【Côn Đảo】Con Dao, Vietnam Travel Guide
When we landed in Con Dao, I had no idea this tiny island would steal my heart. My partner and I had already explored Da Nang and Saigon, but after stepping off the plane, we felt like discovering a secret — one with stunning beaches, lush jungles, and a dark, haunting history.
Con Dao is Vietnam’s best-kept secret: remote, raw, and rich in stories.
From unspoiled beaches and turtle hatchings to haunting war-era prisons, this island is for travelers craving slow moments, local vibes, and something off the beaten path.
✨ In this guide, you’ll find everything you need: how to get there, what to book, when to visit, and where to stay, eat, and explore — plus personal tips to help you plan smarter and travel deeper.
table of contents
brief history
Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 islands off Vietnam’s southern coast, with Con Son (also known as Con Lon) being the main island. It’s about a 55-minute nonstop flight from Ho Chi Minh City — but worlds away from the chaos. Think of it as a mix of history, paradise, and purpose-driven travel.
This place isn’t just a pretty face. It has a deep past — from pirate hideouts to French colonial prisons — and now, it’s a sanctuary for endangered sea turtles and marine life.
Before it became a tropical paradise for slow travelers, Con Dao was… dark.
Here’s a quick timeline:
767
Java pirates roamed these waters
1292
Marco Polo passed by and called this island “Sondur & Condur.”
1702
The East India Company, founded by England, tried (and failed) to set up shop here
1858 - 1895 FRENCH COLONIAL ERA
Con Dao became infamous for the brutal Con Dao Prison, which was also known as “Hell on Earth.” Where over 20,000 Vietnamese were imprisoned and tortured.
NOW
Today, Con Dao is a spiritual site, especially at Hang Duong Cemetery, where Vietnamese pay their respects to their national heroine Vo Thi Sau, a young Vietnamese girl who was an activist during the French colonization period, and was executed at just 19 years old. There have also been reports of seeing her spirit walking around the beaches of Con Dao and causing harm to those who disrespect her grave.
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know before you go!
TIME ZONE
UTC +7 (Indochina Time)
LANGUAGE
Vietnamese, but English is commonly spoken in touristy areas
DRIVING
On the right
CURRENCY
Vietnamese Dong ₫ (VND)
TIPPING
While tipping is not required in Con Dao, it is generally appreciated when you enjoy the service at restaurants, hotels, bars, spas, or when using drivers and tours.
The typical tipping amount ranges from 10% to 15%.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Police (113), Fire (114), Ambulance (115)
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plan your trip
BEST TIME TO VISIT
☀️ DRY SEASON: NOVEMBER TO APRIL
Perfect for diving, snorkeling, and beach days. We visited in November, and the weather during this time was the best! Not too hot, with perfect wind to cool you off from the sun. It’s peak season, though, so book early!
🌧️ RAINY SEASON: MAY TO OCTOBER
Expect afternoon showers—but also… turtle hatchings! 🐢 It’s a rare, touching moment worth seeing with people on the side wishing these little turtles good luck on their journey.
💨 WINDY MONTHS: DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY, with January being the breeziest. Still chill and enjoyable!
🎯 PRO TIP
Book your hotel and activities early if you’re visiting during turtle nesting season!
These experiences fill up fast.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Most travelers (including US citizens) need a visa to enter Vietnam. Apply for your eVisa here and make sure to print it before arriving at the airport.
INTERNET & DATA
Most cafés and hotels have free WiFi, but we used an eSIM from Airalo to stay connected throughout our trip. Highly recommend for a stress-free arrival.
PLUGS
Type A, C, and F. Bring a universal adapter just in case!
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getting to Con Dao
There are two main ways to reach the island, and we did the easiest one:
✈️ Option 1: fly from Ho Chi Minh City
We booked a domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh (SGN) to Con Dao (VCS) — a tiny plane with a quick 55-minute flight.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT NOW WITH WAYAWAY
⚡ PRO TIP
These seats fill up fast, and luggage limits are strict, so book early!
🚢 Option 2: ferry from Vung Tau or Soc Trang
On a tighter budget or want to travel by sea? You’ve got a few ferry options to get to Con Dao:
FROM VUNG TAU - CAT LO PORT
Take a bus or Grab from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) to Cat Lo Port in Vung Tau. From here, you can choose between two ferry types:
CQ-Q3 FERRY
A slower overnight option that takes about 10–12 hours
GREENLINE FERRY
A faster catamaran-style ferry that takes about 90 minutes
FROM SOC TRANG - TRAN DE PORT
You can also drive or take a ride from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Tran De Port in Soc Trang (around 4 hours). Then hop on:
SUPERDONG FERRY
Takes about 2.5 hours to reach Con Dao
TRUNG TRAC FERRY
Another solid option, also around 2.5 hours
🚨 The ferry routes take longer overall but are budget-friendly and great if you want to see more of southern Vietnam along the way.
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getting around
The best (and also most fun) way to get around in Con Dao?
Rent a scooter 🛵
It’s fun, it’s cheap, it’s easy, and it allows you to explore at your own pace. We rented ours directly through our hotel, and it cost 150,000 VND ($5.82 USD) for 24 hours.
There are plenty of moped rental options outside each hotel. Just ask your front desk and they’ll be happy to help you with renting a moped!
📍PRO TIP
Drive slowly if it’s your first time.
The wind sometimes blows really hard, and the roads are also sinuous.
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what to pack
🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen (don’t hurt the corals!)
🦟 Bug spray (sandflies can be brutal near shaded areas of the beaches)
🕶️ Sun hat & shades
👙 Swimsuit
🩴 Sandals
📦 Beach bag for the beach
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where to stay
From luxury eco-resorts to cozy boutique hotels, Con Dao has something for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re a solo explorer or planning a romantic escape, these are the top places to stay.
🐢 PRO TIP
Book early during turtle nesting season (May – October) — spots fill up fast!
The Secret Con Dao
💰 Mid-range to Luxury | Great for couples, families
We stayed at The Secret and immediately fell in love. We booked through Capital One Venture X and got a free room upgrade — no questions asked! This resort is sustainability-minded, with eco-initiatives like reducing single-use plastics and saving electricity. You’ll find yoga classes, spa treatments, a pool, and incredible food on-site. It’s stylish, peaceful, and a ride away from the ocean.
👉🏼 Check availability and prices at The Secret Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao
💰 Luxury | 🧘🏻♀️ Perfect for couples & wellness seekers
We didn’t stay here, but we drove past it, and wow. It’s the ultimate luxury escape — think award-winning spa, oceanfront villas, nourishing cuisine, and daily yoga. If you’re dreaming of disconnecting in style, Six Senses delivers.
👉🏼 See rates and book Six Senses Con Dao
Find your perfect stay
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where to explore
Con Dao is more than just beaches — it’s a magical mix of history, nature, and raw beauty.
Here are some of the best things to do:
Chill at Dam Trau Beach
This was our first stop after checking into our hotel! After we rented mopeds, rode our way over, we got to the beach, stripped down, and ran into the turquoise waves.
Dam Trau is laid-back, close to the airport, and perfect for swimming or watching planes land. We walked over to the other side of the beach during low tide, and in the evening, we swam back to the other side due to high tides.
🌊 TIP
Be careful of rising tides
More beaches
BAI LO VOI (Bãi Lò Vôi)
“Lò Vôi” means lime kiln, named after the actual kiln that once stood near the beach.
Back in the French colonial era (starting around 1864), this area wasn’t just a tranquil beach — it was a brutal worksite.
Prisoners were forced to dive into the sea to collect coral, which was then burned in the kiln to create lime — a key material for construction on the island. Most buildings back then were made of bricks and limestone, and this beach played a major role in supplying it.
It was dangerous, exhausting, and an extreme example of how prisoner labor was exploited during colonization.
Walking along the beach today, it’s peaceful — but the history beneath the surface runs deep.
AN HAI BEACH (Bãi tắm An Hải)
Classic white sand + palm trees = total paradise.
Turtle watching & snorkeling at Bay Canh Island
Book a combo tour to spot sea turtles in their natural habitat and snorkel around vibrant coral reefs — it’s one of the most unique things to do on the island. Check availability and prices on Klook to secure your spot ahead of time (they can sell out!).
Con Dao Prison (Nhà tù Côn Đảo)
This prison, often referred to as "Hell on Earth," exposes the brutal history of Vietnam during French and American rule. As you walk through its halls, you'll encounter tiger cages, see mannequins that depict the conditions prisoners endured, and sense the haunting atmosphere of what occurred here.
While the experience is sobering, it is also incredibly important to understand these historical events.
Avoid visiting the prison at night, as many visitors have reported hearing screams, footsteps, and the sound of chains after dark.
🛵 Ride the moped around the island
We explored the whole island in under an hour by moped!
The winding mountain roads offer epic views and the freedom to stop wherever you want — waterfalls, jungles, beaches.
As we were riding around, we noticed that they were building more resorts around the island. And I thought, you definitely have to ride mopeds on this island before it gets too touristy!
Be cautious of monkeys in the area! Slow down when you see them crossing the road.
🧉 Spontaneous coconut stop
While we were riding our moped around the island, we randomly spotted a little Con Dao bus parked by the roadside, perched on top of the hill with a stunning view of the ocean — and guess what?
They were selling fresh coconuts!
This wasn’t even on Google Maps or any list, so I’m guessing it’s more of a local thing?
We decided to pull over, grab a coconut, and just sit there soaking in all the views. It was one of those spontaneous travel moments that end up being a special memory. 🩵
🌿 Hike hidden trails
We followed our gut (and some dirt paths) and ended up at breathtaking, untouched viewpoints.
If it looked hikeable to us, we just went for it — sometimes, the best spots aren’t on maps. 🤷🏻♀️
🛕 Cultural spots
AN SON TEMPLE (Miếu Bà Phi Yến)
This temple, believed to have been built in 1785, honors Lady Phi Yen, a local legend who was a concubine of Lord Nguyen Anh, later known as Emperor Gia Long.
The current structure, rebuilt in 1958, replaced the original temple, which was destroyed by the French. The atmosphere is serene, and many locals in Con Dao revere Phi Yen as a sacred holy woman.
VAN SON PAGODA
Climb around 200 steps for amazing views and peaceful worship.
HANG DUONG CEMETERY (Nghĩa trang Hàng Dương)
A must-visit to pay respects.
This is where national heroine Võ Thị Sáu is buried, along with thousands of revolutionary Vietnamese heroes who sacrificed their lives fighting for peace and independence for Vietnam.
Remember, since you’re visiting the cemetery, dress modestly — long pants, modest dresses are required.
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where to dine
An Ối
🌱 Local, organic, family-run business
This was the only place we had time to eat at — and we were obsessed. Run by a mother-daughter duo, An Ối serves fresh, flavorful Vietnamese food that hits the spot any time of day. You can taste the love in every bite 💛
Don’t skip this gem if you’re in town, even just for a day. 🫶🏼
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-
Vietnam Discovery: Bai Lo Voi Beach
Vietnam Travel: Con Dao
Vietnam Travel:Explore Con Dao’s Heroic History and Eco-Tourism Experience
Wikipedia: Con Dao
Wikipedia: Võ Thị Sáu
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check out my recent travel vlog!
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