Con Dao sets sights on becoming special administrative zone

The meeting was notably attended by Politburo member and Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen, as well as senior officials from central ministries and national agencies, underscoring the strategic importance of Con Dao’s future in Vietnam’s broader development agenda.

Drawing inspiration from the unyielding spirit of revolutionary soldiers who were once imprisoned on the island, also known as “hell on earth," the PM urged for bold, focused, and decisive actions to achieve sustainable and breakthrough development for Con Dao. He outlined an ambitious long-term vision to transform Con Dao into a world-class special administrative zone that fulfils two vital functions: acting as a strategic frontier for national defence while thriving as a dynamic centre for marine-based economic growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Con Dao. Photo: Nhat Bac

Emphasising the island’s unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance, PM Chinh underscored that this harmony forms an exceptional foundation for advancing both ecological and spiritual tourism.

“Strategic planning is essential to position Con Dao as a green, clean, beautiful, and sustainable special economic zone of international stature, preserving its unique character and natural environment,” Chinh stated. “The island must strike a harmonious balance between conservation and development, nature and humanity, tradition and modernity, while unlocking the full potential of its maritime economy, historical relics, and distinctive tourism resources.”

A central policy direction raised during the meeting was the potential piloting of a new governance model for Con Dao, drawing from the flexible mechanisms granted to Ho Chi Minh City under National Assembly Resolution No.98/2023/QH15.

“We could allow a pilot for the special administrative zone model. If Resolution 98 doesn’t yet cover such a framework, we should consider expanding it. Avoid rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches,” said PM Chinh. “The key is reforming governance mindsets and establishing a lean, capable, and efficient local administration suitable for a territory with distinct characteristics and international connectivity.”

Reaffirming the principle of well-planned and identity-rich development, the prime minister emphasised that every investment in Con Dao must be carefully planned, professionally executed, sustainably managed, and culturally grounded. This, he noted, is especially vital when selecting strategic investors and designing infrastructure and tourism service models that respect both the environment and local heritage, avoiding short-sighted or exploitative development.

Among the critical infrastructure priorities discussed was the expansion of Con Dao Airport. PM Chinh made it clear that land reclamation through sea-filling must be avoided. Instead, he directed that the airport’s runway be extended to 3,800 metres using reinforced concrete and steel solutions, with the goal of transforming it into a full-fledged international airport.

He also underlined the urgent need to address fundamental infrastructure gaps, such as stable power supply, clean water access, modern waste treatment systems, mobile network coverage, and the establishment of a local public administrative centre. These improvements, he said, must go hand-in-hand with the greening of the island.

“Infrastructure for culture, social services, healthcare, education, and transport must go hand-in-hand with the greening of Con Dao,” PM Chinh stressed.

To ensure effective leadership for the island’s transformation, PM Chinh proposed deploying high-calibre personnel, such as deputy municipal Party secretaries or provincial department directors, to assume key positions, including that of Con Dao’s Party Secretary. The move reflects his broader call for strong, pioneering leadership in remote and strategically important areas.

Later that evening, a solemn ceremony commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the Liberation of Con Dao was held at Hang Duong Cemetery, the sacred resting place of thousands of revolutionary soldiers. Themed “Con Dao - A heroic song of Vietnamese will,” the event was directed by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilisation Commission, and co-organised by Ba Ria-Vung Tau authorities and Vietnam Television. The ceremony was attended by PM Chinh, senior leaders of the Party and State, and nearly 700 former political prisoners who had once been imprisoned on Con Dao.

PM Chinh and delegates attended the special programme “Con Dao - A heroic song of Vietnamese will”. Photo: Nhat Bac

In his address, the prime minister said that Con Dao’s heroic past must not remain a chapter of history alone, but should be transformed into a wellspring of pride, responsibility, and internal strength to drive its continued development.

Over the past five decades, Con Dao has quietly evolved, emerging with renewed vitality and contributing meaningfully to both provincial and national socioeconomic progress. Its unique identity and potential have been firmly recognised in national strategies, especially in relation to the blue economy, heritage preservation, and high-quality, sustainable tourism.

“The 50^th anniversary of Con Dao’s liberation is a profoundly meaningful event, rekindling the spirit of resilience, honouring the sacrifices of previous generations, and reinforcing our national responsibility to reach new, greater milestones,” said PM Chinh.

The commemorative event featured a vibrant artistic performance divided into three acts, combining music, dance, theatre, and archival footage to vividly portray the island’s historical struggles and future aspirations.

As part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of Con Dao’s liberation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited, encouraged, and presented gifts to the families of former political prisoners and those with revolutionary merit living in Con Dao district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Accompanying the prime minister were Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and Tran Quang Phuong, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, along with leaders from Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. PM Chinh and the delegation visited Nguyen Xuan Vien, a former political prisoner in Con Dao, and the mother of martyr Vo Thi Thanh. At there homes, he expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices and significant contributions of the revolutionary predecessors. The prime minister extended his best wishes for health and happiness to the families and expressed hope that they would continue to serve as shining examples, educating future generations about patriotism, and helping to build a more prosperous and meaningful Con Dao. He also urged the leadership of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and Con Dao district to continue paying close attention to the material and spiritual life of families with revolutionary merit, ensuring that no one is left behind on the development journey of the homeland. The prime minister visited and presented gifts to families of people with meritorious service living in Con Dao district. Photo: Nhat Bac

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Con Dao airport to be upgraded to welcome large aircraft The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is planning to upgrade and expand Con Dao airport so it can land bigger planes.

Con Dao leads the way in circular tourism Con Dao in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has been designated as a national tourist destination of regional and international significance, with a priority on developing ecotourism, high-end resorts, and cultural-historical-spiritual tourism.