Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam's Largest, Gets First Railway Showcasing Tourism Icons

The construction of Phu Quoc Island's first railway is underway, marking a significant infrastructure development for Vietnam's largest island. The line will connect Phu Quoc International Airport to the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and resort areas in the south of the island. The route, following Provincial Road DT975, features a mix of elevated, at-grade, and underground sections, designed for speeds of 70 to 100 kph with a capacity of approximately 4,500 passengers per hour. Travel time from the airport is projected to be 18 to 20 minutes. A unique aspect of the project is the thematic design of its five ground-level stations and one underground terminus, each inspired by iconic Vietnamese tourism destinations and cultural elements. The Tay Bac station evokes the rammed earth walls of northern highland communities, while the Hanoi station draws inspiration from the capital's Old Quarter. Hue station reflects the imperial citadel with deep red tones, and Tay Nguyen station references the Central Highlands' rong communal houses. Saigon station features curved arches reminiscent of the Saigon Central Post Office. The underground Dao Ngoc station, named after Phu Quoc's nickname 'Pearl Island,' incorporates folk imagery and elements of the island's fish sauce industry. This urban rail project is the first in Vietnam to be financed by a private company. Sun Group, a leading resort and infrastructure developer, is undertaking phase one under a build-operate-transfer contract, with a total investment of nearly VND9 trillion (US$342 million). The project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027. Chinese manufacturer CRRC Dalian has been contracted to build 14 custom three-car trainsets, with the first expected to arrive in Phu Quoc in January 2027. Sun Group reports that all bored piles for the line's bridges are complete, with tunnel sections, stations, and the roadbed under simultaneous construction. Track laying is slated to commence in late August. Phu Quoc, reclassified as a special zone under An Giang Province in Vietnam's 2025 administrative overhaul, is the site of 21 government-designated APEC projects worth VND137.138 trillion ($5.2 billion), including an airport expansion and the convention center itself. A second phase of the light rail is under study for extension toward Duong Dong and An Thoi Port. Covering more than 570 square kilometers, Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island. Source: VnExpress International