Côn Đảo District is one of the most significant destinations in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Province due to its outstanding natural environment and its profound cultural and spiritual heritage. The archipelago consists of one large island (Côn Sơn) and 15 smaller surrounding islands, located off the southeastern coast of Vietnam—approximately 185 km from Vũng Tàu City, 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City, and about 83 km from Cần Thơ (Hậu River estuary). Today, Côn Đảo is more accessible with direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Cần Thơ, and Vũng Tàu, as well as high-speed ferry routes.
Côn Đảo is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam. The main island is dominated by mountain ranges and vast, pristine tropical forests, forming a magnificent natural backdrop for the historic prison complex and Côn Sơn Town. Its untouched marine environment surrounds the archipelago with coral reefs and diverse ecosystems. Côn Đảo National Park has been recognized as a global Ramsar site, and notably, Vietnam’s first marine Ramsar site. With its rich history, unique natural conditions, and exceptional geographic position, Côn Đảo has grown into a renowned tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.
According to data published by the Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Department of Tourism, Côn Đảo welcomes approximately 153,717 visitors annually, including about 16,572 international tourists. By 2030, the number of visitors is projected to reach 300,000 per year. However, the rapid increase in tourism also poses severe environmental challenges, negatively affecting the island’s natural ecosystems—especially the rich biodiversity within Côn Đảo National Park. Human activities have placed enormous pressure on land, forest, and marine ecosystems, threatening environmental balance and long-term sustainability.
To ensure sustainable development, protect the ecological environment, and improve tourism quality, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment proposes the following key solutions:
1. Strengthen implementation of environmental management policies
Continue to effectively implement:
- Directive 18/CT-TTg (04/09/2013) on strengthening environmental management in tourism areas.
- Resolution 09-NQ/TU (27/12/2019) on developing high-quality tourism in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu through 2030.
- Tourism Environmental Protection Plan (2017–2020).
- Directive 27-CT/TU (23/03/2018) on strengthening environmental protection.
2. Promote environmental awareness among residents and tourists
Encourage organizations, households, and individuals to comply with:
- Decision 745/QĐ-UBND (26/06/2019) on environmental protection regulations in Côn Đảo.
- Decision 718/QĐ-BVHTTDL (02/03/2017) on the Code of Conduct for Civilized Tourism.
- Plan 66/KH-UBND (05/06/2018) on implementing the Code of Conduct in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu.
Communication and education should focus on:
- Raising awareness of environmental responsibility among locals and tourists
- Promoting conservation of forests, seas, soil, and water
- Protecting fisheries resources
- Encouraging community participation in sustainable natural resource management
3. Wastewater treatment and management
The province approved the Côn Đảo Central Wastewater Collection and Treatment System:
- Phase 1 capacity: 1,000 m³/day
- Phase 2 capacity: 3,500 m³/day
- Total investment: 167 billion VND
- Approved EIA: Decision 1099/QĐ-UBND (04/05/2019)
Requirements:
- Effectively operate both wastewater treatment phases
- Ensure all treated water meets national environmental standards
- Encourage reuse of treated wastewater
- Hotels and resorts must apply advanced treatment technologies
- Absolutely no direct discharge into the sea
4. Solid waste management
Transition from landfill disposal to waste sorting and incineration as soon as possible. Accelerate construction of the Côn Đảo Waste Treatment Project in accordance with:
- Resolution 96/NQ-HĐND (13/12/2019)
- Decision 504/QĐ-UBND on implementation planning
Long-term solutions:
- Waste sorting at source
- Recycling and reusing packaged waste
- Treating organic waste using biological technologies
5. Addressing marine debris
Proposed actions:
- Promote awareness among fishermen and boat operators to ensure all waste is collected and brought ashore for proper treatment.
- Mobilize Côn Đảo National Park staff to continue removing floating debris from island coastlines and transport it to centralized waste facilities.
6. Combat plastic pollution
Strictly implement:
- Decision 1334/QĐ-UBND (29/05/2019) on anti-plastic-waste campaigns
- Consider developing a “plastic-free tourism model” for Côn Đảo
- Collaborate with WWF Vietnam on the “Plastic Waste Management in Vietnam” project currently active in Côn Đảo Marine Protected Area
7. Strengthen environmental inspections
Increase inspections of tourism businesses and strictly enforce penalties for violations, especially:
- Littering at tourist sites
- Improper waste disposal
- Pollution caused by tourism services
8. Environmental requirements for new investment projects
Projects must comply with Decree 40/2019/NĐ-CP, particularly:
- Hotels with 200 rooms or more
- Resorts, tourism zones, sports complexes, amusement parks over 10 hectares
- Golf courses
Projects must include:
- Environmental impact assessments
- Environmental protection plans
- Measures to preserve natural topography, biodiversity, forest ecosystems, and marine ecosystems
9. Implement the provincial biodiversity action plan
Carry out tasks under:
- Decision 3792/QĐ-UBND (31/12/2019) on the provincial Biodiversity Action Plan through 2020 with orientation toward 2030
This concludes the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s report on solutions for environmental and ecological protection to support sustainable tourism development in Côn Đảo.
