An illegally-built tourist resort in Phu Quoc 

According to the agency, the land allocated to some investors in Phu Quoc Economic Zone violated the island’s general plan until 2030 approved by the prime minister.

Some land plots at Bai Truong area were planned for public facilities and green space; but the economic zone management board instead leased them for commercial purposes such as Bai Truong tourism and shopping centre project and Tin Nghia tourist site project.

The inspection also indicated that among 272 licensed projects at the economic zone, just 175 projects covering a total area of nearly 8,000 hectares maintained their pace of construction. Meanwhile, a large number of projects have remained on paper or faced sluggish implementation due to investor problems.

Many illegal construction works have also been uncovered in the island. Work on the Seashell Hotel invested by Phu Quoc Tourism Joint Stock Company was started in January 2016 despite its expired construction licence. In January 2018, the Ministry of Construction detected the violation and requested Kien Giang authorities to deal with the issue.

One month later, the investor was granted another construction licence for the project. However, the project’s total height was 32.95 metres compared with the approved figure of just 27.95 metres, the Government Inspectorate reported.

Muong Thanh Phu Quoc Hotel invested by Muong Thanh Group has been put into operation despite lacking a construction licence. The same situation was seen at Pullman Resort.

According to the Government Inspectorate, Kien Giang Province needs to seek the opinions of the Ministry of Construction to settle the infringements.