CON DAO ISLANDS
GETTING THERE
Con Son, the main (and only inhabited) island, is connected to the mainland port of Vung Tau by ferries. However, the crossing conditions can be rough and the journey long, so you’re better off taking the hour-long flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Airport, which is just 15 kilometres south of Con Son Town.
MARINE LIFE
Dozens of different species of corals, stingrays, barracudas, moray eels, dugongs, dolphins, batfish, clownfish, and occasional encounters with whale sharks. If you visit between June and September, you may get the chance to watch turtles laying their eggs. Around 180 kilometres from the mainland, the Con Dao Islands comprise 16 islets, all of which are uninhabited with the exception of the main island of Con Son.
The archipelago’s crystal-clear waters boast hundreds of different species of fish and a wide variety of other marine life.
Con Dao’s remote location and very modest tourism scene have made it one of Vietnam’s best-kept travel secrets. Listed as a protected national and marine park, Con Dao is the perfect location for those who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and immerse into Nature.
The main island of Con Son used to be the site of French-run prisons for Vietnamese who were involved in the independence movement. Visitors to
Con Son Town can still check out the prison cells, the notorious “tiger cages” whose ceiling bars allowed guards to poke prisoners like big cats in a Victorian-era zoo.
Con Dao has more than 25 dive sites to choose from, the vast majority of which are in pristine condition. Across the reefs surrounding the islands, divers can expect to see both soft and hard corals, including impressive table corals and bubble corals. Wrecks are also a popular attraction amongst more experienced divers looking for unique places to explore.