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
Con Dao, one of the most beautiful islands in Vietnam
Best Time to Visit Con Dao
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.
- Temperature: 26 ° C on average. The month with the highest average temperature of 28 ° C (May) and the lowest of 25 ° C (January).
- Rainy season: lasts from May to September of the year. Each rain lasts about 1 hour and the rest of the day, the weather is still sunny.
- Dry season lasts from October to April next year. This time on the dry climate of Con Dao, you will not experience the sudden rains that make traveling difficult to travel everywhere.
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.
11 Things to Do in Con Dao
Wander around natural and unique tourist sites
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.
A turtle swimming on cool water at Con Dao National Park
Visit Con Dao National Park
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.
Take a morning walk along the seaside street of Ton Duc Thang
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.
Sunbathe on the beaches of Con Dao
1. Dam Trau Beach
Emerald water of Dam Trau beach
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.
2. Lo Voi
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.
3. The beaches of Ong Dung / Bang /Dat Tham
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.
4. Dam Tre Bay
Breath-taking beauty of Dam Tre Bay
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.
Island expeditions – Observation of the turtle hatchery or scuba diving circuits
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.
Hike to enjoy the cool area of Con Dao
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.
- Price: 60,000 VND
- Time: between 2 and 6 hours per hike (round trip)
Learn the culture and history of Con Dao
1. Con Dao Prison
Inside of Con Dao Prison
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.
- Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Ticket price: 20,000 VND
2. Con Dao Museum
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.
- Address: No. 10, Nguyen Hue street
- Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Ticket price: free
3. Ham Duong War Cemetery
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.
- Address: Luu Chi Hieu street
- Opening time: All day
- Ticket price: free
Visit the pagodas at Con Dao
1. Van Son Pagoda
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.
2. Con Dao Pagoda
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.
3. Nui Mot Pagoda
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.
- Address: Nui Mot mountain
- Opening time: All day
Go diving
Scuba-diving at Con Dao – an unforgettable experience with the ocean
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.
Taste the seafood
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.
Admire the beauty of the sunset at Con Dao
Do not miss a chance to chase this magical sunset on Con Dao Island
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.
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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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