On February 29, in Phu Quoc City, the Kiên Giang Provincial People’s Committee coordinated with the Ministry of Construction to organize a conference to announce the general planning of Phu Quoc City, Kiên Giang Province by 2040, according to Decision 150 dated February 6, 2024 by the Prime Minister.
An exceptional island urban area
In 2004, the Prime Minister approved the comprehensive development plan for Phu Quoc Island. Many subsequent documents have identified the vision, orientation, mechanisms, and specific policies that have contributed to the impressive development of the “pearl island” Phu Quoc.
The Prime Minister affirmed the construction of a high-quality tourism and resort service center, with its own unique characteristics and attractiveness to tourists. The Prime Minister approved the master plan for Phu Quoc City by 2040. Accordingly, Phu Quoc will become a type 1 urban area, developed according to a multi-center model, forming a series of concentrated urban areas with 13 development zones, opening up a new phase, new vision, and new expectations for the island city.
A corner of Phu Quoc City
The planning will cover the entire natural area of Phu Quoc City, with a total area of 589.27 km2, including 2 wards (Duong Dong, An Thoi), 7 communes (Cua Can, Ganh Dau, Bai Thom, Ham Ninh, Cua Duong, Duong To, Tho Chau), and construction areas on the sea in the North and South of the island.
Phu Quoc City is defined as a smart city with a high-quality living environment, energy-saving, and climate change adaptation. It is forecasted that by 2030, the urban population will be about 400,000 people, including 255,000 official residents and other population components such as tourists, workers, etc. By 2040, the urban population will be about 680,000 people, including 430,000 official residents.
Speaking at the conference to announce the general planning of Phu Quoc City, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghị affirmed that the construction and development of Phu Quoc City is one of the most important political tasks that have been identified from the earliest days.
According to Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghị, the general planning of Phu Quoc Island was first approved by the Prime Minister in 2005. By 2010, the Prime Minister approved the adjustment of the general planning for the construction of Phu Quoc Island until 2030. “After more than 13 years of planning implementation, Phu Quoc has become one of the most attractive and dynamic cities in the southwestern region with synchronized infrastructure, a more and more beautiful and modern urban appearance with many iconic architectural works. Especially, the economic and social growth has increased 260 times compared to the period before 2010” – Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghị stated.
Many expectations
To implement and maximize the effectiveness of the general planning of Phu Quoc City, Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghị requested local authorities to focus on researching, proposing, and developing specific mechanisms and policies, mobilizing and using the most appropriate financial resources, from which to invest in sustainable development and harmonize economic development with environmental protection and national security.
The Minister emphasized that the goal of the planning is to achieve sustainable development, and people’s lives and incomes in Phu Quoc must be better than before. Kiên Giang Province and Phu Quoc City must pay attention to ensuring the balance of interests between the state, the people, and the businesses.
Minister of Construction handing over the decision to local leaders
Regarding the responsibilities and actions of the local authorities after the plan is approved, Mr. Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc City, said that Phu Quoc, from an administrative unit at the district level with a dominant agricultural economy and little-known, has now become a tourist and resort destination on the world tourism map. The economy of Phu Quoc has also developed in the direction of commercial and service industries, with tourism as the focus and main area. The agriculture and industry sectors play a complementary role. “At present, the province and the city are concentrating resources to meet the standards for upgrading to a type 1 urban area before 2025. The city is committed to making every effort, coordinating with all levels of government to awaken the potential, advantages, mobilize resources, and build a healthy investment environment” – Mr. Hung said.
The conference to announce the general planning of Phu Quoc City by 2040 is an issue of special concern for the residents and businesses on the island. Mr. Huynh Anh Khai, a native of the “pearl island” who has witnessed the entire process of transformation of the island city, expressed great confidence in the feasibility of the plan. “Having witnessed what has happened, I have absolute confidence that Phu Quoc will be very different in the future when the general planning is implemented” – Mr. Khai said excitedly.
Many businesses investing in Phu Quoc also believe in the bright future of the “pearl island”. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Truong, the owner of a tourism-related business, the conference to announce the general planning of Phu Quoc City by 2040 opens up many hopes for the business community. This businessman asserted that together with other businesses, he would accompany the local authorities to develop Phu Quoc’s economy to new heights.
In recent years, Phu Quoc’s socio-economic situation has made remarkable progress and accounts for nearly 50% of the provincial budget revenue. The average per capita income of the city is currently over $3,100, more than 20 times higher than 10 years ago.
