HURC1 to leverage Metro Line 1 experience for Phu Quoc LRT

HCMC Urban Railway Company No. 1, HURC1, has teamed up with real estate and infrastructure developer Sun Group to assist with the development of Phu Quoc's light rail transit (LRT) system. The agreement was signed on August 12 in Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province. HURC1, the state-owned operator of Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, will offer technical guidance in operations, maintenance, staff training, and trial runs to ensure the island's first LRT system runs smoothly.

The partnership aims to create a modern public transit network ahead of the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders Week and meet long-term transportation needs for residents and tourists alike. HURC1 will send a team of seasoned experts, engineers, and operational staff to lead advisory and training programs. The two companies will also work together on local recruitment and workforce development to run the line.

Sun Group is developing the Phu Quoc LRT system using a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The three-car trains will be eco-friendly, with a design speed of 70 to 100 km/h and a capacity to carry 4,500 passengers per hour. The LRT will connect Phu Quoc International Airport with the southern district and the APEC Convention Center, cutting travel time across the route to about 20 minutes.

By early August 2026, project disbursements had totaled around VND1.8 trillion (US$69 million). Construction of bored piles, roadbeds, bridges, and tunnels, as well as calibration track installation, is currently in progress to prepare for the official laying of rails on elevated, surface, and underground sections.