Vietnam’s iconic island Con Dao rolls out electric buses in move toward green tourism
For the first time in its history, Vietnam’s tourist island Con Dao is introducing public buses, and they will be fully electric.
The island, famous for its pristine nature and quiet charm, is launching six electric bus routes to connect the airport, market, tourist attractions and residential areas. The move is part of a broader push to reduce traffic congestion, cut emissions and promote sustainable tourism as visitor numbers continue to climb.
Each route will run 40-seat electric buses every 15 minutes, covering nearly 72 kilometers across the island. They will link the town center with the airport, Ben Dam Port, and the northwest and southeast coasts. One route will serve popular tourist destinations, hotels and local accommodations. This marks the first time Con Dao will have a public transportation system, a milestone in its development.
According to Pham Vuong Bao, deputy head of Ho Chi Minh City’s Public Transport Management Center, the growing population and increasing tourist traffic have placed a strain on infrastructure. With few public options available, electric buses will help ease pressure on the roads while aligning with a vision of clean, modern mobility.
A greener future
The new bus system is just one part of Con Dao’s green transformation plan. Authorities also aim to encourage residents to switch from gasoline-powered motorbikes to electric ones. Starting in 2026, people who buy electric bikes will receive discounts on registration and license plate fees. Low-income households will be eligible for significant financial support, and subsidized loans will be made available to help cover vehicle costs.
This effort forms part of a larger program to turn Con Dao and Can Gio into low-emission zones under Ho Chi Minh City’s long-term environmental strategy. The total budget for the program is estimated at VND2.158 trillion (US$82.3 million), with state funds covering nearly a third and the rest coming from private investment. Of that amount, around VND590 billion will be dedicated to supporting the transition to electric motorbikes.
The island is also preparing to connect to the national power grid in September, a move that will allow for more reliable electricity and the development of clean energy sources such as rooftop solar and offshore wind.
Until recently, Con Dao was part of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province. Under a national administration overhall starting in July, as Ba Ria-Vung Tau together with Binh Duong was merged with Ho Chi Minh City, it became a special administrative unit of the new city.
The archipelago spans nearly 76 square kilometers and includes 16 islands, with Con Son as the largest. As tourism continues to grow, services such as transportation, hospitality and dining have quickly expanded, helping the island gain recognition as one of Vietnam’s rising destinations.
Currently, Con Dao has around 8,500 vehicles, with most still running on gasoline or diesel. But officials hope that by 2030, all motorbikes on the island will be electric, all public and taxi services will use clean energy, and public transport will serve the entire population. The long-term goal is to increase public transport usage to 80 percent, making Con Dao not only more accessible, but more sustainable as well.
By Le Tuyet – VnExpress.net – August 8, 2025