I consider myself to be someone who is passionate about the sea. I used to run around the country's beautiful sea lanes. There have been islands so pristine that there have been no electric lights. When he was younger, he used to follow three coral divers. However, this is the first time I have experienced releasing baby turtles into the sea during my most recent trip to Con Dao; the experience is "unique," extremely rare to see in Vietnam's island waters.

Turtle egg-laying season in Con Dao:

The breeding season for sea turtles lasts 4-10 months, with the peak being 7-9 months each year, when sea turtles flock to the large sandy beaches of Con Dao to lay eggs. Seven Edge Island, Cau Island, Tre Lớn Island, and Tài Island... are among the places with the most turtle nesting.

What is the turtle release experience like in Con Dao?

People must take a boat to neighboring islands to release sea turtles or watch turtles lay eggs, rather than doing so on Con Dao's main island (unless people are in Resort Six Sense). Big Sand Beach on Seven Edge Island is one of 14 spawning grounds for Con Dao sea turtles, and it has the most turtles laying eggs.

Because Seven Edges is an island in a protected area, an ecotourism permit for Seven Edge Island is required in the National Park on the big island. The permit is usually valid until 5 p.m. the following day. Turtles typically lay eggs at night, so if visitors want to see turtles lay eggs, they must stay overnight; if they only want to see turtles released into the sea, they must come during the day. After 7749 hours of research, I decided on a half-day tour that included going to Hon Seven Edge to release turtles, snorkeling to see coral, and visiting relics on Hon Cau for 999,000VND/ person (in general, the service price in Con Dao is very expensive, if you only go to Seven Edges without going to Hon Cau, the tour price will be 799,000VND).

Around 7 a.m., the canoe will meet me at Con Dao pier and transport me to Hon Seven Edge. Visit Hon Seven Edge to learn about mangrove ecology, conservation efforts, and the release of baby turtles into the sea.

The rangers then handed me baskets containing dozens of adorable baby turtles. You will release these turtles into the vast ocean by hand (note: only hold baskets to release, not touch these turtles because it will make them instinctively navigate as soon as they are born).

The turtles I released are Green Turtles (also known as Vích), one of seven types of sea turtles listed in the Red Book as rare and endangered, so they are being carefully protected.

In addition to releasing turtles, I will learn from rangers about the process of incubating and conserving turtle eggs, in sea turtles, and how in 1000 baby turtles in the sea, only one will survive, turtle eggs hatching male and female depending on temperature, or sea turtles cannot shed their heads into the shell,...

Some suggestions from me

- Prestigious Tour Unit Selection (ConDao Explorer,..)

- In addition to releasing turtles into the sea, people can book a tour to stay here overnight if they want to spend more time watching turtles lay eggs. Because the ranger station on Seven Edge Island only has a living and working area, everyone actively brings food and drink! (fairly difficult)

- Do not directly interfere with the process of releasing turtles into the sea (holding in hand directly into the sea or for photography).

There is currently less than a month until the peak egg-laying season of turtles ends, so what are you waiting for to plan a trip to Con Dao right away?

Source: Tuan Anh Bui

Rare beautiful rich seas

Con Dao is well known for its several stunning beaches, which have crystal-clear water and expansive stretches of white sand coasts, but it is also a National Park with abundant marine and forest biological resources. Con Dao is thought to be rich in density and diversity of the most diverse species in Vietnam because it is situated on the exchange zone of two warm ocean currents from the south and cold from the north down. Because it is a relatively offshore island area, human activities have not significantly changed the nature of marine ecosystems. 1,493 species have been identified in the maritime ecosystem region around Con Dao, which is divided into three main habitats: the mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems. According to statistics, the Con Dao watershed is home to up to 44 species that are Red Book-listed as being highly uncommon gene sources for the seas of Vietnam. Sea creatures and reptiles can also be found in the Con Dao seas. The long-snouted Delphin, the blue whale, and the sea cow, sometimes known as the dugong, are the three marine mammals that are most frequently encountered. The dugong is a species that needs international protection. Additionally, Con Dao is the only location in Vietnam where sea cows still live in close proximity to seagrass. In Con Dao, sea turtles and sea snakes are both common marine reptiles. Con Dao is home to the majority of sea turtles in Vietnam. Up to 17 sandbars have been identified as turtle breeding grounds, and up to 4 beaches are known to host 1,000 mother turtles per year.

More than 2,700 different species of living things, including more than 100 rare and indigenous flora and fauna species, may be found in Con Dao National Park's forests. The World Conservation Union (IUCn) has listed numerous uncommon and endangered species in its "red book," including Con Dao long-tailed macaques, Nicobar pigeons, and Indian pythons.Fascinating tours

Visitors to Con Dao will have a wide range of tour alternatives, including spiritual tourism, historical tourism, ecotourism in forests, ecotourism in the sea, ecotourism in sports, and tourism that combines scientific study.

Con Dao offers a wide variety of eco-tours because it is an archipelago with 16 big and tiny islands. Marine eco-tours can get fairly busy, especially in the summer. Visitors can explore islands including Seven Edge island, big Bamboo island, little Bamboo island, Tai island, and Egg island from the center of Con Dao town by canoe or canoe while engaging in coral diving activities, observing mussels, and fishing. The tour to see turtles lay their eggs is the most unique thing to do in Con Dao. If you visit Con Dao during the turtle breeding season, which typically lasts between 4 and 9 months, you must visit the turtle breeding grounds and release the baby turtles back into the wild on your own. Typically, a turtle laying trip lasts from 4 p.m. the previous day until 6 a.m. the following morning. Visitors can also enjoy seeing the sunset and sunrise over the huge island waters at this time.

As a sizable national park, people frequently take part in forest eco-tours. Con Dao offers visitors wonderful experiences such as strolling through the forest to breathe in the fresh air, listening to the singing of wild birds, witnessing each flock of vibrant butterflies circling, and coming across several rare wildlife species.