Con Co Island: From fortress to paradise

Amid the continuous flow of history and the nation’s ongoing development, Con Co Island District—a frontline island of the Fatherland in the East Sea—has always held a uniquely strategic position in terms of national defense and security, as well as strong potential for marine economic development. The 20-year journey since the establishment of Con Co Island District stands as a vivid testament to the resilience, determination, and aspiration to rise from the open sea shown by the island’s Party Committee, authorities, armed forces, and people.

Con Co’s history turned a new page after national reunification. In 1998, during a visit and working trip to Quang Tri, the late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet first initiated the idea of establishing an administrative unit on Con Co Island. This visionary idea laid the foundation for a historic decision. By the end of 2002, 43 enthusiastic young people volunteered to settle on the island, taking part in building Con Co into a “youth island”—marking a key starting point in the island’s process of civil transformation.

Con Co Island today. Photo: Tran Tuyen

On October 1, 2004, the Government officially issued Decree No. 174/2004/ND-CP to establish Con Co Island District. Since then, Con Co has become the 10th administrative unit of Quang Tri Province, the only island district in the six provinces of North Central Vietnam, and the 12th island district in the country. The establishment of the district was not only a reaffirmation of national sovereignty but also a critical component of the broader strategy for socio-economic development and the safeguarding of national defense and security in the maritime domain.

However, the journey to build the “pearl island” has faced numerous difficulties and challenges from the outset. The district’s natural area is modest, covering only about 230 hectares, of which over 60 percent is natural forest. The island’s environment and weather conditions are harsh, frequently affected by natural disasters, and the freshwater supply is limited. Investment resources remain scarce, primarily relying on allocations from higher-level authorities. Efforts to attract businesses to invest have met with obstacles due to the island’s unique natural conditions and a lack of breakthrough policies and mechanisms.

Moreover, the administrative apparatus is lean, with civil servants often taking on multiple responsibilities. The population is small, around 500 people, with only 24 households residing permanently. Most of these residents have not received vocational training suited to the new economic structure. Ensuring sustainable population development remains a complex challenge.

The persistent intrusion of foreign vessels into Con Co’s waters and the illegal exploitation of marine resources continue to pose risks, while hostile forces’ sabotage activities create additional challenges to national construction and defense in the current context.

Despite these obstacles, the Party Committee, local authorities, armed forces, and residents of Con Co Island District have drawn on a deep tradition of resilience and heroism. Through unity and determination, they have gradually turned the goal of building Con Co into an island known for a resilient economy, rich culture, and strong national defense and security into reality.

The district has identified national defense and security as its top priority and the foundation for all development efforts. The core economic structure has been strategically defined as tourism–services–fisheries, supported by a range of complementary sectors, aiming to establish a sustainable marine economy. Throughout its development, the district has remained aligned with the central and provincial policies, while applying them flexibly and creatively in line with its local conditions.

20 years of development

After 20 years of construction and development, Con Co today has taken on a new appearance. The “pearl island” in the East Sea is gradually coming to life with renewed vitality.

Although the achievements so far remain modest compared to its potential and aspirations, they are nonetheless deeply valuable and a source of pride. The local economy has shown clear signs of improvement, particularly in tourism services, which have made promising progress.

The district has developed several tour programs featuring its distinctive forms of tourism, such as island exploration, coral diving in the marine protected area, and visits to historic battlefields combined with environmental and natural resource conservation. Planning work has been given due attention. The district has completed its land use plan for the 2021–2030 period, integrated into the province’s master plan, and is currently developing the regional plan for the island district.

Efforts to mobilize resources for building infrastructure to support socio-economic development and national defense have been actively pursued. Projects on electricity supply, freshwater systems, roads, and port facilities are gradually being completed. Public facilities—such as those for culture, sports, healthcare, and education—have received appropriate investment. A particularly joyful milestone was the opening of the island’s first primary school in the 2023–2024 academic year, fulfilling a long-standing wish of local residents and helping them feel secure in settling and building long-term lives on the island.

Population relocation to the island has been carried out in a well-organized manner, linked to job creation and support for people to develop sustainable production, service, and seafood exploitation models, thereby contributing to income improvement. In 2024, per capita GRDP reached over 65 million VND per person—a commendable figure given the island’s unique conditions. The residents now feel confident in living and settling permanently on the island.

One of the district’s primary tasks is to ensure national defense and security, and firmly safeguard the country’s maritime sovereignty. The district has effectively implemented the 8th Central Resolution of the 11th Party Congress on the “Strategy for National Defense in the New Situation,” the Politburo’s Resolution No. 28 on “Building Provinces and Cities into Strong Defensive Zones,” along with resolutions of the Central Military Commission and the Party Committee of Military Zone 4. Political security and public order have been maintained and strengthened. The defensive zone mechanism has been well established and effectively operated, enabling Con Co Island District to maintain its autonomy and become a strong strategic defense zone that protects the nation’s maritime and island territory.

The district’s armed forces have continued to uphold their tradition, working in close coordination and showing great flexibility in successfully carrying out national defense and military tasks, ensuring readiness in all situations. Notably, the district has successfully organized defensive zone drills, enhancing its combat readiness and emergency response capacity.

With these proud achievements in nation-building, defense, and development, the Party Committee, government, and people of Con Co Island District have been honored three times by letters of commendation from President Ho Chi Minh; twice awarded the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” by the Party and the State; received the First-Class and Second-Class Independence Orders, three Military Exploit Orders, a Third-Class Labor Order, and many other noble distinctions.

Con Co is not merely a geographic location—it is a heroic anthem written with blood, sweat, and an unyielding spirit of aspiration. From a “steel island” during wartime to a rising green island in peacetime, Con Co has shown that while small in size, it is immense in willpower, resilience, and strategic importance.

Ahead lies the journey of turning the aspiration of becoming a renowned tourism island in the vast blue East Sea into reality. That journey will undoubtedly be enriched by shining new chapters, written by those who are devoted, steadfast, and as enduring as the land itself.

Tran Tuyen - Ngoc Mai