Solid strategic “building blocks” for a landmark event
The year 2027 will mark nearly 30 years since Vietnam joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Throughout that journey, APEC has consistently been a key priority in the Party’s and the State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification. Vietnam’s active and proactive participation in APEC has contributed to market opening, investment attraction, technology transfer and the enhancement of national competitiveness.
Hosting APEC 2027 is both a special honour and a major responsibility, reflecting Vietnam’s growing international standing and the trust placed in it by the APEC community. Previously, Vietnam successfully hosted APEC in 2006 in Ha Noi and in 2017 in Da Nang. Drawing on valuable experience from these past hosting years and international best practice, Vietnam is determined to organise APEC 2027 with outstanding success in terms of substance, organisation, protocol and logistics, ensuring efficiency, adherence to schedule and tangible benefits for the people, businesses and partners.
In practice, synchronised and modern infrastructure is a decisive factor in the success or failure of major international events. On that basis, the Phu Quoc special administrative zone is urgently implementing a series of key projects. According to a report by An Giang province, 21 projects serving the APEC Conference have been assigned by the Prime Minister to An Giang province for implementation and are divided into two groups.
Group 1 comprises 10 public investment projects, for which investor selection has been approved for one project and construction contractors selected for nine projects. In the coming period, the province will focus on coordination and prioritise the removal of bottlenecks related to procedures, site clearance, materials and construction organisation for projects with a large proportion of state budget capital, thereby accelerating implementation volume and disbursement, while ensuring quality, safety and legal compliance in line with the requirements of organising APEC 2027.
Group 2 comprises 11 projects implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and business investment. To date, investors have been selected for all 11 projects in accordance with regulations.
Among them, the Phu Quoc International Airport project has a total investment of nearly 22,000 billion VND. Key components are being implemented in a coordinated manner, with construction progress accelerating; the T2 terminal has completed basic construction, while the VIP terminal has reached a high level of completion and is being finalised. The runway component is being intensified, with cumulative implemented value of approximately 2,370 billion VND. Major completion milestones include: the runway by 30 June 2026; the VIP terminal by 30 September 2026; and the T2 terminal (Phase 1) by 30 December 2026.
The APEC Boulevard project has a total investment of around 1,817 billion VND. To date, disbursement has reached 56.4% of the 2025 annual plan, and part of the site has been handed over for construction. The province is focusing on directing the completion of compensation, payment and handover procedures for the remaining site according to the February 2026 roadmap, creating conditions to accelerate construction of the main components.
The APEC Conference Centre project (including sea dykes and land reclamation over 57 hectares) and functional facilities (with investment in the conference centre of approximately 21,860 billion VND and 1,400 billion VND for dyke and land reclamation works) has completed the main investment preparation steps (policy approval, investor selection and detailed planning). Construction is under way, with overall progress reaching around 33%, of which service roads have been completed 100%. Specialised procedures are being coordinated and finalised by relevant agencies in accordance with regulations to ensure the overall schedule.
The provincial road project DT.975 (connecting the key development axis and the airport) has been commenced and is focusing on roadbed construction, alongside coordinated site clearance. Site clearance has reached approximately 90.3%; basic construction conditions have been ensured to implement the main components as planned, with efforts to complete and put the project into use by December 17 2026.
At the groundbreaking ceremony on January 28, 2026, two mega-projects were launched: the Bai Dat Do mixed-use urban area (88.5 hectares, total investment of 64,000 billion VND) and the Nui Ong Quan eco-tourism mixed-use urban area (22 hectares, total investment of 5,550 billion VND). The two projects are expected to add around 12,000 hotel rooms, serviced apartments, as well as commercial centres and internationally scaled landscapes. In particular, the Bai Dat Do mixed-use urban area, covering 88.4 hectares with total investment of approximately 64,000 billion VND, is being developed along the APEC Boulevard axis, with towers of up to 40 storeys on both sides, integrating luxury hotels, shopping centres and seaside squares. The Nui Ong Quan eco-tourism mixed-use urban area, with total investment of around 5,550 billion VND and an area of over 21 hectares, is expected to provide approximately 5,200 serviced apartments upon completion.
The implementation of large-scale projects at Bai Dat Do and Nui Ong Quan is regarded as a proactive preparation step to form a reception, accommodation and event-hosting centre to best serve APEC 2027. This will help address the shortage of accommodation in Phu Quoc, while creating a new urban landscape of hotels and commerce, laying the foundation for Phu Quoc not only to achieve the goal of becoming a modern, dynamic coastal city deeply integrated with the region and the world, but also to act as a development driver for An Giang province and the country as a whole.
Consensus between the political system and the business community
At a working session with the Standing Committee of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee on November 20, 2025, General Secretary To Lam emphasised that the province needs to strongly develop the marine economy, tourism and modern services, innovation, taking the Phu Quoc special administrative zone as a breakthrough growth pole for the province and the Mekong Delta region. To successfully organise the APEC Phu Quoc Leaders’ Meeting 2027, the province must closely coordinate with central authorities and other localities, focus intensively on preparation work, review and accelerate projects on transport connectivity, logistics, trade, services and tourism; strengthen communication and awareness-raising to build social consensus; promote trade and publicise products, culture, cuisine and eco-tourism, contributing to the overall success of APEC 2027.
The General Secretary stressed the need to complete institutions and the special-zone governance model so that Phu Quoc truly becomes an internationally scaled centre for ecology, resorts and innovation, while preserving forests and seas, protecting the environment and moving towards the use of clean energy.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the two mega-projects, Bai Dat Do mixed-use urban area and Nui Ong Quan eco-tourism mixed-use urban area, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that hosting APEC 2027 is a great honour for Vietnam in general and for the Phu Quoc special administrative zone, An Giang province, in particular.
The Prime Minister called for the serious and effective implementation of the “five transformations”, “four noes” and “three haves” for the Phu Quoc special administrative zone. The “five transformations” include: greening; digitalisation; optimising distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities and competitive advantages; smart management and governance; and harmonising the interests of the State, the people and businesses. The “four noes” include: no wasting a single day, no delay within a week, no missing opportunities within a month, and no passivity within a year. The “three haves” include: contributions from the State, contributions from businesses, and contributions from the people.
Leaders of Sun Group, the pioneering investor, affirmed their sense of responsibility, stating that the projects are not only about constructing buildings but also about creating national pride and leaving a high-class imprint in welcoming leaders and businesses from the 21 APEC economies.
Regional connectivity is being strengthened, with leaders of An Giang province expressing hope that spillover effects from Phu Quoc will promote socio-economic development across the entire Mekong Delta, opening up trade opportunities for neighbouring provinces.
When public aspirations converge with international expectations
Unable to hide their excitement, the people of Phu Quoc are living in days full of hope. From fishermen who make their living at sea to tourism business households, everyone can clearly feel the breath of change. A resident of An Thoi ward shared: “We are proud that our homeland has been chosen to welcome world leaders. Our island is becoming more beautiful and modern, and the lives of our children and grandchildren will certainly be different.”
Meanwhile, international friends and APEC economies are paying close attention to Southeast Asia. Experts believe that with thorough and determined preparation, Phu Quoc is gradually realising the image of a “second Singapore” – a convergence point for global flows of finance, tourism and high-level diplomacy.
With methodical and resolute preparation under the leadership of the Party, Phu Quoc is bringing to life the vision of becoming an internationally scaled centre for ecology, resorts and creativity. APEC 2027 is not merely a foreign-affairs event, but a vivid testament to the Party’s policy of renewal and integration, affirming Vietnam’s position on the world map. When the light of APEC 2027 shines brightly over the Pearl Island, it will be the moment the world witnesses a Phu Quoc that is world-class, humane and steadfast in international integration.
