Con Co Island during the Resistance War Against America: "Outpost in the Ocean"

Con Co Island is located at coordinates around 17°10' North latitude, 107°20' East longitude, 13-17 nautical miles (about 24-30 km) East of the mainland (Mui Lay, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province). It is a basalt island of volcanic origin, nearly circular in shape, with a maximum elevation of 63m and over 60% of its area covered by natural forest.

The strategic location of Con Co is extremely important:

• Southern Gateway of the Gulf of Tonkin: Serving as point A11 on Vietnam's baseline, helping define internal waters, the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, and the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
• Sovereignty Protection Outpost: Positioned at the transition area between the Gulf of Tonkin and the East Sea, controlling rich fishing grounds (Tiger Fishing Ground) and vital maritime routes.
• National Defense Factor: Serving as a solid military stronghold, a key link in the North Central coastal defense line, monitoring airspace and maritime areas, protecting the Northern rear, and supporting the Southern front line.

Because of this "outpost in the ocean" position, Con Co became a key target that the enemy sought to capture or destroy to sever maritime supply lines.

During the Resistance War Against America (especially the 1964-1972 period), Con Co served as the "outpost steel island" of the socialist North and a direct rear base for the Southern battlefield. The island played a transshipment role for personnel, weapons, food, and medicine from Vinh Linh to the front line.

The army and people of Con Co faced an unprecedented intensity of destruction:

• Over 1,500 days and nights of fierce fighting (mainly 1964-1968).
• Nearly 1,000 battles of various scales, braving hundreds of air strikes and shellings from US-puppet aircraft and warships.
• The enemy dropped over 13,000 bombs of all types and tens of thousands of rockets onto the island; warships bombarded it 172 times.

Despite being besieged and heavily bombed, the island's soldiers and civilians remained steadfast with the spirit of "not giving up an inch, not retreating a millimeter" and "sacrificing everything rather than losing the island." Over 4,200 boat trips from the mainland braved bombs and bullets to resupply more than 2,500 tons of goods, contributing significantly to the liberation of the South.

Throughout the Resistance War Against America, Con Co Island wrote brilliant historical pages with countless heroic exploits. Defying enemy bombs and bullets, the anti-aircraft forces on the island fought valiantly, shooting down many US aircraft and thwarting enemy amphibious assault and sea blockade attempts. 

Despite its small size, Con Co achieved miraculous feats:

• Shot down 48 US aircraft.
• Sank and set ablaze 17 enemy warships and naval vessels.

Hundreds of soldiers and citizens sacrificed their lives heroically, forging the "Steel Battleship Con Co." Bright examples include:

• Hero Thai Van A – steadfast at his observation post despite being wounded.
• Soldier Nguyen Huu Qui – using a helmet to shield the sight scope, shooting down multiple aircraft.
• Island Commander Vu Ky – commanding artillery to shoot down a US seaplane.
• And many other comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the island.

Con Co was honored with the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces twice (1967 and 1970). Beloved Uncle Ho sent letters of commendation and dedicated poetry three times: "Con Co is in full bloom with victory flowers / Fighting until the American aggressors are crushed."

Con Co Island is not only a historical landmark, but also holds profound significance and value:

• Symbol of revolutionary heroism: Con Co is living proof of the resilient, indomitable spirit and readiness to face any challenge of the Vietnamese nation. It stands as an "indomitable monument towering over the open sea."
• Lesson in people's war: The story of Con Co is a textbook example of close coordination between the front line and the rear base. The relationship where "The island is the heart, and the people of Vinh Linh are the blood vessels" demonstrated the combined strength of great national unity.
• Traditional educational value: Con Co reminds future generations of the great contributions of their ancestors, inspiring patriotism and a sense of responsibility to safeguard the sacred maritime sovereignty of the Fatherland.

These values have shaped Con Co into not only a historical site, but also an endless source of inspiration for patriotism and the determination to overcome adversity across generations of Vietnamese people.

From a heroic "steel outpost" amid the flames of war, Con Co Island today has undergone a strong transformation into an attractive eco-historical tourism destination in Central Vietnam. As Con Co Special District under Quang Tri Province (from 2025), the island is moving towards a green and sustainable development model, harmoniously combining historical preservation, national defense, and tourism development.

Visitors can take an all-inclusive 2-day 1-night tour for only 2,862,000 VND/guest, which includes high-speed boat tickets, meals, accommodations, and electric cart island tours.

Highlight Activities

• Visit the historical site system and the Traditional House.
• Snorkeling to view coral reefs, kayaking, fishing, and seaside campfires.
• Enjoy fresh seafood: lobster, squid, grouper, oysters...
• Watch the sunrise and sunset over the ocean and take photos at Sovereignty Landmark A11.

Most importantly, the military and people of Con Co today continue to hold their weapons firmly, resolutely safeguarding the front outpost of the Fatherland, firmly protecting the sacred maritime sovereignty, and contributing to building a rich, beautiful, and strong Vietnam. Con Co Island is not just an island, but a legend and an immortal symbol of Vietnamese revolutionary heroism. The glorious history of this "Outpost in the Ocean" will forever remain a source of national pride, reminding present and future generations of the noble sacrifices made to achieve today's peace and independence.