Speaking at the meeting, Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang expressed his emotion when returning to Con Dao - which is considered a " living history museum" and contains special spiritual values.
Mr. Tran Luu Quang shared that if he had previously come to Con Dao as a tourist, now, as the head of the city, his emotions are even more subsided when witnessing the strong development aspiration of the sacred land.
According to the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Con Dao has many potentials, from historical and spiritual tourism to high-end resorts. However, limited land area forces localities to "spare every plot of land", effectively use resources, and at the same time solve challenges in electricity, water, and environmental infrastructure.
Mr. Tran Luu Quang oriented Con Dao to build an image of "green - conservation - smart island", in line with natural conditions and modern development trends.
In particular, the locality needs to focus resources on key areas such as planning, green finance, modern technology infrastructure, healthcare, waste treatment - especially plastic waste.
The Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee also noted that Con Dao must standardize land data, effectively manage public assets, and prepare well for compensation and site clearance.
At the same time, promoting the role of " Source address" for universities and colleges in Ho Chi Minh City; improving people's lives; ensuring security and order; proactively managing natural disaster risks and building infrastructure that can withstand climate change.
With the support of Ho Chi Minh City, I believe Con Dao will develop strongly, realizing the aspiration to turn what used to be hell on earth into resort tourism paradise - Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee emphasized.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc said that Con Dao possesses many special advantages such as National Parks, historical relic systems, and pristine natural landscapes - important factors for sustainable tourism development.
However, Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc also frankly acknowledged that the locality is facing many difficulties, especially the lack of clean water and limitations in connecting transportation.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Con Dao development must be associated with conservation: "Protection is to serve development, not protection and gradually closure, no development". Therefore, harmoniously integrating tourism, economic development and nature conservation is a planning problem that requires coordination between investors, authorities and Con Dao National Park.
The Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee also emphasized the proactive and autonomous spirit of the locality: "Not everything requires budget. whatever can be combined with public-private partners must be taken advantage of, and whatever is needed must be used with the state budget. The important thing is to dare to propose and recommend in a timely manner to remove difficulties".
According to the report of the Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee, from July 1, 2025, the special zone will officially operate on the basis of reorganizing Con Dao district.
After nearly 2 months of operation, the political system has been operating stably; cadres and civil servants are arranged according to their expertise; leadership and management work is smooth, without major problems. The special zone also promptly trains and coaches, helping the team quickly master the management process, technology and digital signature in operation.
However, Con Dao still faces some difficulties, especially in the fields of planning, land and construction. The Con Dao Special Zone Party Committee has directed the People's Committee of the special zone to report to relevant departments and branches. Currently, these units have received and planned to work directly with the special zone in the coming time.
