Con Dao aims to become an ecological coastal city, heritage and world-class tourism

Concretizing the development vision of the "heritage island"

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has just issued a Plan to implement the Overall Adjustment of the Con Dao General Construction Planning to 2045, concretizing the development vision approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 566/QD-TTg dated June 26, 2025.

This is the beginning of a new development phase for Con Dao special zone, aiming to become an international-class ecological, heritage and tourism coastal city, while preserving its historical, cultural and especially rare natural environmental values.

According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City clearly defines the tasks of each department, branch and the People's Committee of Con Dao special zone in implementing the planning, ensuring synchronous, unified and feasible coordination. The focus is on developing technical and social infrastructure, improving the quality of urban and rural areas, attracting investment associated with nature conservation.

From 2025 to 2030, Con Dao will implement 73 technical and social infrastructure projects and attract investment; after 2030 there will be 3 more major projects.

Key projects include: Expansion of Con Dao Airport, upgrading of Ben Dam Port, construction of passenger wharf, 110 kV Vinh Chau - Con Dao underground power line, wastewater treatment system, reservoir and new domestic water plant.

Along with that, the Co Ong - Ben Dam, Northwest Con Dao routes and inner-city traffic axes will be renovated and expanded synchronously, creating conditions for tourism development and people's livelihood.

In addition to public investment, Ho Chi Minh City will implement 21 projects under the PPP and socialization forms, focusing on tourism complexes, urban-housing areas, golf courses in Co Ong, passenger and yacht wharves in Ben Dam.

Two reclaimed areas in the Southeast of Suoi Ot, Co Ong and the center of Con Dao will be studied to form a modern coastal urban space in harmony with the natural landscape.

The total capital requirement for implementing projects in the 2025 - 2045 period is about 66,000 billion VND, including 21,648 billion VND from the State budget and 44,555 billion VND from socialized sources and PPP. Con Dao Airport and Con Dao Passenger Wharf are invested under the PPP model, with the budget capital ratio of 40% and social capital of 60%.

Preserving historical and cultural values in urban development

In parallel with investing in technical infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on significant social infrastructure projects such as the restoration of Hang Keo Cemetery, the adjustment and expansion of Con Dao Museum, the construction of Vinh Quang Square, resettlement areas, social housing, schools and the special zone administrative center.

The plan also requires reviewing and synchronizing planning projects with the Land Use Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, to ensure unified land use targets and avoid overlap - especially in special-use forests, national defense land, historical relics and key infrastructure.

This is the development orientation of "conservation in development" - both exploiting the potential and preserving the natural beauty and cultural depth of Con Dao, a land recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve.

Three “golden keys” to open the door to development for Con Dao

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Science Association, pointed out three “golden keys” to help Con Dao become a tourist paradise of Vietnam and the region.

According to Ms. Hau, Con Dao's greatest asset is its pristine nature. With its isolated geographical location, tropical ocean climate and long evolutionary history, Con Dao possesses a diverse ecosystem, many rare species and endemic communities. This is a priceless "ecological treasure" that needs to be exploited in a controlled manner to serve ecotourism, scientific research and environmental education.

Next, Con Dao is a special cultural and spiritual historical area. The Con Dao prison system has existed for hundreds of years, turning this place into a “living museum” of Vietnamese history. That space contains profound spiritual elements, a sacred destination in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.

The restoration, preservation and exploitation of these cultural and spiritual values will create unique tourism products, contributing to enriching the national tourism map.

Finally, the peaceful and simple social and community space of the Con Dao people is a rare “material” that few places have. Due to the unique historical and social conditions, the population here is not large, and life is still simple and gentle.

The people mainly work in services, tourism, small businesses, live slowly and are friendly. That is what makes tourists when coming to Con Dao always feel peaceful and close - the key factor in developing high-quality tourism.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau emphasized: “To have a sustainable future, from today we must preserve nature and culture. Repositioning the image of Con Dao as a resort tourism, study and controlled ecological conservation area will help Con Dao develop a sustainable economy. Currently, the Con Dao special economic zone under Ho Chi Minh City is a continuation of historical tradition, at the same time giving Con Dao a new important position."

According to Ms. Hau, Con Dao being under Ho Chi Minh City is an opportunity for this special zone to access greater resources for investment, planning and urban management. Ho Chi Minh City, with its experience in urban development and modern infrastructure, will help Con Dao shape a sustainable development model - both effectively exploiting potential and preserving the ecological environment and cultural identity.

From a land once associated with painful memories, Con Dao today is transforming strongly, becoming a symbol of harmonious development between conservation and modernity. With strategic vision, methodical planning and large investment resources, Con Dao special economic zone will soon rise to become an international-class ecological, heritage and tourism coastal city - a shining "green pearl" in the middle of the Southeast Sea.

Hoang Tho

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/con-dao-huong-den-do-thi-bien-sinh-thai-di-san-va-du-lich-dang-cap-quoc-te-ar984202.html