A view of Con Dao island district. — Photo Vietnam Pictorial

HA NOI — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the revision of a master plan to preserve, upgrade and promote the Con Dao historical relic in the southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

The revision will be made in areas such as the relic zone of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Le Duc Tho Street, Tran Phu Street and Ton Duc Thang Street, as well as the relic groups in Hang Duong Cemetery, and some relic sites such as Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, Mot Mountain Pagoda, Ba Phi Yen Temple and Tay Cemetery.

The master plan has been revised across 110.69ha, comprising 41ha of protected zone 1 and nearly 70ha of protected zone 2.

Under the adjustment plan, degraded relics will be upgraded, but the construction of new projects will not be allowed in the protected zone 1.

The relics that have been completely destroyed will only be restored in case they have special historical value and there are enough scientific materials to refer to.

In the protected zone 2, new construction projects must complement the surrounding landscape.

The revision plan is aimed at preserving and restoring the Con Dao Relic that honours soldiers for their great contribution during the national liberation and to promote the patriotic spirit for future generations.

The adjustment is also aimed at creating more tourist areas to develop sustainable tourism in Con Dao District Island, as well as for its socio-economic development.

The plan is expected to be implemented in three phases over 15 years from 2016 to 2030.

Con Dao Island is famous for the prison that was known as "Hell on Earth". During the war, old prisoners at the prison suffered a lot and were tortured by the enemy, but they still retained the spirit of revolutionary warriors.

Today, the island is very different and the local people are living in peace with improved living standards.

Con Dao, comprising 16 mountainous islets, was named among the top 25 remote islands that tourists should visit in their lives by Business Insider, a leading American business and entertainment website. The islands have wonderful natural scenery, beaches, mountains and the Con Dao National Park. — VNS