Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island Races to Complete APEC 2027 Infrastructure, Aiming to Rival Bali
On Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island, construction of an expanded international airport, a convention center, and a light rail line is proceeding at a rapid pace ahead of APEC 2027. The developer behind the project has stated its goal is to make Phu Quoc an international destination comparable to Bali and Phuket, with large-scale infrastructure being built following land acquisitions and resettlement of local fishing families.
In Vietnam's Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, 21 major infrastructure projects—including an airport expansion, an international convention and exhibition center, and the island's first light rail (LRT) line—are being built in parallel ahead of the 2027 APEC summit. The airport expansion alone mobilizes more than 7,600 workers and engineers daily, while the APEC convention center site operates around the clock across three shifts and four crews.
The project, covering roughly 16 hectares with a total investment of about VND 21.86 trillion, broke ground in Q4 2025 and aims to complete interior work by March 31, 2027. Despite heavy monsoon rains, workers continue laying LRT tracks and performing electrical and welding work, racing to make up time whenever weather permits.
Residents of areas such as Bai Dat Do have been relocated multiple times to make way for the project. One fisherman's family described in the report used compensation payments to buy and lease land, achieving more stable income, and many locals have shifted from fishing into tourism and service jobs. Developer Sun Group's leadership has stated its explicit goal of positioning Phu Quoc as an international gateway 'comparable to Bali, Phuket, and Hawaii,' citing how APEC 2017 accelerated infrastructure development in Danang as a precedent.
Things to Consider
Tourism and real estate stakeholders in Bali should be aware that Phu Quoc is positioning itself as an emerging competitor, with expanded air connectivity and MICE facilities expected by 2027. Industry professionals may want to monitor further APEC 2027 developments as a benchmark for service quality and pricing competitiveness. This news has no direct impact on travel plans to Bali, so visitors can proceed as usual.
Source: vietnam.vn