At Phu Quoc International Airport, work is under way on a new set of departure spaces that place interior design at the centre of how the terminal operates. Led by HOK in collaboration with the airport, the project focuses on the check-in hall, post-security grand hall and concourses within the east wing, where Phase 1 is currently under construction.
The expansion is intended to support the airport’s target of serving 24 million passengers annually. This initial phase introduces 21 gates designed to accommodate both international and domestic travellers, with the interior programme structured to guide movement while shaping the overall departure experience.
Terminal interiors organised around passenger flow
The check-in hall is organised beneath a triple-height ceiling that defines the spatial identity of the departure sequence. At ground level, a radial sun motif establishes a central point of orientation, from which passengers move towards security screening. Self-check-in kiosks are arranged on warm-toned carpeting, while adjacent circulation routes are finished in terrazzo, creating a clear distinction between areas intended for waiting and those designed for movement.
Natural light plays a central role in the organisation of the space. Skylights and extensive glazing introduce daylight deep into the hall, supporting visibility and intuitive navigation.
Landscaping elements, including palm trees and terraced planting, are integrated within the interior to reinforce the airport’s setting and provide spatial continuity across zones. Planting is used not only as a visual element but also to define movement corridors and gathering areas within the larger hall.
Ceiling design draws from Vietnamese cultural references
The ceiling design draws from Vietnamese cultural references, with narrow, oval forms based on traditional fishing boats. These are combined with metal baffles that evoke the feathers of a phoenix, while illuminated patterns between them reference water. Together, these elements form a layered ceiling system that defines the scale and character of the hall.
The ceiling’s linear geometry reinforces directional flow across the hall.
Across the interior, materials such as rammed earth and oak wood are used to introduce texture and a consistent material language. The selection reflects an emphasis on natural finishes and tactile surfaces within a high-traffic environment.
Mezzanine and concourse layout shape departure sequence
After passing through security, passengers arrive on an upper mezzanine overlooking the grand hall, where circulation routes run alongside retail and dining spaces, maintaining visual continuity with the levels below. From this level, views extend across planted areas below and towards the airfield through full-height glazing. The subsequent descent to the main level leads through a sequence that combines retail and dining with a landscaped pathway, integrating commercial functions within the overall circulation.
The layout allows passengers to continue directly towards concourse piers and boarding gates, or move through spaces that include a viewing gallery for aircraft departures and arrivals. The arrangement of these elements establishes a continuous progression from entry to gate, with changes in level and spatial openness guiding movement through the terminal.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
