Con Dao Islands
Published on May 28, 2026
Con Dao Islands Travel Guide
Meta description: Discover Con Dao — Vietnam's most pristine island archipelago with sea turtles, untouched coral reefs, French colonial prisons, and absolute seclusion. Guide 2025.
Why Visit Con Dao
Con Dao is Vietnam's best-kept secret among those who have been there, and its least-accessible destination for those who haven't. A 16-island archipelago 185 km off the southern coast, Con Dao spent most of the 20th century as a notorious French and then Vietnamese political prison — the "Devil's Island" of Southeast Asia, where thousands of political prisoners died under brutal conditions. The prisons closed in 1975 and Con Dao was subsequently designated a national park, protecting one of the last intact marine ecosystems in Vietnamese waters.
The result is a destination of extraordinary contradiction: colonial prison ruins on one hillside, sea turtle nesting beaches below, pristine coral gardens offshore, and some of the most thoughtfully designed eco-lodges in Southeast Asia. The island remains genuinely difficult to reach — a deliberate choice that keeps visitor numbers low and the environment intact. Those who make the effort find a Vietnam that no longer exists anywhere on the mainland.
Quick Facts
Con Dao Islands — 16 islands 185km off the southern coast; largely undeveloped due to national park protection covering 80% of the land and surrounding waters
- Location: Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, 185 km southeast of the southern coast
- Best time to visit: November to June (dry; sea turtle nesting April–September)
- Recommended stay: 3–5 days
- Daily budget: Mid-range $80–150 | Luxury $200+
- Getting there: Flights from HCMC (50 min) or Vung Tau fast boat (3.5 hours)
Top Things to Do
1. Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching
Con Dao is Vietnam's most important sea turtle nesting site — green turtles nest on Con Son Island's beaches from April to September, and the national park operates guided night tours to witness egg-laying and (in August–September) the hatching runs. The experience is carefully managed to minimize disturbance. Duration: 2–3 hours evening tour. Tip: Book through the Con Dao National Park office; arrive in July–August for hatchling release events.
2. Snorkeling and Diving
The national park's protected waters support some of the healthiest coral reefs in Vietnam — large table corals, brain corals, gorgonian fans, and an abundance of reef fish that reflects decades of zero fishing pressure. Diving with Con Dao Dive Center and Rainbow Divers reaches depths of 12–20 meters with excellent visibility. Duration: Full day with two dives.
3. Prison History Tour
The French colonial prison complex — six prison camps including the notorious "Tiger Cages" where prisoners were held in concrete pits — is preserved as a museum. The history is brutal and the exhibits unflinching; the tour provides essential context for understanding 20th-century Vietnamese history. Duration: 2–3 hours. Tip: Hire a guide from the museum; the Tiger Cages (Trại 6) are the most historically significant section.
4. Hang Duong Cemetery
Over 20,000 political prisoners who died on Con Dao are buried at Hang Duong Cemetery, including Vo Thi Sau — a young female revolutionary executed in 1952 who became a national martyr. The cemetery is a pilgrimage site for Vietnamese visitors; the atmosphere is somber and deeply felt. Duration: 45 minutes.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province — Con Dao is administered from here; ferry connections from Vung Tau (12 hours) and Ba Ria run alongside daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City (45 min)
5. Hiking to Con Dao Summit (Ong Cung Mountain)
A 4-hour round trip through primary forest to Con Son Island's highest point (577 m) with views across the entire archipelago and toward the Vietnamese mainland. Wildlife includes black squirrels, hornbills, and fruit bats. Duration: Full day. Tip: Start before 7am; the trail is steep and the forest offers no water sources.
6. Isolated Beaches (Bay Canh, Lo Voi)
Con Dao's outer islands and hidden coves are accessible only by national park boat — secluded beaches of white sand with no facilities, reached through channels of flat calm water. Bay Canh Island has a sea turtle research station and the best untouched coral in the park. Duration: Full day boat trip.
7. Con Son Town and Market
The island's only settlement is a beautifully preserved colonial-era town — wide tree-lined avenues, French administrative buildings, and a small market that serves the island's 8,000 residents. Evening walks along the seafront promenade, watching fishing boats return, are quietly pleasurable.
Local Food
Con Dao's isolation means a limited but fresh restaurant scene. The freshest seafood in Vietnam arrives at the Con Son market each morning — lobster, mantis shrimp, reef fish, and crab at prices well below the mainland. The Six Senses Con Dao resort's restaurant serves the best upscale dining; smaller local restaurants near the market are better value. Banh Khot (small coconut-rice cakes with shrimp) is the local specialty.
Best Time to Visit
Con Dao marine waters — the national park protects coral reefs, seagrass beds, and nesting beaches for the endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles
November–April: Dry season with calm seas and excellent diving visibility.
May–October: Wet season with occasional rough seas and reduced boat access to outer islands. Sea turtle nesting peaks June–August.
Where to Stay
Luxury: Six Senses Con Dao is consistently rated one of Asia's finest resorts — villas perched above the sea with a private beach, exceptional food, and a commitment to marine conservation.
Mid-range ($80–150): Con Dao Resort, Poulo Condor Boutique Resort, and ATC Con Dao are well-managed options in town.
Budget: Limited options; Con Dao is not a budget destination. Basic guesthouses near the market from $30–50/night.
How to Get There
Con Dao remoteness — the distance from mainland Vietnam has preserved both the natural environment and the islands haunting historical atmosphere around the former prison complex
By air from HCMC: Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways fly HCMC–Con Dao in 50 minutes (2–3 flights daily). Book early — capacity is limited.
By fast boat from Vung Tau: Superdong ferry takes 3.5 hours (300,000 VND); seasonal schedules.
Final Thoughts
Con Dao requires commitment — the flights are infrequent, the accommodation is not cheap, and there is no option for a quick visit. Every traveler who has made the effort rates it among the best experiences in Vietnam. It is what Vietnam's islands looked like before development arrived.
Keywords: Con Dao Islands travel guide, Con Dao sea turtles, Con Dao diving, Con Dao national park, Six Senses Con Dao, things to do in Con Dao Vietnam