Covering an area of 2.3 square kilometers in the south of the Gulf of Tonkin, Con Co Island is blessed with diverse tropical marine ecosystems. Thanks to its large forests, beautiful beaches and pristine coral reefs, the island has huge potential for tourism development.
The evergreen island is 80 percent natural primeval forest, which has remained in pristine condition despite the passage of time. It was formed by a volcano which left behind giant, strange shaped basalt rocks and many stunning beaches that have turned the island into a charming and splendid place.
The flora on the island is very diverse, with many giant trees, measuring 15 to 20 feet wide. Some are unique to islands, such as the striped-trunk trees and many kinds of wild potatoes with huge leaves.
The island is also home to a rich array of marine life with 113 types of coral, 57 kinds of seaweed, 19 different crustaceans, and 224 saltwater fish species, as well as 164 species of flora and 68 types of fauna and seafood such as oysters, lobsters, crabs and mussels.
There are two endangered species of crabs on the island that are able to live on the ground or in the water and are strictly protected.
The island also has some historical relics including a 20-kilometer-long military tunnel, a number of blockhouses along the beaches.
Current popular tours on the island include scuba-diving, canoeing, fishing and marine sports. However, these activities are mainly offered by local residents who still struggle to do business professionally due to a lack of adequate infrastructure, such as power and accommodation, together with a lack of transport to the island.
