HOK is leading the interior design for the check-in hall, post-security grand hall and concourses in the airport terminal’s east wing.
Working in collaboration with Phu Quoc International Airport, HOK is transforming the terminal into an iconic, hospitality- and nature-inspired gateway that supports the airport’s goal to serve 24 million passengers annually. Phase I of the project is currently under construction and includes 21 gates in the terminal’s east wing for international and domestic travelers.
HOK’s interior design blends Vietnamese culture with clear, intuitive wayfinding to create a calm and welcoming departure experience. In the check-in hall, a triple-height ceiling features narrow, oval forms inspired by Vietnamese fishing boats. Integrated metal baffles evoke the feathers of a phoenix, a sacred creature in Vietnam. Between these forms, softly illuminated, wave-like ceiling patterns reference water around the boats.
At floor level, a radial sun motif anchors the heart of the space, establishing a central gathering point before travelers proceed to security screening. Self-check-in kiosks are grouped on warm-toned carpeting, while adjacent circulation zones are finished in terrazzo flooring, clearly distinguishing areas intended for pause from movement. Palm trees and terraced landscaping reinforce the airport’s tropical setting and enhance traveler comfort. Skylights and expansive glazing draw natural daylight deep into the hall, supporting orientation and wayfinding.
After security, travelers arrive on an upper mezzanine overlooking the grand hall, with views of lush plantings below and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the airfield. As travelers descend to the main level, they encounter a curated mix of local and international dining and retail offerings, a gently meandering pathway through palm trees and native vegetation, and a viewing gallery for aircraft departures and arrivals. Travelers can also continue directly to the concourse piers and boarding gates.
Inspired by local craftsmanship, the interior palette incorporates materials such as rammed earth and oak wood, celebrating natural texture, warmth and authenticity.
“Our client’s vision for Phu Quoc International Airport is a visionary gateway that celebrates the island’s natural beauty while acting as a catalyst for growth and transformation,” said Paul Collins, RIBA, HKIA, LEED GA, HOK’s principal-in-charge on the project. “Our design translates that ambition into a modern, light-filled departure experience that reflects Vietnam’s culture and positions Phu Quoc as a distinctive, worldclass destination.”
The project is scheduled for completion by 2027.