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Con Dao has significant value for many types of conservation and eco-friendly tourism development. Con Dao is definitely a place for nature lovers, but also an opportunity to visit a tropical island in its natural state. Visitors with a special interest in nature will be thrilled with the diverse range of plants and animal life living in the island’s forests. More than 1,000 plant species, 44 of which were discovered on Con Dao for the first time and 144 animal species of which 18 are rare in Vietnam can be found in the forests. Walking through the rainforest you may come across endemic species of Black squirrel and rare birds, you may even encounter some macaque monkeys foraging for leaves and fruit. Con Son Town A small town named Con Son developed on the western side of Con Dao Island originally in support of the penal colony complex. It’s now an attractive community with excellent civic amenities and a road layout that would put most Vietnamese towns to shame, despite its size. Ben Dam Port In 1998 when the Ben Dam Fishing Port in Tay Nam Bay was put into operation. The Ben Dam Port can accommodate hundreds of passenger boats, supply fishing vessels with fuel, ice and fresh water and includes a seafood processing facility. Bay Canh Island Bay Canh (“Seven Sides”) Island is known for its pristine beaches and its crystal clear water near the shore with coral of several colours just 10m below the surface and hundreds of species of fish of splendid colours. Bay Canh Island is also famous for its turtles. This island is the best location in the Con Dao archipelago to watch the large sea turtle (also called “Chelone”) produce its eggs on the sandy beaches at night. There is also a spectacular walk to the lighthouse built by the French in 1884 and excellent beaches for swimming, snorkelling the coral and mangrove - all making the island well worth visiting anytime of year. Trips to Hon Bay Canh can be affected by the weather and sea journeys can only be undertaken in calm conditions. Hon Tai Island Hon Tai Island is located directly in front of the Con Son gulf about 5 km out to sea. Visitors come here to watch the local monkeys. It is also an excellent location for swimming, snorkeling, and views of the coral. Thanh Gia Mountain At 557 meters, Thanh Gia Mountain is the tallest mountain on Con Dao at and offers hikers a spectacular walk through the forest. The path is concrete and steep and the hike takes about 90 minutes and provides the best view of the town of Con Son and of the surrounding islands beyond. Dinh Tinh Yeu (Hon Ba) Mountain The Hon Ba mountain, know locally as “lovers mountain” rises to an altitude of 312 meters above sea level and although it is not the tallest mountain in Con dao, it is considered to be the most dramatic. In the shape of two heads romantically embracing, this mountain is spectacular at sunset and can be seen all the way from Bai Nhat beach. Bai Lo Voi Beach A smaller beach tucked into a small bay just north of Con Son, the Bai Lo Voi beach has beautiful white sand and is an ideal place for swimming and view the coral when the tide is out. An Hoi Beach Con Son's An Hoi beach is the largest beach on the island and has beautiful white sand for long walks on the beach and great swimming in crystal clear tropical waters.
Bai Nhat Beach Bai Nhat beach has great views towards Hon Ba mountain ('lovers mountain') and the Ben Dam gulf. This is perhaps the best beach on the island for watching the sunset and the reflection off of Dinh Tinh Yeu. Dam Tre Cove Beyond the airport at the North end of Con Son Island, is the beautiful Dam Tre Bay (Bai Dam Tre or Vinh Dam Tre). A shallow, nearly-enclosed lagoon lined with mangrove forest, Dam Tre offers good possibilities for nature exploration, swimming and snorkeling for the more adventurous visitor. At low tide is possible to walk out into the lagoon exploring the coral and discovering the fish that live amongst it. The bay has a deep hole at its centre and a number of caves at its mouth that can be safely explored with mask and snorkel. Access is possible either by walking from Co Ong (2 hours) or by boat. The mangrove forest here is particularly healthy with marine life living between the tree roots and birds that inhabit the canopy above. Though not the best coral in Con Dao, it is nevertheless interesting to explore, as is the whole of the bay. Hon Trung Islet Hon Trung Islet is famous for its large breeding colonies of sea-birds including Phaethon aethereus, Sula dactylatra, Sterna dougallii, S. sumatrana and S. anaethetus. The Con Dao archipelago lies on a major bird migration route and provides resting and feeding areas for large numbers of birds during the migration seasons. Waterbirds known to occur on this island include Ixobrychus flavicollis, Andeola speciosa, Egretta sacra, E. ganzetta, Dendrocygna javanica, Pandion haliaetus, Haliastur indus, Haliaeetus leucogaster and a variety of shorebirds.
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