In southern Vietnam'sPhu Quoc Island,, on January 28, 2026,the groundbreaking ceremonies for two mega-hotels toward hosting APEC 2027were held. The total investment isVND 69.55 trillion (USD 260 million),and the developer is one of Vietnam's largest tourism and real estate developers,Sun Group. The plan places 6,500 rooms in the Bai Dat Do district (88 ha) and 5,200 rooms in the Nui Ong Quan district (21 ha), developing a lodging capacity of about12,000 roomsby the third quarter of 2027. Phu Quoc showed rapid growth with international airport users of2.27 million in Q1 2026 alone (+147% year on year),becoming a turning point in its emergence into a world-class tourism hub.
Groundbreaking details—Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends, emphasizing "green development"
At the January 28, 2026 groundbreaking,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhattended and emphasized three keywords: "green development,」「digital transformation,」「sustainable tourism.」の3キーワードを強調。第34回APEC首脳会議のテーマ”「接続性・包摂性・強靭性」”（接続性・包摂性・強靭性）に沿った国家プロジェクトとして位置付けられている。
Including these two, APEC-related Phu Quoc development has21 projects in totalunderway. The breakdown is 10 public-investment projects plus 11 PPP/private-investment projects, with airport expansion, road development, convention facilities, hotels, and power supply networks progressing in parallel.
The full picture of the two mega-hotels
| Project | District | Area | Investment amount | Number of cabins | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bai Dat Do district | Along APEC Boulevard | 88ha | VND 64 trillion (USD 240 million) | About 6,500 rooms | Hotel complex + adjacent to the APEC conference and exhibition center |
| Nui Ong Quan district | Eco-tourism mixed district | 21ha | VND 5.55 trillion (USD 21 million) | About 5,200 rooms | Centered on serviced apartments |
The 88 ha of the Bai Dat Do district is on a scale to accommodate at once the roughly 30,000 heads of state, delegations, and press from various countries during APEC. The Nui Ong Quan district is designed to meet long-stay tourism and MICE (meetings and incentive travel) demand after APEC ends.
Background—rapid growth of Phu Quoc airport users to 2.27 million (+147%)
Phu Quoc International Airport's Q1 2026 user numbers2.27 million in Q1 2026 alone (+147% year on year),surged. This is a top-class growth rate even among the world's tourist destinations, the result of the foreign visa exemption (30 days, limited to eligible countries) combined with expanded international routes.how to use Phu Quoc’s 30-day visa exemptionAs introduced in detail in
, convenience for foreign tourists has dramatically improved. With the rapid growth, hotel supply is tight, and in the 2026 high season (November to February),hotel occupancy over 90%has become the norm. As a supply-expansion measure on par withthe Sun Group x Marriott 10-hotel partnership,these two mega-hotels directly ease the demand crunch.
Industry and local reactions—"Phu Quoc will become another world before and after APEC"
- 「12,000 rooms in a year and a halfthe schedule to develop is exceptional. It'll be an all-out effort by Vietnam's construction industry." (Real estate analyst)
- "Not just during APEC, butthe wealthy-foreigner MICE demand of 2027 to 2030a design that looks ahead to it is crucial. Sun Group's strategy takes a long-term view." (Tourism industry paper)
- "Phu Quoc'slocal labor shortageis a challenge. An accelerated inflow of temporary workers from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is expected." (Construction trade union)
- "The security setup for APEC 2027 isa 5,000-strong mobilization of police and militaryis the estimate. Operations separated from tourists' flow lines are needed." (Public security expert)
Impact on Japanese tourists—"before APEC" is the last bargain chance
Phu Quoc, ahead of hosting APEC 2027, holds the following meaning for Japanese tourists.
- 2026 to the first half of 2027 is the "bargain period": now, before APEC demand ramps up in earnest, both hotel rates and airfares are relatively cheap.Vietjet's new HCM–Nagoya and Fukuoka flightscombined with them make regionally departing travel realistic too
- The APEC period (September 2027) should be avoided: with heightened security and traffic restrictions, it's not suited to sightseeing. You should aim for the months before and after
- From Q4 2027 onward, the "post-upgrade" Phu Quoc: with 12,000 new hotel rooms plus expanded infrastructure, a world-class resort experience becomes possible
- 30-day visa exemption: tourists from eligible countries, including Japan, don't need a visa for a short stay
Industry ripple effects—the economic impact of the "APEC effect" and attracting foreign investment
Past APEC host cities (Da Nang, Vietnam in 2017, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in 2018, Bangkok, Thailand in 2022) have shown a pattern, in the five years before and after hosting, whereforeign tourist numbers double or triple、and FDI inflows increase 30 to 50%.Phu Quoc is structured to aim for the same effect, and in addition to Sun Group, major global chains such asVingroup・BIM・Marriott・IHG・Hiltonare accelerating their entry into development.
The government, in 2026,targets 25 million foreign tourists (a record high),and Phu Quoc is expected to carry part of this figure.15〜20%Beyond tourism revenue, the impact onreal estate, retail, F&B, and local employmentis immeasurable.
Practical information and APEC schedule
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Groundbreaking | January 28, 2026 (attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh) |
| Completion target | Third quarter of 2027 (just before APEC) |
| 第34回APEC首脳会議 | 2027 (specific dates undecided, expected September to November) |
| APEC Boulevard | Developed in the Bai Dat Do area |
| Conference and exhibition center | Newly built in the Bai Dat Do district |
| Foreign visa | 30-day visa exemption (limited to eligible countries) |
| Main access | Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) / via HCM, international direct flights (Korea, China, Thailand, etc.) |
| Access from Japan | Via HCM (Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines) / via Incheon, Korea |
Summary—before and after the 2027 APEC, Phu Quoc rises to a "world tourist destination"
The two Sun Group-led $2.6B mega-hotels become a symbolic project in which Phu Quoc Islandrises to a "world-class tourism hub" with the 2027 APEC as the catalyst.Once the rapid growth of 2.27 million airport users (+147%), the convenience of the visa exemption, and 12,000 new hotel rooms are all in place, Phu Quoc will be positioned among Southeast Asia's top beach destinations alongside Bali, Phuket, and the Maldives.
As a concrete next action,The royal road is to carry out your Phu Quoc tripduring 2026 to the first half of 2027. Since the APEC period isn't suited to sightseeing due to security restrictions, planning a return visitfrom December 2027 onward into 2028is also a strong option.With the Sun Group x Marriott partnershipadding global brands like W Hotels, Westin, and Le Meridien one after another, you'll want to register early for opening information on your preferred brand via Marriott Bonvoy or the like.
