Preserving Con Dao’s Coral Reefs: [3] Reviving underwater forests

The coral has recovered

In late June 2026, I had the opportunity to accompany leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, WWF Viet Nam, and various marine scientists to attend a specialized seminar at Con Dao National Park. During this field trip, our delegation dived to survey the exact recovery rates of the local coral reefs following the catastrophic mass bleaching event that hit the region in late 2024.

We selected the Hon Bay Canh area for our specialized survey, an island location known concurrently for sea turtle spawning monitoring and juvenile turtle releases. Joining the underwater survey was Dr. Vo Si Tuan, former Director of the Institute of Oceanography, a lifelong champion of Vietnamese coral conservation. For Dr. Tuan, every dive is like a medical evaluation, in which each coral branch and patch of substrate communicates the broader shifts occurring in the ocean.

Plunging below the surface, Dr. Tuan spent several minutes inspecting the seabed before resurfacing. Removing his diving mask, he smiled broadly and announced, "The coral has recovered!"

According to Dr. Tuan, numerous coral colonies that were heavily bleached during the 2024 marine heatwave have begun regaining their vibrant coloration. Nestled between the older coral structures are fresh juvenile recruits anchoring securely onto rocky substrates. Schools of green damselfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish have returned to weave through the rock crevices, not merely to seek food but to signal that their home is successfully regenerating.

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Diving alongside the research team was Mr. Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Standing on the speedboat, Mr. Thanh observed the water attentively. Hearing firsthand analyses from the scientists, he expressed deep reflection on marine conservation, ecological monitoring, and the strategic investments required going forward.

Mr. Thanh noted that Con Dao is not merely a local ecotourism destination or regional sanctuary; it is a unique ecological asset connected to Ho Chi Minh City's broader environmental framework. "Investments in conservation must remain firmly rooted in rigorous science, backed by consistent monitoring of ecosystem transitions to devise timely interventions against the accelerating footprints of climate change," Mr. Thanh noted.

At Hon Bay Canh, scientists have spent long hours stretching measurement lines across the ocean floor. Mr. Nguyen Van Tra, Head of the Conservation and International Cooperation Department at the Con Dao National Park Management Board, explained that every recorded colony, water quality parameter, benthic organism count, and live coral cover percentage is meticulously logged.

Mr. Tra added that Con Dao National Park maintains a systematic marine ecosystem monitoring program at 21 fixed stations, comprising 14 coral reef, 4 seagrass, and 3 mangrove stations. These survey sites stretch from Dam Quoc Beach - Hon Ba, Hon Tre Lon, Ong Dung Beach, Ong Cuong Beach, and Dam Tre to Hon Cau, Hon Bong Lan, Bay Canh, and Hon Tai, representing nearly all typical marine habitats native to Con Dao.

Beyond measuring coral cover or counting reef fish, scientists also monitor seawater temperature, bleaching phenomena, and the appearance of crown-of-thorns starfish - a species that can devastate entire coral reefs if an outbreak occurs.

For them, each dive is like a routine health checkup for the ocean, to know which areas are recovering and which need a dose of conservation before it's too late. Because for conservationists, only by knowing whether the ocean is healthy or weak can they prescribe the right "prescription" to help coral reefs continue to regenerate.

Cultivating new seeds on the ocean floor

There was a time when scuba divers called Con Dao one of Viet Nam's "coral capitals." This subjective assessment was agreed upon by oceanographers due to the area's size and the diverse array of coral species in Con Dao.

Beneath the clear blue waters lie sprawling coral reefs of all shapes and colors, home to thousands of species of fish, mollusks, and benthic organisms. These "underwater forests" have created one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the country. They give Con Dao its unique appeal, attracting visitors not only to learn about its history but also to explore the pristine underwater nature.

However, climate change and human pressures are posing unprecedented challenges to this treasure. Nature is sending a warning: if we don't act quickly, Con Dao could lose the very value that makes it so special.

Therefore, Con Dao's goal is not only to preserve healthy coral reefs but also to restore the ocean's natural beauty. Based on scientific monitoring programs, Con Dao National Park announced that it will implement coral cultivation and restoration according to the technical procedures of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, focusing on areas with the potential for natural regeneration, while continuing to strictly control exploitation, tourism activities, and the quality of the marine environment.

"When coral reefs are healthy, fish schools return, fishery resources regenerate, diving sites retain their allure, and Con Dao sharpens its edge in developing high-quality ecotourism rather than pursuing short-term exploitation at all costs," stated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Permanent Vice President of the Viet Nam Fisheries Association, stated that this is not just a story about restoring a coral reef but a strategy to preserve the foundation of the entire marine ecosystem.

Not only conservationists and scientists but also local communities are increasingly participating in marine protection activities. Programs such as beach cleanups, the removal of unwanted fishing nets, education for tourists on environmentally friendly behavior, and community monitoring are being implemented regularly.

In 2025, Con Dao National Park will continue to be recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the Green List of effectively managed protected areas and national parks worldwide. This is an important recognition of the conservation efforts that the locality has pursued for many years.

After becoming part of Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao is facing new opportunities to invest more heavily in marine conservation, from scientific research and ecosystem monitoring to the restoration of degraded coral reefs. This is also the locality's chosen path of development: not sacrificing resources for short-term growth, but viewing nature as the most valuable asset for the future.

As evening falls, the sea around Con Dao remains as blue as when I first set foot here. Beneath the surface, young coral branches are quietly growing amidst the old, damaged colonies.

It may take many more years for them to create the "underwater forests" they once were, but the journey has begun. And if these new life forms are preserved, the beauty that once made Con Dao famous will not only remain in the memories of those who have dived here but also be passed on to many future generations.