Vietnam's largest island Phu Quoc is building its first railway with stations showcasing country's tourism icons

Vietnam's largest island, Phu Quoc, is constructing its inaugural railway, featuring stations that embody the nation's prominent tourist attractions. The railway route extends from Phu Quoc International Airport to the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and the resort strip at the island's southern end, following the upgraded Provincial Road DT975, now widened to ten lanes.

Approximately 0.78 kilometers of the line will traverse above ground, while 14.81 kilometers will be at grade level and 2 kilometers will be underground. The train's speed is expected to range between 70 to 100 kilometers per hour, capable of accommodating roughly 4,500 passengers per hour. Five ground-level stations and an underground terminus will be built, with a journey from the airport projected to take around 18 to 20 minutes.

Each station has been designed to reflect a distinct region of Vietnam. The first station, Tay Bac, showcases beige and yellow hues, adorned with ceramic panels reminiscent of the rammed earth walls common in highland communities of northern Vietnam, complemented by pink trumpet trees and crape myrtles in its surroundings. The Hanoi station draws inspiration from the Old Quarter of the capital city, featuring paving and roof designs that mirror its architectural style.

The Hue station adopts deep red tones inspired by the imperial citadel, amidst a landscape of frangipani and flamboyant trees. The Tay Nguyen station echoes the rong communal houses and forests of the Central Highlands through stone tones and wood grain motifs. Sai Gon station incorporates curved arches, echoing the Saigon Central Post Office.

The underground terminus, Dao Ngoc, pays homage to Phu Quoc's nickname, the "Pearl Island," with its surface design drawing from the symbol of a carp transforming into a dragon, while the underground space reflects the island's fish sauce industry through white sea salt, silver fish, and lighting that simulates underwater movement.

The light rail project marks the first urban rail initiative in Vietnam to be financed by a private enterprise. Sun Group, a leading Vietnamese resort and infrastructure developer, is spearheading the construction of the first phase under a build-operate-transfer contract, with an estimated investment of nearly VND9 trillion ($342 million).

The completion of this initial phase is targeted for the second quarter of 2027. In January, Chinese manufacturer CRRC Dalian entered into a contract with Sun Group to fabricate 14 custom three-car trainsets tailored for the railway line. These sets are anticipated to arrive in Phu Quoc by January 2027. Sun Group has reported that all bored piles for the line's bridges have been completed, with the tunnel sections, stations, and roadbed currently under concurrent construction, with track laying set to commence in late August.

Phu Quoc, recently reclassified as a special zone under An Giang Province in Vietnam's 2025 administrative restructuring, is home to 21 government-designated APEC projects valued at VND137.138 trillion ($5.2 billion), encompassing an airport expansion and the convention center itself. Plans for a second phase of the light rail are underway, aiming to extend the railway system toward Duong Dong and An Thoi Port. Covering over 570 square kilometers, Phu Quoc remains Vietnam's largest island.