Accordingly, the Appraisal Council reviewed and provided appraisal opinions on 5 important coastal zoning plans of the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, including: the Zoning plan for the Bai Sao area in An Thoi; the Zoning plan for the eastern coastal area; the Zoning plan for the Bai Ong Lang - Cua Can area; the Zoning plan for the northwestern coastal area; and the Zoning plan for the Bai Truong area.

According to the planning task approval decision of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, the Zoning plan for the Bai Sao area (part of zone 5: Bai Sao area) in An Thoi, Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, at a scale of 1/2000, covers approximately 436.31 hectares. Its nature is a mixed-use tourism urban area with an open structure, a high-end ecological resort, and marine sports facilities.

The Appraisal Council unanimously agreed that the project basically adheres to the approved planning tasks, is suitable for the nature of a residential and resort area, exploits the advantages of the beautiful beach, but still respects the Phu Quoc Master Plan.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc requested the planning unit and organizing agency to continue carefully reviewing land use indicators, especially residential land and tourist housing, to ensure that the plan does not deviate from the "sustainable tourism area" orientation. Specifically, he called for specifying the width of the coastal park, the number and location of public access points to the beach, and strict control over the density and height of coastal buildings. At the same time, he emphasized the need to clearly add requirements for solar energy use and green building for coastal projects in the regulations on governing under plans.

The Zoning plan for the eastern coastal area (under zone 9), Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang province, at a scale of 1/2000, covers an area of approximately 1,673.8 hectares. Its nature and function are defined as a tourism service area; a mixed-use urban tourism area, an ecological resort, a marine sports and entertainment area, and a golf course.

The Appraisal Council assessed that the project demonstrated its role as a tourism, service, ecological resort, and marine sports area on the island, while also creating a coastal landscape axis and open spaces connected to the protective forest. The main spatial structure and connecting routes with neighboring sub-areas are basically consistent with the master plan, creating a good foundation to attract strategic investors.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc requested the consulting unit and organizing agency to finalize solutions for protecting the coastline, ecological corridors, and protective forests, clearly identify areas with construction restrictions, and add indicators and solutions for using renewable energy, especially solar energy, for technical infrastructure and service facilities.

The Zoning plan for the Bai Ong Lang - Cua Can area (part of Zone 3), Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang province, at a scale of 1/2,000, covers an area of approximately 4,431.43 hectares. It is designated as the main mixed-use urban-tourism zone in the northern part of the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, serving as a commercial and tourism service center, a professional education and high-tech center, an ecological urban area combining a golf course, and a resettlement area.

To live up to the "ecological" nature of the project, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc proposed clarifying and tightening the criteria regarding the percentage of green space, non-construction areas, building setbacks along rivers and coastlines, and density and building height limits in sensitive zones. He also suggested clearly demonstrating a continuous network of open spaces connecting protective forests, sandy beaches, and viewpoints overlooking natural landscapes, while adding requirements for the use of solar energy and environmentally friendly materials for resorts and service areas.

The Zoning plan for the Northwest coastal area (under Zone 11), Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang province, at a scale of 1/2,000, covers an area of approximately 1,171.27 hectares (including the Hon Doi Moi area (Area for leasing marine environment according to the approved master plan) of approximately 1.74 hectares and sandy and rocky beach land; excluding land designated for security and national defense). Its nature and function are tourism service areas; high-end resorts, golf courses with casinos integrated with resorts, water sports, and visits to traditional craft villages. 

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc suggested reviewing and avoiding the trend of concrete construction along the coast, strictly controlling the density, height, and scale of construction along the coastline; increasing the proportion of open space, green areas, and water bodies. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly regulate the application of solar energy for lighting golf courses, technical infrastructure, and service facilities; and to add solutions to combat erosion and adapt to climate change.

The Zoning plan for the Bai Truong area (part of Zone 2), Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang province, at a scale of 1/2,000, covers an area of approximately 2,326.83 hectares (excluding national defense land and land designated as protective forest (Bo Doi Mountain and Duong To Mountain) according to the approved general plan). Its nature and function are that of a primary mixed-use urban-tourism zone, including a commercial center, tourism services, entertainment, public services, and resettlement areas.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc requested the planning unit to review all indicators regarding population, residential land, and building height, ensuring they do not exceed the limits allowed in the General Plan; at the same time, it is necessary to protect the continuous coastal park strip, the system of public spaces, and the sea view, ensuring that people have equitable access to the sea. Simultaneously, requirements for social housing, social infrastructure, public transportation solutions, parking lots, as well as regulations on the application of solar energy and criteria for green and smart cities should be added.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc requested the organizing agency and the consulting unit to promptly incorporate and finalize the dossier according to each group of contents that have been concluded, and submit it to the competent authority for consideration as soon as possible. In particular, he emphasized the importance of green development solutions and the use of clean energy to ensure Phu Quoc develops rapidly but sustainably, befitting its status as the pearl island of the country./.

News by Nhu Ngoc – Xuan Ngoc

Translator: Thi Huynh