"Green address" in the middle of the sea

We visited Con Co Island on a study tour. This trip was a lifelong dream of mine. From the assembly point at Cua Tung wharf, looking out to sea, you can see a faint blue island rising in the distance – that's Con Co Island. Though only 2.5 square kilometers, Con Co Island is strategically located along the central coast, close to major domestic and international shipping routes, thus playing a significant role in defense, security, and national defense of the territorial waters and land. Furthermore, Con Co Island is an important area for developing the marine economy and tourism...

Since the first ship brought young people to the island to start a new life, Con Co has changed and developed very rapidly. Amidst the tranquil waves, the electric lights make Con Co even more radiant and sparkling. Against the sky is the Con Co telecommunications station with its microwave transmission tower. Smooth cement roads crisscross under the shade of green trees, embracing schools, the headquarters of civil and party agencies; the island district's radio and television system, the Youth Cultural Center... In the morning, mixed with the gentle sound of the waves, the voices of teachers and students at Hoa Phong Ba Kindergarten and Primary School teach each other to sing, dance, and read.

Following our guide and the hospitable locals, we began our exploration of Con Co Island. The road leading into the forest was quite flat, with forest protection signs everywhere. Forests cover over 70% of the island's area, so you're greeted by greenery everywhere you look. These pristine forests, with their many ancient trees and rare species, are strictly protected by the military and civilians on the island. The greenery isn't just found in the natural forests; it's also cultivated within military units, government offices, and residential areas. There are trees like Terminalia catappa, Barringtonia acutangula, coconut, banana, papaya, winter squash, pumpkin, gourd, and various green vegetables – all carefully tended by the soldiers and people on the island. It's a harmonious blend of nature and humanity, making Con Co Island both wild and vibrant, a place so warm and welcoming even in this remote location.

Along with lush green forests, the marine biodiversity here is quite high and the level of conservation is still quite good. The intertidal ecosystems here are estimated to have 307 species: 160 phytoplankton, 40 seaweeds, 54 zooplankton, and 53 benthic species. The subtidal ecosystems have a total of 1,068 species, including: 219 phytoplankton, 71 seaweeds, 134 zooplankton, 173 benthic species, 150 hard corals, 31 soft corals, 200 marine fish; and 90 species of reef fish.

The sea area surrounding the island is a vast and favorable fishing ground, approximately 9,000 km², with many economically valuable marine species. Over 1,000 species of marine life live in 4-5 coastal marine ecosystems, including many rare species such as sea turtles, sea cucumbers, lobsters, pearl oysters, and rock crabs. Of the 267 species of fish, 49 are of high economic value. The reserves of large benthic animals near the island, including clams, snails, shrimp, crabs, and sea cucumbers, are estimated at around 2,670 tons. The annual squid catch reaches 356.8 tons and the lobster catch reaches 4.8 tons.

In April 2017, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province approved and recognized the tourist route to Con Co Island. After six years since its official opening, Con Co Island has made significant progress in attracting tourists.

During the peak summer tourist season, Con Co Island welcomes a large number of visitors for sightseeing and relaxation; especially on weekends, tourist attractions and homestays are always fully booked. According to statistics, in 2022, Con Co Island received over 8,000 visitors. The total revenue from tourism activities in the island district is estimated at nearly 10 billion VND. Currently, there are 4 guesthouses with a total of 48 rooms and 5 homestay services run by households, in addition to 2 boats serving the Cua Viet - Con Co tourist route. There are 5 households operating food and entertainment services that can serve 500 guests at the same time with typical island dishes such as oysters, snails, sea grapes, squid, various types of fish, etc. Support services for tourism such as renting boats for fishing around the island, snorkeling to see coral reefs, renting hammocks and tents, and various sports services on the island are also available. Periodically, especially during peak season, the People's Committee of Con Co Island District has directed the district's functional departments and agencies to strengthen inspections of tourism service businesses. One of the key aspects is checking environmental protection measures, because the goal of tourism is to develop socio-economic aspects without harming the environment; tourism must be truly green to keep the island green.

Life here unfolds in a rhythmic, almost instantaneous way. In the distance, large ships sail out to sea; at dawn, fishing boats return in droves, enlivening the morning market; after the market closes, the space returns to its tranquility. Chatting with a local man who had just finished a fishing trip, he warmly shared stories of venturing out to sea, preserving the forests, and planting greenery to make the island ever greener. He acknowledged the hardships and uncertainties of life, but he believed that with the care and attention of the Party and the State in general, and Quang Tri province in particular, Con Co Island would become even more developed and greener.

The lives of the people here mainly depend on fishing both nearshore and offshore. For them, each trip out to sea carries the hope of bringing back a bountiful harvest. And each return of a ship is always eagerly awaited by loved ones. Therefore, the harbor is not just a docking place, but also a place to wait for loved ones to return from the vast ocean. Whether the catch is large or small is normal in their arduous struggle for survival. The small catches of fish and shrimp each day, accumulated month after month, year after year, have brought the residents of this island district a more stable life, even wealth, from the sea. But it's not just a daily livelihood; the seafaring profession is also a deep-seated bond between the people of Con Co Island District and the sea. Especially when the East Sea is always under the "scrutiny" of foreign powers, the venturing out to sea by the fishermen of Con Co Island District further affirms Vietnam's sovereignty over its maritime territories.

The Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee will soon implement a plan to establish a special-use forest area to protect the landscape of Con Co Island. This will serve both the goal of protecting the forest-marine ecosystem and the interests of the local community through the rational exploitation of natural products from the forest and ecotourism services, while also meeting strict requirements for national defense and security. Thus, in my vision, Con Co Island is not only a historical revolutionary site but also a "green" environmental destination, a place worth living in and visiting.

The trip left me with many memorable moments. Before the sacred sovereignty of our nation's islands, before the sacrifices of our ancestors who defended the islands, and before the determined efforts of the military and people of Con Co to protect sovereignty and build a sustainable island, I realized how insignificant I am and how small my own contributions are. With all my love for my country and homeland, I hope everyone will visit Con Co at least once, to experience the love for Vietnam's islands, to appreciate the shades of green – the green of the sky, the green of the forest, the green of the water, and the eternal green of the will and determination of the military and people of Con Co to protect the sacred sovereignty of our islands.

Le Thi Thu Thanh

Address: Team 2, Bich Khe, Trieu Long, Trieu Phong, Quang Tri

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