Artist impression of the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center, part of a 57ha project on the Bai Dat Do reclaimed waterfront Sun Group
On Phu Quoc’s southern coast, 13 giant steel roof spans now ripple above the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center, while crews work around the clock to enclose and finish a companion performance hall in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week in November 2027.
The APEC Convention and Exhibition Center forms part of a wider 57ha project on the Bai Dat Do reclaimed waterfront, according to project design lead Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
The first phase pairs the venues and waterfront parks with a hotel, while the convention complex was put on “an accelerated, 2.5-year schedule” to be up in time for the major diplomatic meeting, expected to draw some 15,000 delegates from the 21 APEC member economies.
“This first phase, targeting LEED Platinum certification for each building, will be followed by the design and construction of the mixed-use tower, low-to-mid-rise residential buildings, offices, additional hotels, and retail,” SOM stated.
From vision to steel
Construction on the convention complex began in 2025 and accelerated through 2026. At reporting time, all 13 roof spans of the convention centre are in place. Exterior works are set for completion this year – while work shifts toward completing systems and interiors by March 2027.
Authorities have reportedly set 30 June 2027 as a hard completion date across APEC projects.
On its website, investor Sun Group touted a 157,375sqm convention centre that includes “the world’s largest pillarless ballroom” at 11,050sqm, a 2,000-seat “dinner-show venue” and a press centre for 4,000 journalists.
Local reports this month painted a more modest picture of a 3,000sqm ballroom on the third floor, where official APEC meetings are expected to take place, 12 divisible meeting rooms on the second floor, plus restaurants and press rooms on the first floor.
The adjacent multi-purpose performance venue, with some 4,000 seats, is expected to host the opening and closing ceremonies of APEC.
Past and future
The design of the convention complex reflects both past and future – with cultural significance and sustainability considerations built in.
Sun Group describes the round theatre beside the square convention centre as an expression of the Eastern idea of “Round Heaven and Square Earth”.
“The structure’s exterior is clad in a façade inspired by dragon scales, evoking the legend of Dragon and Fairy (the sacred origin story of the Vietnamese people)… The theater's roof is supported by 50 pillars representing the 50 children who followed their father to the sea,” the Group stated.
Besides being designed to allow solar panels to be installed at a later point, the roof will also function as a rainscreen and captures stormwater at its centre.