Phu Quoc Faces Severe Labor Shortage as 21 Megaprojects Race Toward APEC 2027 Deadlines

Phu Quoc struggles to find workers for 21 APEC 2027 sites. Contractors offer 40% wage hikes to finish the Convention Center and Airport on time.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from VnExpress

A High Stakes Sprint to the Summit

Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island is currently transformed into a massive construction site as authorities race to complete 21 major projects in time for the APEC 2027 summit. With the event scheduled for November next year, contractors are operating under extreme pressure to meet deadlines that are now less than 15 months away. The 220kV Phu Quoc substation, a critical power project, is among the facilities in the final stretch of construction. Firm representatives indicate that at this stage, the priority has shifted entirely from profit margins to meeting the schedule, leading to aggressive recruitment strategies across the country.

Unprecedented Incentives for Construction Labor

To combat a deepening labor deficit, firms like AIT and Sun Group are offering significant financial incentives to attract and retain personnel. Daily wages have been pushed 30% to 40% above standard contract levels, reaching approximately VND800,000, or roughly $30 per day. Some contractors have even resorted to paying "standby pay" to keep workers on retainer before they are officially needed on-site. Beyond wages, companies are covering all travel, accommodation, and meal expenses, and have constructed prefabricated on-site barracks to mitigate the island's high cost of living.

The Centerpiece of Vietnam’s MICE Strategy

The most ambitious project currently underway is the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center, led by Sun Group. The facility features a main hall spanning 11,050 square meters without a single supporting pillar, a feat that would surpass current global records held by venues in the United States. Designed to anchor Phu Quoc’s long term strategy for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions tourism, the complex includes a dedicated press center for 4,000 journalists. However, current staffing for the center meets only 40% of the total demand as workloads continue to climb.