Con Dao
Beaches, crystal-clear waters and coconut groves form the backdrop to dense tropical forests, striking mountain peaks and deep valleys. The coral reefs in the surrounding waters are among the most unspoilt in the whole of Vietnam - which is why the region is a paradise for divers.
Destination Con Dao
The Con Dao Islands are an island archipelago that combines breathtaking nature and a culture steeped in history. Come to the islands and unwind.
The entire archipelago is under the supervision of the Con Dao National Park. The jungle is full of interesting creatures such as the endemic black squirrels and macaques that feed on crabs. Beautiful beaches and hidden lagoons can also be found here, where few tourists are to be found. Con Dao is still a paradise off the beaten track.
Topics
- Beaches
- Nature
- Wildlife
Highlights
- Turquoise blue water
- Picturesque landscape
- Dreamlike beaches
- Beautiful underwater world
Discover the tropical Con Dao archipelago
The Con Dao Island archipelago with its immense natural beauty, forested hills, secluded sandy beaches and extensive coral reefs has been separated from the mainland for more than 15,000 years. This has led to the development of dozens of undiscovered or undocumented animal species.
The story of Con Dao
Con Dao was first discovered by European seafarers in the 17th century and was later claimed as a colony by the French. The French set up a prison on the main island of Con Son, where they imprisoned and tortured political opponents, revolutionaries and freedom fighters. The infamous "tiger cages" were narrow cells in which the prisoners had hardly any room to move and often starved to death or died of disease. Con Dao was also used as a prison camp by the Americans and South Vietnamese during the Vietnam War.
After the end of the war and the reunification of Vietnam, Con Dao was declared a national park to protect the unique flora and fauna. Today, visitors can visit the ruins of the prisons, which are a reminder of the cruel history, but also enjoy the beauty of the islands. Con Dao offers beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, green hills and coral reefs. The islands are a paradise for divers, snorkellers, hikers and nature lovers. Here you can observe turtles, dolphins, sharks, manta rays and many other sea creatures.
Con Dao is one of Vietnam's last untouched oases and is only just being discovered by travellers. The isolated archipelago is recovering from its past as a feared prison island and offers a perfect blend of nature, culture and history.
Experience the turtle hatchling
Here you have the opportunity to see hundreds of baby turtles waddling to the sea on their own.
The sea turtle nesting season lasts from April to October and the peak season is from July to September. You can visit the island for 4-6 hours only or stay overnight on Bay Canh Island to watch turtles spawning eggs. The maximum number of visitors is 48 people during the day and 24 people at night.
Unforgettable nature experiences
Turtle Tour
Take a turtle tour and see how the sea turtles lay their eggs. The sea turtle nesting season lasts from April to October, and the peak season is from July to September. You can visit the island for just 4-6 hours or stay overnight on Bay Canh Island to watch turtles spawning eggs.
Diving, swimming and snorkelling
The coral reef is relatively unspoilt and very impressive. The underwater world with its turtles, rays, giant barracudas, octopus, kingfish and a whole range of tropical reef fish is simply fascinating.
Rainforest hike in Con Dao National Park
Before you set off, you should have your route in mind so that you can experience a carefree adventure. Trails that lead directly north to Ong Dung Beach, for example, are usually well marked and can be travelled independently. However, some trails to Thanh Gia Mountain - the highest peak on the island - often require a hike with a guide.
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The weather in Con Dao
The south of Vietnam has a tropical climate with two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season.
The dry season runs from November to May. During this time, it is dry there and temperatures can reach over 30 degrees.
How to get to Con Dao ?
Vietnam Airlines flies daily from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao.
There is also a ferry from Vung Tau
which takes about 3 hours for the crossing.
The right time to visit
The best time to visit Con Dao is in the dry season between December and April. During this time it is over 30 degrees Celsius during the day and has the fewest rainy days per month.
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