A new high-tech aquarium that developers claim will be a model for future aquarium projects is to open on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, in early 2020.

Located within a wider theme and water park development that is being created by Vinpearl Land, the leisure division of Vietnamese real estate company Vingroup, "The Sea Shell", as the aquarium will be called, will be one of the most technologically-advanced aquariums ever imagined, the company said.

Vinpearl has enlisted expertise from US-based design firm Legacy Entertainment and Australia's Advanced Aquariums Technologies (AAT) to work on the project, which features a distinctive turtle shell-inspired roof design.

"With every project we take on, we like to be inspired by local stories," said Taylor Jeffs, president and chief creative officer of Legacy Entertainment. "In Vietnam, even before working on this project, we had been fascinated by Vietnamese mythology relating to turtles. So when this project began, it was one of the first ideas we honed in on."

Jason Vanhinnisdael, AAT's business development manager, added: "From the ample tank design, to the state-of-the-art life support systems, Vinpearl's Sea Shell will be a model for all other aquarium developers moving forward."

Vinpearl is working on a number of additional new developments that will expand the range of tourism offerings on Phu Quoc Island, with theme and water parks under construction, as well as expanded resort facilities.