Discovering the pristine forest–marine ecosystem of Con Dao

Bai Duong is located on the northwest side of Hon Bay Canh, the second largest island in the Con Dao archipelago after Con Son Island. Hon Bay Canh is approximately 8 km by sea from the main island and is typically accessed by boat from Con Son Pier.

The trail to the summit of Hon Ba.
 

The plant ecosystem blankets the path leading to the summit of Hon Ba.
 


Hon Ba, also known as Hon Con Lon Nho or Hon Phu Son, spans about 576 hectares. It lies northeast of Con Son Island, separated by a narrow 20-meter-wide water channel known as Hong Dam or Cua Tu (literally "Mouth of the Lagoon" or "Death Gate"). Between the two islands lies Tay Nam Bay, a deep and sheltered bay ideal for anchoring and storm sheltering.
 

Visitors to Con Dao can enjoy snorkeling among coral reefs at various small surrounding islands.
 

The pitcher plant (Nepenthes) is a rare and unique plant species, thriving in nutrient-poor, moist areas such as mangrove forests, sandy soil forests, and wetlands, including Dam Tre Bay, a part of Con Dao National Park.
 
Brown boobies (Sula leucogaster) can be seen nesting on Hon Trung, also known as Hon Da Bac.

The crested tern, one of the six most populous seabird species on the islands, has a local population estimated at over 3,000 individuals.
 


Nicobar pigeons are most commonly found on Hon Tre Lon and along Nui Chua – Nui Nha Ban and Dam Tre Bay routes within the national park.

 

Con Dao is home to four species of sea turtles: Green turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Olive ridley. However, only two species come ashore to nest—Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata).
 

The clouded monitor lizard (Varanus nebulosus) is found in several Southeast Asian forests including Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. In Vietnam, sightings have been confirmed in Con Dao.
 


Over the years, generations of staff at Con Dao National Park have worked tirelessly to conserve the park’s biodiversity, including its forests, marine life, and wetlands. These efforts have been recognized by both domestic and international organizations: Designated as a Ramsar Site (a wetland of international importance) in 2013, Member of the Indian Ocean – Southeast Asia Marine Turtle Protected Area Network