Con Dao Travel Guide: Vietnam’s Island of Mystery, History, and Natural Beauty

As your local travel guide, I’m delighted to introduce you to one of Vietnam’s most hauntingly beautiful and lesser-known destinations: Con Dao Island. This small archipelago off the southern coast is a place of contrasts — where pristine beaches meet historic prisons, and lush national parks coexist with tales of deep tragedy and resilience.
 

Con Dao is not just a destination; it’s an experience. Whether you're a history enthusiast, beach lover, wildlife admirer, or simply in search of peace, Con Dao offers a unique journey into both nature and the soul of Vietnam.

📍 Where is Con Dao?

Location: In the South China Sea, about 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City

Archipelago: 16 islands, with Con Son being the largest and only inhabited island

Province: Ba Ria–Vung Tau

Once used as a political prison, Con Dao has transformed into a peaceful eco-tourism hub, known for its turquoise water, sea turtles, and spiritual significance.

🌟 Why Visit Con Dao?

✅ Secluded white-sand beaches and turquoise seas
✅ Historic French-built prisons and war memorials
✅ Rich marine biodiversity and coral reefs
✅ Protected turtle nesting sites
✅ Lush Con Dao National Park with trekking trails
✅ A peaceful, undeveloped atmosphere

✈️ How to Get to Con Dao

🛫 By Plane

Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour) and Can Tho

Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, VASCO

Con Dao Airport (VCS) is small and scenic

🚢 By Ferry

From Vung Tau or Soc Trang (~3–4 hours)

High-speed catamarans operated by Superdong or Phu Quoc Express

Tip: Flights are more reliable during the rainy season when seas are rough.

🏖️ Top Things to Do in Con Dao

Here’s what I always recommend to visitors seeking the best of Con Dao:

1. Relax on Con Dao’s Unspoiled Beaches

Con Dao boasts some of Vietnam’s most untouched beaches, many of which you’ll have all to yourself.

Dam Trau Beach – near the airport; great for sunset and swimming

An Hai Beach – wide and peaceful; perfect for a morning stroll

Nhat Beach – visible at low tide; dramatic rocky scenery

Dat Doc Beach – known for its clear waters and soft white sand

No beach bars, no noise — just pure serenity.

2. Visit the Con Dao Prison Complex

This is the most important historical site on the island. Built by the French in the 1860s and later used by Americans, the Con Dao Prisons were infamous for brutal torture of political prisoners.

Phu Hai Prison – the oldest and largest prison

French Tiger Cages – cruel cells with open iron bars

American Tiger Cages – hidden underground dungeons

Prison Museum – exhibits on resistance fighters and Vietnam’s history

These sites are powerful, emotional, and a must-see to understand Vietnam's struggle for independence.

3. Pay Respect at Hang Duong Cemetery

Hang Duong Cemetery is the resting place of thousands of Vietnamese freedom fighters.

Most visited grave: Vo Thi Sau, a national heroine executed at age 19

Locals and tourists come at night to offer incense

A deeply spiritual and moving experience

Many Vietnamese believe Con Dao is a sacred place and visit on pilgrimages.

4. Explore Con Dao National Park

The park covers both land and sea, offering diverse ecosystems, including tropical forest and coral reefs.

Activities:

Jungle trekking to Ong Dung Bay or Thanh Gia Mountain

Mangrove exploration

Bird watching – hornbills, parrots, and sea eagles

Snorkeling/diving in protected marine areas

The park is home to over 1,300 plant and 370 animal species.

5. Watch Sea Turtles Nesting and Hatching

Con Dao is Vietnam’s top turtle conservation site. Between May and October, thousands of turtles come to Bay Canh Island to nest.

Night tours let you watch turtles lay eggs (guided by park rangers)

You can even help release baby turtles into the sea

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.

6. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Con Dao's coral reefs are among the best in Vietnam.

Best spots: Bay Canh Island, Tai Island, Tre Island

See colorful coral, tropical fish, sea turtles, and even dugongs

Local dive shops offer trips for all levels

Visibility is excellent, especially from March to July.

7. Go Island Hopping

Rent a boat and visit the uninhabited islands of the Con Dao archipelago.

Bay Canh Island – for turtles and hiking

Tai Island – snorkeling paradise

Bong Lan Island – scenic and quiet

Pack a picnic and enjoy a private beach for the day!

🏨 Where to Stay on Con Dao

Budget to Mid-Range:

Mai Homestay – cozy with local flair

Red Hotel – affordable and central

Con Dao Camping – beachside bungalows

Luxury:

Six Senses Con Dao – world-class eco-luxury resort with private villas

Poulo Condor Boutique Resort – peaceful with colonial charm

Tip: Book early if you visit during holidays or turtle nesting season.

🍲 What to Eat in Con Dao

Con Dao is famous for fresh seafood and a few local specialties.

Must-Try Dishes:

Grilled Lobster

Sea Urchin (Nhum) – grilled with scallions or in porridge

Moon Crab (Cua Mat Trăng) – unique to the island

Oyster porridge (Chao Hau)

Soursop smoothie (Sinh Tố Mãng Cầu) – sweet and refreshing

Visit Con Dao Market for affordable local eats and friendly vendors.

📅 Best Time to Visit Con Dao

Avoid stormy periods (late October) if traveling by ferry.

🗓️ Suggested 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: History & Culture

Visit Con Dao Prison and Museum

Explore Hang Duong Cemetery

Sunset at Dam Trau Beach

Day 2: Nature & Wildlife

Trek to Ong Dung Beach via national park

Afternoon snorkeling tour

Optional: Turtle tour at Bay Canh Island

Day 3: Island Life & Relaxation

Morning island-hopping boat trip

Lunch by An Hai Beach

Visit local market before departure

🎁 Souvenirs to Buy

Pearl jewelry (locally farmed)

Handcrafted seashell decor

Dried seafood (shrimp, squid)

Soursop jam or tea

Postcards of historic prisons and natural landscapes

🧭 Travel Tips for Con Dao

Cash is king – ATMs are limited

Bring reef-safe sunscreen

Respect local customs at cemeteries and temples

Protect wildlife – do not disturb turtles or marine life

Rent a motorbike to explore independently

📸 Top Instagram-Worthy Spots

Dam Trau Beach at golden hour

View from Thanh Gia Mountain

Baby turtles on Bay Canh Island

Prison ruins and iron tiger cages

Jetty at An Hai Beach at sunrise

🧠 Fascinating Facts About Con Dao

Once known as the “Hell on Earth” due to colonial prisons

Con Dao was part of French Cochinchina and served as a penal colony

Vo Thi Sau, a teenage resistance fighter, is a national martyr here

The island is home to dugongs, rare marine mammals related to manatees

Less than 10,000 people live on Con Son — tourism is still developing

🏁 Final Thoughts

Con Dao is a destination that stirs the soul — where the past whispers through prison walls and nature speaks in waves and birdcalls. With its rare mix of raw beauty and deep emotion, it’s not just a vacation — it’s a voyage of reflection, connection, and awe.

So if you're ready to leave behind the crowds, explore the road less traveled, and experience a side of Vietnam many never see — Con Dao is waiting.