Is famous the stunning beauty with pristine scenery, Con Dao island is offshore Ba Ria – Vung Tau in the East sea. When traveling to Con Dao, visitors will be impressed by its blue sky, soft sandy beach and cool climate which will be unforgettable.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Con Dao

From early March to September, this period is the good time for travelling. During this time, the sea is mild with nice weather. It sometimes rains but stop very quickly.

You should avoid visiting Con Dao from October to February because of strong waves which keep ships accessing the island.

How to Travel to Con Dao Island

By plane: only Vietnam airlines cooperate with Vasco currently operate flights to Con Dao. You will take direct flights from Saigon or Can Tho to Con Dao. If you fly from Hanoi or Danang, you will have to transit either mentioned places. Specifically, there are 3 to 4 flights from Saigon and passengers are allow to take 20kg baggage and 7kg carry-on bag with free of charge. Duration: 55 minutes

By speedboat: besides plane, visitors have another option which is more economical is speedboat from Cat Lo harbor (Vung Tau) to Dam wharf (Con Dao) and vice versa. Speedboats are only for people and motorbikes.

However, when traveling by speedboat, you should aware of seasick. During the calming sea’s period (from April to August), traveling by the speedboat is very interesting experience; but from September to March, it may be a bad experience for anyone who gets seasick.

The speedboat leaves at 5pm and reaches Dam wharf around 7am and vice versa. There is a small canteen serving beverages. Food on the speedboat is mostly instant noodle and steamed chicken eggs. It is about 12km from the Dam wharf to central island.

Price: VND 350,000 (US $16) per way departure at Vung Tau and it is VND 450,000 (US $23) for departure at Bach Dang wharf in Saigon.

Furthermore, Superdong speedboat company is planning to inaugurate the route to Con Dao from Soc Trang in June 2017 and it takes only 2.30 hours.

What to See in Con Dao

Con Dao is a great place for cool climate, wide road and romantic landscape which is ideal for exploring around by motorbikes. Visitors can rent a motorbike at hotels or renting shops, price: from VND 100,000 (US 4) to VND 150,000 (US $7).

Sea in Con Dao is very clear and cool surrounded by green tree lines. Some beaches you should visit are:

Dam Trau beach: next to Co Ong airport, the beach is famous for its soft white sand surrounded by mountain in the arc shape so the wave is gentle and tranquil. This is considered as the best beach in Con Dao.

Lo Voi beach: is located along Ton Duc Thang road which is suitable for groups or families

An Hai beach: is 10 minutes walking from the center which is surrounded by mountain so the wave is mild and tranquil.

Contemplating sun: in Con Dao, you will have a wonderful chance to see the sun. Wake up early to enjoy sunrise at Ca Map cape, the sun comes out Bay Canh island altogether with clouds and sunshine make an amazing miraculous show of light. In the late afternoon, travel to Nhat beach to see sunset going down Tinh Yeu peak.

Discovering Ong Dung primeval jungle: from Con Dao, travel to the west to experience trekking trip in 20 minutes going past the primeval of Ong Dung.

Bay Canh island: board on a ship to visit Bay Canh island which is the second biggest one amongst 16 islands in Con Dao. The island is totally covered by a primeval jungle. Visit this place, do not forget to experience snorkeling.

Dam Tre Bay: is famous for its natural beauty which is surrounded by the salt marsh forest. At this place, visitors can explore the salt-marsh forest, dive to see coral reefs or swallows making nets or many other ocean animals. On the way, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Con Son bay, Lo Voi cape, Dat Doc beach or Dong Bac bay…

Exploring the History of the Island

To Con Dao, you should not skip exploring the history of this land through some following vestiges:

Con Dao museum: was the working place for lords of this land. Visiting the museum, visitors will have chance to explore the history of island’s foundation through items, antiquities, and documentary from the French colony.

Phu Son prison: was the place to keep socialist prisoners during the French colony and war against America.

What to Do in Con Dao

Diving to see coral reefs

This is “cannot-miss” activity in Con Dao. You can rent a boat to Bay Canh island and then jump into the clean and cool water to enjoy the beautiful coral reefs. The coral here is not colorful because the warmer water bleaching the coral. However, you will immerse in the sea with wide ranges of colorful fishes.

Renting a motorbike

A motorbike with the price from VND 100,000 (US $4) to VND 120,000 (US $5) will be an ideal way to explore the island. You can stop anywhere on the peaceful island from the Ben Dam wharf in the South to Dam Trau beach in the North. There are two petrol stations located in the center so you need to fill up motorbike’s tank before departing. You can park your motorbike anywhere without worrying the security.

Watching turtles laying eggs

From the Bay Canh island, continue to Cau island to see the salt-marsh forest. Right at the Cau island, turtle preserving center founded in 1995 is also a wonderful place for your visit. Visitors can stay overnight here to have more time watching turtles laying eggs.

The period for laying eggs is from March to October. There are about 3,000 to 5,000 eggs laid every night. However, the beach area cannot be accessed, only forest guards can reach this area to avoid the impact to turtle’s life.

Exploring mountains

Besides beautiful beaches, Con Dao is also famous for mountains surrounded. Visitors can climb up So Ray mountain to explore the diversified plants in this primeval forest. On the way of trekking, visitors can see many wild monkeys. Because, they are familiar with the human appearance, they will not be scared of people.

After exploring and enjoy the beauty of forest, on the way back or to Ong Dung beach, visitors will have great chance to dip into the clean and cool water.

Walking freely on the deserted streets

If you cannot ride a motorbike, you can walk along the beautifully deserted streets. The climate here is very fresh and cool especially during the windless season from October to April. Ton Duc Thang is the most beautiful street in Con Dao where you can stroll all day.

Visiting museums

Just spend time on visiting museums in Con Dao where you can get more information about the history and sea ecology, prison and current life. The information is very useful which will accumulate your knowledge of the destination.

One of places which cannot be missed is Con Dao prison system. You will witness about the “hell on earth” once. You will see the life condition and the severe during the French colony.

Enjoying coffee and reading a romantic book

There are many coffee shops which are stylish such as Lo Voi, Infiniti and Ngo Quan…especially Con Son. Con Son coffee shop has a wonderful location which faces the sea in front of the quay 914. You will enjoy the tranquil, sunshine and breezing when come to this place in the morning or late afternoon.

Enjoying fresh seafood at the wharf of Ben Dam

Ben Dam wharf is located on the Southwest of Con Son island, 15 km from Con Dao. If you travel by boat from Vung Tau, you will reach the wharf. Located perfectly in the Ben Dam bay, this place is covered by mountain ranges so it is a wonderful place for ships. It is also the place for seafood floating cages. You will have to pay from VND 10,000 (US $0.4) to VND 30,000 (US $1.4) for small boat transferring to the floating cages. The seafood here is not quite cheap but very fresh.

Trekking at Con Dao national park

The park is in 6,000-hectares on land and 14,000-hectare wet land. You can walk through the forest to enjoy the fresh air and listen to birds singing. Beaches near the national park are very tranquil and beautiful where you can totally relax.

Where to Stay in Con Dao?

5-star:

Six Senses: is the first five-star luxury resort on the pristine island of Con Dao. Six sense offers a modern architecture, but still remains the local traditional features of Vietnam. From villas or private infinity pools of Six Sense, you will have a wonderfully unobstructed views of the sea.

4-star:

Poulo Condor Boutique Resort and Spa: located on a private garden in the central island which is in a favorite position near the airport and tourist sites of Con Dao such as, Con Dao national park, tourist harbor, Lo Voi beach…Poulo Condor was the name of Con Dao island in 18^th century. The resort is a 4-star and considered as one of the best ones in Con Dao.

3-star:

Con Dao resort: is one of the first 3-star located along Nguyen Duc Thuan road surrounded by sea and mountain, Con Dao resort offers 93 rooms which can serve many big groups. There is also a pool in European architecture which is always ready for your relax and enjoying the scenery.

What to Eat in Con Dao

In general, there are not many restaurants here, but the prices are quite similar. The most famous restaurant is Tri Ky located Nguyen Duc Nhuan street which serves seafood and steamed rice. Or you can also visit Thu Ba restaurant close to Con Dao market on Vo Thi Sau street. This restaurant is small but clean and the owner is very skillful and easy-going.

There are some dishes to try here including:

Vu Nang shellfish: the pyramid-shaped shellfishes can be grilled, steamed or fried; especially grilled shellfishes with onion and oil. All restaurants here serve this dish. You can enjoy the delicious seafood and beautiful beach.

Red grouper: is the specialty of Con Dao. Their meat is delicious, sweet and brittle.

Lobster and mu ni lobsters: are considered as the “king of seafood” which is very fresh.

Oyster sauce: cannot be missed for every meal in Con Dao. Made of oyster, mixed with salt and spice…in some days, the sauce will be extracted creating a tasty red sauce.

>>> Top 15 best beaches in Vietnam