Vietnam: CAI to Develop Phu Quoc International Airport as Regional Aviation Hub

Why It Matters

The project will dramatically boost Vietnam’s air connectivity and tourism revenue while pioneering an integrated airport‑destination model for Southeast Asia.

Key Takeaways

• CAI partners with Sun Group to upgrade Phu Quoc Airport.
• Target capacity 24 million passengers, expandable to 50 million.
• Airport to become Vietnam’s first “airport destination” concept.
• New runway and Terminal 2 slated before APEC 2027 summit.
• Project aims to boost regional tourism and economic growth.

Pulse Analysis

Vietnam’s push to become a tourism gateway is gaining momentum with the CAI‑Sun Group partnership at Phu Quoc International Airport. The island, already drawing six million travelers in 2025, is set to benefit from a new runway and a state‑of‑the‑art Terminal 2, upgrades that align with the upcoming APEC 2027 summit. By leveraging CAI’s expertise from Singapore’s Changi Airport, the project aims to meet international service standards and expand capacity to 24 million passengers annually, positioning Phu Quoc as a strategic stopover in the Asia‑Pacific corridor.

The “airport destination” concept goes beyond traditional transit hubs, integrating retail, entertainment, and hospitality directly into the airport environment. This model, championed by Changi, creates a seamless travel experience that begins the moment passengers arrive, encouraging longer dwell times and higher ancillary spend. For Sun Group, whose portfolio includes resorts and entertainment complexes, the synergy promises cross‑selling opportunities and a unified brand experience that can attract higher‑value tourists and airline partners seeking differentiated services.

Economically, the development is poised to stimulate regional growth, generating construction jobs, boosting tourism‑related revenues, and enhancing Vietnam’s overall aviation market share. With a long‑term vision of handling up to 50 million passengers, Phu Quoc could rival other Southeast Asian hubs, encouraging airlines to add new routes and increasing competition. The partnership also serves as a template for future projects on Phan Thiet, Con Dao and Rach Gia, signaling a broader shift toward integrated airport‑destination ecosystems across the country.