Mr. Tran Hong Ha - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister attended and spoke at the event.

Also attending the announcement ceremony were Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, former Politburo member, former Prime Minister; General Le Hong Anh - former Politburo member, former Standing member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat; Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang; Mr. Nguyen Tien Hai, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee and 370 delegates who are leaders of central agencies, departments, boards, branches of Kien Giang province and Phu Quoc city and representatives of enterprises investing in Phu Quoc.

The event marked a breakthrough development of Phu Quoc with many important goals set for the city, such as hosting the high-level week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum APEC 2027. Not only that, the city is also considered a key economic center of the Mekong Delta region.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said: "This is a major event of special significance, marking the new development of Phu Quoc, affirming its role as a marine economic center, a modern, smart eco-tourism urban area with its own identity of national and international stature."

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha also affirmed that Phu Quoc has all the conditions to become an attractive destination, a center connecting the region and the world. The recognition as a first-class urban area of ​​the province affirms that Phu Quoc is having comprehensive development in terms of economy, culture and society, ensuring national security and defense, urban infrastructure and improving people's lives. This event also affirms the correctness of the strategic orientation of Phu Quoc's development planning.

After 4 years since officially becoming the first island city of Vietnam, Phu Quoc has had many dynamic changes to seize the opportunity to "break out of its cocoon", increasingly develop and become a city worth visiting, worth living, worth investing in the region.

The event marked a breakthrough development of Phu Quoc

To become a type I city, Phu Quoc must meet many criteria such as large population, synchronous economic, infrastructure, cultural and social development, and play the role of a regional or national center. In addition, a type I city must play the role of a driving force for socio-economic development.

Looking back 10 years ago, when it was first recognized as a second-class urban area, Phu Quoc was still just a deserted island with a sparse population, very few international tourists knew about it, even domestic tourists. The road to the pearl island at that time was difficult because the wharf was not yet completed, the cost of transportation was expensive and delayed. On the island, there was only one asphalt road in the North-South direction, the rest were all red dirt roads, muddy, taking 4-5 hours to travel to the two ends of the island.

After only a decade, Phu Quoc has undergone a spectacular transformation. From a destination lacking both accommodation and transport infrastructure, the pearl island has developed strongly, with an international airport, seaport, national power grid, and the presence of many large corporations investing in many large-scale, modern projects reaching regional and world standards. Phu Quoc International Airport welcomes up to 150 flights a day. The accommodation infrastructure system is increasingly classy, ​​with the presence of many famous brands in the world.

Contributing to the increasingly strong development of Phu Quoc is the close cooperation and companionship between local authorities and private enterprises in implementing infrastructure projects for transportation, urban, people's livelihood, environment and tourism.

The ecosystem in the South of Phu Quoc Island is invested in a systematic and synchronous manner, with many high-class projects attracting tourists and developing the local economy.

In the South Island, Sun Group Corporation has invested heavily in an ecosystem of 3 fields including resort tourism, entertainment, and high-end real estate associated with tourism. In 2016, Phu Quoc became a favorite destination for international tourists after the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay resort came into operation. By 2018, Hon Thom cable car - the longest three-wire cable car system in the world, was also put into operation, helping tourists to fully admire the blue Phu Quoc.

Not stopping there, Sun Group is still perfecting a comprehensive ecosystem with a total investment of tens of thousands of billions of VND. In just 2 years 2023-2024, a series of products in this ecosystem will be launched, such as Sunset Town, Kissing Bridge, art shows with nightly fireworks displays... attracting tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists to Phu Quoc. In the future, this ecosystem will continue to be completed with the Sun International Hospital project and the Sea Square at Bai Dat Do, contributing to increasing convenience for Phu Quoc residents and further increasing the length of stay of tourists when coming to the Pearl Island. In particular, Sun Group also continuously invests in projects to help increase Phu Quoc's brand recognition, such as the Aspira Tower at Hon Thom, which when launched will be the second sail tower in the world.

In the North of the island, Vingroup has pioneered in laying the foundation to help turn Phu Quoc into a high-class tourist, resort and conference destination. In 2014, Vingroup opened the Vinpearl Phu Quoc complex - a resort complex with a system of hotels, luxury beach villas, an international standard 18-hole golf course and a modern amusement park, opening a new era for tourism on the Pearl Island.

Continuously expanding and perfecting the ecosystem, by 2021, Vingroup officially launched Phu Quoc United Center - a super complex of international-class resorts, entertainment, shopping and conferences. This is a "one-stop-for-all-experiences" model that fully converges services from accommodation, entertainment, culture to conferences and events. At this super complex, Vingroup has continuously made a splash at home and abroad with iconic projects: VinWonders Phu Quoc - the largest theme park in Vietnam with a Top 5 aquarium in the world, Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc - a park for caring for and preserving semi-wild animals on the island that holds a Guinness record for species diversity, Grand World - a "city that never sleeps" that is bustling 24/7 with the only Teddy Bear Museum in Vietnam and a series of top shows - especially the Tinh Hoa Viet Nam cultural experience show loved by the audience, gradually making Phu Quoc a new destination in the world.

Strong investment resources are the levers that help the pearl island complete the criteria to become a class I urban area and affirm the role of a unique, rich-identity sea-island urban area.

Kem Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet in Phu Quoc, gathering many world-class resort brands

Being recognized as a Class I urban area not only affirms outstanding achievements in economic development, but also marks a new beginning with new development spaces, new motivations, and new aspirations on the journey to turn Phu Quoc into an international-class coastal city.

In early 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a Decision approving the Master Plan for Phu Quoc City (Kien Giang Province) until 2040, with the goal of developing Phu Quoc into an island urban area, a high-quality tourism and resort service center with its own identity and appeal. At the same time, Phu Quoc is also oriented to become a regional and international trade, service center, and high-tech healthcare and nursing center.

Phu Quoc becoming a class I city is also considered a driving force for investors such as Sun Group, Vingroup, ... to commit to continue contributing to creating high-class projects, turning the pearl island into a world-class destination. The city currently has 311 projects, with a total investment capital of up to 428,000 billion VND, including super entertainment and resort complexes that are highly competitive in the region. However, Phu Quoc's vision goes further, with plans to upgrade ports and international airports to expand the ability to receive ships, commercial flights and international aircraft. At the same time, strategic routes are also on the roadmap to be built, ensuring convenient connections from the airport to key areas and prominent tourist areas of the island.

Phu Quoc launches a series of key projects to serve APEC 2027. Perspective photo

Also on the afternoon of March 14, projects serving the APEC 2027 high-level week held in Phu Quoc were announced. Accordingly, Phu Quoc will expand the international airport, An Thoi seaport, and build facilities to serve international events such as APEC Boulevard, APEC multi-functional complex, etc. In particular, the city focuses on investing in water and waste treatment systems. Two domestic waste treatment plants will be built in the South and East of the island, with modern technology to ensure a clean environment.

Phu Quoc is facing many new opportunities and new challenges. However, with the vision and determination of the leaders of Kien Giang province and Phu Quoc city, along with the support and participation of investors with vision and heart, the future of a first-class urban area, the most developed island city in Vietnam and the region is certainly within reach./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/phu-quoc-tro-thanh-do-thi-loai-i-co-hoi-va-thach-thuc-20250314163856893.htm