Con Dao - Vietnam's green pride on the world map

Once a "hell on earth", Con Dao today has written a completely different story - a story of the revival of nature, forests, seas and wildlife.

In the middle of the vast ocean, Con Dao becomes a source of pride when the National Park here is officially recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the Green List of protected areas and is effectively managed.

This is the third national park - protected area of Vietnam to be honored in this prestigious category, alongside the world's leading protected areas.

This title did not come overnight, but is the result of more than two decades of preservation, conservation and steadfastness in the mission of protecting the intact forest-marine ecosystem of this "pearl island".

Green journey from forest to sea

From the center of Con Dao town, visitors will follow Vo Thi Sau street to reach the headquarters of Con Dao National Park. Here, visitors will see and learn about the diversity of nature, animals and plants of Con Dao.

Con Dao from above.

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of Con Dao National Park, the park has a total area of over 198.8 km², of which 58.8 km² is forest and 140 km² is sea. Located off the southeast coast of Vietnam, under the administrative boundary of Con Dao city (HCMC), this place has the function of conserving biodiversity, protecting the environment, regulating freshwater resources and developing sustainable ecotourism .

Since 1995, Con Dao National Park has been included in the list of important marine areas in need of global protection by the World Bank. Then, in 2013, Con Dao was recognized by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat as the 6th Internationally Important Wetland of Vietnam, and also the first Ramsar site of the country.

There are few places in the world where all four unique forest-marine ecosystems converge like in Con Dao: tropical rainforest, mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

The coral reefs in Con Dao are considered the oldest in Vietnam, distributed in shallow waters around the islands, with an area of about 1.8 hectares, recording more than 340 species of coral belonging to 61 genera and 17 families.

Meanwhile, the mangrove forest, although only covering about 30 hectares, is one of the few remaining primeval forests in Vietnam. Interspersed between the sand, gravel and tidal flats, these green patches become an important “biological wall”, helping to protect the island from climate change and sea erosion.

Not only that, Con Dao marine ecosystem is considered one of the richest areas in Vietnam, with 1,321 species of marine life recorded, of which 37 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book. This is also an important egg-laying ground for sea turtles, especially green turtles, which have been strictly preserved for many years.

“ Con Dao National Park is a typical model of balance between conservation and development. We always aim to preserve the original ecosystem , while creating sustainable livelihoods for local people,” said Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho.

Nicobar pigeons are cared for at Con Dao National Park. (Photo: Con Dao National Park)

To achieve the IUCN Green List title, Con Dao National Park must meet more than 50 strict criteria on management, conservation, transparency, operational efficiency and community participation.

The Park’s management plans focus on forest resource protection, coral restoration, biodiversity monitoring and endangered species rescue. A highlight is the sea turtle rescue program, which is held continuously during the breeding season, helping tens of thousands of baby turtles to be released back into the sea each year.

In parallel, the Park also implements hard coral reef restoration, seagrass monitoring, ocean plastic waste prevention, and increased anti-poaching patrols.

In particular, Con Dao focuses on combining conservation with community development. People are encouraged to participate in environmental protection and ecotourism activities, instead of spontaneous exploitation.

Thanks to that, the pressure on forest and marine resources is significantly reduced, creating a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, in line with the philosophy of sustainable development that the world is aiming for.

Well-deserved honor and opportunity to go far

According to the assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Con Dao's inclusion in the Green List is an international recognition of Vietnam's management effectiveness and outstanding conservation results. Together with Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park (Lam Dong) and Van Long Nature Reserve (Ninh Binh), Con Dao contributes to affirming Vietnam's position in the global effort to protect nature.

“ Being recognized by IUCN is a source of pride not only for Con Dao but also for Vietnam. This is proof that conservation work in Con Dao is being carried out effectively, transparently and sustainably. From now on, Con Dao will stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading protected areas in the IUCN Green List network," Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho emphasized.

More than just a title, the Green List opens up new opportunities for Con Dao tourism - towards responsible eco-tourism, attracting tourists who love nature, respect the environment and want to join hands to protect the green planet.

Tourists enjoy experiencing green tourism in Con Dao.

This international title is like a “green passport” bringing the image of Con Dao closer to friends around the world. With its pristine ecosystem, wild beaches, rustling green forests and vibrant ocean, Con Dao is being positioned as a symbol of green tourism in Vietnam - a place where people come not only to relax, but also to learn how to respect and live in harmony with nature.

Ecotours in Con Dao National Park are becoming increasingly popular: Visitors can join rangers in releasing baby turtles into the sea, explore the primeval forest, dive to see coral, or visit the mangrove forest - experiences that are both attractive and full of humanistic meaning.

The local government is also implementing a plan for sustainable ecotourism development, emphasizing that all investment, exploitation and business activities must be associated with environmental protection and ecosystem conservation.

Con Dao is therefore not only a “resort paradise”, but also a “green laboratory” - a place where the spirit of responsible tourism, nature conservation, and harmonious human-environment development converge. sustainable conservation - a symbol of a responsible, friendly and evergreen Vietnam.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/con-dao-niem-tu-hao-xanh-cua-viet-nam-tren-ban-do-the-gioi-ar985466.html