Developing Con Dao sustainably, with its own identity

Con Dao officially became the only special economic zone under Ho Chi Minh City from July 1, 2025. From here, Con Dao has more conditions and opportunities to develop more strongly. In particular, the blue sea economy is identified as a strategic direction, creating a solid pillar for the future of the important special economic zone of the city named after Uncle Ho.

Green economy - circular economy

Located more than 230km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 large and small islands, covering an area of nearly ^76km2 of land and nearly ^200km2 of surrounding sea. Con Dao is considered one of the "red addresses" in the minds of Vietnamese people.

Comrade Le Anh Tu, Secretary of the Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee, said that in the 2020-2025 term, Con Dao district (now Con Dao Special Zone) has left many outstanding marks in all fields of economy, culture - society , national defense - security, government building and administrative reform... Specifically, in the 2020-2025 term, the Party Committee and people of Con Dao have strived to overcome difficulties, achieving and exceeding most of the targets set by the Resolution of the District Party Congress.

Particularly in the economic field, over the past 5 years, Con Dao's economy has continued to develop in the right direction, with tourism as the main pillar, shifting its structure towards a high proportion of services and tourism. All 6/6 main economic targets have been achieved and exceeded the Resolution of the 10th District Party Congress.

In particular, during this term, Con Dao district has carried out a number of arising tasks: Con Dao was recognized by the Prime Minister as meeting new rural standards in 2024; the project to supply electricity from the national grid to Con Dao has started construction and is expected to be technically energized on September 2; the Prime Minister approved the policy of upgrading and expanding Con Dao Airport under the form of PPP investment; implementing the project "Piloting a number of mechanisms and policies for the development of Con Dao", the project "Research and application of the Circular Economy model to serve sustainable socio-economic development of Con Dao district in the period of 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030"...

For example, The Secret Con Dao Hotel has been in operation since the end of 2020. The hotel representative said that from the beginning, the hotel has implemented activities to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment through the use of environmentally friendly materials for toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes; minimizing plastic bags from suppliers; using paper bags to serve customers...

Opening up the blue economy

To promote the value of the relic, combining conservation and tourism development is an important direction, helping visitors better understand the history when experiencing the unique space of this island. This is one of the activities opening up the blue sea economy. In 2025, Con Dao tourism industry aims to strongly develop green - sustainable tourism, eco-tourism and resorts; the target of tourists increasing by 4.4%, accommodation service revenue increasing by 13.22%.

Secretary of the Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee Le Anh Tu visits former Con Dao political prisoner Nguyen Xuan Vien

Comrade Le Anh Tu, Secretary of the Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee, informed that Con Dao will develop its socio-economy in a special, sustainable and comprehensive direction associated with ensuring national defense - security and maintaining sovereignty over the islands. Specifically, Con Dao will focus on developing high-quality tourism, becoming a national tourist area with a focus on sea and island eco-tourism, history - culture and spirituality, creating differences between sub-areas such as: the old French architectural quarter, high-class resorts, Ben Dam, Dam Trau, Co Ong and the National Park.

“Con Dao will prioritize upgrading Con Dao airport, developing a seaport that is qualified to receive international ships, building a logistics center and ensuring a synchronous power, water and waste treatment system. All of these must strictly comply with planning, protect heritage and natural landscapes,” emphasized comrade Le Anh Tu.

To develop Con Dao sustainably and with its own identity, in the coming term, the Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee has set out 6 groups of tasks, focusing on groups of issues such as: developing a circular economy; promoting the application of science and technology; protecting islands; innovating and arranging the organization of the political system to be streamlined and operate effectively...

In particular, the common goal is to build a strategy for the development of Con Dao special economic zone until 2030, with a vision to 2050, following the model of a green island, smart island, green transportation, clean environment, friendly, and livable.

QUANG VU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phat-trien-con-dao-ben-vung-mang-ban-sac-rieng-post807027.html