Standing on one of the most important maritime routes of southern Vietnam, Bay Canh Lighthouse serves as a vital navigation point for vessels traveling between Vũng Tàu, Ho Chi Minh City, and the southwestern seas. More than a century old, this lighthouse is not only a maritime symbol but also a reminder of Côn Đảo’s turbulent history and its rich natural heritage.
Located on Bay Canh Island, about 30 minutes by speedboat from the center of Côn Đảo, the lighthouse appears towering and solitary from afar. Côn Đảo lies 97 nautical miles off the mainland, making this lighthouse an essential beacon for international shipping lanes connecting Asia and Europe. The French quickly recognized the island’s strategic position and constructed the original lighthouse shortly after declaring their “sovereignty” over the archipelago in 1862.
A Lighthouse on a Mountain of Seven Peaks
Bay Canh Lighthouse sits atop the 212-meter-high summit of Bay Canh Island—one of 16 islands in the Côn Sơn archipelago. The tower itself is 16 meters tall, built solidly with three sides facing the vast ocean.
Its light reaches 35 nautical miles by day and 26.7 nautical miles by night, guiding vessels safely through the region. Inside the tower, a spiral staircase of 55 steel steps leads to the lantern room, which houses both the main lamp and an emergency backup light.
Beyond its navigation role, the lighthouse also watches over the island’s pristine environment—including Vietnam’s largest sea turtle conservation site.
Traces of History on the Ascent
A stone pathway winds from the foot of the mountain to the lighthouse—an ascent that carries echoes of Côn Đảo’s revolutionary past. During construction, the French built a temporary detention camp below the mountain to imprison about 150 political prisoners. These prisoners were forced laborers tasked with building the lighthouse.
But with their unbroken spirit, the inmates rose up, broke their chains, and staged one of the earliest uprisings on Bay Canh Island—marking an important page in Côn Đảo’s resistance history.
A Sanctuary for Marine Life
Below the lighthouse stretches a wide sandy beach, considered the most important nesting ground for green sea turtles in Vietnam. Every July, mother turtles migrate from Phú Quý, Bình Thuận, Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang, Trường Sa, and even from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia to lay their eggs here.
On some nights, up to 30 mother turtles crawl ashore to build nests. Around 80% of the eggs hatch, and the baby turtles are released back into the sea, beginning a journey that may one day bring them back—30 years later—to the same beach under Bay Canh Lighthouse. This remarkable cycle of life has continued for millions of years.
The waters around Bay Canh are strictly protected as part of Côn Đảo National Park’s marine restoration zone. Coral reefs, sea cucumbers, and countless marine species are carefully monitored and preserved.
A Beacon That Never Rests
At dusk, when the sky begins to dim, Bay Canh Lighthouse awakens. Its steady beam cuts through the night, guiding ships across a vast stretch of ocean. For sailors, the light is safety. For conservationists, it guards a rare ecosystem. And for Côn Đảo, it stands as a symbol of resilience—quiet, steadfast, and enduring through time.
