Phu Quoc approves $360 million metro linking airport and APEC center by 2027

An 18 kilometer rail line on a tight deadline

Phu Quoc has approved its first urban rail line, an 18 kilometer metro intended to connect Phu Quoc International Airport with the planned APEC Conference Center by 2027. The project has a budget of nearly 9 trillion Vietnamese dong, about US$360 million, and is scheduled to move from the start of construction to completion in roughly 20 months.

Provincial authorities approved the project on October 24, 2025, under a public private partnership. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and finish in the second quarter of 2027, aligning the line with Vietnam's hosting of APEC Economic Leaders Week on the island.

Six stations and a dedicated maintenance facility will serve the initial route. Trains are specified for speeds of 70 to 100 kilometers per hour. The corridor will pass through some of Phu Quoc's busiest urban and tourism areas, giving the project a role beyond transporting delegates during the international gathering.

Phu Quoc Sun Co., Ltd will deliver the railway under a build operate transfer contract, known as BOT. The state will provide up to 70 percent of the capital, while the private investor will supply the balance. The operating concession can last up to 40 years after handover for operations.

Phu Quoc, part of Kien Giang province, expects the metro to become an anchor for a modern public transport network serving residents and visitors. Its stated goals include easing congestion during busy tourism periods, reducing emissions and supporting greener growth through 2030.

The project is being developed alongside a new convention complex and a major airport expansion. Together, these investments are intended to make arrivals and journeys across the island more predictable for tourists, business travelers and participants in APEC 2027.

How the public and private funding fits together

The state contribution will be a little over 6.2 trillion dong, subject to the ceiling of 70 percent of the total project budget. The private investor will contribute more than 2.6 trillion dong. The headline budget is nearly 9 trillion dong, reflecting the rounded figures used for the project.

A public private partnership combines government funding with private construction and operation. In the financing model described for the line, public support can cover early capital needs and civil works that will remain in use for many years. A private company can procure trains, build stations and technical systems, and manage daily service.

The arrangement is intended to speed delivery of a complex project while assigning some construction risks to the private side. It can also give the company a financial reason to complete the railway on schedule, because its operating business depends on the system being ready for passengers.

The investor or a project enterprise will provide the funding beyond the state contribution. Expected revenue sources include passenger fares and commercial activities, such as advertising and retail space in stations.

The government can also support the project through a viability gap grant. This means public money helps cover the difference between the cost of delivering a useful service and the amount it can reasonably earn. Such support can help keep fares affordable while preserving maintenance, safety and service frequency.

Transport partnership contracts usually set performance requirements, penalties for missed targets and provisions allowing money to be recovered for poor service. Those arrangements help protect passengers and public budgets. The specific fares, service timetable and detailed performance terms for Phu Quoc's line have not been given.

What a BOT contract means for passengers

Phu Quoc Sun Co., Ltd's BOT role follows a model in which a private investor designs and builds infrastructure, operates it for an agreed period to recover its investment and earn a return, then transfers the asset to the state in working condition.

The proposed concession of up to 40 years gives the railway an operating life well beyond the APEC gathering. Passengers would usually encounter a single brand and operator during that period, with fares and service standards set by government and written into the contract.

Authorities retain oversight through measures such as audits, safety certification and approval of fare changes. BOT transport contracts often specify first and last train times, maximum gaps between trains during busy periods, cleanliness standards and incident response times.

Contracts also commonly explain how operators should handle unexpected events, including storms and power outages. The combination of public funding and private operation is used in Asian transport projects that serve a public need while drawing on private delivery capacity.

A route above, below and beside the streets

The airport to APEC center alignment combines 1.3 kilometers of elevated track, 14.3 kilometers at ground level and a two kilometer underground section beneath the central urban area. Together, the three sections make up the planned 18 kilometer route.

Most of the railway will therefore run at the surface, where available rights of way can help contain construction costs. The underground section is intended to reduce land constraints in dense districts and protect street capacity and public space in the core business and government area.

Elevated track is planned near constrained road corridors and station approaches. Surface sections can follow available corridors while remaining separated from road traffic, helping trains maintain speed and operate safely.

Six stations will be positioned to balance convenient walking access with reasonable journey times. The first phase is designed around the airport and convention center, while also passing through the main urban core and active tourism zones.

The maintenance facility will support daily inspections, repairs to train bodies, wheel maintenance and replacement of components. That work is especially relevant on a coastal island, where salt and humidity increase the risk of corrosion.

Train capacity, journey times and reliable service

Trains will have three to five carriages, with each carriage longer than 34 meters and designed to carry around 180 passengers. Using those figures, a train would have a maximum crowded capacity of about 540 passengers with three carriages or 900 with five.

The specified speeds of 70 to 100 kilometers per hour are design speeds. With stops along an urban route, the expected journey from one end to the other is around half an hour. That would offer an alternative to road trips slowed by congestion during peak tourism periods.

Airport passengers often travel with luggage. Platform layouts, signs and the airport station design are therefore expected to prioritize easy baggage movement and access without steps, following current practice for airport rail connections.

Modern metro systems typically use signaling and train protection technology, extensive CCTV coverage, fire safety equipment and secure communications. Avoiding level crossings, where roads cross tracks at the same height, helps protect passengers and maintain reliable timetables.

The railway's maintenance site will be central to keeping those systems and the trains in working condition. Reliable service will depend on regular inspections and repairs as well as the initial construction of tracks and stations.

Why the APEC gathering shapes the schedule

Vietnam will host APEC Economic Leaders Week in Phu Quoc in 2027. The gathering brings leaders from 21 economies, along with support staff, media and security teams. Business forums and ministerial sessions add to the transport demand around the main meetings.

Moving thousands of participants between the airport, hotels and convention venue quickly and predictably is a priority. A direct railway can reduce pressure on motorcades and shuttle buses and provide a backup transport option during the busiest periods.

The new APEC Convention Center covers 28 hectares. Its planned facilities include a hall with 3,500 seats and a media center with 3,000 seats. It will form part of a district containing transport infrastructure, public squares and exhibition spaces.

Site preparation for the complex is already well advanced, and test piles have been completed. The metro's initial phase is tailored to the venue, giving delegates and media a direct ride from the airport and access to onward journeys toward nearby hotels and service areas.

The schedule sets a demanding sequence of milestones:

• October 24, 2025: Provincial authorities approved the metro project under a public private framework.
• Fourth quarter of 2025: Construction is scheduled to begin.
• Second quarter of 2027: Construction is scheduled to finish.
• 2027: Vietnam will host APEC Economic Leaders Week in Phu Quoc.
• Through 2030: The railway is intended to support the island's greener growth goals.

The short construction window makes coordination between the railway, airport and convention venue especially important. Each project has its own building and testing requirements, yet all are intended to support the same major event.

The airport expansion alongside the railway

Phu Quoc International Airport is being expanded on a fast schedule to meet the APEC 2027 deadline and support the island's growth over a longer period. The plan targets annual capacity of up to 20 million passengers.

The airfield will be upgraded to the ICAO 4E standard, an airport classification relevant to accommodating large aircraft. Runway 1 will be extended to 3,500 meters, and a new Runway 2 will measure 3,300 meters.

A new Terminal T2 will support higher passenger volumes. A separate VIP terminal will provide protocol services during major events, including the arrival and departure arrangements required for official delegations.

The apron, where aircraft park for boarding, unloading and servicing, will expand to more than 100 aircraft stands. These will include positions for large jets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.

Designers intend to introduce smart airport technology, including remote check in, automated baggage systems and biometric identification. These systems are intended to shorten processing times and reduce queues, complementing the railway's planned connection between the airport and the convention district.

The airport, convention center and metro are meant to work as parts of a connected arrival and transport experience. Sun Group affiliates are involved in related investments on the island, including the airport upgrades and new urban districts.

Tourism, events and everyday travel

Phu Quoc's visitor economy has been growing quickly, attracting millions of arrivals to its beaches, marine parks, resort districts and cultural sites. Busy periods for domestic and international tourism put pressure on roads, taxi fleets and shuttle buses, particularly around the airport and central district.

A railway along a busy travel corridor can take a substantial share of airport trips, reduce traffic delays and give hotels a more reliable transport option for guests. A predictable journey can improve the arrival experience and reduce travel stress during holiday peaks.

Business travel is another part of the project rationale. Event planners consider security, reliability and the time needed to get from an airport gate to a venue. A direct rail connection could help Phu Quoc compete for meetings and exhibitions after APEC 2027.

Restaurants, markets and waterfront businesses near stations may benefit from more people arriving on foot. Residents and visitors would have another way to reach those places without a car, while hotels and service businesses could gain from easier movement around the convention area.

Policymakers are also studying special development policies for Phu Quoc, including a permanent framework allowing local residents to enter the island's Corona casino. Casino policy is a separate decision from the metro project, although a change could broaden travel demand beyond holidays and convention weeks.

A frequent rail service could help spread visitor journeys across the day, add passengers outside the busiest hours and reduce demand for parking around major attractions. The railway's usefulness for daily life will depend on service frequency, affordable fares and practical access to stations.

How the metro fits the island's urban plans

A recent master plan by Sasaki envisions a district combining homes, services and other activities. Its elements include a civic center, retail clusters, a university campus, employment zones and a waterfront plaza connected by a pedestrian spine.

The planning framework maps ecological and cultural systems to help determine where development should concentrate and where sensitive areas should be preserved. A transit hub is part of the vision, and the metro could provide a main transport connection for development organized around rail access.

Phu Quoc's broader city building plans point toward a denser core where walking and public transport play a larger role. Neighborhoods with daily needs close to stations can reduce dependence on cars and generate regular passenger demand throughout the day.

That pattern can also support businesses with a steadier flow of customers. Open space corridors, shade and water management features in the plan would help make walks to stations more comfortable in the island's tropical climate.

Punctual trains and frequent service would be necessary for the metro to become a preferred choice for shorter journeys. A railway connecting the airport and a major event venue can serve a wider urban purpose when the surrounding neighborhoods make it easy to reach stations.

Construction pressure and coastal engineering

Delivering 18 kilometers of railway in roughly 20 months is ambitious. Detailed design, land acquisition for stations and the depot, utility relocation, and procurement of trains and technical systems must all follow a closely coordinated schedule.

A delay in one part of the project can affect several others. Tracks and stations need to be ready for train testing, while power, signaling and communications systems must work together before passengers can board. Clear responsibility among agencies, decisive coordination and steady release of public funds will matter alongside the engineering work.

Securing land in busy districts can disrupt daily activity. Construction near the airport, commercial streets and waterfronts will require careful staging to keep roads open and businesses accessible.

Advance communication about noise, working hours and temporary traffic arrangements can help residents and businesses prepare. The operational challenge will then be to attract passengers through dependable intervals between trains and fares that fit household budgets. Fare income must help support operations even where public subsidies are available.

Phu Quoc's coastal setting adds engineering demands. The underground section will need strong waterproofing and removal of water during construction. Elevated structures and surface sections must account for wind, salt corrosion and heavy rain.

Drainage, backup power and lightning protection can reduce interruptions during storms. A consistent maintenance program will be needed to keep trains, signals and stations in good condition in a humid, salty environment.

Design, testing and the next project steps

Officials and the investor are expected to complete detailed designs, finalize station footprints and secure the depot site in the coming months. Contractor selection will begin for civil works, railway systems and trains.

Environmental and social safeguards will be reviewed, and traffic management plans are expected to be published before construction begins. Utility relocation and site clearance will follow, with priority given to the airport area and the central urban section so that the most complex work can start early.

Train procurement, factory testing and shipment to the island must be timed to match completion of the stations and tracks. After installation, the railway's systems will need to be connected and tested together.

Trial running and safety certification come before passenger service and often take several months. The goal is a railway ready for passengers in line with the APEC 2027 calendar. Keeping to the schedule could allow test trains to run before the leaders arrive.

Key Points

• Phu Quoc approved an 18 kilometer metro on October 24, 2025, to link its international airport and the planned APEC Conference Center.
• The nearly 9 trillion dong project, about US$360 million, includes six stations and a maintenance facility.
• The route combines 1.3 kilometers of elevated track, 14.3 kilometers at ground level and two kilometers underground.
• State funding is capped at 70 percent. Phu Quoc Sun Co., Ltd will deliver the project under a BOT contract with an operating concession of up to 40 years.
• Construction is scheduled from the fourth quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2027.
• Trains will have three to five carriages, carry around 180 passengers per carriage and have specified speeds of 70 to 100 kilometers per hour.
• The expected journey along the full route is around half an hour.
• The railway accompanies a convention complex covering 28 hectares and an airport expansion targeting up to 20 million passengers annually.
• The project aims to serve APEC 2027, ease congestion and support transport for residents, tourists and business travelers.