The blueprint, part of An Giang Province's master plan for 2021-2030 announced on May 17, names Phu Quoc as one of three strategic priorities for the province. It calls for the island to become an international tourism center built around premium services, international healthcare and major events, and to be upgraded to a first-class urban area, a status just below that of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Provincial officials have said they also want Phu Quoc to host an international medical center and a small financial hub able to compete within Southeast Asia.
Hosting APEC 2027 is the immediate catalyst. Vietnam will welcome leaders and delegations from the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to the island, and authorities are treating the summit as the start of a long transformation rather than a one-off showcase. Under a government decision, Phu Quoc is set to receive 21 major infrastructure projects worth more than VND137 trillion (US$5.2 billion) before the event, covering roads, urban districts, water supply and conference facilities.
Phu Quoc International Airport is being expanded to handle up to 20 million passengers a year, and a new runway is nearing completion, with operations expected to begin in the second half of 2026. A purpose-built conference and exhibition center is also under construction for the summit.
