{"id":52983,"date":"2025-05-12T16:48:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/rua-bien-viet-nam-va-su-hien-dien-hiem-hoi-tai-phu-quoc\/"},"modified":"2025-05-12T16:48:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T09:48:47","slug":"the-sea-turtles-of-vietnam-a-rare-encounter-in-phu-quoc-coral-reefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/the-sea-turtles-of-vietnam-a-rare-encounter-in-phu-quoc-coral-reefs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sea Turtles of Vietnam | A Rare Encounter in Phu Quoc&#8217;s Coral Reefs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For millions of years, sea turtles have quietly journeyed across the world&#8217;s oceans, undertaking some of nature\u2019s most awe-inspiring migrations.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">In Vietnam, they were once a common sight along coastal waters. Today, however, that image is fading\u2014and in Phu Quoc, spotting a sea turtle in the wild has become an exceptionally rare and meaningful encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Sea_Turtle_Species_in_Vietnam\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>1. Sea Turtle Species in Vietnam<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Vietnam is home to five known species of sea turtles:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_52902\" style=\"width: 409px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-52902\" class=\"wp-image-52902 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/C\u00e1c-lo\u00e0i-r\u00f9a-bi\u1ec3n-Ngu\u1ed3n-Viet-Nam-Marine-Megafauna-Network-M\u1ea1ng-l\u01b0\u1edbi-\u0111\u1ed9ng-v\u1eadt-bi\u1ec3n-Vi\u1ec7t-Nam-399x600.jpg\" alt=\"C\u00e1c Lo\u00e0i R\u00f9a Bi\u1ec3n, Ngu\u1ed3n Viet Nam Marine Megafauna Network M\u1ea1ng L\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u1ed9ng V\u1eadt Bi\u1ec3n Vi\u1ec7t Nam\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-52902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;\">Sea turtle species in Vietnam, Credit: Viet Nam Marine Megafauna Network<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">All five species are listed as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and are strictly protected under Vietnamese law.<span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Regions_Where_Sea_Turtles_Still_Nest_in_Vietnam\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><strong>2. Regions Where Sea Turtles Still Nest in Vietnam<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\">Sea turtle populations in Vietnam have declined dramatically over the years. Yet, a few coastal and island regions remain vital nesting and feeding grounds:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><em><strong>Con Dao (Ba Ria \u2013 Vung Tau):<\/strong><\/em> Vietnam\u2019s most important nesting site, particularly for green turtles. According to Con Dao National Park data, from January 1 to April 15, 2024, 65 successful nests were recorded. Thirteen female turtles were tagged for tracking, and 3,374 hatchlings were safely released into the ocean under close supervision.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><em><strong>Hon Cau (Binh Thuan):<\/strong><\/em> Once a notable nesting site, now rarely visited by turtles. The area is still home to coral reefs and a rich marine ecosystem.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><em><strong>Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (Khanh Hoa):<\/strong> <\/em>On October 4, 2024, a hawksbill turtle was recorded by a conservation officer&#8217;s bodycam\u2014marking the first confirmed sighting in this area after many years. But Hon Mun is now one of the worst coral reefs in Vietnam due to irresponsible tourism activities<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 100%;\"><em><strong>Quang Tri, Quang Nam, and Ninh Thuan:<\/strong><\/em> Some beaches in these provinces have historically served as nesting grounds, though recent records are extremely limited. Across these regions, conservation programs continue, including relocating eggs to safe hatcheries and releasing hatchlings into the sea\u2014crucial efforts to sustain their life cycle.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Sea_Turtles_in_Phu_Quoc_A_Fragile_Presence\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;\"><strong>3. Sea Turtles in Phu Quoc: A Fragile Presence<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;\">&#8211; In Phu Quoc, <em><strong>only two species<\/strong><\/em> have been documented: Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) &amp; Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Several local islets still bear names that reflect a past connection with turtles:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/turtle-island-doi-moi-phu-quoc-island-map\/#\">Hon Doi Moi (Hawksbill&#8217;s Island)<\/a><\/strong><\/em>: Once a thriving feeding ground for hawksbills, near one of the island\u2019s largest coral reefs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>Chuong Vich Beach:<\/strong><\/em> Believed to have been a traditional nesting site for green turtles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Sadly, unsustainable tourism, marine pollution, illegal fishing, and trawling have caused severe damage to turtle habitats in Phu Quoc.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Even during the breeding season (April\u2013October), sightings are extremely rare, and no natural nesting activity has been recorded on the island in over a decade.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Notably, the local hawksbill population is now classified as <em><strong>Critically Endangered by the IUCN<\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Small_Signs_of_Hope\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>4. Small Signs of Hope<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Amid these challenges, faint yet hopeful signs have emerged. Recently, OnBird recorded the presence of a hawksbill turtle at the <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/northeast-coral-reef-a-coral-city-in-the-south-of-phu-quoc-island\/\">North East Coral Reef, Phu Quoc<\/a>\u2014a fragile but powerful symbol of resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">According to OnBird&#8217;s observation:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The <em><strong>breeding season<\/strong><\/em> for sea turtles spans<em><strong> from April to October.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>From April 12 to May 4, 2025, five turtle sightings<\/strong><\/em> were reported, including one case where <em><strong>a pair was seen swimming together<\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">At the <em><strong>North East Coral Reef<\/strong><\/em>\u2014one of the most biodiverse reef systems in southern Phu Quoc\u2014lucky visitors might witness a hawksbill gliding gracefully through the water during the <em><strong>early morning or late afternoon<\/strong><\/em> while snorkeling. Reach out to OnBird to get consulted about discovery snorkeling &amp; island hopping to have chance to see sea turtle in Phu Quoc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_53261\" style=\"width: 1810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-53261\" class=\"wp-image-53261 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GOPR0075_batch_batch_batch-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1575\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-53261\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A hawksbill turtle swimming at the North East Coral Reef, captured by OnBird on May 4th, 2025.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">This rare reappearance serves as a vital reminder: <em><strong>Every action we take to protect the ocean helps pave the way for sea turtles to return and thrive.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_How_You_Can_Help_Protect_Sea_Turtles\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>5. How You Can Help Protect Sea Turtles<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Never touch or disturb sea turtles if you encounter them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Avoid purchasing or supporting the trade of turtle-based products.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Choose responsible professional tour operators who <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/how-important-are-coral-reefs-on-a-need-to-know-basis\/\">respect marine life and ecosystems<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Low-impact_Reef_Snorkeling_with_OnBird\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>6. Low-impact Reef Snorkeling with OnBird<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"168\" data-end=\"547\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">As a professional tour operator in Phu Quoc, OnBird specializes in <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/tour-category\/tours-in-phu-quoc\/\"><strong data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"286\">reef-friendly snorkeling and scuba diving tours<\/strong><\/a> that prioritize safety and environmental sustainability. Each experience is carefully designed based on scientific insights, with real-time assessments of sea conditions, weather, and coral reef topography \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/safety-management-in-onbirds-discovery-snorkeling-tours\/\">all tracked through our exclusive in-house system<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"549\" data-end=\"787\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">We apply <strong data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"582\">low-impact practices<\/strong> at every stage \u2014 from selecting <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/snorkeling-gear-at-onbird-behind-every-memorable-experience-is-thoughtful-detail-oriented-preparation\/\">the right snorkeling gear<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/tips-for-responsible-snorkeling-in-phu-quoc-island\/\">providing responsible in-water guidance<\/a>. Our professionally trained team ensures guests explore the ocean in a way that respects and protects marine life.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_53507\" style=\"width: 1030px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-53507\" class=\"wp-image-53507 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GOPR2430_batch_batch-1-1080x945.jpg\" alt=\"Low-impact snorkeling with OnBird\" width=\"1020\" height=\"893\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-53507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Low-impact snorkeling plays a vital role in protecting marine ecosystems, Cre: OnBird Phu Quoc<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"1005\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">By choosing OnBird, you\u2019re not just joining a tour \u2014 you\u2019re embracing a <strong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"902\">sustainable and meaningful connection<\/strong> with Phu Quoc\u2019s vibrant underwater world, whether you\u2019re snorkeling for the first time or returning as a seasoned explorer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"1005\">\n<p data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"647\">As the only Phu Quoc-based operator specializing in snorkeling tours, <strong data-start=\"240\" data-end=\"305\">OnBird Phu Quoc offers the highest chance to spot sea turtles<\/strong> in the waters surrounding the island \u2014 even during the so-called rainy season, which runs from April to October. Backed by <strong data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"501\">in-depth local knowledge of coral reef systems and marine conditions<\/strong>, OnBird crafts exclusive, small-group experiences that take travelers to pristine, lesser-known reefs where sea turtles are most frequently seen. <a href=\"https:\/\/onbird.vn\/comprehensive-phu-quoc-weather-guides-by-months-in-details\/\">Understand more about so-called rainy season of Phu Quoc<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"649\" data-end=\"837\">Whether you&#8217;re an ocean lover or a curious adventurer, <strong data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"759\">join OnBird for an unforgettable underwater journey<\/strong> to explore Phu Quoc&#8217;s vibrant marine life in a responsible and enriching way.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>Every decision you make\u2014no matter how small\u2014contributes to a future where sea turtles can once again call these waters home.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"R\u00f9a bi\u1ec3n Vi\u1ec7t Nam v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 hi\u1ec7n di\u1ec7n hi\u1ebfm hoi t\u1ea1i Ph\u00fa Qu\u1ed1c | OnBird - Phu Quoc Soft-adventure Journeys\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1Xm9uWfUF-g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"168\"><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"649\" data-end=\"837\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For millions of years, sea turtles have quietly journeyed across the world&#8217;s oceans, undertaking some of nature\u2019s most awe-inspiring migrations. In Vietnam, they were once a common sight along coastal waters. Today, however, that image is fading\u2014and in Phu Quoc, spotting a sea turtle in the wild has become an exceptionally rare and meaningful encounter.<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/the-sea-turtles-of-vietnam-a-rare-encounter-in-phu-quoc-coral-reefs\/\">&#8230;[Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":53400,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[936,1059,960,1051,2008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-phu-quoc-island-explorer","category-phu-quoc-coral-reefs-observation","category-phu-quoc-snorkeling-and-diving","category-phu-quoc-things-to-do","category-save-phu-quoc"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52983\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dtabeam.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}