Phu Quoc launches island-wide English initiative ahead of APEC 2027

Taking place 10 days after the announcement of the Community Foreign Language Proficiency Enhancement Scheme and the inaugural Phu Quoc English Festival, the signing ceremony marked the next step in bringing the “Phu Quoc – Hello World” programme into everyday life. Through learning programmes, digital tools, practice spaces and dedicated resources, the initiative aims to deliver tangible benefits to residents and workers across the island.

Bringing “Hello World” from launch to implementation

On August 2, the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc Special Zone announced the scheme titled “Enhancing foreign language capacity for the community in the 2026 - 30 period, with a vision to 2045” and organised the inaugural Phu Quoc English Festival. The event attracted more than 600 delegates, residents, students, business representatives and international visitors. It also launched the “Every Resident Is a Tourism Ambassador” movement, generating broad community engagement from the outset.

Building on the momentum generated by the announcement ceremony, the three memoranda of understanding signed on the same day represent a strong, decisive and swift move to translate the scheme into action.

The programme’s shared objectives have been translated into clearly defined responsibilities for each party, along with sponsorship resources, learning platforms, occupation-specific materials, training activities and spaces where residents can practise English. This is a vital link in ensuring that “Phu Quoc – Hello World” goes beyond a movement to create tangible changes in everyday work and communication.

Under the agreements, the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc Special Zone will take the lead in coordinating the programme, integrating it with English Day and other local activities, monitoring outcomes and mobilising social resources. The special-zone administration’s leadership reflects both the commitment and strategic approach of Phu Quoc’s authorities: improving foreign language proficiency must go hand in hand with standardising the workforce and elevating the destination, supported by a clear roadmap and assessment mechanisms.

Sun Group will support communications, connect tourism and service businesses, and create environments where participants can practise English. Suitable spaces across the Sun Group ecosystem are expected to host English Day, English Corner, practice sessions and community challenges. A “Hello World Rewards” programme is also being explored to encourage learners to use English regularly, creating a continuous cycle of learning, practice and recognition in the places where residents work and interact every day.

A three-pronged approach to delivering tangible results

The three organisations providing English-language solutions for the Pearl Island will work together to offer Phu Quoc residents effective learning platforms and methods.

Language Link Vietnam will focus its partnership on education technology and digital learning. The organisation is expected to provide the Language Link Blended Learning English Program and mobile access to The Coach, which integrates artificial intelligence to assess proficiency, support pronunciation practice, facilitate conversations and personalise learning pathways. Its learning materials will be tailored to the needs of the hospitality and tourism sectors, transport workers, small traders and public-service personnel, as well as English-language requirements for APEC. The programme will also include training for master trainers and English Ambassadors.

The partnership with Language Link aims to reach at least 100,000 people by APEC 2027, activate between 1,000 and 1,500 digital learning accounts, engage at least 50 businesses and service providers, and train approximately 100 English Ambassadors. A data-driven monitoring system will enable the coordinating authority to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness at each stage.

iSMART Education will serve as a strategic education partner, providing professional consultancy and sponsoring resources. The organisation will advise on operational solutions and apply a learning model combining in-person and online instruction, artificial intelligence and practical conversational English. It will also explore long-term investment options for education in Phu Quoc, with the goal of gradually making English a second language. During the initial phase, iSMART has committed an initial sponsorship package valued at VND800 million, comprising 300 iSMART Technology Scholarships and 10 practical communication training sessions.

EDUMINA, meanwhile, will provide free accounts on its learning platform, focusing on helping learners strengthen their vocabulary and grammar—the essential foundations for comprehensive English-language development. Using Adaptive Learning technology, the system can personalise content and learning pathways according to each learner’s ability, enabling users to understand their current proficiency, identify priorities and choose suitable learning methods. This will support Phu Quoc residents in improving their ability to use English in practical contexts, including tourism, services and everyday life.

Driven by the belief that everyone, regardless of where they live, should have the opportunity to learn and develop in the way best suited to them, EDUMINA will also help train master trainers, English Ambassadors and local coordinators. Its involvement is expected to make English learning more accessible, relevant and effective for individual residents.

Community capability drives a destination’s competitiveness

Phu Quoc is establishing an increasingly prominent presence on the global tourism map, supported by a constantly expanding ecosystem of resorts, entertainment facilities, aviation services and events. As the destination’s stature grows, so too do the demands placed on its workforce.

These demands are becoming even more pressing as the APEC 2027 Economic Leaders’ Week approaches. Phu Quoc will welcome delegations, business leaders, investors, journalists and international visitors. Their experience of the Pearl Island will be shaped not only at conference centres and hotels, but also through every conversation with receptionists, drivers, restaurant employees, small traders, public-service personnel and local residents.

For this reason, “Phu Quoc – Hello World” focuses on practical English tailored to the needs of different occupational groups. Learners will be supported in immediately applying the language to familiar situations, such as giving directions, introducing destinations, advising customers on products and responding to visitors’ requests. English will therefore become more than an academic subject; it will serve as a practical working tool and professional competency for residents and workers.

APEC 2027 is a milestone for accelerating progress, but the programme has not been designed as a short-term campaign. With a roadmap spanning 2026 - 2030 and a vision extending to 2045, Phu Quoc aims to create an environment in which English is widely used and every resident can confidently become an “ambassador” for their homeland. In this way, Phu Quoc’s competitiveness will be strengthened through even the most everyday interactions.

APEC 2027 will provide an opportunity for the Pearl Island to demonstrate its readiness to the world. A community capable of communicating internationally, meanwhile, will become a lasting legacy - helping Phu Quoc meet global standards and advance even further after the event.