A model of a casino in the southern island of Phu Quoc of Kien Giang Province. The Ministry of Construction recently proposed to move the construction site of the casino to a new location near the Vinpearl Resort and the Giang Dien tourism site in Ganh Dau Commune. — Photo tinnhanhdiaoc.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Construction recently proposed to move the construction site of a casino in the southern island of Phu Quoc of Kien Giang Province.

The site will be shifted to a new location near the Vinpearl Resort and the Giang Dien tourism site in Ganh Dau Commune.

Earlier, the casino was going to be built in the Da Chong hamlet in Bai Thom Commune in the northeast of the island. It is located near a residential area and old tourism site on Phu Quoc Island, which will be converted into a resort and entertainment complex with no casino.

The proposed location covers an area of 37 hectares and is situated in a high-class eco-tourism site in the north western part of the island.

In the document submitted to the Prime Minister, the ministry said the new location was "appropriate and well-located for attracting investment." It also said the proposal had received support from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The proposal was made after the Prime Minister directed the ministry to change the location of the casino.

In mid-January this year, the Prime Minister had asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to cooperate with the provincial People's Committee and related authorities to collect the opinions of ministries and related agencies on the project.

He also asked the ministry to give instructions for the establishment of the project in accordance with the law and submit a report to the Prime Minister's office after the government issued a decree on the casino business.

According to a draft decree submitted to the Prime Minister by the Ministry of Finance last August, Vietnamese residents over 21 years of age, who have adequate financial ability and behave properly, would be allowed to enter casinos.

At a conference to gather opinions for a plan to build the Phu Quoc economic zone last year, the people's committee said the casino would be constructed on an area of 30,000 square meters with 200 to 300 gambling tables and 2,000 gaming machines, a convention centre and a five-star hotel with 3,000 rooms. Investors, who wish to invest in the project, must have a capital of at least US$4 billion.

Phu Quoc is the largest island of Viet Nam with a total area of 589 square kilometres, which is about the same size as Singapore. It currently has big infrastructure projects under construction and has completed other projects, such as the Phu Quoc International Airport and the An Thoi International Seaport. Those investing in Phu Quoc will get the same preferential treatment as investors in industrial zones, manufacturing zones and economic zones. — VNS