Visiting Con Dao National Park, tourists will have a breath-taking view of white sandy beaches and deep blue as well as appreciate the biodiversity value of an archipelago which is the habitat of thousands of species

Con Dao National Park is centered on an archipelago of 14 islands, located in the South East of Vietnam, 180 kilometers away from Vung Tau City. The total area of the national park is 19,998 hectares, comprising an island area of 5,998 hectares and a marine area of 14,000 hectares. In addition, a marine buffer zone of 20,500 hectares is defined. Primeval forests mostly occupy the forest area which supports the diverse flora and fauna including rare animals and various tree species in the mountains or mangrove forests. The sea also supports a wide range of different marine species highly valued in terms of science, economy and environment. Besides, dense coral reefs, a mysterious world in the deep ocean, are included.

Potential land for ecotourism development

Con Dao National Park is one of the first two national parks that take charge of protecting the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Despite being an island ecosystem, the national park has 882 vascular plant species, including 44 plant species that were discovered for the first time on the island (among them, 11 species were named Con Son), 135 species of vertebrate, 8 species of amphibian. Four bird species endemic to Con Dao are Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica, Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus, Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor and Masked Booby Sula dactylatra. In addition, Con Dao Natinoal Park is home to three recorded endemic mammal species including Black Giant Squirrel, Ratufa bicolor condorensis, Con Dao house lizard and 18 other rare species.

The marine ecosystem at the national park includes over 250 species of coral, the existence of which is the ideal environment for other marine living things. More than 1,300 marine species have been recorded. Among them are notable mammal species such as tortoises, chelonians, hawksbill turtles and dugongs-a globally endangered species. At present, Con Dao can be considered as the kingdom of dolphins.

In an attempt to raise awareness of conservation issues as well as advertise the national park, the management board has started organizing ecotourism. It is part of the strict protection area. Ecotourism is considered as an activity that contributes to the sustainable management of Con Dao’s biodiversity value and the education program so as to raise conservation awareness of both tourists and local residents. Ecotourism in Con Dao National Park is regarded as one of the two major projects of Vung Tau tourism. Con Dao National Park will offer visitors a chance to take part in different activities such as hiking, diving as well as watching coral reefs and other marine species.

According to Le Xuan Ai, General director of Con Dao National Park several construction projects to build the infrastructure have been under way. A new port will be built. Further, Con Dao National Park in cooperation with other companies in Ho Chi Minh City has been preparing equipment for diving and opening diving club to serve those who enjoy discovering the ocean. A trail is also in the course of construction in order to develop ecotourism potentials in the form of hiking. Con Dao National Park does receive cooperation from other partners to develop an ecotourism plan for the national park. Currently, the government is having the intention to reopen the airport in 2003 which is reportedly put into operation in 2004. As a result, tourists will find it easier to visit Con Dao. During the first two years of ecotourism plan, the average number of visitors reaches 1000 per year.

Organizing attractive ecotourism tours

A lot of ecotourism tours are now available such as the one from the center of Con Son to Bay Canh and Cau islands. Tourists can visit the national park by boat during the day and stay in the forest at night. As for Con Son - Hon Tre tour, it only takes 30 minutes from Con Dao to the small Tre island by canoe. Tourists can watch turtles nesting on sandy beaches and make a tour around other sightseeing such as Ba Island, Trung Island and Dam Trau Island.

Bay Canh Island is the largest of the islands surrounding Con Son. It occupies 710 hectares and has features of the mangrove forest which is the habitat of birds, monkeys and iguanas. A number of bird species recorded at Bay Canh Island are not known from any other site in Vietnam, including Nicobar Pigeon and Pied Imperial Pigeon. Tourists can enjoy themselves on clean sandy beaches, dive into the ocean to look at pristine coral reefs as well as appreciate the marine biodiversity value. During turtles’ breeding season, from April to September, tourists can watch these animals’ natural activities or participate in the management board’s conversation program.

Cau Island, the area of which is 87 hectares, has clean white sandy beaches. This is the only offshore island where fresh water and orchards can be found all year round. Cau Island was formerly an old village under the name Ba Thiet in King Gia Long’s dynasty. Furthermore, it also has historical significance as a site of several prisons used by the French colonial regime and South Vietnam regime. Many famous revolutionaries were imprisoned on the island prior to 1975. At present, Cau Island is implementing wildlife conservation program. Tourists can enjoy diverse ecosystems, pristine sightseeing and a pure environment. Their journey will become more interesting if they visit Cau Island in the turtles’ breeding season. In the moonlight, tourists can sit on breezy beaches watching turtles breeding. The most interesting thing is that visitors are likely to see dugongs and dolphins bobbing on the white-topped waves on their 10-mile way to Bay Canh or Cau Island. They are friendly messengers of the deep blue sea welcoming visitors to the national park.

Another fantastic tour is Con Son - Hon Tre. It takes 30 minutes to arrive at the large Tre Island and 35 minutes to the small Tre Island by canoe. Tre Island is also famous for its beautiful beaches and nesting sites for turtles. Besides watching marine turtles nesting, tourists can visit one of the two   Butterfliers fish living in dense coral reefs      largest bird yards in Con Dao National Park where migrating birds from the South East Asian and North East European regions are found. It is reasonable to say that in Tre Island wildlife lives in harmony with the nature. It is recommended that you should go hiking in the early morning or at sunset which are the most lively moments of wildlife.