Over View

Con Dao: A journey through resilience and beauty.

A tiny archipelago off the southern coast, only a small number of travellers wind up in Con Dao. Though the trip requires extra effort, those who commit to the journey are rewarded with some of the country’s most blissful beaches and best snorkelling. Much of the island is covered by the Con Dao National Park. Its dense jungle will give you ample chance to uncover a paradise of your own.

Top Things To Do In Con Dao

Go beach-hunting

Con Dao travellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to secluded beaches. Take a hike to Bai Ong Dung, a stony coastal spot where you can snorkel close to shore, or head to Dam Trau Beach or Dat Doc Beach for sunbathing.

Sign up for a day trip

Snorkelling and diving excursions on Con Dao reveal some of Vietnam’s best underwater sightseeing. On land, hikers can arrange a guide through the national park office or set off on their own with a national park map.

Visit the Con Dao Museum

Con Dao is home to one of the most infamous former prisons in Vietnam, which was an incarceration facility for the French as well as the Americans. You can get a solid background on the island’s history at the newly built Con Dao Museum.

Have a wellness retreat

There are few places in Vietnam that are more peaceful and relaxing than Con Dao. The Six Senses Con Dao is a stunning, sustainable resort in a private bay, complete with nourishing meals, yoga sessions, and an award-winning spa.

Get on two wheels

The coastal roads of Con Dao are a dream for cyclists and motorists alike. Within the town you can ride under ancient trees and past colonial buildings, and just outside are windy beaches, rocky coastline and jungled-covered slopes.

Con Dao Weather

Con Dao’s coolest weather arrives between September and January while its hottest months are June, July and August. Given the island’s location, Con Dao is also prone to strong winds in December and January. Turtle-hatching season takes place from mid-August to early December.

Con Dao Transport

Flights depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City and land at the island’s modest airport. Your other option from Ho Chi Minh City is to take a bus to Soc Trang and take the two-hour Superdong Ferry to the island. The main town of Con Son is flat and small, making it easy to explore by foot or bicycle. Major sights just outside of town are also accessible by bicycle, including the prison museum and Van Son Pagoda. The rest of the island is best seen by motorbike. Small boats are also available for snorkelling trips.

Con Dao 01
Con Dao 04

Explore the City:

The City Maps

MAPS VIEW

Trip Ideas

City Spotlight: CON DAO

As the center of the Mekong Delta and the largest city in the region, Can Tho tourism brings you many unique and interesting experiences of the land of Tay Do with the people of the West and the simple but attractive river landscape.

Here are somethings to do and see in Can Tho:

Top Beaches in Con Dao:

Dam Trau Beach:

    • Located near the Con Dao airport, Dam Trau Beach offers a unique experience – sunbathing while watching planes land and take off.
    • Golden sands, deep blue waters, and forested hills create an idyllic setting.

Suoi Nong Beach:

    • A lesser-known gem near Dam Trau Beach.
    • Accessible via a short trek through a forest road.
    • Flat, white sandy beach with a distinctive mangrove ecosystem – perfect for a peaceful retreat.

Dat Doc Beach:

    • Fifteen minutes northeast of Con Dao town center.
    • Known for the best snorkeling on the island.
    • Explore vibrant underwater life with fish species and coral reefs.

Other Things to Do in Con Dao:

  • Phu Hai Prison:

    • Explore the historical significance of this former prison.
    • Learn about the island’s past and its role during wartime.

  • Con Dao National Park:

    • Trek through lush forests.
    • Discover diverse flora and fauna.

  • Island Hopping:

    • Explore nearby islands like Bay Canh Island and Tre Lon Island.
    • Enjoy pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

  • Turtles Watching:

    • Witness nesting turtles (seasonal activity).
    • Con Dao is a vital nesting ground for endangered sea turtles.

  • Drive Around the Island:

    • Rent a motorbike or take a scenic drive.
    • Enjoy breathtaking coastal views.
Con Dao Overview
Con Dao harbor
COn Dao beach

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