Con Dao Island Travel Guide: 6 Must-Ask Questions Before Your Trip

Con Dao is an archipelago off the coast of southern Vietnam, also known by its Europeanized Malay name, Poulo Condor, meaning "squash island".

During French colonization, Con Dao reincarnated earthly hell because of the penal colony of Poulo Condor, whose incarceration conditions were of unparalleled cruelty. Con Dao is nowadays a renowned tourist destination which is included in the list of the clearest waters on the planet by Travel Leisure.

Discover with us everything there is to see and experience on this island wonder of Vietnam.

Written by Nhu PHAM (local expert)Updated on 14-06-2025

2 Comments

Where is Con Dao located? 

Con Dao is an archipelago of 16 different islands, located in the waters of the East Sea, off the coast of Vung Tau and 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City. This complex of islands measuring 75km2 in total has a population of more than 5,000 inhabitants. 

What does Con Dao look like?

In the past, this "squash island" was just a technical stopover for ships plying the routes between India and China, until 1857.

Con Dao Island was once just a stop for ships sailing between India and China. That changed in 1857, when the French took Saigon and turned the island into a prison colony called Poulo Condor. 

Today, Con Dao invites visitors to learn about its past and the strength of those who fought for Vietnam’s independence.

Because of its remote position, Con Dao's abundant biodiversity has been preserved. The 40,000 hectares of land and sea make up the national park, which was established in 1993. Beautiful coral reefs and hundreds of plant and animal species can be found there.

You may go diving, fishing, hiking, visiting former prisons, and seeing turtles lay their eggs on the island. One of the few locations where nature still feels untamed and wild is this one.

When to go to Con Dao?

The weather at Con Dao is similar to that in southern Vietnam.

• March through September is the ideal time to go
• The rainy season is June to September coincides with this, however rains are often brief and don't interfere with outdoor plans. Additionally, turtles are nesting during this time of year.
• The island has severe rain and choppy seas from October to November. 

🌤️ Here’s the real-time weather in Con Dao:🌤️

CÔN ĐẢO WEATHER

DISCOVER LUXURY BEYOND LIMITS

How to get to Con Dao?

By plane ✈️

Flying is the fastest way to reach Con Dao. The flight takes about one hour.

• From Ho Chi Minh City, there are several daily direct flights with Vietnam Airlines
• From Can Tho, there is one direct flight per day
• From Hanoi, flights include a stop, usually in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Airlines is currently the only airline offering direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho.

By speed boat 🛥️

You can also reach Con Dao by speed boat from the mainland.

• From Vung Tau, the Phu Quoc Express takes about three hours
• From Soc Trang, the Superdong speedboat takes around two and a half hours
• From Can Tho, services are available with Con Dao Express and Greenlines

Travel time depends on the departure point, and schedules can change with the weather.

Con Dao, what are the must-see things to do and see?

• The beaches of Con Dao

The sea is so clear you can often see the coral reefs below. Many of these beaches are hidden, peaceful, and best explored by motorbike or on foot.

Bai Nhat

This beach only appears at low tide. It’s completely hidden underwater the rest of the day. If you catch it at the right time, it’s a great spot for watching the sunset.

An Hai

Located near Con Son town, An Hai is the island’s main beach. It’s clean, easy to reach, and great for families thanks to its calm, shallow waters.

Bai Suoi Nong

Close to Dam Trau, this beach is only accessible by a forest path. It’s wild, quiet, and has a rare mangrove ecosystem nearby. Many travelers say it’s the most beautiful beach on the island.

Dam Trau

Often called the most stunning beach in Con Dao. It’s hidden in the jungle, with strange rocks on one side and forest on the other.

Also worth checking out:

• Ong Dung, good for a short hike and snorkeling
• Bai Dat Tham, peaceful and quiet
• Dam Tre Bay, with great views and clear water

If you like nature and quiet beaches, Con Dao won’t disappoint.

>>> Wonder between Con Dao and Phu Quoc?

• Diving, snorkeling, sea excursions in Con Dao

Con Dao is one of the top diving destinations in Southeast Asia. The archipelago is home to vibrant coral reefs and more than 1,300 marine species, with waters that are still wild and well preserved.

There are around 35 dive sites, from 15 to 50 meters deep, around the islands of Con Son, Cau, and Trung. Conditions are best between April and September when the sea is calm, the water is warm, and visibility is excellent.

With a bit of luck, you might even spot dolphins or a dugong, a rare and peaceful sea mammal.

• Observation of turtle nesting in Con Dao - Con Dao national park

Vietnam's greatest sea turtle conservation site has been Con Dao National Park since 1995. Approximately 300,000 baby turtles travel to the sea each year after 350 turtles arrive to nest.

The islands have 16 nesting beaches with a number of conservation posts. The nesting season peaks in June and August and lasts from April to September.

The greatest spot to see turtles excavating nests and laying eggs is Bay Canh Island, particularly during the busiest times of the year.

Approximately from August to November, the eggs hatch. Visitors can participate in the baby turtle release activity. This experience is not only fascinating, but also extremely meaningful for nature and animal lovers.

It is essential to emphasize that to participate in this activity you must register with the local authorities in advance, and it is necessary to be accompanied by these authorities to ensure the safety of the turtles. Finally, it is advisable to bring insect repellent if you plan to observe turtles at night.

• Con Dao National Park

Con Dao National Park, which covers 19,883 hectares of land and sea, was created in 1993. Its ecosystem consists of a rich maritime environment with around 1,500 species and tropical woods with over 1,000 plant and 155 animal species.

It was named Vietnam's first marine Ramsar site and the sixth wetland in the nation to be included in the list of the most significant wetlands in the world in 2013.

• Island hopping - Bay Canh island (or Hon Bay Canh)

Bay Canh Island, east of the Con Dao archipelago, is a protected area of 683 hectares with tropical forest, mangroves, and rare wildlife.

Cat Lon Beach is one of 14 nesting spots for green sea turtles from April to September, with 3,000 to 5,000 eggs hatching each night.

At the island’s tip, a 325-meter climb leads to a French-era lighthouse that's still active. The panoramic view from the top is stunning.

• The old prisons of Con Dao: a historical reminder

Once referred to as "hell on earth," Poulo Condor was notorious for its cruel and merciless treatment of inmates. In 1862, it was converted from a Nguyen dynasty prison to a French colonial jail where Vietnamese rebels were held.

Here, inhumane conditions caused the deaths of almost 20,000 captives. Three primary websites are accessible to visitors today:

• Phu Hai Prison, the oldest and largest, built in 1862 with over 12,000 square meters
• Phu Tuong Camp, built in 1941 by the French, known for its 5-square-meter tiger cages and torture cells
• Phu Binh Camp, built in 1971 by the Americans, also with tiger cages

These sites remain powerful reminders of Vietnam’s fight for freedom.

• Watching Milky Way in Con Dao

The Milky Way season in Con Dao runs from March to September, with March offering the clearest skies. Around 2–3 AM, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, making overnight camping a great option for stargazing.

Lo Voi Beach is the best spot to see it. Located in the north of the island, this beach is quiet and untouched by light pollution. It’s also one of the first places to catch the soft morning sun

• Hang Duong Cemetery

The largest cemetery on the island of Con Dao is the final resting place of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers detained, tortured and died in prison between 1862 and 1975. Appearing since French colonization, it was rebuilt, restored in 1992 on an area of 20,000 hectares and today houses nearly 1922 tombs. 

The most visited tomb is that of Vo Thi Sau, a young national heroine, resembling your French Joan of Arc for her exploits. She was one of the first prisoners on the island and was executed at just 19 years old.

• Visit the pagodas

Con Dao has two beautiful Buddhist pagodas that should not be missed! The Van Son Tu pagoda is a beautiful structure, clinging to a mountain, with the particularity of having a breathtaking view of the Con Dao district and the bay of Con Son. The second pagoda of Con Dao, recently built between 2009 and 2011, is dedicated to the Vietnamese heroes, sacrificed in the prisons of Con Dao, hell on earth for 113 years.

What to eat in Con Dao?

• Cơm niêu Sài Gòn - Côn Đảo ( Address: Area 8 To Hieu, Con Dao)

Com Nieu Saigon restaurant is located in area 8, To Hieu, the front of the restaurant is large so it is quite easy to find. This restaurant has a clean, airy space and also spacious, so it can serve not only individual customers but also large groups.

• Phi Yen Restaurant (No. 34 Ton Duc Thang Street, Con Dao)

One of the must-visit restaurants in Con Dao is Phi Yen restaurant. With its open-air design and stunning sea view, the restaurant is beloved by many tourists. Guests can choose their desired fish/seafood and wait while the chef prepares it, allowing friends and groups to chat leisurely.

• Canh Buom Restaurant (Quarter 5, Nguyen Duc Nhuan Street, Con Dao)

One of the restaurants specializing in serving groups in Con Dao is Canh Buom restaurant. The large hall with a capacity of up to 400 people helps Canh Buom welcome many groups of guests arriving at the same time.

• Ớt Seafood Restaurant (Quarter 5, Nguyen Duc Nhuan Street, Con Dao)

The restaurant's seafood is stocked fresh right in the restaurant's artificial lake. This difference helps visitors choose the type of seafood they want to enjoy. Because the seafood is processed while still alive, the dish always retains the toughness of the meat and the sweetness of the seafood. 

• Thu Ba Restaurant (Quarter 7, Vo Thi Sau Street, Con Dao)

Con Dao Thu Ba seafood restaurant is an ideal dining place for those who love seafood. With more than 30 years of history, Thu Ba restaurant has a diverse seafood menu.

• Poulo Condor (No. 18 - 24 Ton Duc Thang Street, Con Dao)

Poulo Condor Restaurant is managed by Saigon - Con Dao Hotel. This luxury restaurant specializes in serving traditional dishes with Asian and European flavors. Along with that are dishes typical of Con Dao coastal region. In addition, the restaurant also owns a swimming pool that satisfies guests' preferences for bathing and eating.

Where to stay in Con Dao for a perfect stay?

I’d read there were only a few hotels on Con Dao, but once I got to Con Son, I was surprised by the variety. New spots keep popping up, from simple guesthouses to stylish mid-range hotels and luxury beachfront resorts.

Prices are higher than in places like Phu Quoc, but the peaceful setting makes it worth it. If you’re after quiet and nature over crowds and nightlife, Con Dao is the better pick.

Our last words,

Long renowned for its history of the horrible penal colony of Poulot Condor, we too often ignore the rare beauty of this island bordered by beaches with clear waters and primary forests. It is only since the 1990s that the splendor of Con Dao has been revealed to the general public. This unusual tourist spot has everything to satisfy even the most picky travelers. Swimming in clear waters, tanning on white sand, diving to discover the underwater world, fishing aboard a boat, or hiking in primitive forests, campfires, visiting historical remains, nocturnal observations of turtle nesting, nothing is missing to seduce you.

>>>Related Articles:

• Cat Ba Island: A complete guide in 5 questions before your visit
• Phu Quoc, 6 questions before leaving for this paradise island
• Cat Ba Island: A complete guide in 5 questions before your visit
• Halong Bay travel guide: How to visit & Things to do
• 10 Breathtaking Beaches in Vietnam You’ll Want to Escape To
• Top 3 Hoi An Beaches That Look Straight Out of a Dream!