The persistent rains of several days turned the temporary roads leading to the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and Multipurpose Theater construction sites into muddy stretches. Water pooled in puddles, and trucks constantly plowed through, leaving deep ruts; motorbikes carrying workers often had to queue up, carefully navigating each slippery section of the road.
At shift change times, a stream of people in raincoats and helmets bustle in and out between trucks, excavators, and convoys of materials heading into the construction site. The rain sometimes falls heavily, and the wind whips against their faces from the sea, but the pace of the construction site remains almost constant. When one shift ends, another begins, stretching from day to night under the construction site lights.
Overcoming muddy roads, engineers and workers continued their journey towards the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center construction site.
PHOTO: HOANG HA
The relentless rain did not deter the construction crew.
- Hey, tell that guy to move that piece of metal a little closer so the cars can pass.
Amidst the stream of vehicles, Mr. Bui Van Ut slowly steered his sand-carrying truck into the construction site. Occasionally, he would stop, roll down the window, and stick his head out to direct those ahead. The road was narrow, and cranes and trucks were constantly going in and out, so some sections were almost completely blocked.
Occasionally, he would stop the car, roll down the window, and chat with oncoming drivers—some reversing slightly, others swerving to the side—to find the quickest way to pass. These brief conversations in the cabin were also a way for drivers to regulate traffic flow in a constantly bustling construction site.
Mr. Ut pointed out to his colleague the muddy stretch of road ahead, which made walking on the construction site even more arduous.
PHOTO: HOANG HA
Mr. Ut recounted that he had been working here for nearly 5 months. Each day, he usually makes two or more trips to haul sand; the more trips, the higher his income. For each trip, he receives 75,000 VND in wages, plus an additional 200,000 VND for food each day. He confided that after more than 5 months working here, his average monthly income reaches tens of millions of VND: "Working in Phu Quoc offers a much better income than in Ho Chi Minh City," he said.
With numerous infrastructure, urban, and tourism projects being implemented and expanded across the country, the demand for manpower at construction sites is increasing, making skilled construction workers highly sought after and providing them with more opportunities to improve their income.
Groups of workers are starting their new shifts, continuing to maintain the pace of construction on the site.
PHOTO: HOANG HA
At an entrance to the construction site, far from where Mr. Ut's trucks were carrying sand, heavy rain poured down, and mud clung to the wheels, clothes, and boots. As one group of workers left the site after their shift, others continued on. Despite the harsh working conditions, the pace of construction remained. From the sand truck drivers and construction workers to the machinery operators, everyone was diligently performing their duties on the projects serving APEC 2027.
The lights at the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and the Multi-Purpose Hall continued to shine brightly in the night sky.
PHOTO: HOANG HA
As night fell, the construction site did not quiet down. Under the bright, powerful lights illuminating the rain, the sounds of excavators, trucks, welding machines, and construction equipment continued to echo. Many sections of the project were being worked on throughout the night, with teams of workers taking turns at their positions to avoid interrupting the work. Raincoats were worn over their protective suits, and the ground was soaked with mud as they worked, constantly trying to protect equipment and materials from sudden, heavy downpours.
Taking advantage of the rare dry spells, workers are busily pouring concrete for the foundation of the courtyard in front of the multi-purpose performance hall.
There were times when the rain poured down, blanketing the construction site in white, water overflowing through the trenches onto the walkways, but as long as conditions permitted, work continued. The machine operators remained seated in their cabins, while workers on the ground shone lights, signaling each vehicle to move forward and backward in the cramped space. The small figures moving under the lights through the rain created a unique rhythm of nighttime work on the construction site.
In the middle of the night, workers were still diligently working on the roof of the Convention Center, striving to ensure the exterior of the building was completed by the fourth quarter.
The pressure to meet deadlines means that time here seems to be measured in shifts, deliveries of materials, and completed tasks. As soon as one team leaves, another takes their place.
Often, workers only have time to grab a quick dinner during their short break before returning to the site. Day and night, rain or shine, thousands of laborers remain at the construction site, racing against time to bring the projects for APEC 2027 to fruition.
The APEC Convention and Exhibition Center and multi-purpose performance hall are accelerating towards the finish line.
All 13/13 steel roof structure spans – one of the most challenging construction items – have been erected.
According to observations at the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center construction site in late September, the exterior construction is gradually nearing completion, the roof is clearly visible, and workers and engineers are gradually shifting from structural construction to interior finishing.
The building has a total floor area of approximately 153,130 m², comprising a basement, three above-ground floors, and a technical rooftop level. A notable feature inside is the event space, spanning approximately 11,050 m². This area utilizes a structure with spans of up to 81 m without central columns, creating a large and airy space ideal for events.
The nighttime rains on Phu Quoc Island did not disrupt the pace of construction at the site.
Inside the Convention Center, workers are diligently completing interior design elements, aiming to finish the entire project before April 2027.
According to the schedule, the exterior of the project will be completed in Q4 2026, while the entire interior is targeted for completion by March 31, 2027.
Right next to the APEC Convention and Exhibition Center, the multi-purpose performance hall is also gradually taking shape. The building has a total floor area of approximately 54,680 m², comprising six above-ground floors and one basement floor. The auditorium, with approximately 4,030 seats, is designed to host performances and events within the framework of APEC.
While the Convention and Exhibition Center has a square shape, symbolizing the earth, the Multi-Purpose Performing Arts Center has a soft, rounded shape, evoking the image of the sky.
To date, the reinforced concrete structure is nearly 100% complete. On the construction site, teams are installing 50 roof support columns while also carrying out various interior work.
With a three-shift, four-team work schedule, 30 out of the 50 pillars of the multi-purpose performance hall have been completely installed.
The circular roof truss and support frame, with a total weight of approximately 3,000 tons, has been fully erected.
The exterior of the multi-purpose performance hall is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026. Interior work will continue afterward, with the goal of completion by March 30, 2027.
As night falls over Phu Quoc, the lights on the massive construction sites still shine brightly. Amidst the rain and wind, thousands of engineers, workers, drivers, and machinery operators continue to work in shifts, staying on the construction sites, pushing each project closer to completion.
The Convention and Exhibition Center and the multi-purpose performance venue will expand the potential for MICE tourism development, bringing Phu Quoc closer to international events.
PHOTO: SG
APEC 2027 is a significant milestone, but the value of the projects already underway will last long after the event. The airport, LRT line, boulevards, convention center, and performance venue will become part of the infrastructure system and shape the new face of Phu Quoc Island.
From the tightly secured railway tracks under the rain, the continuous deliveries of materials through the night, to the gradually closing roofs of construction sites, thousands of people today are contributing to building a Phu Quoc of tomorrow – more modern and gradually rising to become an international destination.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hang-nghin-nguoi-thi-cong-ngay-dem-tai-trai-tim-phuc-vu-apec-2027-o-phu-quoc-185261003112749513.htm
