Ho Quang Trung 2 is the primary freshwater storage and supply source for Con Dao District. It plays a vital role in supporting the island’s economic development and ensuring daily water needs for local residents.
On our first day in Con Dao, the electric car driver from Marina Bay Hotel took us on a short sightseeing tour around the town center. Among the places that every visitor wants to stop for photos is Ho Quang Trung 2. After being upgraded with a reinforced embankment and dredged lakebed, Ho Quang Trung 2 has become not only a crucial irrigation and water-supply project but also a pleasant attraction for visitors. From the electric car, we could feel the fresh atmosphere and admire the clear blue water shimmering beneath the surface. Along the embankment, flowers, grass, and trees have been planted, creating a clean, scenic walkway for tourists to take photos or enjoy a relaxing stroll.
According to the district’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Ho Quang Trung 2 is a level-IV irrigation structure. It helps raise groundwater levels, reduce saltwater intrusion, and supply freshwater for the central residential area. Its water production capacity reaches 5,000 m³/day (in 2020) and 9,000–10,000 m³/day projected for 2030. The reservoir also contributes to natural disaster prevention, climate change adaptation, forest fire control, environmental protection, and agricultural production.
In the past, Ho Quang Trung 2 was a natural lake with limited water storage, insufficient to meet residents’ needs. As Con Dao developed, population increased, and tourism grew rapidly, the demand for freshwater rose significantly. To address this, the lake was expanded and upgraded in 2013, including: a water surface area of 104,000 m², a total capacity of 645,000 m³, and related infrastructure such as a traffic bridge, water channels from Ho Quang Trung 1, intake culverts, protective embankments, and roads around the lake. In 2014, the provincial government invested in constructing embankments and surrounding roads for both lakes to protect water quality and ensure adequate freshwater supply for daily life, production, and tourism.
According to Le Van Phong, Chairman of the Con Dao District People’s Committee, Ho Quang Trung 2 is one of the island’s largest freshwater reservoirs. It plays a crucial role in water storage, groundwater recharge, and shaping the ecological landscape. Recognizing that freshwater is a decisive factor for local economic–social development, the district authorities have implemented strict protection measures for the three existing reservoirs: Ho Quang Trung 1, Ho Quang Trung 2, and Ho An Hai. These include improving the reservoirs, restricting wastewater discharge, and strengthening environmental protection.
Since mid-2016, the Con Dao District Party Committee has issued Resolution No. 04-NQ/HU on strengthening the management, protection, exploitation, and use of freshwater resources for the 2017–2020 period. To enforce strict protection policies, the district has suspended permits for new groundwater extraction, established buffer zones to protect water sources, and assigned agencies to clean the reservoir areas regularly. Additionally, slaughterhouses in residential areas were temporarily closed; waste collection and wastewater treatment were closely monitored; and residents were guided on the safe use of agricultural chemicals. Awareness campaigns were also carried out to educate businesses and communities about responsible water use and conservation.
Ho Quang Trung 2 today serves not only as a lifeline for freshwater on Con Dao but also as a symbol of the island’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
