Con Dao is one of the best islands in Vietnam. This place is known for not only its beautiful landscapes but also its history. If you want to learn about the lifestyle of the locals and the history of Vietnam, this island is a perfect choice for you. There are many exciting things to do in Con Dao to better understand the history, culture and customs of the locals. In this article, we will suggest top things to do in Con Dao to save the best experience and memories during your tours to Vietnam.
Con Dao Island is an archipelago of sixteen islands, located in the southeast of Vietnam, in the province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau. It is approximately 185 km from Vung Tau and 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City, in the East Sea
This island has 2 seasons: rainy season and dry season. Due to the influence of the oceanic climate, the climate here is milder than that of the continent.
So, from the end of February to June, the sea is calm. It is also the time of the dry season, suitable for swimming and activities at sea such as night squid fishing, fishing or scuba diving, etc.
The archipelago has a very rich natural heritage, as evidenced by the Con Dao National Park. The archipelago is also known for its magnificent coral reefs that litter the surrounding seabed. Some of the uninhabited islands in the archipelago are nesting grounds for sea turtles.
It was created in 1993 to protect the exceptional ecosystem of the archipelago. The 20,000 hectares that make up the park cover almost 80% of its territory and include 14 of the 16 islands. 29 species of mammals, 85 of birds, 38 of reptiles and 8 amphibians cohabit there. Marine fauna is not to be outdone, since there are no less than 360 species of corals and 1,700 different aquatic species. Several mangrove forests are visible around Con Son and on several other islands, notably on the beaches of Ong Cau, Dat Tham and Dam Trau.
With a Vietnamese bread and a paper cup of iced coffee in hand, enjoying them while walking along Ton Duc Thang Street is paradise. Especially from October to April, the calm months of the ocean, the smell of blooming flowers and the sea breeze will blow up your mind! The subtle sunbeams that light up the trees with the waves and the quiet streets will be one of the most soothing spots you will ever see.
This destination is located near the airport. It is crescent-shaped, creating an adorable little bay with gentle waves and a smooth sandy beach. The whole region has yet to be spoiled – thanks to the effort of the locals to keep the beach clean. As a result, Dam Trau retains its title as one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
Located in the city center, this beach does not require any means of transport if you are staying nearby. At high tide, the waves come to lick the low wall protecting the coastal road. However at low tide, because of the very low inclination of the beach, the sea can retreat for several hundred meters, revealing an immense expanse of sand. The place is accessible from the coastal promenade.
These three coves are accessible by a marked path from the National Park office, north of the city. Between 30 minutes and 1,5 hour separate you from the beaches from the starting point. Split between sand and rocks, these beaches are perfect if you are looking for shade as there are many trees lining the beach.
For the more adventurous, this lagoon at the northern tip of the island is accessible by a hiking path through the jungle. The trail starts from Vong Beach, east of the airfield. In two hours of walking, you will reach this deserted cove, suitable for relaxation and swimming.
After enjoying the peace and tranquility of Dam Trau, explore the other parts of the island! Please note that some of the tours are seasonal, for example, you can see turtles only from June to early September, and the best dive period is from May to October. On the other hand, the hike is doable in any season.
If you like hiking, several routes have been set up through the forest. This is a good opportunity to immerse yourself in a natural environment and to observe the very many plant and animal species of the archipelago. The most popular is trekking across the 2 km long trail to the beautiful Ong Dung Beach. The hikes only last half a day, so you’ll have time to explore the city later in the evening.
At the time, Con Dao served as a prison island for political prisoners from the French colonial era. During the Vietnam War, the South Vietnamese regime made some changes to the prison in order to keep its prisoners in the infamous cells, called “tiger cages”. The old prison is still open to visitors to show one of the most important parts of the history of the island.
It was the palace where the former mayors of the island lived and worked since the French colonial era. Here you can learn more about the history of civilization on the island from the first expeditions to date, with various interesting articles and documents.
There are more than 2,000 graves of revolutionary soldiers from the Indochina War and the Vietnam War, the most prestigious of which belongs to Mrs. Vo Thi Sau. She was the most famous war heroine of the French colonial era for her operations and her bravery, which shone until her execution at Con Dao prison at the age of 16.
There are also two beautiful Buddhist pagodas to visit in Con Son. The Van Son Pagoda is perched on a mountain on the western edge of the city, above Lake An Hai. The steps to reach it are a bit steep, but from there you will have a very nice view of the city and the sea.
This place was recently built in the immediate vicinity of the cemetery in memory of the women and men imprisoned in Con Dao and who lost their lives there.
It is one of the most beautiful pagodas in the country in terms of Feng Shui and landscapes. Located at the top of Mot Mountain, you can have a spectacular view of the surroundings of Con Dao. With the sophisticated architecture and interiors, the pagoda will take you time to take the beautiful pictures.
Con Dao has the best diving and snorkeling experience in Vietnam. The corals are intact and quite impressive with giant coral reefs, larger than those found in the rest of Southeast Asia.
There are up to 35 diving/ snorkeling sites to choose from, with depths ranging from 10 meters to 20 meters. You will have a chance to see an incredibly diverse marine life, with turtles, rays, groups of colorful fish and even large creatures like lionfish, sharks, dugongs and giant barracudas.
Another reminder is that you can only participate in diving excursions if you have a diving certificate, while snorkeling does not require anything.
During the morning visit, you probably saw a lot of fresh seafood, and around noon you will see them again in dishes. Nothing beats a freshly caught seafood soup for lunch. And a juicy squid on a grill.
Love Peak is located on Ba Island, Con Dao. When the sun goes down, its silhouette recalls a lying and passionately kissing couple, which is why the peak took its name. The most spectacular place to watch this romantic scene would be Nhat Beach in the south of Con Dao Island.
Are you in love with this island? Customize your trip to Vietnam now so that we can help make your vacation in Con Dao more memorable than ever!
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This post was last modified on November 22, 2023 9:21 am
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Such a wonderful place to visit next month! Plz suggest me more about the food and accomodation in Con Dao? The facilities? The price? The experience and deep details. Thanks a lot!
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