Con Dao District is an archipelago off the coast of Ba Ria – Vung Tau. The area covers 76 km² and includes 16 islands. The largest island is Con Son Island.
Con Dao is about 185 km from Vung Tau and 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City. It is also around 83 km from Can Tho. In recent years, better transport and tourism services have helped Con Dao become a popular travel destination.
Today, Con Dao is known for beaches, nature, history, and spiritual sites. Below is a simple and complete Con Dao travel guide for your trip.
1. Best Time to Visit Con Dao
March to September – Ideal Beach Season
From March to September is the best time to visit Con Dao. Although this period is the rainy season, the sea is usually calm on the eastern and northeastern sides.
During the day, the sky is often clear and sunny. Therefore, it is perfect for snorkeling, island tours, and photography. However, short showers may happen in the afternoon. At that time, you can visit museums or historical sites on the main island.
Sea Turtle Season (July – September)
From July to September, sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs. Visitors can join guided tours to watch turtles and release baby turtles back to the sea.
October to March – Monsoon Season
From October to March, strong winds affect Con Son Bay. However, the west and southwest areas remain calmer. As a result, you can still enjoy beaches in those locations.
2. How to Get to Con Dao
By Air – Fast and Convenient
Flying is the fastest way to reach Con Dao.
Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways operate flights to Con Dao.
From Ho Chi Minh City: about 50 minutes
From Can Tho: about 50 minutes
From Hanoi: about 2 hours 30 minutes
Ticket prices usually range from 1.3 to 2.7 million VND one way.
Flights land at Con Dao Airport (Co Ong Airport), which is near Dam Trau Beach.
From Airport to Town Center
The airport is about 15 km from the town center. The trip takes 20–30 minutes.
Transport options include:
Taxi: 300,000 – 450,000 VND/trip
Shuttle bus: about 50,000 VND/person
Resort transfer: free or paid depending on hotel
By Ferry – Budget Option
If you prefer traveling by sea, you can take a ferry.
Many visitors drive to Vung Tau and take a 5-hour ferry.
A faster option is from Tran De Port (Soc Trang). This trip takes about 2 hours.
However, you should travel by ferry from April to June when the sea is calm.
Getting Around the Island
On Con Dao, you can use:
Taxi: around 12,000 VND/km
Electric car: around 20,000 VND/km
12–16 seat car rental: from 1.5 million VND/day
Motorbike rental: flexible and convenient
3. Where to Stay in Con Dao
Accommodation in Con Dao suits all budgets. Prices range from 200,000 VND to over 10 million VND per night.
If you want a relaxing holiday, choose beachfront resorts. If you want convenience, stay near the town center.
Luxury Resort in Con Dao
Six Senses is the most famous 5-star resort on the island. It has 50 private villas, an infinity pool, spa services, and a long white-sand beach.
The average room rate is around 15 million VND per night.
In addition, camping is allowed in some areas managed by the national park.
4. Top Things to Do in Con Dao
4.1 Explore Nature and Islands
Bay Canh Island and Cau Island are popular ecotourism spots.
Here, you can:
Snorkel to see coral reefs
Visit mangrove forests
Watch turtles lay eggs (seasonal)
You can rent a canoe for 2–5 million VND per half day. However, joining a group tour is cheaper.
Dam Trau Beach is another must-visit beach. It is near the airport and famous for photos of planes landing overhead.
Bai Nhat (Shark Cape) is a beautiful stop along the coastal road. Many travelers stop here for photos.
If you love trekking, visit Con Dao National Park. The entrance fee is 60,000 VND per person. From there, you can hike through the forest to Ong Dung Beach.
4.2 Visit Historical and Spiritual Sites
Con Dao Museum displays nearly 2,000 artifacts about the island’s history. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND.
Con Dao Prison is one of Vietnam’s most important historical sites. It is often called “hell on earth.” Visitors can buy a combined ticket (40,000 VND) to explore several prison areas.
Hang Duong Cemetery is a famous spiritual site. Many people visit at night to pay respect, especially at the tomb of Vo Thi Sau.
Other important places include:
Governor’s House
Pier 914
Phi Yen Temple
Nui Mot Pagoda
These sites help visitors understand Con Dao’s history and culture.
5. What to Eat in Con Dao
Seafood is the highlight of Con Dao cuisine.
You should try:
Conch
Slipper lobster
Red grouper
Sun-dried squid
Sea fish
At Con Dao Market, you can buy dried seafood and local gifts.
Popular specialties include:
Candied Terminalia catappa nuts
Con Dao ginseng wine
Locals often use ginseng to soak in wine or cook with chicken and duck.
Conclusion
Con Dao is a perfect destination for beach lovers, nature explorers, and history enthusiasts.
You can relax on beautiful beaches, explore coral reefs, hike in the forest, or visit meaningful historical sites. Moreover, the island is not too crowded, so it offers a peaceful atmosphere.
Therefore, if you are planning a Vietnam beach holiday, Con Dao should be on your travel list.
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