Tiếng Việt
From July 1, 2025, Phu Quoc officially became a special zone under An Giang province, marking a historic milestone that ushers in an era of robust development. This transformation not only changes the island’s administrative status but also creates golden opportunities, positioning Phu Quoc as a premier international maritime tourism destination.
This decision establishes Phu Quoc as one of three special zones within An Giang province, affirming the locality’s pioneering role in Vietnam’s specialized administrative management model.
MAIN CONTENTS
Revolutionary Management Model: Foundation for Tourism Development
As a special zone, Phu Quoc will implement a new management model that is more flexible and efficient. There are currently proposals to divide it into two separate special zones to optimize potential:
Phu Quoc Special Zone: Focused on developing high-end beach resorts and bustling commercial centers, delivering luxurious hospitality experiences.
Tho Chau Special Zone: Oriented toward specialized eco-tourism, preserving pristine nature, ideal for travelers who love exploration and immersion in natural environments.
A dedicated leadership team alongside the special zone’s own police force will ensure absolute security and safety, providing peace of mind for all tourism activities and investments on the island.
Special Policies: Unique Highlights of Pearl Island
Corona Casino Phu Quoc – Exclusive Entertainment Advantage
One of the most prominent policies for Phu Quoc’s tourism industry is the continued permission for Vietnamese citizens to enter casinos after the pilot period. Currently, Phu Quoc proudly houses Corona Casino Phu Quoc – Vietnam’s first and only legal casino allowing Vietnamese citizens (meeting specified requirements) to participate.
Why should tourists choose Corona Casino Phu Quoc?
Exclusivity: This is the only destination in Vietnam offering international-standard casino entertainment experiences for Vietnamese people in their homeland.
Luxurious Experience: Located within the Corona Resort & Casino Phu Quoc complex at Bai Dai, Ganh Dau, the casino features modern facilities, diverse games including Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack, and Slots, alongside professional services, promising vibrant and sophisticated entertainment moments.
Tourist Attraction: This policy not only strongly attracts domestic tourists but also creates a “reverse tourism” effect, with many overseas Vietnamese choosing Phu Quoc as their destination combining vacation and entertainment.
Policy Mechanisms Supporting Tourism Development
Phu Quoc is researching the implementation of special preferential policies regarding investment, flexible financing, and talent attraction. These initiatives will promote the development of high-end hospitality services, providing tourists with more quality options in the future.
Comprehensive Tourism Development Enhancement
With special zone status, Phu Quoc will have numerous advantages to:
Attract International Investment: Opening opportunities for world-leading tourism corporations to develop luxurious resort projects.
Expand Aviation Connectivity: Strengthening direct flight routes from major cities worldwide, making travel to Phu Quoc easier and more convenient.
Enhance Service Quality: The entire tourism service chain, from hotels to Phu Quoc transportation services, will be elevated to international standards.
Synchronized Infrastructure Serving Tourists
Becoming a special zone will strongly promote infrastructure investment:
Modern Phu Quoc T2 Airport: The airport upgrade project with T2 terminal will increase capacity to 20 million passengers annually, capable of accommodating the largest aircraft types and expanding direct international routes, facilitating easier island access for tourists.
Convenient Transportation System: The 26.6km coastal road project will connect all of Phu Quoc’s top beautiful beaches into a tourism pearl chain, offering stunning scenic routes. Plans such as an elevated railway from the airport to An Thoi are under consideration, promising to reduce travel time and create unique experiences for tourists to view the entire island from above.
Public Utility Assurance: The freshwater scarcity issue, previously the greatest challenge, is being thoroughly addressed. Two new water reservoir projects (Duong Dong Lake 2 and Cua Can Lake) with a total capacity of 85,000 m³ of clean water daily will ensure stable, high-quality water supply meeting WHO standards for approximately 300,000 permanent residents and 2-3 million tourists annually, adequately serving high-end Phu Quoc resorts and international hospitals.
Positive Community and Environmental Impact
High-Quality Employment and Enhanced Living Standards
Phu Quoc is transforming from an agricultural economy to high-end tourism services, creating thousands of attractive job opportunities. Fishermen can transition to tourism sectors as maritime tour captains, ecological guides, or operators of local specialty food services and private car rental services with better income levels. New professions in resort management, tourism communications, and casino operations also provide numerous professional employment options.
Additionally, Phu Quoc residents will benefit from modern healthcare systems (An Thoi International Hospital, Vinmec Phu Quoc), diverse education (international schools, specialized tourism vocational training), and a cleaner living environment.
Sustainable Marine Environmental Protection
Protecting Phu Quoc’s marine island environment is absolutely essential. Improving air quality, clean water, and waste treatment systems will directly enhance living quality for residents and tourists. When marine ecosystems are preserved, the lives of local people connected to the sea will become more stable and prosperous. Phu Quoc is moving toward a “green tourism” model and establishing strict conservation zones for sustainable development.
| Learn more: How Important Are Coral Reefs?
Challenges and Future Vision
Phu Quoc needs to balance economic development speed with protecting its unique ecological environment. Ensuring service quality, effectively managing tourist flow, and controlling prices will be priorities to maintain attractiveness.
With a vision toward 2050, Phu Quoc aims to become Southeast Asia’s leading international tourism center, a modern ecological city, and an important marine economic center for Vietnam, pioneering sustainable development models.
Phu Quoc’s transformation into a special zone represents a historic opportunity for the “pearl island” to achieve remarkable breakthroughs. With special policies, infrastructure investment, and community support, Phu Quoc has the complete potential to become one of the region’s most attractive tourism destinations.
Success will come when Phu Quoc maintains balance between economic development and environmental protection, between attracting investment and preserving cultural identity. This is an opportunity for Phu Quoc to become a sustainable tourism model for other localities.
Are you ready to explore the exciting changes and opportunities in Phu Quoc Special Zone?
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