Hon Trung Island, part of Con Dao National Park (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province), has just been recognized by the Viet Nam Record Organization for having the highest seabird breeding density in the country.
Hon Trung is a small rocky island located off the coast, belonging to the Con Dao Archipelago in Con Dao District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. This island is isolated from the larger islands and features rugged terrain. It is hailed as the largest bird sanctuary in Southeast Asia, as it is home to more than 80 different bird species. Among these, terns are the most dominant species.
Con Dao National Park has recorded five species of migratory seabirds nesting and laying eggs on Hòn Trứng: the Black-backed Tern, the Greater Crested Tern, the Brown Booby, the White-vented Swallow, and the Grey-headed Tern. These birds typically nest all over the island and forage in the surrounding areas. During the day, they soar above the sea in search of food, alternating their return to Hon Trung to rest, build nests, lay eggs, and care for their chicks. The average egg density on Hon Trung is 4.88 eggs per square meter. With a recorded area of 1.49 hectares (14,900 square meters), this means there are currently around 72,712 seabird eggs on Hòn Trứng.
Hon Trung attracts 80 different bird species for breeding. (Photo: Dan Viet Newspaper)
Hon Trung, along with Con Dao National Park, has been recognized as a Ramsar site—a prestigious international designation for wetlands of global importance—and is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAFP), a key migratory route for birds.
Among the 14 islands managed by Con Dao National Park, there are at least three islands where seabirds gather in large numbers: Hon Trung, Hon Bong Lan, and Hon Tre Nho. To protect the seabirds, Con Dao National Park recently installed security cameras at the top of Hon Trung to safeguard the island and prevent egg poaching.