Con Dao National Park on Con Dao Islands lying off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has been recognised as an official member of the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia (IOSEA), becoming the 11th member of the marine turtles conservation network. 

The Vietnamese Government has engaged in various international commitments to enhance management and preserve vulnerable and endangered marine turtles, said Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan on October 21.

Keeping the Con Dao National Park clean and conserving biodiversity is the top priority for its management board.

The year 2018 witnessed new efforts in preventing and fighting against wildlife trafficking in Vietnam with a number of strict judgments made.

Lam Duc Du, a forest ranger on Con Dao Island in the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau, wakes up at midnight, picks up his flashlight and goes down to the beach to collect turtle eggs.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The famous Con Dao Island’s ecosystem and its biodiversity is seriously threatened by overexploitation and low environmental awareness of visitors and locals.

 VietNamNet Bridge – With over 3,000km of coastline and thousands of offshore islands, Viet Nam is home to a wide range of species, including marine turtles.

VietNamNet Bridge - Con Dao Island is not only famous for beautiful large beaches and primitive forests, but recently also for beaches covered with garbage.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Household waste dumped by fisherman is polluting many small islands and beaches located on Con Dao District of the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

 VietNamNet Bridge – When I finished my maiden trip to Con Dao five years ago, I dreamt of having an opportunity to return to this beautiful island, and my dream came true last weekend.

VietNamNet Bridge – With their pristine seas, the Con Dao Islands are home to a large number of sea turtles. Every year, between April and November, their breeding season, thousands of turtles crawl ashore to lay eggs in the sand,

VietNamNet Bridge – The Con Dao National Park in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is the first place in Vietnam to successfully implement a sea turtle conservation and rescue programme through numerous efforts taken since 1987,

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Con Dao National Park in the central coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has been recognised as the first marine Ramsar site in Viet Nam.

 VietNamNet Bridge - With an environment favorable for the conservation of such marine species as sea turtle, dolphin and dugong, Con Dao mangrove forest has been recognized as a Ramsar site of the world.

Con Dao has a very large population of sea turtles. Every year in the breeding season, thousands of sea turtles lay eggs on the beach. Witnessing the moment sea turtles dig holes and lay eggs is an exciting experience.