Phu Quoc Light Rail Targets June 2027 Trial Operations

Vietnam, August 2026 – Construction of the Phu Quoc Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is advancing despite difficult geological conditions and heavy seasonal rainfall. The 17.5-kilometre line will connect Phu Quoc International Airport with the APEC International Conference and Exhibition Centre in the southern part of the island.

The first phase is being developed under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model with an investment of nearly VND9 trillion (about US$342 million). Construction began in late 2025, while approximately VND1.8 trillion (US$68 million), or 28.7% of the investment, had been disbursed at the time of the report. Current works cover bridges, tunnels and the railway roadbed.

Infrastructure progress includes completion of all bored piles for bridge foundations, with bridge pier foundations at 63% and pier construction at 56%. Roadbed excavation and formation, as well as sand filling, have both reached about 97%, while earth filling stands at approximately 79%. Ground-level rail installation is planned to begin in late August, followed by elevated and tunnel sections in October.

The project is being delivered under a demanding construction programme, with nearly 600 engineers, supervisors and workers operating across three shifts. The first trains are expected to arrive in January and February 2027 for equipment installation and testing preparations. However, construction teams are managing flooding, difficult ground conditions and tunnel excavation risks, while also coordinating around existing power and water infrastructure.

The LRT forms part of Phu Quoc's wider transport infrastructure programme ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027. Once operational, the railway is expected to reduce travel time between the international airport and southern Phu Quoc to around 20 minutes, while providing an additional public transport option for residents, visitors and major-event traffic.

Source: VietnamPlus (Vietnam News Agency)