Viet Nam’s Dat Tham beach in Con Dao has been listed amongst the top 10 eco-friendly beaches in South-east Asia by the UK’s Independent Newspaper.

Con Dao island (Illustrative image)

The newspaper wrote that with the likes of Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne now packed with tourists, Dat Tham beach, protected by the Con Dao National Park, is one of the few undeveloped stretches of sand left in Viet Nam.

Getting there requires some effort, with visitors needing to check-in at the park office before beginning a four-mile hike to the beach. Once you reach the shore, however, you are met with a beautiful (and most likely completely secluded) crescent-shaped bay, according to the newspaper.

South-east Asia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with golden sands, crystal-clear waters and lush green plant life, so it’s no surprise the region attracts millions of tourists a year. But its popularity has come at a price, with overcrowding, coral damage, and waste becoming increasingly common problems for the region’s coastlines. As a result, the Independent recently made a list of 10 beaches for travelers who are looking for eco-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia.

Other beaches on the Independent’s list are the beaches of Gili Air, Gili Islands in Indonesia; Ngapali beach in Myanmar; Sunset beach in Thailand; the beaches of Isla de Gigantes in Philippines; Juara beach in Malaysia; Bottle beach in Thailand; the beaches of Kepayang Island in Indonesia; Bacuit Bay in Philippines; and Lalaji Bay, Long Island, the Andamans.

(Source: NDO)