Recently, the People's Committee of An Giang Province in southern Vietnam officially approved the first phase of the construction plan for the Phu Quoc Island light rail project, marking the substantial progress of this key transportation infrastructure project. As a key project adopting a public-private partnership model, the project is expected to have a total investment of 9 trillion Vietnamese dong. It is planned to start construction in the fourth quarter of 2025 and be completed in the second quarter of 2027, aiming to provide important transportation support for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum summit held on Phu Quoc Island in November of the same year.

The total length of the Fuguo Island light rail line is about 17.7 kilometers, with a preliminary plan to set up 5 to 7 stations and 1 vehicle base. The train set will adopt a 3-5 formation mode, with a designed speed of 70-100 kilometers per hour, which can meet the diversified needs of fast commuting and tourist flow on the island. According to the plan, the maximum duration of the project operation contract can reach 40 years, reflecting the concept of long-term cooperation and sustainable development.

As Vietnam's first island rail transit project driven by PPP model, the construction of the Fuguo Island light rail has multiple strategic significance. On the one hand, it will directly serve the hosting of the APEC Summit in 2027, enhancing the international reception capacity and image of Fuguo Island; On the other hand, this route will effectively alleviate the growing traffic pressure on the island, optimize the tourism experience, and provide infrastructure support for Fuguo Island to build a national level tourism economic center. Keywords: Southeast Asian Engineering Information Network, Overseas Engineering Construction

The launch of this project is an important step for Vietnam to improve its southern rail transit network, demonstrating the government's determination to accelerate infrastructure upgrades through innovative investment and financing models. With the continuous improvement of Fuguo Island's international status, this light rail line will become an important transportation artery to promote local socio-economic development and regional integration.Editor/Cheng Liting