Sea and Island Urban, Tourism
The General Planning of Phu Quoc City to 2040 inherits the previous planning, ensuring the ability to meet development needs, especially in upgrading Tho Chau Island (Tho Chu) into a separate island district.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nghi – Minister of Construction, handing over the Prime Minister’s decision to approve the General Planning of Phu Quoc City to 2040 to local leaders (Photo: N.Huy).
The planning sets goals to develop Phu Quoc City into a maritime urban area, a high-quality tourism and resort center, attracting domestic and international tourists; it will be a Class I urban area; a regional and international commercial and service center …
With that goal, the planning aims to have more than 9,900 hectares of urban land by 2030 (an increase of more than 4,300 hectares compared to the present); and this will increase to 14,700 hectares by 2040. The development will be focused on multiple centers, urban chains, with 13 development areas such as Duong Dong, Bai Truong, Bai Ong Lang – Cua Can, Bai Vong, Bai Sao, An Thoi …
It is worth noting that in terms of transportation, the local authorities will expand the Phu Quoc International Airport by 2030 to reach a capacity of 10 million passengers per year (currently only 4 million passengers per year), and then increase it to 18 million passengers per year (linked to the duty-free zone); invest in and upgrade some seaports to accommodate large ships, international tourist ships approaching the island; invest in completing the transportation system around the island …
In terms of cultural, sports, and entertainment facilities, investments will be made in golf courses (Bai Ong Lon – Cua Can area, Bai Khem – Mui Ong Doi area, and the western coastal area); horse racing track (Duong To commune); casinos, water sports … In addition, more hospitals and schools will be invested in …
Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi requested local authorities to protect the forest and the ecological environment of Phu Quoc’s coast (Photo: N.Huy).
New Vision and Expectations
At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nghi – Minister of Construction, revealed that Phu Quoc’s annual total budget revenue reaches more than 7,000 billion VND, an increase of 260 times compared to 2004, accounting for nearly 50% of the provincial budget revenue of Kien Giang. However, Phu Quoc City has also exposed existing problems that need to be adjusted such as the disproportionate development to its potential and advantages; unstable and unsustainable growth; the role of Phu Quoc City as a dynamic center and its ripple effect on the development of the province and the region is not as expected …
Planning for Phu Quoc to become a high-quality maritime urban center.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi believes that this planning is a legal basis for development and attracting investment in Phu Quoc. The implementation of the planning must ensure the viewpoints, principles, goals, characteristics, and compliance with the approved architectural and landscape development orientation by the Prime Minister. Localities need to review, adjust, and approve detailed zoning plans and urban design.
“The implementation process of the new planning announced today needs to strictly protect the forest area, natural rivers and streams, coastal areas… in accordance with regulations. Kien Giang needs to focus on studying and proposing the most appropriate mechanisms and policies to mobilize and use financial resources for the most sustainable and harmonious investment in Phu Quoc City, balancing economic development and environmental protection, and ensuring national defense and security,” said Mr. Nghi.
Planning for the future development areas of Phu Quoc.
Regarding the planning of Phu Quoc, the Prime Minister assigned the People’s Committee of Kien Giang province to be responsible for reviewing and evaluating investment projects, urban areas, and residential areas in accordance with regulations, ensuring no legalization of improper projects (if any). Local authorities need to review and adjust approved projects or investment decisions based on the new planning; if the projects are not suitable, they need to clarify and handle them according to the jurisdiction and current regulations, not to legalize projects with wrongdoings. Projects and works that are being reviewed, processed based on inspection conclusions, audit, investigation, and enforcement of judgments (if any) can only be continued when all the conclusions, recommendations, and approvals of the competent authorities have been completed …
Kien Giang province is also responsible for building mechanisms and policies related to investment, finance, and land to implement priority investment projects.
Mr. Huynh Quang Hung – Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc City pledged to make every effort, coordinate with authorities at all levels to awaken the potential and advantages, mobilize resources, and build a healthy investment environment for Phu Quoc City. The city promises to manage the planning well and strive in all aspects to develop the local area sustainably in the new period.
