Dated, sourced news from Phu Quoc island
Areas · An Thoi and the south
An Thoi and the south: port, islands and the APEC site
The southern tip of Phu Quoc is where the island's working port, the boat trips to the An Thoi islands and the APEC conference area meet. Most of the island's large building projects for 2027 end here. This page gathers the dated news for the south.
At a glance
- Status
- Former ward, now part of the special zone
- Port
- An Thoi, new operator since 7 Aug 2026
- Island trips
- Boats to the An Thoi islands
- APEC site
- Conference and exhibition centre
- Rail
- Light rail planned from Aug 2027
- Latest item
- 6 October 2026
Sources: Tuổi Trẻ — An Thoi port handed to a new operator (7 August 2026); Mekong ASEAN — Phu Quoc light rail timetable (8 August 2026); Viet Nam News — Phú Quốc races to complete APEC 2027 projects (6 October 2026) · last checked .
What the south is
An Thoi was one of the two wards of Phu Quoc city and lies at the island's southern tip. Since 1 July 2025 it has been part of the special zone. Its harbour serves fishing boats, cargo and the boats that take visitors to the small islands off the coast, many of them on canoe and speedboat trips.
The south is also where the APEC Economic Leaders' Week will be held in 2027. The conference and exhibition centre, APEC Avenue and the terminus of the light rail are all here, at the far end of the corridor from the airport. For the next year, that means construction on a large scale.
Sources: Wikipedia — Phú Quốc; Nông nghiệp và Môi trường, English edition — Phu Quoc becomes a special zone (4 July 2025); Tuổi Trẻ — An Thoi port handed to a new operator (7 August 2026); Viet Nam News — Phú Quốc races to complete APEC 2027 projects (6 October 2026) · last checked .
Dated news for the south
An Thoi port has a new operator
7 August 2026. Operating rights for An Thoi port passed to Mat Troi Ha Long Co., Ltd on a two-year contract after an auction. The port has a wharf for ships up to 3,000 DWT and a capacity of 360,000 passengers a year. Its previous operating contracts were ended in January 2021 and February 2024.
Sources: Tuổi Trẻ — An Thoi port handed to a new operator (7 August 2026) · last checked .
Criminal case after the speedboat capsizing
15 September 2026. A speedboat capsized off Hon May Rut Ngoai in the An Thoi area on 11 July 2026; 15 tourists from India died and 21 of the 36 aboard were rescued. Police opened a case on 15 September against a tour company employee accused of assigning an unqualified person to pilot the boat. More in the sea brief.
Sources: VnExpress International — criminal case after the July speedboat capsizing (15 September 2026) · last checked .
Underground cables and the conference centre
6 October 2026. VND 420 billion is earmarked to move An Thoi's power and telecoms lines underground. The conference and exhibition centre, over 157,000 m² with a ballroom of more than 11,000 m², had its main structure largely complete, with fitting-out and testing still to come.
Sources: Viet Nam News — Phú Quốc races to complete APEC 2027 projects (6 October 2026) · last checked .
A new international port planned
21 September 2026. An Thoi International Port and a 40-hectare mixed-use area beside it are estimated at VND 17 trillion, with a coastal road to the seaport. No date was given.
Sources: VnExpress International / VNA — light rail and airport works speed up (21 September 2026) · last checked .
Light rail terminus at Dao Ngoc
8 August 2026. The light rail is planned to end at Dao Ngoc station, underground and connected directly to the APEC centre, about 20 minutes from the airport once running.
Sources: Mekong ASEAN — Phu Quoc light rail timetable (8 August 2026) · last checked .
Pictures
Questions to ask before a boat trip
These are general checks any passenger can make. They are not a guarantee of safety, and we do not recommend or rank operators.
- Who operates the boat, and is it registered?
- Is the person at the helm qualified to pilot it? The July 2026 case turned on this question.
- Are there enough life jackets for everyone, and will you be asked to wear one?
- What happens to your money if the trip is cancelled for weather?
When the south is not the place to stay
- If you want a quiet stay away from building work before APEC in 2027.
- If you will spend most of your time in Duong Dong or the north: the road transfer is long while the corridor is being built.
- If you plan sea trips in the middle of the year, without flexibility for weather days.
Common questions
Questions readers ask
Who runs An Thoi port?
Since 7 August 2026, Mat Troi Ha Long Co., Ltd, on a two-year operating contract won at auction.
Where will APEC be held on Phu Quoc?
At the APEC Conference and Exhibition Centre in the south of the island, at the end of the new road and rail corridor from the airport.
What happened in the July 2026 boat accident?
A speedboat capsized off Hon May Rut Ngoai on 11 July 2026; 15 Indian tourists died. Police opened a criminal case in September.
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Openings and closures
The night market, new operators at the airport and port, the response team for tourists, and what opens next.
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