Building Con Dao into an international resort paradise

A Con Dao that truly touches the heart

"That night, we sat for hours on the sand, waiting for a mother turtle to crawl ashore to lay eggs. The moment I saw hundreds of eggs buried in the sand, I understood that nothing is more precious than witnessing life begin," said Bui Minh Tuan, a conservation volunteer.

For many people, Con Dao is not only a place to travel , but also a place to feel a different pace of life, to calm down and be closer to nature than ever before. It is this attachment that makes many tourists leave the island with the feeling that they have just "lived truly" - lived slowly, lived fully and lived in sincere connection with nature.

Staying up all night watching turtles lay eggs. (Photo: Quang Vu)

From such simple stories, people realize that Con Dao is not simply a destination, but a “green gem” with the potential to become an international resort paradise - a place with both pristine nature and cultural and historical depth.

Located about 230km from Vung Tau, Con Dao is blessed with the most diverse ecosystem in Vietnam. There are more than 1,300 species of marine life, 340 species of colorful coral, and hundreds of rare bird species.

In particular, Con Dao is considered the largest “sea turtle capital” in the country. Every year, thousands of mother turtles choose this place to breed, creating a unique conservation journey. Con Dao National Park has become the place to raise, hatch and release the most baby turtles into the sea in Vietnam, bringing hundreds of thousands of individuals back to the ocean each year.

A turtle is crawling onto the beach to find a place to lay eggs. (Photo: Trong Thinh)

Not only underwater, Con Dao is also breathtakingly beautiful on land. Nhat Beach, Dam Trau Beach, An Hai Beach or Lo Voi Beach… are all rated among the most beautiful pristine beaches on the planet. Crystal clear blue sea, long stretches of white sand, and warm sunshine – all create a perfect natural picture that few places have.

In the past 5 years, the number of tourists coming to Con Dao has increased by an average of 25-30% each year. They come not only to relax, but also to seek a rare peace in the midst of a busy life.

From “hell on earth” to “resort paradise”

If nature gives Con Dao pristine beauty, history leaves here painful but proud memories.

For more than a century, Con Dao was a notorious prison - a "hell on earth" that detained and tortured tens of thousands of revolutionary soldiers. Today, this system of relics is ranked as a special national site, becoming an indispensable destination for any tourist.

Hang Duong Cemetery - the resting place of more than 20,000 martyrs, including heroine Vo Thi Sau - is a sacred place that tourists always visit. The combination of natural beauty and historical and cultural values has created a unique identity for Con Dao, different from any other tourist destination in Vietnam.

From July 1, 2025, Con Dao officially becomes a special economic zone under Ho Chi Minh City. This is considered a major turning point, opening up opportunities for strong development thanks to the support of the largest economic center in the country.

Con Dao's development orientation is determined according to three pillars.

Green Island: Developing eco-tourism and high-end resorts associated with biodiversity conservation.

Smart Island: Applying technology in management, operation, and enhancing visitor experience.

Happy Island: Where people have a high happiness index and enjoy a clean and safe living environment.

Aerial view of the Con Dao prison system, which formerly held about 200,000 prisoners who were patriotic revolutionary soldiers. (Photo: Luu Son)

Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, emphasized: "Con Dao needs to maintain its own identity. That identity will be the foundation for building a sustainable development strategy."

To become an international resort paradise, infrastructure is a key factor. Currently, Con Dao mainly welcomes visitors by air and sea. However, Con Dao airport with a short runway can only accommodate small aircraft, not capable of operating international routes. Therefore, the plan to expand the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft and develop international routes is receiving special attention.

At the same time, the seaport system is also being upgraded to accommodate tourist and large cargo ships. Inland routes, tourist ports, and even the idea of cable cars linked to ecological conservation are being studied.

Complete infrastructure not only helps Con Dao become more convenient in transportation, but also creates momentum to attract investors, expand trade opportunities and enhance tourism.

Tourism associated with conservation - the only way

Con Dao cannot follow the path of massive exploitation like some other destinations. Because the greatest value of this place is its pristine nature and biodiversity.

According to statistics, only about 1/1,000 baby turtles released into the sea can survive to adulthood. Therefore, every conservation effort is vital. Experiential tourism programs such as “going back to the sea with turtles”, “diving to see corals”, “walking in the mangrove forest”… not only attract tourists but also spread the message of environmental protection.

In addition to sea turtles, coral reefs, seagrass beds, swiftlets, dolphins, etc. all need to be preserved. These will be “priceless assets” that Con Dao must protect at all costs, and at the same time turn into a competitive advantage compared to other tourist destinations.

Tourists take pictures in Con Dao.

To achieve international stature, Con Dao needs a clear brand strategy, with core values.

Pristine - classy: Where visitors enjoy 5-star service in a secluded space, close to nature.

Sacred - historical: Combining relaxation with gratitude for past values.

Green - sustainable: Every service, from hotels to transportation, is geared towards green criteria.

If done well, Con Dao can be compared to Maldives, Seychelles or Bali, but still retain its own identity - a blend of wild nature, historical depth and sustainable development.

Con Dao today is facing a great opportunity to break through. But the important thing is that development must not come at the expense of the environment and historical values.

To do that, it requires the cooperation of the government, investors, the community and tourists themselves. Each project needs to put the criteria of “green - clean - sustainable” first. People and businesses need to benefit from tourism but at the same time become a force to protect nature. Tourists must also be “companions” and not just guests who come and go.

After many ups and downs, Con Dao is embarking on a new journey - the journey to become an international resort paradise. But to maintain its appeal, this place must follow the only path: development associated with conservation, investment associated with preserving identity.

As shared by Mr. Bui Minh Tuan, a volunteer who has been attached to Con Dao for many years: “Here, we not only survive, but also live truly.” That is also the experience that every tourist hopes to find - true life amidst nature, history and rare peace.

Hoang Tho

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/xay-dung-con-dao-thanh-thien-duong-nghi-duong-mang-tam-quoc-te-ar961888.html