PM Minh Chinh urges rapid, eco-friendly development of Phu Quoc to position it as a global and national tourism leader, highlighting its growth and potential.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasized the urgent need to elevate Phu Quoc Island into a leading global and Vietnamese tourist hotspot through rapid yet eco-friendly development strategies. In his address at a meeting dedicated to reviewing Phu Quoc Island’s development plan in Kien Giang’s Mekong Delta region on Sunday, the Prime Minister highlighted the island’s intrinsic capabilities and prospects for accelerated and ecological growth.
Chinh underscored Phu Quoc’s crucial significance, strategic position, and potential, acknowledging the introduction of various policies and frameworks in recent years aimed at boosting its progress. He noted the island’s increasing allure to both national and international stakeholders, its enhanced status and recognition, and the improvements made to its infrastructure.
However, Chinh also outlined the obstacles facing Phu Quoc’s fast-paced, sustainable growth, including the transition to a green, digital, knowledge-driven, and collaborative economy.
He stressed that Phu Quoc’s development is a national priority, given its importance to the economy, politics, social welfare, tourism, commerce, and national security. Chinh’s vision for Phu Quoc includes transforming it into a hub for premium eco-tourism, marine tourism, and making it a desirable living destination, thereby positioning Vietnam prominently on the international tourism scene.
He advocated for a focus on ecological sustainability, the embrace of scientific and technological innovation, digital and ecological shifts, ensuring that economic growth is balanced with social, cultural, and environmental preservation.
Further, Chinh detailed additional objectives for Phu Quoc, such as bolstering national defense and security, intensifying the fight against corruption and other detrimental activities, and advancing foreign relations and global integration.
He emphasized the imperative of advancing policy and institutional reforms, comprehensive infrastructure development, decentralization, cultural advancement, and garnering support from governmental bodies for Phu Quoc’s prosperity.
To achieve enduring progress, prioritizing environmental conservation is essential, Chinh remarked, encouraging Phu Quoc to enhance its competitive edge globally to attract more international investments.
Plans are underway by the government to craft a project and formulate appropriate directives for submission to relevant bodies, aimed at supporting Phu Quoc’s swift and enduring advancement.
The provincial People’s Committee has observed significant achievements over nearly two decades since the resolution’s implementation, with Phu Quoc maintaining an average annual economic growth rate of nearly 19.6%. The island’s state budget collection saw an increase of over 113% last year compared to 2004.
In the previous year, Phu Quoc secured 321 projects valued at over 412 trillion VND (approximately 16.61 billion USD), representing 42.8% of Kien Giang’s total projects. Tourist arrivals also surged from 130,000 in 2004 to about 5.57 million in 2023, including over 560,000 international visitors, accounting for 4.48% of Vietnam’s foreign tourists.
Tags: PM Pham Minh Chinh, Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc Tourism, Vietnam Tourism
