Con Co Island – A Day Where Time Slows Down

After leaving the Vinh Moc Tunnels – a vivid reminder of Vietnam’s wartime resilience – we made a quiet stop at Cua Tung, once the dividing line between North and South Vietnam following the Geneva Accords of 1954.
The next morning, as the sun gently peeked over the sea, we followed the coastal road to Cua Viet, ready to begin our journey to Con Co Island.

The boat departed from the port, slicing through the waves toward the open sea.
After just over an hour, rising from the vast blue horizon, appeared a small yet captivating island – Con Co, the emerald jewel of the ocean.
Though covering just over 230 hectares, Con Co holds immense natural and ecological value – a place where even a single day can leave a lasting impression.

At Ben Nghe Stone Coastline

A Canopy of Green in the Heart of the Ocean

Con Co welcomed us in April’s soft sunlight—bathed in shades of gentle green, touched by sea breezes, and faintly scented with wild grass.
The island is home to hundreds of species of tropical flora. Scientists have recorded dozens of vascular plant species, all demonstrating remarkable adaptation to poor soils, dry climate, and strong sea winds.

Natural vegetation covers nearly 70% of the island’s surface—a lush green cloak that both protects the soil and preserves the island’s soul.
The square-fruit barringtonia (bàng vuông)—a symbol of strength and resilience—thrives here, alongside screw pines, sea morning glory, beach grass, and other salt-tolerant coastal plants.

Beneath the island’s layered forest canopy, we came across ancient bàng vuông trees, some more than a hundred years old, standing tall and proud under the sun and wind.
“This tree survives because it can withstand storms. It’s the pride of the island,” shared Mr. Hùng, a local islander.

In the quiet forest, a rock crab suddenly scurried across the path. “That species is endemic to this island,” Mr. Hùng added, “but it’s under threat.” I paused in silence, watching this tiny, wondrous creature, deeply aware of the fragile yet enduring life that nature has worked so hard to preserve.

A Living Geological Museum in the Middle of the Sea

As the afternoon light softened, we arrived at Ben Nghe—a natural rocky beach where jet-black basalt stones stacked upon one another like giant dinosaur eggs from a prehistoric world.
Someone in our group whispered in awe:

“It’s like an open-air geological museum!”

Layers of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks with abundant fossil corals

Con Co Island is estimated to be around 40,000 years old, a magnificent remnant of ancient volcanic activity.
Seen from above, the island reveals a gentle topography—rolling hills rising from 5 to 30 meters, with a central peak reaching over 60 meters. Encircling the island are small, secluded beaches, formed over time from fine sand, coral fragments, and broken seashells.

Perhaps most unique are the fossilized coral formations, which now shape natural trails winding through the forest—a surreal blend of geology and tropical greenery.
The mild climate, clear blue waters, and stable temperatures create an ideal environment for rich and vibrant marine ecosystems to flourish.

Rock types from left to right: Metamorphosed shale, volcanic tuff, igneous rock, vesicular mafic volcanic rock, biogenic sedimentary rock

I placed my hand on a cool basalt rock, imagining the molten lava that once surged through this very place—bringing not destruction, but life.
Each stone seemed to carry within it a story forged over millennia.

A Dazzling World Beneath the Sea

We stopped at a secluded beach, where soft white sand was made from broken coral and scallop fragments.
The seawater was crystal clear—so transparent we could see all the way to the bottom, with visibility reaching 15 to 20 meters.
Our group eagerly dove in, immersed in the embrace of nature’s underwater wonder.

The Coral Life of the Island

In the Con Co Marine Protected Area, over 267 fish species, countless marine creatures, and 113 species of coral across 44 genera thrive in harmony—forming underwater forests with a coral coverage rate of 30–40%. Beneath the surface, I was overwhelmed by the riot of colors—brilliant corals, shimmering schools of fish, and sea urchins nestled between rocky outcrops. It was a world that pulsed with life—fragile, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

Marine organisms: seagrass, sea sponge

A friend pointed out a giant saw-toothed oyster—a species now threatened by overharvesting.

“Each oyster can filter hundreds of liters of seawater a day,” he said.

Nearby, a lush bed of seagrass swayed gently beneath the surface—nho seagrass, known as one of the ocean’s “silent heroes,” quietly storing carbon dioxide and helping to protect the planet.

Sea urchins

Sunset on the Rocky Shore – A Gentle Farewell

As the sun began to set in the west, our group made its way to the rocky shore on the island’s western side.
The sea turned crimson under the fading light, and the breeze carried a soft, salty scent—like an embrace from the ocean itself. I looked around—verdant forests, basalt rocks, coral reefs, and marine life—all unfolding before me like a living film scripted by Mother Nature.

Island Sunset Moment

Yet amidst the beauty, my heart sank at the sight of scattered plastic wrappers, fishing lines, and floating debris.
Nature has given us a priceless gift— but have we truly honored it?

Early the next morning, just before boarding the boat back to the mainland, I turned for one last look at Con Co Island and made a silent promise: I will return. Not just to explore, but to protect.
To give back—however small—to a place that’s not only breathtaking, but also a quiet reminder of our shared responsibility to nature.

Tue Minh