Construction is underway on a light rail (LRT) line linking Phu Quoc International Airport to the south of the island, aiming for trial runs in June 2027 and commercial operation in August. The line will run 17.5km, with a journey time of about 20 minutes. For travelers who have relied on taxis and ride-hailing apps to get around the island, a fixed-fare, fixed-schedule route connecting the airport to the southern resorts is a real change — anyone planning a trip to Phu Quoc should start rethinking how they'll get around.
17.5km linking the airport and the south, about 20 minutes
The line will connect the airport to the APEC International Convention and Exhibition Center. Phu Quoc stretches north to south, and the airport sits slightly south of the island's center — areas like Duong Dong and An Thoi, with their beach resorts and night markets, can be 30 to 40 minutes away by car. The goal is to link these areas with a single rail line, cutting a traffic-free trip down to about 20 minutes. Most of the route runs at ground level, with some elevated and tunnel sections. The project is being developed by Sun Group under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. Total investment is about 9 trillion dong (roughly $342 million, or about 51.3 billion yen at ¥150 to the dollar). Construction began at the end of 2025.
Construction began in late 2025, with piers and roadbed work leading the way
The site runs three shifts a day with around 600 workers. Pier foundation work is 63% complete, the piers themselves 56%, and roadbed excavation and shaping 97%. The island's unique geology and heavy monsoon rain have been the main challenges, forcing construction method changes in places due to flooding and tunnel digging during the rainy season. These figures come from an early stage of construction, so it's worth remembering the opening date is still only a target.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Phu Quoc International Airport – APEC International Convention and Exhibition Center |
| Length / travel time | 17.5km / about 20 minutes |
| Trial run / commercial operation | June 2027 / August 2027 (target) |
| Developer / model | Sun Group / BOT |
| Total investment | About 9 trillion dong (roughly $342 million, approx. 5.13 billion yen) |
Yen figures are estimates converted at roughly ¥150 to the dollar. Amounts and timing may change as construction progresses.
How this changes getting around on a Phu Quoc trip
Right now, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the main way to get around the island, and fares can spike during peak season, with long waits in the queue at the airport. On busy weekends, a trip from the airport to the south can run several thousand yen in fares, and haggling right after arrival can set a stressful tone for the trip. Once a scheduled route between the airport and the south is running, travelers will be able to plan their first move after landing without a reservation, and the hassle of negotiating fares disappears. Knowing the travel time in advance also makes it easier to plan backward from arrival to dinner or sunset on day one. Families with lots of luggage, or those landing on a late-night flight and heading straight to their hotel, stand to benefit the most. That said, the "last mile" from the station to each hotel will still rely on taxis or hotel transfers — the LRT won't cover every leg of the journey. When booking a hotel, it's worth checking what secondary transport is available from the nearest station.
Access to the island itself is also expanding.the second runway, at 3,300m, has completed calibration flights and can now handle aircraft in the B787 class, widening the door for direct flights.Flight numbers grew by 8,500 in seven months, and combined with the LRT connecting the airport to the rest of the island, "getting there by air" and "getting around on land" will function as one system for the first time.
Island-wide development ahead of APEC 2027
It's telling that the LRT's terminus is the APEC International Convention and Exhibition Center. Phu Quoc has been chosen to host APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2027, and this railway is planned as the transport infrastructure to carry it. With the airport expansion, the conference facilities, and a railway running the length of the island all converging on 2027, previously scattered development projects are starting to connect into a single line.The 5.7 million visitors in the first half of the year that put it 9th in Expedia's world rankingis momentum that isn't unrelated to this string of investments. For travelers, this is a chance to witness the island transform from a collection of resorts into a destination with real urban infrastructure. Around Leaders' Week, expect tighter security, traffic controls, and pressure on hotel availability, so if you're traveling right before the event, book your dates and reservations early. On the flip side, the rail and airport upgrades are assets that will remain on the island long after Leaders' Week ends — from 2027 onward, Phu Quoc should be an island that's easier to reach and easier to get around.
Points to keep in mind if you're heading to Phu Quoc
- LRT trial runs are targeted for June 2027 and commercial operation for August 2027. Trips through the first half of 2027 will still rely mainly on taxis and ride-hailing apps as before.
- Even after opening, the line covers only the airport-to-south trunk route, so a separate transfer to each hotel will still be needed. When choosing where to stay, check the distance from the nearest station too.
- In 2027, the whole island may get crowded around APEC Leaders' Week. Build some flexibility into your travel dates.
- Costs and the opening date may shift depending on how construction progresses. Check the latest operating information before you travel.
Will Phu Quoc become an "easy island to get around" by 2027?
The 17.5km light rail is a step toward shifting the island's transportation away from dependence on ride-hailing apps and toward a scheduled, fixed-fare backbone. But the opening target is August 2027 — for now, it's still just a plan on paper. If you're planning a trip now, it makes sense to assume taxis and hotel transfers for the time being, while factoring in the new route from the airport for a return visit after 2027 — tracking the island's changes in these two stages.
