Con Dao island

Con Dao is famous for its pristine, beautiful beaches and airy atmosphere, suitable for those who want to escape from the noisy and bustling space of the cities.

Introduction about Con Dao

Con Dao is the name of an offshore archipelago in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, 97 nautical miles from Vung Tau and 45 nautical miles from Hau river. It is also called Con Son. The Vietnamese history before the 20th century often referred to Con Son island as Con Lon or Con Non. The old name in the English and French texts is Poulo Condor.

In 1977, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam decided the official name of Con Dao.

Con Dao archipelago consists of 16 islands with a total area of ??76 km².

Best time to visit

The period from Tet holidays to the end of summer (from March to the end of September) is the best time to travel to Con Dao.

Con Dao beaches

From October to February, although Con Dao waters often have large waves, because this time is the dry season, there is always sunshine and also a suitable time to visit here.

From March to the end of September is a quiet sea time. Even though it is the rainy season, the rain in Con Dao mainly lasts no more than 1 hour, and the remaining times of the day are still sunny. This time is suitable for sea tours, snorkeling tours, and uninhabited islands exploration. It is also the season of turtles from all over Con Dao laying eggs.

Best ways to travel to Con Dao

There are three ways to move to Con Dao.

Ships

Ships usually depart from Cat Lo port, Vung Tau, and the travel time is about 12 hours. It leaves Vung Tau at 5.00 pm and arrives in Con Dao at 5.00 am - 6.00 am the next morning.

Ticket price: VND 150,000-200,000/ticket

From Ho Chi Minh city to Cat Lo port, you can go by a motorbike or 15-seat passenger car of Hoa Mai, Toan Thang, Phuong Trang, and Kumho bus lines. Note that during the rainy season, the ship's schedule can be canceled even though your ticket has been purchased.

High-speed boats

Superdong high-speed boat runs on Soc Trang province - Con Dao route and the travel time is about 2.5 hours. It departs from Tran De port (Soc Trang) at 8.00 am and from Ben Dam port (Con Dao) at 1.00 pm.

Ticket price: VND 310,000/ticket

Planes

Only Vietnam Airlines has flights to Con Dao and the flight time is 1 hour. To fly to Con Dao, you can depart from Ho Chi Minh city or Can Tho. If you go from Can Tho, the fare will be cheaper. In case the airline runs out of tickets, you can still buy them through agents.

Con Dao Airport is about 15km from the center of the town, so you should not take a taxi to the center because it will be costly. You can go by the 15-seat cars in front of the airport. They are the vehicles specializing in airport shuttle services for hotels in the town. The ticket price is only VND 50,000/guest.

Admiring the beautiful sunset on Con Dao beaches

Must-try experiences in Con Dao

Snorkel and watch coral

Con Dao includes various islands such as Bay Canh, Hon Tai, Hon Tre, Hon Trung, Hon Trac or Hon Cau, etc. which are the convergence of coral reefs with the highest density in Vietnam, are the ideal places to explore the amazing ocean world.

Fishing

Beaches of Con Dao are plentiful with many kinds of seafood, promising an exciting cruise for those who like fishing. After that, tourists can enjoy the trophy in the peaceful space of the blue sea and white sand with friends or relatives. In particular, some travelers challenge their courage with fishing sharks.

Discover the uninhabited islands

Con Son Bay consists of a system of 14 different small islands with Hon Tai, Hon Trac, Hon Tho, etc. gathering like a big family and the majestic Hon Bay Canh, Bong Lan, Hon Cau, Hon Trung, Hon Tre, etc. in the middle of the sea. These islands create poetic beauty for Con Son Bay and a marine eco-conservation area with coral reefs that few places can be comparable in density and type.

Watch turtles lay eggs

Traveling to Con Dao, you can experience a quiet but incredibly charming night on Hon Bay Canh. You will see the Chelonia mydas turtles nest and lay eggs on the beach.

Visit spiritual places

Despite being built over a hundred years, the relics of the area once considered hell on earth are still intact and increasingly attract thousands of visitors.

Con Dao prison

Not only is it the evidence of heroic history, but Con Dao is also one of the most sacred places with famous spiritual places. Hang Duong cemetery, Con Dao prison system, Phi Yen Lord temple, Mot mountain pagoda, Ms. Sau's grave, etc., each site has its story, but they are all the places containing beliefs and wishes of Con Dao people and tourists.