(VOVworld) - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked local authorities to fully tap Phu Quoc island district’s potential to turn it into a regional and international tourism centre. He said attention should be paid to combining economic development and the defense of national sovereignty and mobilizing all resources to develop a modern infrastructure system for Phu Quoc to make it a green and clean urban area.

Deputy PM Phuc made the statement at a ceremony on Saturday to announce the Prime Minister’s decision to recognize Phu Quoc island district in the southern province of Kien Giang as a second tier city: “The province should co-ordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to check the master planning of Phu Quoc island district, monitor the implementation of investment projects and review and assess high quality tourism sites and socio-economic infrastructure projects to ensure the efficiency of investment. The province should also strive to develop the island district in a sustainable manner with focus on its World Biosphere Reserve which has been recognized by UNESCO recently.”