During Vietnam’s long fight for freedom,
Con Dao Island was hell on earth. Today, this former prison island is a natural paradise
Undersea riches
Con Dao is famous not only for its stunning white sand beaches but also for its national park that is home to old-growth forests and diverse flora and fauna. Con Dao is located where two ocean currents meet: a warm current from the South and a cool current from the north. Long isolated from human activities, Con Dao’s undersea nature has proliferated. In terms of density of creatures and the number of species, Con Dao has one
of the richest ecosystems in Vietnam. The Sea animal Centre in Con Dao has recorded 1,493 species that belong to three main ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs. Con Dao has 44 species that are extremely rare and genetically valuable and are listed in the redbook. This area is also home to some reptiles and large mammals, including the long-beaked dolphin, blue whales and dugongs, the latter being very rare and internationally protected. Con Dao is the only place in Vietnam where dugongs may be found, as these large mammals feed on seagrass beds. reptiles found in Con Dao include sea snakes and sea turtles. Con Dao has the largest number of sea turtles in Vietnam. There are up to 17 sand flats in Con Dao where turtles lay eggs, including four places where up to 1,000 turtles nest each year.
