HO CHI MINH CITY: Ho Chi Minh City is committed to transforming Con Dao Special Zone, an offshore island under its administration, into a green, smart and liveable model while strictly preserving natural heritage and ecological limits, attendees heard at a scientific conference held on Oct 30.
With the theme “Developing Con Dao into a Green, Smart, and Liveable Island Associated with Natural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development”, the conference brought together leading ecological experts, urban planners, and municipal department leaders. The event sought breakthrough solutions to concretise the Politburo’s Resolution No 09-NQ/TW on the city’s development in the new era.
Speaking at the conference, the city People’s Committee vice-chairman Bui Minh Thanh highlighted Con Dao’s special strategic position.
He said local development must align with the island’s ecological carrying capacity rather than pursuing growth at all costs.
“Our consistent view is that we will absolutely not trade the environment, natural resources, and historical heritage for short-term economic growth, in which conservation must become the foundation, driving force, and long-term competitive advantage.”
Under the municipal vision to 2050, Con Dao is planned to become an internationally prestigious destination for eco-tourism and heritage. The master plan relies on five key pillars.
These include making nature and heritage conservation the core foundation, and developing a green, circular economy alongside high-quality eco-tourism.
The framework also prioritises synchronous green infrastructure adapted to island conditions, and applies science, technology, and digital transformation for smart island governance.
Finally, it places people at the centre while ensuring national defence and security. The city will effectively utilise the Politburo’s Resolution No 09-NQ/TW, action programme No 21-CTrHD/TU of the Municipal Party Committee, and the Urban Development Law to thoroughly remove institutional bottlenecks and pave the way for local breakthroughs.
Nguyen Chu Hoi, an associate professor, proposed shaping Con Dao within a comprehensive framework consisting of key axes to balance economic growth and ecological conservation.
These include exploiting conservation economics through eco-tourism, coral reef diving, and recreational fisheries in buffer zones. The strategy also focuses on building a green, smart and liveable urban area.
In addition, it aims to advance high-end tourism tied closely to cultural identity.
“Furthermore, the city must modernise sustainable marine industries and tightly link economic development with national defence.” He also said zoning must be clearly demarcated to strictly protect special-use forests and historical monuments, with all investment projects carefully calculated based on ecological carrying capacities.
From a forest science perspective, Nguyen Chi Thanh, director of the Centre for Forest and Wetland Research, said Con Dao must preserve its three core values: ecology, history, and pristine nature.
“Developing a green island requires protecting special-use forests and marine protected areas; a liveable island must secure freshwater security; and a smart island aims for a 100-year long-term master planning vision.”
Phan Trong Hien, chairman of the Con Dao Special Zone People’s Committee, said the locality aims to transition all island vehicles to electric vehicles starting in 2027.
“Environmental infrastructure and water safety are also prioritised, targeting 100% domestic wastewater treatment and the complete handling of long-standing accumulated waste.”
Regarding connection infrastructure, the study on expanding Con Dao Airport will be carefully considered to balance economic-tourism development and ecological conservation, attracting high-end visitors to low-density green resorts while ensuring spaces for citizens nationwide to pay tribute to heroic martyrs.
Delegates firmly agreed on strategic imperatives for the future of Con Dao, including renewing development mindsets with conservation as the foundation, and establishing growth limits based on ecosystem carrying capacity to advance conservation efforts. — Viet Nam News/ANN
