Unprecedented highlight at the APEC Conference and Exhibition Center in Phú Quốc: 11,000 m2 space with no central column

With an aperture equal to the length of a football pitch, the interior space is fully opened without any central columns. According to Sun Group, after about 10 months of construction, the APEC Conference and Exhibition Center in Phú Quốc, developed by Sun Group, has completed more than 90% of the reinforced concrete frame, moving the mega project toward completion. The projects standout feature is the massive steel roof with sinuous curves like waves, creating the architectural signature for the entire complex. In the middle of the construction site on Ngoc Island, the conference and exhibition complex, one of Vietnams largest, is taking shape. The most notable highlight is the massive steel roof with winding curves resembling waves, forming the architectural hallmark of the project. According to the latest progress report, the steel roof structure has completed erection of 13/13 spans along the sea-axis U and 5/13 spans along the mountain-axis A. This is a key stage as the project enters the phase of installing the largest-span segments. The conference and exhibition space covers 11,050 m2, featuring an 81 m span without columns, the design goal is to set a world record. With an aperture equal to the length of a football pitch, the interior space is fully opened without any central columns. To realize this design, the heavy steel roof, weighing about 12,000 tons, is laid out to distribute forces and is "hung" from two sides rather than directly bearing down on the ground. The developer and contractors are applying Hebetec hydraulic jacking technology from Switzerland to lift hundreds of tons of steel to more than 40 m in height. The project has begun deploying the first 81 m span jacking. This technology requires millimeter-level precision to ensure safety and stability during construction. In parallel with the steel structure, the project is implemented with a rolling approach. As soon as a roof segment is completed, roofing and cladding works are carried out simultaneously, helping shorten the overall construction schedule. According to the investors representative, this construction method allows maximizing the use of every time window and demonstrates the ability to coordinate on a mega-project scale. In tandem with the conference and exhibition center, the multipurpose hall component also shows positive progress. The reinforced concrete structure of the building is about 85% complete. By the end of April, the first steel components will be brought to the site to begin erection. The project is positioned as the "cathedral of art" in Phu Quốc, where dinner shows produced by Sun Group in cooperation with Cirque du Soleil are planned to serve APEC 2027, and as a venue for international film festivals and concerts in the future. According to plan, the entire exterior of the complex is scheduled for completion by 30/10/2026, before interior finishing, expected to end on 31/1/2027. When completed, the APEC Conference and Exhibition Center is expected to become an internationally standard MICE center, comparable to renowned conference destinations such as Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) or the International Convention Centre Sydney (Australia). Not only serving the APEC 2027 summit, the complex is viewed as a strategic lever to position Phu Quoc and Vietnam as destinations for large-scale international events in the future. Some construction images at the APEC Conference and Exhibition Center site:"