Con Dao's Journey Towards Net Zero

Summary Con Dao Island is taking significant strides in promoting sustainable tourism. The island has initiated campaigns to collect garbage and implemented rules regarding single-use plastics for both residents and tourists.

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Visitors release turtles at Con Dao. Photo: Con Dao National Park

Con Dao is advancing its sustainable tourism efforts by launching garbage collection campaigns and implementing regulations on single-use plastics for residents and tourists.

In early October, Vo Quang Minh’s family from Hanoi flew to Con Dao. Taking advantage of the sea turtle nesting season, they engaged in eco-tourism activities, visiting the Hang Duong cemetery and historical sites.

A view of Con Dao town. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

At 7 a.m. the following day, a canoe picked up the Minh family and a group of visitors from the central town heading to Bay Canh Islet, where about 80% of the island’s sea turtles lay eggs. Visitors are advised against hunting, gathering, fishing, or carrying single-use plastic bags.

After a 20-minute journey, the group toured the turtle incubation lake, learned about sea turtles, and conservation work. They then proceeded to the large sandy beach, received baskets containing baby turtles from the rangers, and released them according to instructions.

“Releasing newly-hatched turtles towards the ocean in search of life was a unique experience. Beyond mere tourism, this trip helped my family, especially my young son, understand our responsibilities towards nature,” said Minh.

Minh’s family was among nearly 100 visitors who experienced this activity at Con Dao that day. Thanh Mui, a conservation area staff member, noted that compared to other types of tourism, the number of visitors is limited. Tours typically welcome 10 to 30 guests per session.

“We limit the number to maintain the necessary tranquility for the turtles’ journey to the sea without affecting the natural environment,” Mui explained.

For many years, the Con Dao National Park management and rangers have employed various methods to care for and conserve turtles.

Turtle rescue work. Photo: Con Dao National Park

Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of the National Park, stated that sea turtle conservation began in the 1990s, but methods were primitive. Since the 2000s, methods have improved with security cameras in nesting areas, using lighter and more durable plastic tags, and attaching satellite GPS devices.

As a result, from over 15,000 turtles released into the sea in 1993, the number increased to more than 200,000 by 2022. In the first nine months of this year, the park recorded over 100,000 eggs, 1,039 successful nests, and nearly 40,000 turtles released into the sea. The turtle conservation program and the Con Dao National Park annually welcome about 40,000 visitors, accounting for nearly 10% of tourists to Con Dao.

A view of the Con Dao town. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Con Dao is the only place in Vietnam with strictly protected primary forest and sea, recognized as an ASEAN heritage park. It is an internationally important wetland - Vietnam’s first marine Ramsar site. Con Dao comprises 16 large and small islands, with the main island hosting administrative agencies, residents, and infrastructure.

According to local statistics, in 2023, Con Dao welcomed and served 586,000 tourists, an increase of over 11% compared to the same period last year, including 17,000 international visitors. Total revenue reached 2,088 billion VND. In 2024, for the first nine months, the district welcomed 556,125 visitors with total revenue of 2,083.157 billion VND. Tourism accounts for over 90% of the economic structure.

A corner of Con Dao town. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Con Dao faces challenges from rapid tourism development, causing pressure on waste management infrastructure, especially plastic waste. Climate change impacts have degraded the environment’s quality and threatened the island’s unique ecosystems. To protect nature, besides conserving turtles and biodiversity in the national park over 30 years, the district launched a sustainable socio-economic development plan from late 2022, targeting 2022-2025, with orientation toward 2030.

The plan aims for 85% of plastic waste to be reused, recycled, or treated by 2025; reduce non-biodegradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products, increase coral reef restoration programs, and other ecosystems.

From 2023, the county-managed relics, including Cau Temple, Memorial to 75 Soldiers - Residential Area No. 1; Earth God Temple - Residential Area No. 2; An Son Temple - Residential Area No. 3; Nui Mot Pagoda - Residential Area No. 3; Five Elements Temple - Residential Area No. 10 were asked to limit the burning of votive papers.

An offering basket for visitors to Hang Duong Cemetery. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The National Conservation Center implemented “Green Gift Basket Saturday,” guiding visitors to prepare eco-friendly offering baskets without votive papers, foam, plastic bags, and single-use plastic bottles, with dimensions not exceeding 50cm in height-width-length.

Having visited nearly all famous tourist destinations on the island, Minh’s family appreciated the local efforts. “We were constantly reminded by accommodation units, tourism services, and travel agencies about reducing plastic waste, avoiding single-use plastics. Banners and signs promoting plastic waste reduction and green tourism are everywhere, ingraining this consciousness into our minds,” Minh shared.

According to the district’s Natural Resources and Environment Office, by October 2024, Hang Duong Cemetery reduced over 80% of plastic waste and plastic bags. The program also reduced inorganic waste volume from 3.38 m³ per day to 0.52 m³ per day, an 85% reduction from regular days.

The “Green House” model by the District Women’s Union collected 2,000 kg of plastic and 700 kg of cans in the first nine months, raising over 14.5 million VND. 100% of accommodation facilities signed a commitment to practice plastic reduction.

In early November last year, the locality also asked transport companies to join in implementing a circular economic proposal for sustainable socio-economic development.

Currently, visitors can reach Con Dao by sea or air. Air travel, with its time-saving advantage, is preferred by many visitors. As the only airline operating flights to and from Con Dao, Vietnam Airlines serves nearly 500,000 visitors annually. The airline also chose Con Dao as the first locality to implement the “Sustainable Flight” project.

An aircraft bringing visitors to and from Con Dao. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Since mid-March, Vietnam Airlines increased flight frequency to the island, alongside environmental protection measures such as collecting plastic waste and plastic bags on flights for processing on the mainland. The airline also urges passengers to limit single-use plastic products during their stay on the island, helping preserve its pristine beauty.

In late September, Vietnam Airlines launched the “Light Flight to Con Dao” campaign, encouraging passengers to reduce luggage weight and limit plastic waste. The campaign aims to reduce CO2 emissions, increase waste collection, treatment, and recycling, contributing to the island’s goal of reducing 85% of plastic waste by 2025.

Vietnam Airlines will collaborate with local authorities to collect waste. Waste will be returned to the mainland for recycling into products such as plant pots, tables, and chairs, given back to tourism areas, public parks. The company also plans to plant more trees and decorate roads to enhance the environment’s quality.

The activity of exchanging waste for gifts during the “Light Flight to Con Dao” campaign launch. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The airline, in cooperation with Lagom, brought recycling machines to three elementary and secondary schools as teaching aids to educate students about waste sorting and environmental protection. Monthly, Vietnam Airlines and local authorities organize “Green Con Dao Day” to promote and implement waste collection, sorting, and recycling, fostering a green lifestyle within the community.

From September 23 to September 30, Vietnam Airlines and the District Youth Union collected over 820 kg of various plastic waste. Out of this, more than 420 kg of recyclable plastic waste and aluminum cans were sorted and returned to the mainland for proper recycling.

From October 8 to October 12, the airline continued collaborating with Lagom to hold a plastic waste recycling workshop at island schools, attended by over 2,000 students and teachers. The event collected and brought back 470kg of recyclable waste to the mainland.

Students and residents of Con Dao participate in waste collection and recycling activities. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

The “Green Con Dao Day” is expected to continue on November 30 and December 30, aiming to collect 1,500-2,000 kg of waste.

According to Dinh Van Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, this step toward sustainable aviation and tourism development, and shifting the economy towards a circular model. “We hope Con Dao will become a representative model for sustainable development in the future,” Tuan said.

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