Strategic infrastructure taking shape
More than seven months after the transfer of management and operations to Sun Group on January 1, 2026, Phu Quoc International Airport has handled over 4.48 million passengers, up nearly 38% year-on-year, on almost 28,000 flights, an increase of nearly 44% compared with the same period in 2025.
Airport services have also been upgraded with high-speed Wi-Fi, expanded 4G/5G coverage, automated toll collection and biometric security screening. Off-airport check-in services, introduced for the first time at luxury resorts such as La Festa Phu Quoc and New World Phu Quoc Resort, have helped ease congestion at the passenger terminal.
The airport expansion is progressing rapidly. The second 3,300-metre runway was completed in just eight months, a pace described by aviation expert Trinh Nhu Long as "unprecedented" in Viet Nam's civil aviation sector.
Nguyen Ba Quan, Director of Phu Quoc International Airport, said completing the runway on schedule despite adverse weather and the challenge of maintaining flight operations during construction reflected the tremendous efforts of all parties involved and paved the way for subsequent projects ahead of APEC 2027.
Construction of the APEC Convention Centre and Theatre complex has also entered its final phase. According to the developer, by early August 2026, reinforced concrete structures across the complex were 97-98% complete. At Zone S3, which comprises the 3,500-seat convention centre and the 3,000-seat international media centre, structural work has reached 98%, wall plastering more than 58%, while the steel dome roofing is 93% complete. Structural work at Zone S2, which includes the theatre and multi-purpose performance venue, has reached 97%.
Despite difficult weather conditions and logistical challenges in transporting construction materials by sea, work has continued around the clock. Contractors are carrying out indoor and outdoor works simultaneously, aiming to complete construction by October 30 and finish interior works by the end of March 2027.
Strengthening administrative discipline
Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Mung has issued Directive No. 20/CT-UBND to tighten discipline in budget management, procurement, land valuation and the implementation of public-private partnership and commercial investment projects serving APEC 2027.
The directive stresses that accelerating project delivery must go hand in hand with strict compliance with the law. Special mechanisms and policies must be applied only within their intended scope and authority, with no compromise on legal requirements or misuse resulting in losses of State assets. Provincial authorities have instructed relevant agencies to strengthen oversight of sensitive areas, promptly detect and strictly handle misconduct, while protecting officials who act responsibly in the public interest.
The province is also taking decisive action against delayed investment projects in the Phu Quoc Special Zone. Authorities have revoked the investment licence for the Sheraton Phu Quoc Resort project in Cua Lap, covering nearly three hectares with registered investment exceeding 1.1 trillion VND (42.2 million USD), after years of inactivity.
Although approved several years ago, the project remains little more than an abandoned concrete shell. The investor has been ordered to demolish the unfinished structure and return a cleared site within four months. It is among more than 20 delayed projects reclaimed in the latest review to free up land for public facilities and strategic infrastructure. Authorities have also intensified efforts to recover public land and remove illegal constructions and encroachments on forest land.
Since the beginning of the year, Phu Quoc has issued nearly 500 administrative sanctions and land recovery decisions covering more than 751,000 square metres, including compulsory land recovery in 345 cases involving over 247,000 square metres. Large-scale illegal developments, including the self-developed "The Peak" tourist site on Dien Tien Mountain and more than 23,500 square metres of occupied public and defence land under Naval Region 5 Command, have also been dismantled.
During direct dialogues with affected households, Chairman of the Phu Quoc Special Zone People's Committee Tran Minh Khoa addressed concerns over resettlement policies, jointly owned land and infrastructure in existing resettlement areas. For APEC-related projects, the local administration has proposed a special mechanism to support households that built homes on agricultural land not yet eligible for subdivision. He pledged that every case would be carefully reviewed to ensure land acquisition, compensation and resettlement are conducted transparently, lawfully and in a manner that balances the interests of residents.
Dinh Van Noi, Deputy Secretary of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Phu Quoc Special Zone, has also ordered immediate improvements in public service discipline and local governance. He stressed that the administrative system must fundamentally change its approach to serving the public. Officials must proactively engage with residents, resolve concerns at the grassroots level and demonstrate professionalism and courtesy in performing their duties.
He said he would personally make random calls to the public hotline to assess officials' responsiveness and vowed to take firm action against negligence and harassment. Relevant agencies have also been instructed to thoroughly investigate and address the illegal conversion of forest land into resorts and restaurants.
"Those who approved unlawful licences must be held accountable. It is unacceptable for businesses to receive operating licences, electricity, water or fire safety approvals on land with unclear legal status. Every case will be reviewed, and any violations will be dealt with rigorously," he said.
