Hanoi (VNA) - On June 19, 2025, the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province held an investment decision ceremony for APEC-related projects.
As part of the event, Sun Group’s subsidiary, Sun Airport Corporation, was officially approved as the investor of the Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project. The upgrade aims to meet the operational timeline for APEC 2027 while also supporting Phu Quoc’s long-term development goals.
The project will be implemented under a direct investment and business model, in line with Resolution No. 01/2025/NQ-CP issued by the Government on June 1, 2025. Based on the proposal submitted by Sun Group and a thorough assessment process, the Kien Giang authorities selected the group as the official investor. The total investment capital is 21,998 billion VND, executed over two phases from 2025 to 2027, and from 2027 to 2030.
Speaking at the investment decision handover ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province, stated: “These are strategic and vital projects that ensure the infrastructure necessary to serve APEC, with a substantial total investment. They also represent foundational and driving forces that will play a long-term role in shaping the development, connectivity, and integration landscape of Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, and Vietnam as a whole. APEC 2027 is a valuable opportunity for us to showcase a dynamic, integrated, and high-potential Vietnam to the world. Phu Quoc will be the place where Vietnam welcomes the global community, and today, with these investment decisions, we begin that journey with confidence, aspiration, and the highest sense of responsibility.”
The provincial government also affirmed its commitment to accompany the investor throughout the implementation of the project. The goal is to ensure that construction progress and quality align with the Government’s directives and that the airport will be operational in time to serve the APEC 2027 summit.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Bui Thanh Trung, Chairman of Sun Group Southern Region, shared the following message. “We are deeply honored by the trust from the Government and local authorities in assigning us this strategic national infrastructure project. With our experience in transport infrastructure development, we are committed to applying the highest standards of quality, speed, and technology to build a modern, smart, and eco-friendly airport worthy of being the international gateway to Phu Quoc.”
“This project is more than a piece of transport infrastructure. It is a new symbol, a launching pad that will propel Phu Quoc to become a global hub for ecology, luxury tourism, finance, and innovation beyond APEC 2027. We are fully aware that time is of the essence. With only 18 months left to bring this project to completion, this commitment will be the guiding principle for Sun Group moving forward,” he emphasized.
According to the approved plan, Phu Quoc International Airport will be upgraded to a 4E rating under ICAO standards. This will enable it to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 747, 787, and Airbus A350. The expansion will cover a total area of 1,050 hectares, increasing annual capacity to 20 million passengers – 4.5 times the current capacity.
The runway system will be upgraded to include an extended Runway 1 and a newly constructed Runway 2, measuring 3,500 meters and 3,300 meters respectively. This will ensure the safe operation of wide-body aircraft under all weather conditions. The apron system will also be expanded to more than 100 aircraft parking stands, including 45 dedicated for wide-body aircraft, with modern jet bridge systems integrated.
Phu Quoc International Airport is envisioned as a new symbol of architectural and technological advancement in Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure. The airport’s Terminal T2 is designed by the internationally renowned firm CPG Singapore, under the leadership of architect Steven Thor, Executive Vice President of CPG Consultants. Inspired by the image of the Phoenix – a bird symbolizing power and noble beauty – the terminal’s design embodies elegance and strength. What sets this project apart is its integration of world-leading smart operation technologies, including remote check-in, automated baggage sorting, and biometric identification systems that reduce check-in time to just 15–20 seconds per passenger.
In addition, a new VIP terminal will be constructed to meet the highest standards of security, ceremonial protocol, and comfort. It is tailored to the needs of high-profile international events, including the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2027) summit.
Currently, Phu Quoc International Airport is the key air gateway to the island. However, the existing infrastructure is operating beyond its designed capacity, particularly during peak tourism seasons. In response to this situation, the Government issued Resolution No. 01/2025/NQ-CP on June 1, 2025, approving the airport expansion and authorizing the Kien Giang People’s Committee to select a qualified investor and oversee implementation.
Prior to this, Sun Group had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction to research and invest in the expansion of the airport. The group has proven experience in aviation infrastructure, having successfully developed the Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh under a similar model.
More recently, Sun Group also received Government approval to establish Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a new airline that will link the island to economic hubs across Vietnam and the world. These efforts reflect the strong commitment of national and local leaders, as well as the business community, to elevate Phu Quoc’s capacity to host APEC 2027 and to position the island as a leading destination for tourism and economic growth in the region./.
