Con Dao

Con Dao Island: Vietnam’s Hidden Sanctuary

Con Dao sits 180 kilometers off Vietnam’s southern coast. For decades, it was deliberately forgotten. A prison island. A place of suffering. Now it’s something else entirely: one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine destinations.

The archipelago contains 16 islands. Only Con Son, the largest, is inhabited. What makes Con Dao special isn’t just what it is now, but what it isn’t. There are no jet skis, no beach clubs, no crowds. Development here is tightly controlled.

The History You Can’t Ignore

Con Dao’s past is dark. The French built prisons here in 1861. Later, the South Vietnamese government used them. Thousands of political prisoners died in the “tiger cages,” small cells exposed to the elements.

Visit the museums and prison sites. They’re confronting, but important. A local guide will explain what happened here and why it matters to Vietnamese people today. This context makes everything else you experience on the island more meaningful.

The Nature

Con Dao National Park covers 80% of the land and all surrounding waters. The reefs here are healthy. The forests are dense. Between March and September, sea turtles nest on the beaches at night. You can join ranger-led tours to watch, but access is strictly limited.

Hiking trails wind through the interior. The best is the trek to Ong Dung Port, about 6 kilometers through jungle. You’ll likely have it to yourself.

Diving and snorkeling are exceptional. Visibility runs 15-30 meters. You’ll see reef sharks, rays, and healthy coral. The waters around Bay Canh Island are particularly good.

Where to Stay

Six Senses Con Dao is the obvious choice for luxury travelers. It’s built with restraint. Private villas, excellent food, a strong sustainability program. The staff can arrange everything from diving to historical tours.

Poulo Condor Resort & Spa is the mid-range sweet spot. Solid rooms, a decent pool, and helpful staff who know the island well. It’s popular with French visitors, which tells you something about the quality.

The Secret Con Dao Resort is newer and quieter, set back from the main strip, centrally located. Modern rooms, attentive service, and they arrange tours efficiently. Good if you want comfort without the Six Senses price tag. Note it doesn’t has a private beach like others.

Con Dao Resort offers beachfront access at more accessible rates. It’s well-maintained, has a good restaurant, and sits right on the main beach near town. Not luxurious, but comfortable and convenient.

Options are limited. That’s intentional. The government restricts development to protect what makes this place special.

Getting There

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet all fly from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. The flight takes 45 minutes. Vietjet often has the best fares if you book ahead. Flights fill up during peak season, so don’t wait.

Vietjet also operate flights from Noi Bai airport in Hanoi and it takes 2 hours.

There are two ferry options. The Vung Tau ferry runs overnight (12 hours), but schedules are irregular and depend entirely on weather. Rough seas mean cancellations.

A better option: the high-speed ferry from Tran De pier in Soc Trang province. It takes 3-4 hours and runs more reliably. You’ll need to get to Soc Trang first (about 4 hours by road from Ho Chi Minh City), which makes this route better suited for travelers already in the Mekong Delta.

Most people fly. It’s faster, more reliable, and the price difference isn’t significant when you factor in time and comfort.

When to Go

The best time to visit Con Dao Island depends on what you want to experience:

The dry season (November–April) offers the calmest seas and the clearest visibility, making it ideal for diving, snorkeling, and boat trips. Skies are generally sunny, humidity is lower, and overall conditions are very comfortable for beach time and outdoor activities. This is the most popular travel period, and while Con Dao is never truly crowded, you will notice more visitors around Christmas and Tet (Vietnamese New Year), along with slightly higher prices and fuller accommodation.

The wet season (May–October) brings more rain, choppier seas, and occasional stormy days, which can disrupt boat schedules and water-based activities. In return, you get fewer tourists, quieter beaches, and better deals on hotels and tours. Short, heavy showers are common, but there are often sunny breaks in between, so it’s still possible to explore and enjoy the island if you’re flexible.

If you want to see sea turtles laying eggs, the prime nesting season runs roughly from May to early October, with peak activity often between June and September. During these months, guided night tours (usually to Bay Canh Island and nearby nesting beaches) give you the chance to watch green sea turtles come ashore, lay eggs, and return to the sea under the supervision of local rangers. This overlaps with the rainy season, so be prepared for wetter weather and some rough seas, but it’s the most rewarding time to visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

The Reality

Con Dao isn’t for everyone. There’s no nightlife. Restaurant options are limited.

But if you want to disconnect, to see Vietnam’s nature at its best, to understand a difficult but important piece of history, this is the place. It’s remote enough to feel like a discovery, developed enough to be comfortable.

I’ve been sending clients here for years. No one has regretted it.