Legend of Con Dao then and now

Wednesday - 05/08/2020 07:42

Con Dao is an archipelago with beautiful natural scenery and a prime location, especially important in the country's security and defense strategy. This is also a place to mark the history of a period of national struggle for independence.

Con Dao district of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is a natural ecological area including 16 large and small islands located approximately 97 nautical miles from the center of Vung Tau city. Just over 4 hours on a high-speed ship departing from Mui Da port of Vung Tau City, we set foot on the majestic sacred islands, which marked the glorious days of the nation in the battle against colonialists and henchmen.
Looking from the East Sea to the mainland, in front of us are the undulating green islands still intact the rich beauty that nature has bestowed. In particular, Con Dao is the largest island emerging in the middle of the vast blue sea and is surrounded by white sandy beaches. Con Dao is shaped like a big bear turning its back to the mainland, its feet facing the East Sea.
Con Dao belongs to the archipelago lying in the middle of the vast ocean completely separated from the mainland. It was because of this isolation that in 1862 the French decided to choose this place to build a famous prison system in Indochina, making it a "Hell on earth" right from the early days of colonial rule.

Hang Duong Cemetery
Over 40 years of war have passed, today Con Dao district has become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, the prestigious travel website Lonely Planet has ranked Con Dao 4th in the list of 10 impressive places in Asia for travelers. In addition to tourism, Con Dao is also the center of fishing grounds for fishermen in Con Dao and the southern provinces.
On June 17, 2015, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 870 approving the master plan for the development of the Con Dao national tourist area in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province until 2030. Accordingly, the plan defines the target to receive about 300,000 tourists by 2030, including 120,000 international visitors, accounting for 40%.
The Con Dao National Tourism Development Master Plan to 2030 has clearly defined the target of selecting tourism as a key industry to promote and develop socio-economic. Different from the bustle of other tourist cities, Con Dao district is a peaceful and quiet paradise with the prospect of developing special types of tourism in the future; at the same time, it has the distinctive nature of our country.
Implementing Decision No. 870, with the close guidance of the leadership of Con Dao district and the unanimity of the entire population, up to now, the life and activities of the people of Con Dao district have changed dramatically. Urban transport, airports and ports systems were spaciously constructed by district and provincial investment. Con Dao fishing hectic by fishing logistics services. Provinces ship to Con Dao thousands of units a year; domestic and foreign tourists come to Con Dao more and more.
With clear orientation, strategic vision and drastic guidance of district leaders. Con Dao has made quick changes to catch up with the civilized tourism, which is reflected by the sharp increase in the number of tourists coming to Con Dao in the past time.
Spiritual tourism is an indispensable part of Con Dao tourism industry. The relics are preserved and periodically renovated to attract the attention of tourists when visiting Con Dao such as Hang Duong cemetery, Co Sau tombs, the system of prisons, Van Son Pagoda ...
Talking to the reporter, Mr. Nguyen Anh Nhat - Vice Chairman of Con Dao District People's Committee said: Continuing to build the mighty Con Dao, the People's Committee has built a socio-economic development plan in 2020 with targets and solution, like:
Service industry revenue: 2007, 09 billion, up 6.04% compared to the estimate in 2019. Of which, the majority is service and tourism revenue with 1,658.05 billion VND, up 6.59% compared to with estimated implementation in 2019
The number of tourists to Con Dao: 419,750 arrivals increased 6.6% compared to the estimated implementation in 2019, of which international visitors were 35,100, an increase of 4.10% compared to the estimated implementation in 2019. In order to determine the good implementation of the set targets, the Con Dao District People's Committee has specific solutions to develop the tourism industry in 2020 such as: Encouraging people to invest in expanding business scale in trade.

Con Dao image seen from the East Sea.

Strengthening promotion, promotion, introduction and branding, management of Con Dao tourism brand, calling and creating favorable conditions for investors to access and implement appropriate tourism projects in accordance with the approved plan, fully exploit the tourist potential of Con Dao. Develop sea and island tourism, eco-tourism and cultural-historical tourism, continue perfecting infrastructure for tourism development (electricity, water, waste treatment plants, urban areas embellishment, ...) complete Ton Duc Thang pedestrian street, study the night market model.
Building and maintaining a safe, civilized and polite tourist environment, focusing on improving the quality of different types of service to the needs of tourists, examining the observance of law by tourist business establishments, strengthening the strict management of market prices, combating speculation of goods, stabilizing market prices to ensure the life of people in Con Dao.
In addition, the district has also carried out many activities to raise awareness and responsibility of the community in environmental protection, mobilizing people in residential areas in the district to clean up the environment at the same time, waste collection and treatment, in response to the movement "Con Dao - Green - Clean - Nice".
2020 is particularly important in the implementation of socio-economic plans. Facing new opportunities and chances, unavoidable difficulties and challenges, but with the high determination of the party committee and the Con Dao government, as well as the unanimity of the people living here are important factors to build a mighty Con Dao, worthy of international stature in the future.