjacent to this is a Dinner Show space with a capacity of up to 2,000 seats, allowing guests to enjoy special delicacies while immersing themselves in grand, impressive, and world-rare performances.
The International Press Center will ensure capacity for approximately 3,000 - 4,000 reporters. The Convention Center block is designed with soft shapes like the waves of Phu Quoc, embodying the expansive spirit of the sea.
As the "heart" of the APEC 2027 Summit, the APEC Phu Quoc Convention Center will not only meet the requirements for security, technical, and high-level event organization but also become a new symbol of MICE tourism in Vietnam. Upon operation, the project is expected to elevate Phu Quoc's position on the international event map, attracting strong investment capital and a large number of high-end tourists. With thorough preparations for APEC 2027, Phu Quoc will surely become a prominent highlight of Vietnam on the international event map.
