Con Co is a coastal island and also an island district of Quang Tri province, located about 15 nautical miles from the mainland, with an area of about 2.2 km2 and a population of over 400 people. This island holds a strategic position in terms of both socio-economy and defence and security. It is an important outpost in the protection of the country’s territorial sovereignty and one of the landmarks to determine the baseline of Vietnam's territorial sea.
In terms of geography, the average height of Con Co ranges from 07m to 10m above sea level. Its two highest points are in the east, Height 37 which is about 37m high, and in the west, which is over 63m high. Con Co Island is also known as Hon Co, Thao Phu, Tiger or Hon Me.
It is said by archaeologists that, in the first centuries AD, Con Co island was first discovered and inhabited by Vietnamese residents. This is proven by the fact that, in Ben Nghe area, many stone tools of Vietnamese residents, who used to live there, have been found. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Dai Viet residents used to drop by Con Co on their commercial routes. Under Nguyen Dynasty, the island was said to be a detention place for criminals.
After the Geneva Accords in 1954, Con Co island was left uninhabited. In 1959, facing the attempt of the US imperialists and the puppet government to occupy the island, a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun platoon of Regiment 270 of Vinh Linh Special Zone, commanded by Second Lieutenant Duong Duc Thien came to hold the island. At 11 a.m sharp, on August 8th, 1959, the yellow-star red flag was raised on the island, once again affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the sacred sea and islands. During the years of resistance against the US imperialists for national salvation, along with the Vinh Linh iron fortress, Con Co was a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, an indomitable monument in the middle of the sea - an unsinkable warship in the East Sea - the Hero Island which was praised by Uncle Ho.
Con Co Island is valuable in geology with diverse ecosystems and landscapes. The island is located not too far from the shore, so it is very potential for tourist development. It is likened to a unique nature museum, with magnificent basalt rocks and small pristine beaches made up of sand dunes, corals, scallops. Bathing season here lasts long when the sea water is always clear and warm. Along with that, as a volcanic island, forests here are also quite rare in Vietnam with three layers of trees, vines and rich vegetation. In addition, Con Co is located in the historical relic chain of Quang Tri province associated with the resistance war against the US, which is famous for: McNamara Line, Vinh Moc Tunnel, Hien Luong Bridge , Road 9 Martyrs Cemetery, Truong Son Martyrs Cemetery, etc.
Due to its strategic location in terms of defence and security as well as potentials for economic, tourism services, forestry, agriculture, fishery development, etc., on October 1st, 2004, the Government issued Decree No. 174/2004/ND-CP on the establishment of Con Co island district (in Quang Tri province) and building it into a tourist island - the foreshore island of the Fatherland. After its establishment, thanks to the attention, leadership, and investment of the Central Government and Quang Tri province, and the efforts of the Party Committee, government, army and people on the island, Con Co has seen strong and steady developments, worthy of being the "pearl" - the island of culture, tourism - the miracle eye in the East Sea - the front island of the Fatherland.
TRAN TOAN