Vietnam's Phu Quoc races to complete APEC 2027 infrastructure

The projects cover transport, conference facilities, urban infrastructure, water supply and resettlement areas.

According to the An Giang People's Committee, more than 13.6 trillion VND (over US$526.55 million) has been allocated for APEC-related public investment projects in 2026, with more than 6.46 trillion VND, or 47.4 percent, disbursed by mid-September.

Of the 21 projects, 11 are public investment projects and 10 are being developed through public-private partnerships (PPPs) or business investment.

Among the key transport and conference projects, the runway expansion at Phu Quoc International Airport has been completed, while the VIP terminal is 96 percent complete and Terminal 2 is 72 percent complete.

The APEC Conference Complex is 69.58 percent complete and includes a conference and exhibition center, a multipurpose theater and APEC Park.

The 19.26-kilometer DT.975 provincial road is 51.13 percent complete, while the first 17.7-kilometer section of the urban railway is 40.9 percent complete. The 2.81-kilometer APEC Boulevard is 22.4 percent complete.

Other projects include the undergrounding of technical infrastructure in Duong Dong, at 63.36 percent, and the Phu Quoc intelligent operations center, at 61.07 percent.

An Giang People's Committee Chairman Ho Van Mung has set May 31, 2027, as the final completion deadline and told investors and contractors to adhere to their contractual schedules.

He also called for outstanding land-clearance issues on Phu Quoc Special Zone to be resolved promptly to avoid delays.

Mung said projects in which Sun Group is investor and contractor were generally progressing according to commitments, while urging the group to maintain schedules and address landscaping and environmental requirements.

The province said the legal framework for APEC-related projects had been strengthened following National Assembly Resolution No. 41/2026/QH16, which took effect on September 1. Prime Ministerial Decision No. 1679/QD-TTg, issued on August 28, also adjusted the list and funding sources for key projects.

More than 15,500 engineers and workers work through the holiday at construction sites.

One major change was the conversion of the An Thoi centralized wastewater treatment plant into a public investment project, with 800 billion VND allocated for two facilities with a combined capacity of 15,000 cubic meters per day.

APEC theater

Construction of the APEC Multipurpose Theater has entered a key phase, with workers installing a system of 50 supporting columns.

The 4,030-seat theater has a total floor area of 54,680 square meters and incorporates Vietnamese cultural motifs.

Construction began in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Sun Group as investor. About 98 percent of the reinforced-concrete structure and the 3,000-ton roof-supporting frame have been completed, while nearly 30 of the 50 columns have been installed.

The exterior is expected to be enclosed in the fourth quarter of 2026, with interior works scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027.

Provincial authorities said construction remained under pressure from the rainy season, incomplete site handovers, relocation of electricity, water and telecommunications infrastructure, and shortages of construction materials.

Contractors have been ordered to increase working hours and deploy additional equipment and workers on delayed packages. Investors and contractors must also prepare detailed recovery schedules and identify critical activities.

Authorities said progress would be assessed against final completion deadlines, while allowing sufficient time for trial operations, technical inspections and acceptance procedures.

Contractors failing to meet their commitments will face action under their contracts and Vietnamese law.