The conference is a forum gathering managers, experts, scientists, the business community and press agencies to contribute solutions to effectively promote opportunities from APEC 2027, build a foundation for sustainable development and enhance Phu Quoc's position and competitiveness in the new period.
Attending the workshop, on the side of An Giang province were Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc, Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee; Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, Vice Chairman of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People's Committee; Ms. Le Thi Pha Ca, Deputy Director of An Giang Provincial Department of Culture and Sports; along with representatives of departments, agencies, and branches of the province and Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone.
On the side of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper were Mr. Truong Thanh Trung, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Secretary of the Party Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, Head of the Conference Organizing Committee; Deputy Editors-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper including: Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Dang Khang and Tran Bao Trung.
The conference also had the participation of scientists and experts in the fields of economy, culture, tourism, green transformation and sustainable development; representatives of professional associations, business communities, economic groups, investors, and a large number of reporters from central and local press agencies.
Promoting comprehensive strength, raising Phu Quoc's position
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Mr. Truong Thanh Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Workshop emphasized: Phu Quoc being chosen to host many important activities of APEC 2027 High-Level Week not only carries the meaning of a foreign affairs event, but also opens up strategic opportunities for the locality to enhance its position in the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC 2027 is both an opportunity and a test for the development capacity, governance capacity and the ability to create social consensus of the locality, in successfully organizing an international event, transforming the resources mobilized in the preparation process into a long-term development driving force after APEC," Mr. Truong Thanh Trung emphasized.
The Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper also said that in the context of green transformation, digital transformation and increasingly fierce destination competition, Phu Quoc's attractiveness will not only be decided by the scale of investment or the accommodation system, but will increasingly depend on environmental quality, cultural identity, service quality, management capacity and community consensus. With that spirit, Dai Doan Ket Newspaper hopes that the conference will become a real dialogue forum between managers, scientists, businesses and press agencies to jointly seek solutions to develop Phu Quoc in a sustainable, modern and internationally integrated direction.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc, Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee, assessed that the international conference chaired by Dai Doan Ket Newspaper is the largest scale APEC 2027 conference held in Phu Quoc, gathering a large number of managers, experts, scientists, businesses and press agencies to exchange and contribute ideas for the preparation process of APEC 2027 High-Level Week.
Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee emphasized that Vietnam's hosting of APEC Year 2027 is a particularly important event, opening up opportunities to promote the country's image, promote international cooperation and create new development momentum for the locality. For Phu Quoc, APEC 2027 is an opportunity to enhance the position of a leading sea and island tourist destination, thereby introducing to international friends the unique values of nature, culture and people, thereby attracting more resources for development.
According to Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc, Phu Quoc's development in the new period needs to ensure harmony between economic growth and conservation of natural resources, preservation of cultural identity and environmental protection. He believes that the values of marine and island ecosystems, natural landscapes and local cultural identity will create a competitive advantage and unique appeal of Phu Quoc in the context of increasingly developed tourism and increasingly deep international integration.
The Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee affirmed that in the coming time, the province will continue to invest in completing infrastructure, improving service quality, improving the investment environment, and at the same time focusing on environmental protection, preserving traditional cultural values and developing tourism in a green and sustainable direction.
The province also wishes to continue to receive the companionship, experience sharing and advice from experts, scientists, and the business community to jointly build Phu Quoc into an attractive, civilized, and friendly destination, meeting development requirements in the new period and the preparation process for APEC 2027 Summit Week," Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc emphasized.
Overview of the international conference "APEC 2027 - Raising the level of cultural and tourism development in Phu Quoc". Photo: Quang Vinh.
Suggesting many strategic solutions for Phu Quoc
Presenting a presentation on the topic "Ready for sea and island urban infrastructure and activating special mechanisms to take Phu Quoc off with the APEC 2027 foreign affairs milestone", Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, Vice Chairwoman of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People's Committee (An Giang province) said: the locality is focusing on synchronously deploying key infrastructure projects, from transportation systems, airports, convention centers to urban infrastructure and digital infrastructure, ensuring the progress of serving APEC 2027 High-Level Week.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, Vice Chairwoman of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People's Committee (An Giang province) spoke at the workshop. Photo: Quang Vinh.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, preparing for APEC 2027 is not only building works to serve an international event, but more importantly, creating a long-term development foundation for Phu Quoc. Besides investing in modern infrastructure, the locality wishes to continue to improve and effectively operate specific mechanisms and policies to maximize the advantages of geostrategic location, marine economy, international tourism and attract high-quality investment capital flows.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. - Journalist Nguyen Dang Khang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, said: APEC 2027 is an opportunity for Phu Quoc to affirm its position as a sea and island tourism center, and at the same time become an important milestone to elevate the local image to become a symbol of international integration, a cultural, economic and foreign exchange center of the region.
According to Dr. - Journalist Nguyen Dang Khang, in the context of increasingly fierce competition between destinations, the media needs to shift from the thinking of "promoting destinations" to "creating social image", taking people, culture, green development and people-to-people diplomacy as the foundation for building the Phu Quoc brand.
Dr. - Journalist Nguyen Dang Khang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, spoke at the workshop. Photo: Quang Vinh.
The success of APEC 2027 cannot be measured only by infrastructure or organizational scale; a more important measure is the good impressions, positive experiences and the trust of international friends in the land and people of Vietnam," emphasized Dr. - Journalist Nguyen Dang Khang.
Speaking about the international standard integrated (all-in-one) tourism complex model, Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, Director of Vinpearl Hotel Chain (Vingroup Group) said that APEC 2027 brings an opportunity to affirm Phu Quoc's position on the international tourism map, while creating conditions to form regionally competitive tourism ecosystems.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, Director of Vinpearl Hotel Chain (Vingroup) spoke at the conference. Photo: Quang Vinh.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, as one of the strategic investors in Phu Quoc, Vingroup has been and is developing a large-scale integrated tourism - resort - entertainment ecosystem, contributing to improving accommodation capacity, expanding experience space, developing MICE tourism and increasing the ability to attract international events. This is an important foundation to extend stay time, increase spending and enhance Phu Quoc's attractiveness to international tourists.
Representatives of Vingroup affirmed that the business will continue to accompany the locality in investing in high-quality products and services, strengthening connections with international markets and contributing to making Phu Quoc a regional-scale tourism, resort and event center, effectively promoting the opportunities that APEC 2027 brings.
Delegates exchange views on the sidelines of the workshop on solutions to promote cultural and tourism development in Phu Quoc in a sustainable, modern and internationally integrated direction. Photo by Quang Vinh.
Mr. Nguyen Vu Khac Huy, Chairman of An Giang Tourism Association, said that in the context of competition between destinations increasingly based on experience and identity, culture needs to be positioned as a strategic resource for tourism development. According to him, Phu Quoc possesses many unique sea and island cultural values but has not yet been exploited commensurately to create tourism products with depth and unique brands.
Mr. Nguyen Vu Khac Huy proposed to take culture as the foundation, people as the subject and tourism as the means of development; and at the same time promote the preservation and promotion of local identity associated with green tourism development, towards building Phu Quoc into a sea and island destination with strong identity and international competitiveness in the post-APEC 2027 period.
Mr. Nguyen Vu Khac Huy, Chairman of An Giang Tourism Association, spoke at the conference. Photo: Quang Vinh.
Mr. La Vinh Nam, Deputy Business Director of Sun Phu Quoc Airways (Sun Group) said that to transform opportunities from APEC 2027 into long-term competitive advantages, Phu Quoc needs to synchronously develop aviation and logistics connectivity infrastructure, aiming to become Vietnam's new international gateway in the APEC economic space.
Mr. La Vinh Nam, Deputy Sales Director of Sun PhuQuoc Airways (Sun Group) spoke at the seminar. Photo: Quang Vinh.
Mr. La Vinh Nam proposed accelerating investment in aviation and logistics infrastructure, expanding the international air route network directly connected to APEC member economies, and developing a modern logistics ecosystem, strengthening links between aviation, tourism, logistics and seaports. According to him, these are fundamental solutions to make Phu Quoc a Destination Hub - a connecting center led by the attractiveness of the destination itself, thereby attracting international tourists, investment and trade.
Sun Phu Quoc Airways is committed to playing a pioneering role in this process - not only as a transportation company, but as a strategic partner in creating connectivity infrastructure, opening new flight networks, developing aviation logistics and together with stakeholders building Phu Quoc into a true aviation and logistics connectivity center of the region," Mr. La Vinh Nam emphasized.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Quang Vinh - Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Standing Vice Chairman - Secretary General of the Vietnam Green Transformation Association (VGA) spoke at the workshop. Photo: Quang Vinh.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Quang Vinh, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Standing Vice Chairman - Secretary General of the Vietnam Green Transformation Association, said that in the context of the green economy becoming a global trend, green transformation will be a decisive factor in the competitiveness of destinations in the future. With advantages in marine and island resources, modern infrastructure and international tourism brands, Phu Quoc has enough conditions to become a model of green marine and island city of Vietnam.
To realize this goal, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Quang Vinh proposed synchronously implementing 5 key groups of solutions including: developing green infrastructure, green energy, environmental protection and circular economy, promoting green tourism, and at the same time promoting digital transformation associated with building a smart island model. According to him, this will be an important foundation to improve Phu Quoc's competitiveness and sustainable development in the post-APEC 2027 period.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dieu, Director of Dong Noi Phu Quoc Co., Ltd. spoke at the seminar. Photo: Quang Vinh.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dieu, Director of Dong Noi Phu Quoc Co., Ltd., said that cruise tourism is becoming one of the fastest growing segments of the global tourism industry, creating a strong spillover effect to many fields such as aviation, logistics, accommodation, commerce and services. With a strategic location in the center of the Gulf of Thailand and advantages in tourism and international connectivity, Phu Quoc has great potential to develop into a cruise tourism center of the region.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dieu, to effectively exploit this potential, Phu Quoc needs to orient its development from a port of call destination to a homeport for international voyages. This is a strategic solution to improve competitiveness, attract high-quality international visitors and create momentum for sustainable marine economic development in the post-APEC 2027 period.
Delegates exchanged views at the roundtable discussion session, proposing many solutions to unlock investment resources, develop green tourism and enhance Phu Quoc's international position. Photo: Quang Vinh.
At the roundtable discussion session, experts and business representatives focused on exchanging solutions to improve Phu Quoc's competitiveness in the current period. The opinions unanimously agreed that, in order to transform opportunities from APEC into a long-term development driving force, Phu Quoc needs to simultaneously invest in modern infrastructure, develop differentiated tourism products, preserve indigenous cultural values and promote green and sustainable development.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, Director of Vinpearl Hotel Chain, Vingroup Group, said: the "All-in-one" integrated tourism model will create conditions for tourists to have more experiences on the same journey. However, to create long-term competitive advantages, Phu Quoc needs to continuously innovate tourism products, develop international events, cultural festivals, entertainment products and diverse culinary and resort experiences; and constantly improve service standards to bring unexpected experiences, thereby encouraging tourists to return many times.
Ms. Tran Nguyen, Deputy General Director of Entertainment and Resort Block, Sun Group: shared experiences from APEC 2017 High-Level Week in Da Nang and said that APEC 2027 will be a milestone to bring Phu Quoc into a new stage of development. According to her, APEC-oriented projects need to be invested with a long-term vision, not only meeting the requirements of organizing international events but also becoming a platform for MICE tourism development, cultural and artistic products of international stature, contributing to making Phu Quoc a leading meeting and resort destination in the region.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council, said: APEC 2027 is an important "test" for Vietnam's development capacity in the new period. According to him, in the context of the country aiming for high growth, green economic development, digital economy and improving national competitiveness, Phu Quoc is not only the host of an international event but also a space to realize Vietnam's development aspirations.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien emphasized that to create a Phu Quoc of international stature, there need to be sufficient breakthrough mechanisms and different approaches. Investment in Phu Quoc should not only stop at projects serving APEC 2027, but must aim to create a tourism, service and marine economy center with international competitiveness, capable of being on par with leading destinations in the region and in the world. That is not only a short-term requirement but also a strategic task, associated with the country's long-term development vision.
Mr. Nicky Kwok, Business Development Director for Southeast Asia, Resort Tourism - Visiting Tickets & Tours of Trip.com, assessed: Phu Quoc is possessing many advantages to become an international-class destination with a diverse tourism ecosystem, unique natural landscapes and many large-scale entertainment products, creating attraction for international tourists.
Expanding air connectivity will play an important role in increasing the accessibility of tourists to Phu Quoc. Mr. Nicky Kwok also highly appreciated Sun Group's efforts in investing in developing the tourism ecosystem and expanding air connectivity capacity, thereby contributing to improving competitiveness, attracting more international tourists and gradually making Phu Quoc a regional and world-class destination.
Experts, managers and businesses exchange at the roundtable discussion session. Photo: Quang Vinh.
Raising the level of cultural and tourism development in Phu Quoc
Speaking at the summary and closing of the conference, Journalist Truong Thanh Trung, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Secretary of the Party Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, Head of the Conference Organizing Committee, highly appreciated the serious and responsible working spirit along with the heartfelt opinions of managers, experts, scientists, the business community and press agencies. According to the Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, the outstanding value of the conference lies not only in the number of papers or shared opinions, but more importantly, it has created a multi-dimensional dialogue forum, contributing to clarifying the opportunities, challenges and development requirements of Phu Quoc in the preparation phase for APEC 2027 Summit Week.
The Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper said that the opinions at the workshop agreed on the understanding of three core issues: APEC 2027 is an important opportunity for Phu Quoc to enhance its position and expand its development space; the competitiveness of Pearl Island in the future needs to be built on the foundation of the environment, cultural identity, service quality, human resources and management efficiency; at the same time, sustainable development requires the joint efforts of the government, businesses, scientists, media agencies and local people.
Emphasizing the value of the forum, Journalist Truong Thanh Trung affirmed that the Organizing Committee will fully absorb and summarize the presentations, opinions and recommendations to report to competent authorities, and at the same time continue to spread the results of the conference. With the role of the mouthpiece of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Dai Doan Ket Newspaper will continue to accompany the development goals of the country and localities, promote the connecting role between development subjects, contributing to creating social consensus on strategic issues raised in the Phu Quoc development process.
Closing the workshop, the Editor-in-Chief of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper expressed his belief that the initiatives, recommendations and experiences shared at the forum will continue to be researched, completed and transformed into specific practical solutions, contributing to APEC 2027 not only being an important foreign affairs event but also becoming a driving force to build a foundation for long-term, sustainable development and enhance Phu Quoc's position in the region.
