To address the waste management issue, the Con Dao authorities and the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial tourism department have decided to impose an entrance fee for tourists to the archipelago to support waste treatment and other environmental conservation activities, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper. The measure was announced at a meeting with the Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee.
The beauty of Con Dao is now being seriously affected by waste.
"There are tourists who only visit the island for one day and leave a certain amount of trash. Con Dao district does not gain anything from them. Those tourists need to be responsible for maintaining the island's ecosystem," said Trinh Hang, director of the provincial Department of Tourism.
The islands in the archipelago dump 15 tons of garbage into Con Dao every day, while the district’s waste treatment plant can only handle 5 tons of waste a day. The province’s 4,000 square meter landfill, which has been used to bury residents’ waste for the past 20 years, is running out of space (there are only 300 square meters left). Last month, the district’s plan to transfer the garbage to the mainland was approved.
Image of garbage in Con Dao
In addition to supporting Con Dao’s waste management, proceeds from the entrance fee will also be used to restore historical sites and improve public facilities. Local residents and those working in the area will not be charged.
This policy is expected to help improve the environment in Con Dao.
While some places on Con Dao have already started charging entrance fees, the new fee law will include a one-time payment for all entrances to the archipelago. Relevant agencies are currently considering the appropriate amount to charge.
