International airport on world's second most beautiful island to serve 18 million passengers by 2027

The Ministry of Construction, in coordination with the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, recently held a conference to announce the master plan for the airport for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

The airport is planned to cover a total area of approximately 1,050 hectares, with a total investment of around VND26.57 trillion (US$1.02 billion) by 2030. An additional VND25.79 trillion will be allocated for the next phase.

At the conference, Uong Viet Dung, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, stated: "The newly approved plan is a crucial foundation for Kien Giang Province to implement synchronized investment projects and modernize the infrastructure of Phu Quoc Airport. This will not only contribute to the successful hosting of the 2027 APEC Summit but also help establish Phu Quoc city as a premier regional destination."

According to the Airport Design and Construction Consultancy Company, Vietnam's leading aviation construction consultancy, the airport is expected to handle up to 50 million passengers annually by 2050.

In addition to the existing runway, a second runway will be constructed. The two runways, measuring 3,500 m and 3,300 m, will ensure efficient and safe operations, serving wide-body aircraft and long-haul international flights from Europe and the U.S.

Furthermore, the aircraft apron will be expanded to include 70–80 parking positions, enabling the reception of heads of state and high-ranking leaders during APEC 2027 and facilitating future international events.

A key feature of Phu Quoc Airport will be its passenger terminal, designed by Singapore-based CPG Airport Consultants. The terminal, inspired by a phoenix spreading its wings, symbolizes national pride and prestige.

The terminal will include a bay system to international standards, international and domestic terminals, a shopping mall, and an exhibition area. It will feature cutting-edge technologies such as remote check-in, automated baggage sorting, and biometric identification, reducing entry and exit times to 15–30 seconds per person.

Phu Quoc has announced a series of strategic projects to prepare for the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders' Week. These include the APEC multi-functional complex featuring a 10,000-square-meter Convention and Exhibition Center, a multi-purpose auditorium, an international press center, an APEC square, a duty-free shopping area, and an arts and culture palace.

Key infrastructure projects are also underway, including major roads connecting the airport to the city center and urban landscaping developments incorporating smart transport systems, demonstrating Phu Quoc's commitment to sustainable development leadership.

In 2024, the airport handled over 4.1 million passengers, including 1.8 million international passengers, surpassing its designed capacity.

Phu Quoc Island, voted the world's second most beautiful by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine after Maldives, welcomed more than 2 million visitors, including 474,468 foreign tourists, in the first quarter of this year, marking a 66.5% year-on-year increase.

Vietnam's largest island is targeting 1 million foreign visitors this year.