Con Dao leads the way in circular tourism

The development of Con Dao's tourism industry is stimulating growth in other production and service sectors, and the local authorities aim to further that development by closely connecting the islands with Ho Chi Minh City and the southeast region.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee chose the circular economy to focus on ecological environment, social equity, and economic development. The committee issued Decision No.495/QD-UBND in March, approving a project to research and apply the circular economy model for sustainable socioeconomic development of Con Dao and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province as a whole.

Photo: Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Information and Communications

The project has set specific targets, such as aiming to reuse, recycle, and treat 85 per cent of plastic waste generated in 2025, achieve a 10 per cent rate of rainwater collection and treatment for domestic use during 2026-2030, reach a 10 per cent rate of wastewater treatment and reuse for various purposes by 2030, attain a minimum of 10 per cent electric and green energy vehicle usage in 2022-2025 and increase this to 30 per cent in 2026-2030, achieve a 10 per cent rate of local production and consumption of raw materials in 2026-2030, and reach a 10 per cent rate of collection, repair, refurbishment, and reuse of used products next year, with an increase to 15 per cent in the following period.

Additionally, the circular economy project aims to enhance the competitiveness of key economic clusters, promote high-quality tourism development, entice diverse tourist sources, thereby increasing tourism revenue for Con Dao and driving sustainable development of supporting economic sectors.

Con Dao takes a stand against plastic waste

A progress report meeting last September revealed that the project had completed awareness education on the circular economy for all of Con Dao's officials, employees, and students. All agencies and units in Con Dao had eliminated plastic products from meetings, while 40 per cent of households, businesses, schools, and offices were now sorting waste at the source. Half of the tourist areas and accommodation facilities had stopped using single-use plastic products. A wastewater treatment plant with an average reuse capacity of 900 cubic metres per day has also been put into operation.

Con Dao is gradually implementing specific circular economy initiatives. Long-term focus areas include enhancing solid waste management capabilities, promoting source segregation of waste, raising awareness, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering environmental protection consciousness among residents, tourists, and businesses.

Last year, Con Dao district initiated a plan to discourage burning votive offerings, and as of July, heritage sites managed by the People's Committee, including Uncle's Temple, Tomb of 75 Soldiers, Earth God Temple, An Son Temple, One Mountain Pagoda, and Five Elements Temple, have banned the practice. The Con Dao National Relic Conservation Centre also launched 'Green Offering Basket Saturday' in July, guiding visitors to Hang Duong Cemetery to prepare environmentally friendly offerings without votive papers, styrofoam, plastic bags, or single-use plastic bottles, with size restrictions of 50cm in height, length, and width.

Nguyen Thuy Nga, Vice Chairwoman of Con Dao People's Committee, said, "Hang Duong Cemetery and other relic sites no longer see offerings of votive papers or burning of joss paper. Air quality monitoring across the island has shown significant improvement, with AQI displaying in the green range. Most shops selling ritual items have adaptively shifted to showcasing green offering baskets."

Green Offering Basket Saturday - Photo: Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Information and Communications

Given its location, Con Dao has long suffered serious effects from plastic marine waste, particularly in mangrove areas, coral reefs, and beaches. To address this issue, the Con Dao National Park Management Board partnered with WWF Vietnam earlier this year to launch a plastic reduction communication campaign. The campaign aims to prevent single-use plastics from entering Con Dao, targeting visitors coming via the airport or harbour, and those visiting tourist sites, beaches, and entertainment venues.

The campaign is divided into three phases. Phases 1 and 2, from April to July, focussed on messages about plastic reduction regulations and banning votive paper burning through activities such as the Green Offering Basket contest. Other initiatives include installing air quality monitoring devices, promoting plastic-free tourism on websites and social media, providing guidance on reducing single-use plastics, and creating creative communication products like Con Dao badges, murals about plastic-free tourism, and postcards.

Phase 3, taking place from September to November, is concerned with organising plastic waste collection events at tourist sites and historical relics. At the same time, content creation will continue for social media campaigns to convey messages about regulations aimed at limiting single-use plastic products at tourist destinations.

Con Dao is focussing on developing a circular tourism economy

Con Dao has implemented several practical initiatives, including green tourism tours, sea turtle conservation tours, providing reusable utensils, distributing rubbish bins, training residents on source waste segregation, organic waste processing, and compost recycling.

The Con Dao National Park Management Board has been promoting and encouraging tourism businesses to participate in a plastic reduction week. In collaboration with WWF Vietnam, they've distributed posters and handbooks to travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants.

"We hope these actions will change behaviours so we can conserve and restore the islands' resources and promote Con Dao's cultural and ecological values," said Vo Thi Van from the Con Dao National Park Management Board.

Currently, Con Dao is developing ecotourism tours that combine nature conservation, attracting visitors with experiences close to nature and rare wildlife.

Tourists participating in the turtle hatchling release activity. Photo: Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Information and Communications

The sea turtle release tour has become a unique highlight, offering tourists a rare opportunity to participate in protecting endangered sea turtles. Tourists learn about the egg incubation and conservation process and experience releasing newly hatched turtles into the sea early in the morning. Rangers instruct visitors on proper release techniques, so as not to block the path to the sea and avoid stepping on or handling the baby turtles roughly.

Forest trekking tours are also attracting nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The two most renowned forest trekking tours in Con Dao are So Ray and Thanh Gia. Trekkers immerse themselves in pristine nature, exploring diverse ecosystems in primary forests with rich vegetation, ancient trees, vines, and rare animals. From the 557m Thanh Gia peak, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Con Dao, taking in its majestic natural beauty.

Additionally, visitors can experience scuba diving tours, observing the underwater world with colourful corals and marine life such as sea snails, sea cucumbers, sea turtles, cobia, and threadfin. The most developed marine ecosystem in Con Dao is found at Hon Tai or Hon Bay Canh, with crystal-clear waters and a tropical island ecosystem hosting more than 880 plant species and nearly 150 animal species.

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