On August 22, 2026, Viet Nam’s Politburo issued Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW on developing tourism into a key economic sector in the new era. The resolution sets a target for tourism to contribute 10–12% directly to the country’s GDP by 2030, attract 45–50 million international visitors, and generate total tourism revenue of 80–90 billion USD. By 2045, Viet Nam aims to rank among the world’s 30 most competitive tourism destinations.
Within this strategy, Phu Quoc is given a particularly prominent role. Alongside the three existing tourism growth poles of Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, the resolution explicitly calls for Phu Quoc to “gradually become a new growth pole, developing into a high-end coastal resort tourism centre with international competitiveness and the capacity to attract major international events.”
Phu Quoc is the only destination specifically identified in the resolution as a “new growth pole.” This signals that expectations for the island have moved well beyond its role as a resort destination, toward establishing it as a centre capable of attracting and driving the flow of visitors, investment, trade, transportation, culture, and entertainment.
From a “rising star” to a “new growth pole”
Over the past several years, Phu Quoc has steadily built the foundations of an international tourism hub. Once a destination whose appeal was centred primarily on its pristine marine and island landscapes, the island has expanded its tourism ecosystem to include luxury resorts, entertainment complexes, golf courses, live performances, commercial districts, culinary experiences, and a vibrant night-time economy.
Over the past three years, Phu Quoc has captured growing attention from international media, with leading global publications repeatedly ranking the island among Asia’s most beautiful islands and the world’s most compelling destinations. As a result, Phu Quoc has increasingly been described as a “rising star” on the global tourism map.
In southern Phu Quoc, large-scale resort, entertainment, and tourism urban complexes are helping extend visitors’ stays and broaden the island’s appeal. The Hon Thom Cable Car, recognised as the world’s longest three-wire cable car system, a seaside restaurant recognised by Guinness World Records, nightly multimedia shows featuring fireworks, and the iconic Kiss Bridge are helping Phu Quoc evolve from a destination defined by “beach and resort” experiences into a place where visitors can stay engaged from day to night.
Hosting APEC 2027 is providing another major catalyst for infrastructure development. Phu Quoc is simultaneously expanding its international airport and developing the APEC Conference and Exhibition Centre, a multi-purpose theater, APEC Boulevard, upgrades to Provincial Road 975, and an urban light rail transit (LRT) line connecting the airport with the conference area.
These projects are not designed merely to serve a single week of high-level meetings. After APEC 2027, the airport, public transportation network, convention centre, theatre, and urban infrastructure will provide the foundation for Phu Quoc to expand its MICE sector, host major international events, and accommodate growing visitor flows. APEC 2027 is delivering the infrastructure boost, while Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW provides the strategic framework for Phu Quoc to maximise the value of these investments for decades to come.
First, the resolution creates greater room for new policy mechanisms and resources by calling for the participation of strategic investors in developing infrastructure, high-end accommodations, and large-scale tourism, cultural, sports, entertainment, and retail complexes with the potential to generate wider economic spillovers.
This provides a foundation for Phu Quoc to further develop a comprehensive tourism ecosystem rather than simply adding more hotel rooms. Convention centres, theatres, marinas, international cruise ports, outlet shopping centres, duty-free stores, wellness services, water sports, and high-end entertainment could become new growth drivers, helping extend visitors’ stays and increase per-visitor spending.
The resolution also calls for expanding bilateral visa exemptions, introducing more flexible visa policies, and streamlining residency procedures in island areas. Notably, the Politburo has called for research into controlled pilot mechanisms to attract long-stay visitors, remote workers, and international capital to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
With a dedicated visa exemption of up to 30 days for travelers worldwide, an expanding portfolio of international-standard resorts, and a growing air connectivity network, Phu Quoc is well positioned to become a testing ground for these policies. A growing influx of professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and long-stay families could help create a more stable visitor base than the traditional short-stay leisure market.
Turning APEC 2027 into a lasting legacy of development
The status of a “new growth pole” also comes with higher expectations. In the immediate term, Phu Quoc must complete APEC-related projects on schedule while ensuring quality, safety, and seamless operations across the island. More importantly, the island needs a clear post-event strategy to ensure that its large-scale infrastructure is supported by a corresponding pipeline of tourism products and visitor demand, rather than leaving major facilities underutilised once the event is over.
Phu Quoc needs to develop a strategy to consistently attract international conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and music, sporting, and cultural events, while expanding direct air routes to high-spending markets. Infrastructure can only reach its full potential when it is supported by a year-round events calendar and a diverse portfolio of experiences compelling enough to bring visitors back.
Workforce quality is another pressing priority. To serve APEC and the influx of high-end travelers that follows, Phu Quoc needs to raise standards in foreign-language proficiency, professional expertise, service culture, and crisis-response capabilities across the island’s workforce – from hotels and restaurants to taxis, retail, and public services.
At the same time, growth must be balanced with the island’s mounting pressures on wastewater, solid waste, traffic, and environmental capacity. The resolution calls for the development of clean-energy transportation on tourism islands, reductions in plastic waste, and the development of blue carbon credits in coastal and island areas. This provides a foundation for Phu Quoc to pursue a green tourism island model, in which LRT, smart energy management, and marine ecosystem protection become integral to its competitive edge.
Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW has given Phu Quoc an unprecedented position in Viet Nam’s national tourism strategy. APEC 2027 offers the island an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to host a global event, while the resolution provides the foundation for turning that event-driven momentum into long-term growth.
The designation of a “new growth pole,” therefore, is more than a title. It is a mandate to transform Phu Quoc into an international destination defined by modern infrastructure, distinctive tourism products, competitive policies, and sustainable development – where tourism creates meaningful economic spillovers and strengthens Viet Nam’s position on the global stage.
