Exploring Exciting Novelties and Memorable Encounters during Peak Tourist Season at Côn Đảo
In the heart of the South China Sea, approximately 185 kilometres off the southern coast of Vietnam, lies Con Dao Island - a rapidly emerging eco-tourism destination that seamlessly blends historical remembrance with environmental preservation.
Con Dao is transforming into a premier destination, attracting nearly 400,000 visitors in the first half of 2025. The island, once feared, is now a sanctuary emphasizing natural and cultural conservation.
Local authorities are actively encouraging environmentally responsible tourism practices. For instance, the use of votive paper offerings at religious and memorial sites has been banned since January 1, 2025, as part of the “Green Offering Basket” campaign, promoting the use of light, eco-friendly, and sustainable offerings. Visitors are encouraged to use motorbikes or taxis (with three taxi companies operating) rather than private cars, and there is a ban on four-wheeled electric vehicles, further reducing environmental impact from transportation.
Con Dao offers natural attractions such as the expansive Con Dao National Park (covering 19,883 hectares). The park, home to tropical forests, mangroves, and a marine reserve teeming with dugongs, sea turtles, and hundreds of coral varieties, is a must-visit. Visitors can also enjoy vibrant coral reefs visible at low tide without diving, and favourable weather and water conditions for eco-friendly activities like diving from April to October. New infrastructure like a high-speed ferry route improves accessibility while supporting controlled tourism growth.
Conservation measures focus on protecting coral reefs and maintaining marine biodiversity. The prohibition of burning votive papers and using plastics at key sites minimizes pollution and fire hazards, supporting cleaner, safer natural and cultural sites. Con Dao’s tourism management integrates cultural respect and environmental sustainability, balancing the island’s historic significance with natural resource protection.
In May 2025 alone, about 90,000 tourists visited Con Dao, with 13,000 international arrivals, signalling steady growth and increasing global interest. The district targets a 4.4% increase in tourist arrivals, indicating ongoing efforts to develop tourism sustainably without compromising environmental integrity or cultural values.
Notable landmarks on Con Dao Island include Con Dao Prison, Pier 914, the Tiger Cages, Hàng Dương Cemetery, and French colonial buildings. Restoration efforts since 2023 have enhanced the educational and cultural value of historical sites on the island. A highlight is the wax statue exhibition re-enacting the lives of political prisoners.
Con Dao Island is ideal for extended stays, allowing travellers to connect with nature and history while deepening their awareness of environmental protection. The island hosts 146 accommodation facilities offering nearly 3,000 rooms.
Later this year, the park will offer seven to 10-day sea turtle conservation trips on smaller islands. From April to October, visitors can participate in sea turtle conservation and witness baby turtles returning to the ocean. The park is also developing high-quality ecotourism products, including nature tours under the forest canopy and immersive wildlife experiences.
In conclusion, Con Dao Island in 2025 is an emerging model for eco-tourism and conservation in Vietnam, with proactive policies minimizing environmental impact, promoting sustainable visitor behaviour, and preserving both natural ecosystems and historical heritage.
- The South China Sea's Con Dao Island, previously feared, is now a sanctuary that seamlessly blends historical remembrance with environmental preservation, transforming into a premier eco-tourism destination.
- In 2025, Con Dao is attracting a significant number of visitors, with nearly 400,000 arrivals in the first half of the year, and this number continues to grow.
- Local authorities encourage environmentally responsible tourism practices, such as banning votive paper offerings and promoting the use of eco-friendly offerings, and encouraging the use of motorbikes or taxis over private cars and four-wheeled electric vehicles.
- The island offers natural attractions like the Con Dao National Park, home to tropical forests, mangroves, and a marine reserve teeming with marine life, and provides opportunities for eco-friendly activities like diving.
- In conjunction with environmental sustainability, Con Dao's tourism management also respects cultural values, as shown by efforts to restore historical landmarks and educate visitors about the island's history.
- Visitors can learn about the lives of political prisoners through a wax statue exhibition, and later this year, the park will offer sea turtle conservation trips and nature tours under the forest canopy.
- Con Dao provides accommodations with nearly 3,000 rooms, making it ideal for extended stays, and the island's steady growth indicates increasing global interest in sustainable living and lifelong learning.
- In conclusion, Con Dao is an emerging model for eco-tourism and conservation in Vietnam, with proactive policies that minimize environmental impact, promote sustainable visitor behavior, and preserve both natural ecosystems and historical heritage.
