The 17.5km Phu Quoc light rail connecting the airport to the APEC conference center targets June 2027 trials. Sun Group reports 28.7% disbursement on its $342 million BOT project, with 600 workers on site despite geological and rainfall challenges.
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The 17.5-kilometer Phu Quoc light rail project is accelerating construction, targeting trial operations in June 2027 ahead of that year's APEC Economic Leaders' Week. The line will connect the island's international airport with the APEC International Conference and Exhibition Center in the south.
The project, developed by Sun Group under a build-operate-transfer model, carries a total investment of nearly VND9 trillion ($342 million). Construction started in late 2025. Disbursement has reached about VND1.8 trillion, or 28.7% of total investment, the investor said.
Contractors are working three major components: bridges, tunnels and the roadbed. For the bridge component, all bored piles for the foundations are finished. Pier foundation construction has reached about 63%, while pier construction stands at 56%. Once the substructures and piers are done, contractors will move to the bridge superstructure, then to installation of rails, power supply, signaling and operational equipment.
Progress on the roadbed is further along. Excavation has reached about 97%, with sand filling also at 97%. Earth filling is at roughly 79%. Once the roadbed is considerably complete, contractors will proceed with pavement structures and technical infrastructure, subject to stable material supply.
Nearly 600 engineers, supervisors and workers are deployed at the site across three shifts per day, Sun Group said. Under the current schedule, ground-level rail installation begins in late August. Elevated sections and tunnels start in October. The first trains are expected to arrive in Phu Quoc in January and February 2027 for equipment installation and testing prep.
If the schedule holds, trial operation would start in June 2027, with commercial operation in August.
Geological and weather challenges
Construction has faced difficulties from the island's geology and heavy seasonal rainfall. During the rainy season, several roadbed sections -- particularly those along road medians -- are frequently flooded. This has complicated drainage and construction arrangements.
At Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2, hard soil and rock layers prevented use of the Larsen steel sheet piling method in the original design. Contractors switched to an open excavation method. The approach has increased the risk of slope instability on both sides of the tunnels, while rainwater often accumulates in the excavated areas. Teams have had to maintain continuous pumping and manage soil erosion.
The project also crosses existing technical infrastructure, including power lines and the city's main water supply pipeline, requiring extra coordination during construction.
APEC-linked timeline
The LRT is one of several transport projects being accelerated for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2027, which Phu Quoc is scheduled to host. Other major projects, including provincial road DT.975 and APEC Boulevard, target completion before April 30, 2027.
Once operational, the LRT is expected to cut travel time between the airport and the island's southern area to about 20 minutes. The line will also provide an additional public transport option for residents and visitors during international events.
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