Con Dao National Park. 18/06/2013; Ba Ria-Vung Tau; 19,991 ha; 8°42’N 106°38’E; National Park. Con Dao is an archipelago of 14 islands located some 80 km off the coast of southern Viet Nam. Con Son, the largest of the islands at 5,700 ha, is situated at its centre. Con Son and Hon Cau are the only two islands in the archipelago with year-round freshwater supplies. The site supports a representative range of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems that are important for the biogeographic region. There are low montane Melaleuca forests inland, while along the coast there are dry forests as well as shallow marine waters, coral reefs, seagrass beds, intertidal flats and mangrove forests. These wetland habitats are particularly intact and support a high biodiversity. Some 355 coral species have been recorded of which 56 are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Also present are the critically endangered mangrove, Bruguiera hainesii, and the critically endangered Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea and Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricate. The archipelago has been inhabited for 4,000 years. The French colonial government occupied Con Lon Island in the late 19th Century, and established a prison from 1936 to 1975 which is now preserved as a national historic site. Traditionally managed capture fishing is allowed, and local people have also adopted other livelihoods including tourism-related ventures. Ramsar site no. 2203. Most recent RIS information: 2013.