Con Dao

out of 5

Con Dao is the sort of place where you can go from beaches to rainforest in minutes, where a laid-back afternoon involves a nap in a hammock and where the locals still wave ‘hello’ as you ride by on a motorbike. With 16 islands and islets, Con Dao has plenty of beachfront to go around, as well as coral reefs, lagoons and rainforest. The main island is mostly undeveloped, with a few sleepy villages, a sprinkling of resorts and a National Park that’s home to monkeys, deer and a host of other creatures. Away from the coast, the island’s rolling hills are covered in dense jungle, with a smattering of pepper plantations and rubber trees.

Average temperatures during the day in Con Dao.

November

26°

Dec

26°

Jan

26°

Feb

27°

Mar

28°

Apr

28°

May

28°

Jun

28°

Jul

27°

Aug

27°

Sep

27°

Oct

27°

Average temperatures during the day in Con Dao.

What to do in Con Dao

Where to go in Vietnam? See what a local recommends!

Article from August 2023 with 7 places

A wilder paradise

Con Dao Island is right behind Phu Quoc as the top beach destination in Vietnam for several reasons. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich history, with several historical sites related to the French and American wars, as well as the prison where political prisoners were held. Con Dao Island is also home to a diverse array of wildlife and plants, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. Con Dao Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty, ocean views, and friendly wildlife species. It is less developed and simply feels a bit wilder than Phu Quoc, especially if you stay close to nature.

Where to stay in Con Dao

Depending on what you are looking for in Con Dao island, whether you want to explore the local's life or have some me time alone, it would affect the location of where to stay.

Most domestic tourists in Vietnam come to Con Dao Island to visit some war heroes' graves. The most popular one is Vo Thi Sau. For this purpose, local tourists will stay in Côn Sơn town where they can also reach Con Dao prisons and enjoy the Vietnamese local food scene.

Many of the visitors also choose Con Dao as an isolated destination to recharge and be near nature. If this is your reason for the trip, you could choose some exclusive and isolated resorts such as Poulo Condor Boutique Resort or the famous Six Senses Con Dao where you can get access to a private beach and premium service. Of course, these resorts come with a high price tag but are totally worth it even if it makes your stay shorter.

Apart from my favorite places in Vietnam there are more popular places such as Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, and Phong Nha Cave. I hope to visit these places in the near future and add them to this list. If they make the cut.

What people say about Con Dao

People

Food

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Value

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Uyen

Located in Southern Vietnam, Con Dao island gets the benefit of nice weather throughout the entire year. It is laid back and a little underdeveloped compared to Phu Quoc island, another big tourist destination in Vietnam. The good side is that Con Dao is not packed with tourists and has much more relaxing vibes. It is famous for its history with Con Dao prisons which is a must-visit if you are on your first trip to Con Dao. Most local tourists consider Con Dao as a spiritual travel destination where they come to pray for good fortune and wealth from famous war heroes such as Vo Thi Sau. Good and cheap seafood, affordable prices for accommodation, a peaceful place, nice rainforest, and easy to get around by scooters and taxi are good things about Con Dao. A big downside is the amount of trash on the beach. The local Government is trying hard to clean up, so hopefully, we can see some improvement in the future. Another minus is not many choices of non-Vietnamese food, so if you are not into rice for every meal, maybe you do not want to stay for too long in Con Dao.