Fishermen and visitors at Hon Cau Marine Protected Area captured photos and a short video, which quickly circulated on Facebook.
According to local fishermen, the dolphins were unusually friendly and social, swimming in groups and interacting with their boats. This marks the largest and most interactive pod recorded in the area to date.
Hon Cau is renowned for its high biodiversity, including seabed animals, seaweeds, seagrass, coral reefs, fish, large invertebrates, birds, reptiles, and endangered sea turtles. Its coral reefs and seagrass beds serve as nurseries and habitats for many rare marine species.
Over 34 endangered marine species inhabit the waters surrounding Hon Cau, which hosts pristine coral reefs stretching more than 2 km with more than 230 species, including some found only here.
The rich marine ecosystem and unique landscapes of Hon Cau provide a sustainable food source for local communities and support regional economic development. While sea turtles have long nested on the island, the appearance of such a large, friendly dolphin pod is unprecedented in recent years.