Vietnam plans to reclaim sea and build artificial islands off Phu Quoc
The project spans four clusters stretching from Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island and a major international tourism destination, to the coastal cities of Ha Tien and Rach Gia on the Gulf of Thailand.
Provincial leaders met with planning consultants on April 1 and directed departments to finalize zoning plans with the aim of beginning construction by 2027. The investment horizon extends to 2050.
An Giang was formed in mid-2025 from the merger of the former An Giang and Kien Giang provinces under a nationwide administrative restructuring, giving the new province control of a large part of Vietnam’s southwestern coastline.
The largest cluster, covering 2,300 hectares around Phu Quoc and the Tho Chau archipelago, is planned as an international-scale integrated entertainment zone with a free trade area, luxury resorts, amusement parks, golf courses and marine tourism facilities. Provincial authorities want it to become southern Vietnam’s primary gateway for international tourists.
A 1,100-hectare cluster around Rach Gia, the provincial capital, and the neighboring communes would serve as the Mekong Delta’s commercial and administrative hub, connecting the mainland to the province’s islands. Development plans call for a green, modern, mixed-use urban model. The area has some precedent for this type of work, as Rach Gia launched Vietnam’s first sea reclamation project in 1999.
A 900-hectare zone spanning Ha Tien, Kien Luong and Tien Hai island is positioned as a cultural heritage corridor, drawing on the region’s Vietnamese and Khmer traditions. Plans include ecotourism, performing arts venues, wellness facilities and community-based economic programs.
The remaining 200 hectares cover the Kien Hai islands, which sit in open water between Rach Gia and Phu Quoc. These are envisioned as a maritime transit hub within a broader western coastal tourism corridor.
Chairman of the An Giang People’s Committee Ho Van Mung said the planning process must prioritize green development, including renewable energy use and wastewater treatment. He also directed officials to begin recruiting strategic investors during the planning phase rather than waiting for construction to begin.
The plans come as An Giang positions tourism as a pillar of its post-merger economy. Phu Quoc, which has been designated a special development zone for tourism and maritime services, is preparing to host the APEC summit in 2027.
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