Phase 1 of the LRT line, invested by Sun Group Corporation under the BOT form, has a total investment of nearly 9,000 billion VND, expected to be completed in Q2/2027. The line is nearly 18 km long, with 6 stations, directly connecting Phu Quoc International Airport with the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and the South Island tourism ecosystem, shortening travel time to about 20 minutes. The project is expected to become a new landmark of Phu Quoc with its architectural distinctiveness. Each station is designed as a "touchpoint" telling the story of Vietnamese culture.
Perspective of the Northwest station – one of six stations on the Phu Quoc LRT line. Photo: Sun Group
One journey, six emotional realms
On the Phu Quoc LRT line, six stations are designed as six cultural slices, taking passengers from the Northwest mountains, through Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient capital Hue, the Tay Nguyen highlands, vibrant Saigon, and finally stopping by the green hues of the Jade Island. In just about 20 minutes, a “Vietnam loop” gradually unfolds through architecture, materials, colors, and landscapes.
The journey begins at the Northwest station, where the beauty of the mountainous region is evoked by beige-yellow natural stone panels, randomly cut ceramic surfaces, and patterns faintly resembling the rammed earth walls of ethnic minorities. Interspersed with these rustic colors are the pink trumpet flowers, white bauhinia, and lagerstroemia, as if bringing the breath of the mountains into the station space.
Leaving the mountains, the train takes passengers to an elegant and serene Hanoi. Floor paving lines recall the old quarter's sidewalks, roof systems bear the look of urban architecture, and a bronze-gold hue is tinged with the color of time. Without needing to replicate it entirely, the Hanoi station still evokes a sense of familiarity with the thousand-year-old capital.
Hanoi Station is designed inspired by ancient street architecture. Illustration: Sun Group.
If Hanoi Station carries the profound rhythm of the city, Hue Station makes the journey seem to slow down a beat. The deep red color of the ancient citadel blends with contemporary forms, recounting the beauty of the royal court in a new design language. Underneath rows of frangipani and phoenix flowers and layers of roofs evoking the imperial capital, an ancient, gentle Hue appears with subtle charm.
From the Central region, the train enters the Central Highlands station, where inspiration from stilt houses, the great forests, the sound of gongs, and waterfalls is transformed into architectural lines. The natural colors of stone, wood grain, and large trees that green the space evoke the strong, liberal vitality of the basalt land.
Hue Station bears the imprint of the ancient capital with its deep red tone, architecture inspired by royal courts. Illustration: Sun Group.
Arriving at Saigon Station, the space suddenly shifts to a youthful and open rhythm. The curved lines of the dome evoke the Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, combined with modern architectural language, creating a stop that embodies the generous and dynamic spirit of the southern metropolis.
Concluding the journey is Dao Ngoc Station - an underground station directly connecting to the APEC Convention Center. On the upper level, the story of "carp transforming into a dragon" conveys aspirations for upward mobility. Descending to the underground level, passengers enter a space inspired by Phu Quoc's traditional fish sauce making: the white of sea salt, the silver of schools of fish, and layers of moving, interwoven light. Modern yet imbued with local soul, the station is like a greeting from the Jade Island to visitors from all directions.
"Not merely a place for passengers to board and alight, each station on the Phu Quoc LRT line is envisioned by Sun Group as a destination, carrying its own story of culture and architecture from the three regions of North - Central - South," shared the project's lead architect.
Tay Nguyen station evokes the vast forest space with images of stilt houses, wood grain materials. Illustration: Sun Group.
The train journey brings Vietnamese culture to the world
When APEC 2027 takes place, Phu Quoc will welcome thousands of delegates, heads of state, businessmen, and international tourists. From Phu Quoc International Airport, the LRT line will connect them to the APEC Convention Center and the resorts in the south of the island, becoming one of the first journeys that international friends will experience upon arriving at the Pearl Island.
And it is not just a journey from the airport to the conference venue. Right from the first stops, passengers can feel a diverse Vietnam: rustic yet sophisticated, profound yet full of vitality. Each station is therefore like an architectural "calling card", introducing the beauty of the country, people, and regional identity to the world.
The architecture of Saigon station carries the youthful, dynamic style of the southern metropolis. Illustration: Sun Group.
“A train line can shorten geographical distances. But if created with enough identity, it can also bring cultures closer together. We hope the LRT Phu Quoc station system will become the first touchpoints, allowing international friends to feel the beauty of Vietnamese culture,” emphasized the representative of the design unit.
Scheduled to commence construction in December 2025, LRT Phu Quoc is the first light rail transit line in Vietnam to be invested by a private enterprise. The project is 17.59 km long, comprising six stations, directly connecting Phu Quoc International Airport with the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and Sun Group's entertainment and leisure ecosystem in the South of the island. Upon operation, the line will not only serve APEC delegates but also shorten travel time for residents and tourists to the South of the island to about 20 minutes, contributing to reducing traffic pressure and expanding green travel options on the island.
Phu Quoc Station is designed with white and blue colors, characteristic of the sea. Illustration: Sun Group.
On the construction site, scorching sun and tropical downpours have not slowed down the construction pace. To date, all bored piles at the bridges have been completed; many tunnel, station, and roadbed sections are being deployed simultaneously. It is expected that by the end of August, the railway track system will begin to be installed, aiming to complete on schedule to serve APEC 2027.
"We expect the LRT line to leave an impression on international friends not only with its speed and technology, but also with the Vietnamese spirit infused into every architectural space. Along with the key projects serving APEC currently underway, the project will contribute to elevating Phu Quoc and bringing the image of a modern, rich-in-identity Vietnam closer to the world," shared a representative from Sun Group.
