Sun Group subsidiary okayed as investor of Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project

Sun Airport Corporation, a subsidiary of Sun Group, has been approved as investor of the Phu Quoc International Airport expansion project in southern Vietnam.

The upgrade aims to serve the APEC summit that will take place in Phu Quoc in 2027 and bolster the long-term development of the island as a top tourist attraction.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The approval of Kien Giang province's authorities was based on a proposal by Sun Group, a leading property developer in Vietnam and the investor of Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh province.

The VND21,998 billion (nearly $842 million) project will be executed over two phases, from 2025 to 2027 and from 2027 to 2030.

Speaking at a Thursday ceremony announcing investor approvals for APEC-related projects, including Sun Group's, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Chairman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee, said that these strategic and vital projects will ensure the infrastructure necessary to serve APEC, with a substantial total investment.

"They also represent foundational and driving forces that will play a long-term role in shaping the development, connectivity, and integration landscape of Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, and Vietnam as a whole," he added.

The leader also affirmed Kien Giang's commitment to accompany Sun Group throughout the project implementation to ensure that construction progress and quality align with the Government’s directives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bui Thanh Trung, chairman of Sun Group Southern Region, said that with its experience in transport infrastructure development, the group is "committed to applying the highest standards of quality, speed, and technology to build a modern, smart, and eco-friendly airport worthy of being the international gateway to Phu Quoc."

“This project is more than a piece of transport infrastructure. It is a new symbol, a launching pad that will propel Phu Quoc to become a global hub for ecology, luxury tourism, finance, and innovation beyond APEC 2027."

Sun Group has only 18 months left to bring the project to completion. According to the approved plan, the airport will be upgraded to a 4E rating under ICAO standards. This will enable it to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 747, 787, and Airbus A350.

The expansion will cover a total area of 1,050 hectares, increasing annual capacity to 20 million passengers which is 4.5 times higher than the current capacity.

The runway system will be upgraded to include an extended Runway 1 and a newly constructed Runway 2, measuring 3,500 meters and 3,300 meters respectively.

This will ensure the safe operation of wide-body aircraft under all weather conditions. The apron system will also be expanded to more than 100 aircraft parking stands, including 45 dedicated for wide-body aircraft, with modern jet bridge systems integrated.

Phu Quoc International Airport is envisioned as a new symbol of architectural and technological advancement in Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure. The airport’s Terminal T2 is designed by internationally renowned firm CPG Singapore, under the leadership of architect Steven Thor, executive vice president of CPG Consultants.

Inspired by the image of the phoenix – a bird symbolizing power and noble beauty – the terminal’s design embodies elegance and strength.

What sets this project apart is its integration of world-leading smart operation technologies, including remote check-in, automated baggage sorting, and biometric identification systems that reduce check-in time to just 15-20 seconds per passenger.

In addition, a new VIP terminal will be constructed to meet the highest standards of security, ceremonial protocol, and comfort. It is tailored to the needs of high-profile international events, including the APEC 2027 summit.

Currently, Phu Quoc International Airport is the key air gateway to Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island. However, the existing infrastructure is operating beyond its designed capacity, particularly during peak tourism seasons.

In response to this situation, the Government on June 1, 2025 issued Resolution No. 01/2025/NQ-CP, approving the airport expansion and authorizing the Kien Giang People’s Committee to select a qualified investor and oversee the implementation.

Previously, Sun Group had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction to research and invest in the expansion of the airport. The group has proven experience in aviation infrastructure, having successfully developed Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh under a similar model.

Van Don in Quang Ninh - home to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognized natural heritage site, is the first and the only privately-invested airport in Vietnam to date.

More recently, Sun Group received government approval to establish Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a new airline that will link the island to economic hubs across Vietnam and the world.