APEC 2027 – A DEFINING OPPORTUNITY FOR PHU QUOC (AN GIANG) TO RISE TO A NEW GLOBAL STANDING

The selection of Phu Quoc (An Giang) as the host of the APEC 2027 Economic Leaders’ Week—one of the region’s most significant diplomatic events—marks a defining moment for the island to step into a new league on both the regional and global tourism map.

A Gateway to Elevating the Destination

For Vietnam’s tourism sector at large, and Phu Quoc in particular, this is a rare opportunity to test and demonstrate its capacity for large-scale event organization, service excellence, and destination appeal. It signals a transition—from being “well-known” to entering a more demanding phase, where competitiveness is measured by experience, credibility, and international standards.

APEC brings with it a distinguished audience: heads of state, policymakers, global business leaders, and international media. Under such a spotlight, every detail—aviation infrastructure, security, accommodation, cuisine, urban operations, and even community conduct—collectively becomes a reflection of national image. In this context, Phu Quoc moves beyond its role as a local destination to become a stage where Vietnam presents its capabilities in tourism and service within an increasingly integrated world.

In recent years, Phu Quoc’s tourism indicators have clearly affirmed its appeal: millions of visitors annually, a rapidly growing international market, and a well-established reputation as a premier “resort island” across Asia, with expanding global recognition. Yet, this very momentum also raises new expectations—that international attention should not remain confined to peak seasons or coastal resort clusters, but evolve into sustained confidence in the destination.

APEC 2027 takes place at a time when global travel behavior has shifted significantly. Travelers may journey less frequently, but their expectations are higher. Destination choices are no longer defined solely by scenery, but by stability, service standards, environmental responsibility, and a sense of safety.

For Phu Quoc, this is a pivotal moment. Long-standing challenges—land management, construction order, marine environmental protection, and urban infrastructure—can no longer be addressed through short-term fixes. Instead, they must be approached with the rigor and discipline demanded by a global event of this scale.

APEC and the Opportunity to Elevate

APEC 2027 arrives at a moment when policy groundwork has been thoughtfully laid, with clear priorities and a defined roadmap for tourism development. Directives from the Government and the National Steering Committee on Tourism emphasize early preparation across infrastructure, services, and human resources—while aligning the event with Vietnam’s long-term tourism strategy for 2026–2030.

For Phu Quoc, this opens a broader horizon for MICE tourism, high-end resort experiences, and island–marine travel aligned with green standards. It is no coincidence that the destination views APEC as a catalyst to attract high-spending visitors, longer stays, and strategic investors. Once chosen to host APEC, a destination must operate as a true “conference city,” where services, mobility, technology, and human capital move in seamless coordination.

More importantly, APEC creates a constructive pressure for Phu Quoc to reassess its tourism product structure. Beyond resort offerings, the island needs cultural spaces with real depth, well-curated local experiences, and natural assets that are genuinely protected. That is how Phu Quoc can sustain its appeal beyond the event itself—rather than being remembered only during its occurrence.

At the national level, APEC 2027 is seen as an opportunity to present Vietnam in a cohesive, elevated light—from visa policy and transport infrastructure to cross-sector coordination in tourism promotion. Phu Quoc, with its position as an international air and sea gateway, becomes the clearest convergence point of these efforts.

With the right level of preparation, APEC 2027 can help Phu Quoc move beyond the familiar image of a pure resort destination to emerge as a comprehensive tourism–service hub of the region. In that sense, the true value of APEC lies not in the duration of the event, but in proving that Phu Quoc can consistently meet the most demanding global standards—with resilience, responsibility, and credibility.

Current developments in Phu Quoc reveal a dual trajectory. On one hand, there is strong investment in infrastructure and physical assets: connectivity corridors, hospitality capacity, and major airport and service projects are being launched or planned. On the other hand, governance is evolving—from reactive responses to more structured, process-driven solutions, including streamlined immigration procedures, improved urban management, and standardized service safety.

Physical achievements may create first impressions; governance quality determines whether those impressions endure. Central directives have clearly underscored the need for comprehensive preparation for APEC 2027—Phu Quoc must now translate these into measurable benchmarks across all ongoing developments.

For APEC to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy, three priorities stand out:
– Standardizing the visitor experience, with clear criteria for service quality control
– Preserving natural resources, with structured management of coastlines and coral ecosystems
– Strengthening human capacity, through international-standard training in MICE operations, security, and event diplomacy

When these three pillars are aligned, Phu Quoc can shift from being a destination that is merely “well-known” to one that is truly “trusted” on the regional map—and that is the enduring value APEC can deliver.

Comparisons with Da Nang, Bali (Indonesia), and Busan (South Korea)—all coastal destinations that have hosted APEC—offer practical lessons. Bali transformed its cultural identity and festivals into a resilient tourism economy through strong destination management and a diverse accommodation network. Da Nang leveraged its port, airport infrastructure, and supportive policies to rapidly grow its MICE segment. Busan focused on upgrading its seaport, logistics connectivity, and international events to extend its tourism season.

Phu Quoc is absorbing these lessons at its own pace—expanding air and maritime infrastructure, increasing high-end accommodation supply, while also facing mounting pressure to elevate environmental management, urban planning, and service standards to international levels before stepping into the global test of APEC.

Source: Văn Hóa Newspaper (baovanhoa.vn)