Located in the southeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City, Côn Đảo National Park lies within the Côn Sơn Archipelago. The park encompasses nearly 6,000 hectares of terrestrial area and 14,000 hectares of wetlands, where diverse ecosystems—such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows—are preserved in relatively pristine condition. The shallow coastal waters surrounding the islands are also home to many rare species, including sea turtles, dolphins, and dugongs.
Established in 1993 under Decision No. 135/QĐ-TTg (March 31, 1993) by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Côn Đảo National Park has steadily developed to fulfill its mandate of forest and marine resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management. Over the years, the park has made meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development of Côn Đảo District and Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, while also playing an important role in Vietnam’s national system of special-use forests and nature conservation.
According to Trần Đình Huệ, Deputy Director of the park, Côn Đảo boasts exceptionally rich and diverse flora and fauna, ranging from terrestrial to marine species. The vegetation includes more than 370 species of timber trees, over 100 species of climbing plants, more than 200 beneficial herbaceous species, and 30 species of orchids scattered across the islands. Surveys have identified 1,077 species of higher plants, among which 44 species were first recorded in Côn Đảo, and 11 species were named after Côn Sơn by scientists, such as Côn Sơn dipterocarp, Côn Sơn shrub, and Côn Sơn gardenia shoot.
The forest fauna comprises 160 species, including 29 mammals, 85 bird species, 38 reptiles, and 8 amphibians. Three species are considered endemic to Côn Đảo: the black squirrel, the Côn Đảo gecko, and the long-tailed macaque. Marine biodiversity is equally remarkable, with 1,725 marine species recorded. The archipelago’s geographical isolation has been a key factor in shaping its rich ecosystems, high species diversity, and strong endemism.
In terms of ecosystems, the shallow waters around Côn Đảo support coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. Coral reefs are particularly widespread and can be found along most coastal areas. Although seagrass is not extensively distributed, it forms large continuous beds covering more than 200 hectares. This ecological diversity provides ideal conditions for the survival and development of many rare and endangered species.
Today, Côn Đảo is recognized as Vietnam’s most important sea turtle nesting area, with two commonly encountered species: the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle. A total of 17 sandy beaches have been identified as nesting sites, including four beaches where up to 1,000 female turtles come ashore to lay eggs each year. Côn Đảo is also the only place in Vietnam where a remaining population of dugongs still exists, living in close association with seagrass meadows.
Thanks to its outstanding biodiversity value, Côn Đảo National Park has been listed by the World Bank as one of the highest-priority areas within the global network of marine protected areas. In 2013, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat recognized the park as the 2,203rd Wetland of International Importance worldwide and the 6th Ramsar site in Vietnam. The designation was granted based on five Ramsar criteria, including: representing a rare and unique wetland type in southeastern Vietnam and the region; supporting critically endangered species and threatened ecological communities; playing a vital role in maintaining significant biodiversity; providing refuge for species during crucial stages of their life cycles or under adverse conditions; and serving as an important feeding, breeding, nursery, and migratory area for aquatic species in the southeastern marine region of Vietnam and beyond.
