HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – July 10:In a significant stride for marine conservation, Con Dao National Park in Vietnam has successfully released nearly 4,500 baby turtles into the sea during the first half of 2025. This achievement underscores the park’s enduring commitment to protecting endangered sea turtle populations, cementing its reputation as a leading model for marine conservation in Vietnam.
Con Dao National Park, located on Con Dao Island, a part of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, is recognized as Vietnam’s most critical sea turtle nesting site. Its mid-year report highlights the diligent efforts of park rangers who relocated 553 nests, safeguarding over 54,000 turtle eggs. Of these, 166 nests have successfully hatched, leading to the safe release of 4,464 hatchlings into the ocean.
Further conservation measures include the tagging of 123 mother turtles for scientific tracking, providing invaluable data for migration patterns and feeding zones crucial for national and global conservation planning. Additionally, nine nests containing 757 eggs were carefully transferred to Đất Doc Beach near the Six Senses Resort, resulting in the successful hatching and release of 388 baby turtles from seven of those nests.
Beyond nesting management, the park’s efforts extend to rescue and rehabilitation. Two turtles found entangled in fishing nets were successfully rescued and returned to health, while eight deceased turtles were respectfully buried in accordance with environmental protocols.
Community engagement is a vital component of Con Dao’s conservation strategy. The park conducted three volunteer programs in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), drawing 58 dedicated volunteers to participate in sea turtle protection activities.
Since the inception of the park’s turtle conservation project in 2019, remarkable progress has been made. Over 13,600 nests have been protected, leading to the release of nearly 950,000 hatchlings into the wild. More than 2,000 mother turtles have been tagged, and nine stranded turtles have been successfully rescued. For educational and research purposes, park rangers have also preserved 65 dead marine species, including turtles and dugongs.
A landmark collaboration in 2019 saw 500 incubated eggs transferred to the Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area in central Vietnam to aid population recovery, achieving an impressive 95.5% success rate. Đất Dốc Beach has also been successfully restored as a nesting habitat, with 13 turtles laying over 1,400 eggs there since 2019, and 464 nests relocated for safe incubation. This site alone has contributed to the release of over 29,000 hatchlings.
Nguyen Van Tra, Deputy Head of the Conservation and International Cooperation Division, outlined the 2025 plan’s three core pillars: on-ground protection, scientific research and collaboration, and public awareness. He emphasized that park teams conduct 24×7 beach patrols during the nesting season (April to October) to ensure all nests are located and safely relocated. The park is also actively seeking partnerships with domestic and international organizations to integrate modern conservation technology.
Eco-tourism focused on turtle nesting has emerged as an educational and sustainable activity at Con Dao. These tours are strictly regulated to minimize disturbance, with limited visitor numbers, a ban on flash photography, and requirements for maintaining a safe distance from nesting turtles. The park’s Eco-tourism and Environmental Protection Division reported over 22,000 tourists in the first half of 2025, with nearly 3,000 participating in turtle conservation eco-tourism experiences.
National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Chu Hoi lauded Con Dao as the first protected area in Vietnam to gain international recognition, stating, “Thanks to its early conservation efforts, Con Dao has set an example for other marine protected areas across the country.” Hon Bay Cạnh Island, within the park, stands as Vietnam’s sole location with consistent success in turtle conservation, with similar projects elsewhere still in pilot stages.
Nguyen Van Nga, head of the park’s Eco-tourism and Environmental Protection Division, reiterated the importance of responsible turtle tourism to prevent disturbing the nesting process. He added that the park is developing more eco-tourism services to allow visitors to engage in hands-on conservation efforts. Furthermore, the park is expanding environmental education initiatives in local schools and upgrading its environmental education center into an interactive facility showcasing the island’s biodiversity and sea turtle heritage.
Volunteering opportunities continue to attract young nature enthusiasts and conservation-minded individuals from across Vietnam, reinforcing the collective commitment to this vital cause.
“Sea turtle conservation is not just the responsibility of Con Dao,” said Nga. “It is a shared duty. Protecting these endangered animals also means safeguarding our natural heritage and working towards a greener, more sustainable future.” Con Dao National Park’s 2025 Sea Turtle Conservation and Management Plan, with its clear goals and proactive approach, stands as a testament to a serious and sustained commitment to marine protection.
