Six Senses Con Dao Earns Recognition for Community Impact at 2025 HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards

Six Senses Con Dao, a renowned eco-resort in Vietnam, has been awarded the Positive Community Impact Award at the 2025 HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards. The award recognizes the property’s dedication to promoting sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment on the island of Con Dao. This prestigious recognition highlights Six Senses Con Dao’s efforts to support local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and prioritize the well-being of the environment.

The HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards, part of the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), is an annual event that celebrates hotels in the Asia-Pacific region for their innovative approaches to sustainability. Each year, only four hotels are selected to receive this award, with a focus on properties that have adopted best practices in sustainable development. Winners are expected to set a benchmark for others in the industry, offering tangible, replicable strategies for sustainable tourism.

Commitment to Sustainability and Community

Six Senses Con Dao’s success is a direct reflection of the brand’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. Since its inception in 1995, Six Senses has integrated sustainability into its core values, long before it became a widespread trend. Every Six Senses property, including Con Dao, is designed to harmonize with the local environment, culture, and communities. This philosophy aims to offer luxurious, immersive experiences while minimizing the environmental footprint and enhancing the lives of local residents.

The resort has incorporated responsible tourism practices that benefit both the island and its people. Through various community-based initiatives, Six Senses Con Dao has shown its commitment to long-term resilience, cultural preservation, and social empowerment. Projects are carefully designed to address immediate community needs, preserve local identities, build capacity, and drive systemic change.

Key Community and Environmental Initiatives

One of the most impactful initiatives at Six Senses Con Dao is its Water for All program. With many residents of Con Dao facing challenges in accessing clean drinking water, the resort has installed eleven water purification systems across the island. These systems provide reliable access to safe drinking water for over 3,194 people, ensuring healthier living conditions and supporting sustainable water use. This program is a critical part of the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve the island’s infrastructure and public health.

In addition, Six Senses Con Dao has partnered with local organizations, including the Youth Union of Con Dao and WWF Vietnam, to launch the 2R Station Project. This initiative diverts waste from the environment and promotes circular economy practices within the community. Since its launch in 2024, the project has successfully diverted 441 kilograms of waste from the island’s ecosystem.

The resort also places a strong emphasis on youth empowerment. Since 2017, Six Senses Con Dao has offered free English language classes to local children, with over 150 students benefiting from the program. By equipping young people with valuable language skills, the resort helps open doors to educational opportunities and career prospects, fostering cross-cultural exchange and global connectivity.

Supporting Social Enterprises and Cultural Preservation

Six Senses Con Dao’s focus on sustainability extends beyond environmental conservation and youth education to supporting local artisans and social enterprises. In 2025, the resort partnered with the Maison Chance Foundation, a non-profit organization, to empower disadvantaged individuals by offering them opportunities to craft and sell traditional Vietnamese handwoven brocade turtles. These beautiful, handmade items are sold at the resort’s boutique, with all proceeds going toward the Sustainability Fund. This initiative helps fund further community-based projects focused on conservation, education, and community development.

Cultural preservation is also a key element of the resort’s community initiatives. The sale of traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, including the brocade turtles, serves as a reminder of the island’s rich cultural heritage. Through this partnership, Six Senses Con Dao demonstrates how tourism can contribute to both cultural preservation and the financial empowerment of local communities.

Empowering Women and Promoting Health Initiatives

Six Senses Con Dao is also committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women. The resort has launched Vietnam’s first hotel-led Menstrual Health Awareness & Sustainability Initiative, providing reusable menstrual products and workshops for local women. This program not only raises awareness about menstrual health but also promotes sustainable living practices by encouraging the use of eco-friendly products.

In addition to the menstrual health initiative, Six Senses Con Dao has introduced a range of Female Wellness Programs across its resorts. These programs are designed to provide guests and staff with valuable insights and support, particularly during key stages of life, such as pregnancy, menopause, and post-menopause.

Caring for Animals

Beyond its work with local communities, Six Senses Con Dao also demonstrates compassion for the island’s animal residents. In collaboration with Laws for Paws Vietnam, the resort runs an Animal Welfare Initiative that provides essential veterinary care, including vaccinations, deworming, and parasite treatments, to local animals. This initiative highlights the resort’s holistic approach to sustainability, which includes the well-being of both humans and animals.

A Model for Sustainable Tourism

Six Senses Con Dao’s approach to sustainability serves as a model for the wider tourism industry. The resort’s diverse initiatives, from water purification and waste management to social enterprise and cultural preservation, show how tourism can be a powerful tool for positive change. The resort’s success is a testament to the fact that responsible, purpose-driven tourism can lead to lasting benefits for both the environment and local communities.

Through its continued dedication to sustainability and community development, Six Senses Con Dao is setting a new standard for eco-conscious tourism. The resort’s efforts have not only transformed the lives of local residents but also provided guests with an authentic, immersive experience that contributes to a greener, more equitable future for all.

(Image Credit: Six Senses Con Dao)

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