Con Dao

Con Dao is a group of 16 islands located on the southern coast of Vietnam. It has a storied history with Marco Polo even stopping over the island but later on, it became a prison for political prisoners during the French Colonial era and was continued by the Saigon regime where they locked up and tortured the Viet Cong. Its bloody historical past aside, it is an island of immense natural beauty with forested hills, untouched beaches, and extensive coral reefs that divers dream of. Interestingly, these days both jailers and former inmates all live amicably on the island.

To get to Con Dao Islands, one must take a boat or fly in from Ho Chi Minh City’s airport. Your port of arrival and the place where you will be staying is the largest of the 16 islands, Con Son. A peaceful town where you could visit the old prisons, marvel at crumbling colonial buildings, and visit the local market. Nothing beats getting around town than on a motorbike. With very little traffic, even beginners will enjoy and feel safe riding around. While those satisfied to be on their own two feet could head over to the Con Son National Park Headquarters and purchase a map that shows all the nearby paths one can trek on. Finally, one should take the time to explore all the beaches and the best spots are the nearby Bai An Hai Beach, the secluded Mui Ca Map Beach (Shark Cape), and the picturesque white-sanded Nhat Beach. Lastly, if budget and time permits, you’ll be amazed by the natural beauty of the archipelago if you go island hopping and underwater is a whole new world if you choose to go diving.