From "hell on earth" to "tourist paradise"

Located more than 230km from the mainland, Con Dao Island was once a prison for Vietnamese revolutionary fighters and political prisoners. On May 1, 1975, Con Dao was officially liberated, closing a 113-year chapter in history known as "hell on earth," and ushering in a new era of peace and development. After 50 years, Con Dao today has transformed, becoming a "paradise for ecological, historical, and spiritual tourism."

A panoramic view of the main island of Con Son.

Improved transportation leads to a better quality of life.

Just over a year after liberation, in August 1976, during a visit to Con Dao Prison, General Secretary Le Duan wrote: "Con Dao is a heroic island, Con Dao is a great historical site, Con Dao is a great school for future generations."

Fifty years after liberation, the revolutionary school remains intact in Con Dao district. The Con Dao Prison historical site, along with Hang Duong Cemetery and Hang Keo Cemetery, has now become a significant historical landmark, a place for educating future generations of Vietnamese people about patriotic traditions and revolutionary struggle.
Inheriting the steadfast and indomitable traditions of their ancestors, 50 years after liberation, with the attention of the central and local authorities, generations of cadres, soldiers, and people on the island have always united and strived to overcome difficulties to build and develop.

Currently, the island's transportation system is being developed comprehensively; high-speed passenger ferry routes connect Con Dao with Tran De district ( Soc Trang province ), Vung Tau city, and Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to serving the travel needs of residents and tourists from the mainland to the island and vice versa. Con Dao Airport has a runway 1,830m long, accommodating ATR72 aircraft and similar types. Currently, two airlines operate flights to and from Con Dao.

Mr. Tran Huu Trung, a resident of Residential Area No. 5, Con Dao District, shared: “I see that Con Dao has changed a lot now. The road system has been invested in, becoming more modern and clean, and there are many means of transportation connecting to the mainland by sea and air, creating convenient travel conditions for people.”

The electricity and water systems in Con Dao have also received significant investment to serve the daily needs of the people and the production and business activities in the district. In particular, in July 2023, the Government approved the investment plan for a project to supply electricity to Con Dao from the national grid, connecting Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province to Con Dao, with a total investment of over 4,900 billion VND. Recently, in March 2025, the project commenced construction in Hoa Lac commune, Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province. According to the plan, the project will be completed in September 2025.

Currently, the district has 3 kindergartens, 1 primary school, 1 junior high school, and 1 senior high school. These schools have been invested in with modern, clean, and well-equipped facilities, including classrooms and functional rooms, covering all levels from kindergarten to senior high school, ensuring effective teaching and learning and improving the quality of education in the district.

Ms. Vo Thi Hoa, a teacher at Cao Van Ngoc Primary School, said: "Over the years, thanks to the attention of all levels and sectors, schools in Con Dao district have received investment in facilities, with spacious, clean, and beautiful classrooms. Teachers are equipped with sufficient teaching equipment. Lessons regularly utilize information technology and AI to make them more lively and engaging, creating interest for students and contributing to improving the quality of teaching and learning."

The Con Dao District Military-Civilian Medical Center has just been inaugurated and put into operation with a 5-story building. Phase 1 has a capacity of 60 beds with functional departments and wards including: Emergency - Intensive Care and Toxicology; Diagnostic Imaging; Nutrition; Surgery; Laboratory; Administrative area; Inpatient and outpatient examination and treatment. The project contributes to meeting the healthcare needs of officers, soldiers, civilians, and tourists.

Many infrastructure projects serving the people and promoting socio-economic development continue to be invested in, upgraded, and expanded. The communication network is developing rapidly; internet, Wi-Fi, 4G networks, satellite television, and terrestrial digital television are now available throughout the main Con Son island area, and mobile phone coverage is also available on smaller islands. The material and cultural lives of officers, soldiers, and people on the islands are constantly improving.

Along with cultural institutions, Con Dao district annually organizes cultural, artistic, and sports activities, as well as traditional festivals such as the commemoration ceremony for Lady Phi Yen, the commemoration ceremony for Heroine of the People's Armed Forces Vo Thi Sau, the traditional raft racing festival, etc., meeting the cultural needs of locals and tourists.

Over the years, the work of showing gratitude and caring for those who have rendered meritorious service in Con Dao has also been given great attention. The entire district currently has 74 people who have rendered meritorious service and their families. In addition to the care provided by the Party and the State, these people and their families are also regularly visited and given gifts on every holiday and Tet (Lunar New Year)...

Towards green and sustainable tourism.

Con Dao District is the first district-level locality in the country to implement the Circular Economy Project for the period 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030, aiming to leverage its strengths in pristine natural resources and a system of special national historical relics to develop a green and sustainable economy. Besides its historical value, Con Dao is also blessed with one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in Vietnam.

Over the years, this place has become a famous tourist destination, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists, creating a distinctive brand for Con Dao, with diverse types of tourism including ecotourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, and resort tourism. Con Dao has a National Park recognized as an International Ramsar Site and an ASEAN Heritage Park, with a pristine, diverse, and rich flora and fauna, covering an area of ​​nearly 20,000 hectares, including nearly 6,000 hectares of forest and 14,000 hectares of marine area.

Furthermore, the Con Dao Prison System is recognized as a special national historical site with a system of 20 relics, serving as a place to preserve and educate generations of Vietnamese people about patriotic traditions. The landscape and environment of Con Dao have consistently impressed major media outlets, being voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Most recently, Con Dao was included in the list of 24 pristine destinations by Time Out magazine in the UK.

Currently, the district has 146 accommodation establishments with 2,923 rooms, accommodating 7,598 people per day; including 1 five-star resort; 5 four-star hotels and equivalent; 3 three-star hotels and equivalent; and 137 one- and two-star hotels, guesthouses, and homes with rooms for rent. In recent years, Con Dao has welcomed an average of over 500,000 visitors annually, generating an average revenue of 1,400 billion VND.

According to Decision 566/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister dated June 26, 2024, approving the overall adjustment of the master plan for the construction of Con Dao Island, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province until 2045, Con Dao will be developed as a national cultural-historical and ecological island tourism area of ​​regional and international stature, a special national historical relic conservation area with value in honoring and educating about historical traditions, a conservation area for diverse forest, marine, and wetland ecosystems of national and international significance, and an important position in national defense and security.

From a place once dubbed "hell on earth," Con Dao has risen to become a precious gem in the East Sea – a place that holds painful yet proud memories, a place where pristine nature blends with a heroic and indomitable history. Amidst modern life, Con Dao stands as a reminder of the value of peace, independence, and freedom. Looking back on the past 50 years, every citizen of Con Dao is proud, remembers its history, and believes in a bright future.

NBO

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/tu-dia-nguc-tran-gian-den-thien-duong-du-lich-789158.htm