Discover the allure of Con Dao through the lens of Vietnampeace.com, where detailed travel experiences unfold from A to Z, promising an immersive journey for explorers seeking the essence of Vietnam’s serene beauty. Unveiling the best times to visit, transportation insights, captivating activities, must-visit locales, delectable culinary delights, and essential travel tips for an unforgettable Con Dao adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first voyage, let Vietnampeace.com be your trusted companion, illuminating the path to timeless memories in Con Dao’s pristine paradise.

1. When is the Best Time to Visit Con Dao?

Con Dao is an archipelago off the coast of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, dubbed as the “heaven on earth” with many pristine, beautiful beaches, primeval forests, and numerous rare species. March to September is the ideal time to visit Con Dao for tourism and exploring this fascinating land. This period boasts calm seas, gentle waves, and mild winds. Although occasional showers may occur during this time, they usually last for just over an hour, with pleasant weather and abundant sunshine at other times.

From October to the end of February the following year, Con Dao is influenced by the Northeast monsoon, resulting in large waves and rough seas. However, during this time, the western and southwestern sea areas have gentler waves and are less affected by the wind, making them suitable for travel and exploration.

2. Con Dao Travel Experiences by Various Means of Transport

Con Dao is 97 nautical miles from Vung Tau so that you can travel here by sea and air.

• Traveling by sea: from Ho Chi Minh City, you can travel to Vung Tau, then go to Cat Lo port to board the ship. After booking tickets online, it’s advisable to call the ticket office to confirm and pick them up at the port at least 5 hours in advance. Especially if you’re late, tickets may be sold to others even if you’ve prepaid. The ticket prices for sitting range from 85,000VND to 125,000VND per trip and for sleeping berths from 150,000VND to 200,000VND per trip.
• Air travel: You can fly directly from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho to Con Dao. Currently, Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with Vasco, operates flights to Con Dao for 1.7 – 2.5 million VND per trip. Bamboo Airways has also launched three new routes from Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Vinh to Con Dao, starting in November 2020.

According to the travel guide, after landing at Co Ong Airport, 12km from the town, you can take a taxi to the hotels or guesthouses. If you arrive by ship, you will dock at Ben Dam port, 12km from the town. You can ask the guesthouse to pick you up for 40,000VND per person or rent a motorbike or a 16-seater van with equivalent costs. During your days on the island, you can rent a motorbike for easy transportation and explore more exciting places. The daily motorbike rental fee is 100,000 VND, excluding fuel. It’s advisable to check out motorcycle rental places in Con Dao before deciding to travel here.

3. Where to Stay in Con Dao?

Con Dao is increasingly developing and upgrading, with many hotels and resorts built to serve everyone’s needs, from budget to luxury.

Some resorts with costs ranging from average to high-end that you can consider are Six Senses Con Dao, Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa Con Dao, Sai Gon Con Dao Resort, Con Dao Resort…

4. Experiencing Con Dao Travel for the First Time

4.1 Con Dao Travel Experiences from A to Z: What Activities to Experience?

According to the comprehensive Con Dao travel experiences from A to Z, here are some activities you should try: snorkeling to admire coral reefs, exploring uninhabited islands, releasing baby turtles into the sea, and witnessing turtle egg laying…

• Snorkeling to admire coral reefs on the most beautiful beaches of Con Dao is one of the most thrilling activities that the Con Dao travel experiences from A to Z want to share with you. Small islands such as Bay Canh, Tre, Tai, Trung, and Cau are suitable for snorkeling. These are ideal places to explore the fascinating ocean with the highest density of coral reefs in Vietnam.
• Witnessing turtle egg laying or releasing baby turtles into the sea: Enjoy a romantic or peaceful night on Bay Canh Island. You may be lucky to witness Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia Mydas), also known as green turtles, nesting and laying eggs on the beach.

4.2 Interesting Places to Visit in Con Dao

Con Dao attracts many people annually because of its pristine beaches and nature reserves, free from litter and environmental pollution. Among them, renowned beaches include Dam Trau Beach, Lo Voi Beach, Nhat Beach, Dat Doc Con Dao Beach, Bay Canh Island, and Tai Con Dao Island…

• Dam Trau Beach: This beach, considered the most beautiful in Con Dao, is 12km northwest of Co Ong Airport. According to the Con Dao travel experiences from A to Z, Dam Trau Beach is famous for its pristine beauty, white sandy beaches, and a rare mangrove ecosystem in other islands.
• Bay Canh Island is where you can witness turtle eggs laid every night. This beach is located on the east side of Con Dao, covering an area of 683 hectares, including two large islands connected by sandbars in the middle.
• Con Dao National Park covers an area of over 6,000 hectares on land and 14,000 hectares underwater. The interrelationship between coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests has created a favorable environment for the reproduction, breeding, nurturing, and conservation of marine species. Here, you can try various exciting activities such as fishing, diving, cycling, hiking, or enjoying the natural scenery.
• Con Dao Prison: This historical site was built by the French colonialists and the Americans during the war. Con Dao Prison is considered “hell on earth,” where many dangerous prisoners, including communists and patriots opposing the colonial government, were once imprisoned.

4.3 Enjoying Delicious and Tempting Dishes

When visiting Con Dao, you should not miss out on delicious specialties. You can also refer to the experience of buying seafood at the Con Dao market to choose meaningful gifts for your family. With the Con Dao travel experiences from A to Z shared by the travel guide, here are some delicious dishes that will make your trip even more perfect.

• Con Dao Lady Breast Shell: This shellfish is known for its resemblance to a woman’s breasts, with a pointed cone shape, firm white flesh, and full texture inside. It’s one of the most enticing dishes, from its name to its taste.
• Moon Face Crab: This crab has a peculiar shape, with many red spots on its back. Moon Face Crab can be cooked into delicious steamed or boiled dishes, with the crab meat dipped in green pepper salt providing a fragrant and irresistible taste.
• Razor Clam is a rare and precious seafood you shouldn’t miss when visiting Con Dao. Razor clams can be stir-fried with vegetables, cooked into porridge or soup, fried crispy, or made into salads.

Additionally, you can enjoy other tempting dishes made from red grouper, lobster, oysters, giant snails, squid…

5. What to Note When Traveling to Con Dao?

In addition to the experiences related to sightseeing spots, accommodation, and food, you need to pay attention to the following issues to have the most enjoyable experiences when traveling to Con Dao:

• Limit nighttime activities for your safety, as this is still a relatively undeveloped island with many shortcomings in healthcare and safety.
• Services in Con Dao are relatively expensive due to its reliance on mainland resources.
• Prepare high-top shoes if you plan to explore the jungle, essential medicines such as painkillers, headache medicine, allergy medicine… and other necessary medications if needed.
• You can visit the port around 6 a.m. or 2 p.m. to buy various types of fresh and cheap seafood.

In conclusion, embarking on a journey to Con Dao promises a tapestry of experiences that range from thrilling adventures to serene natural wonders and delectable culinary delights. With its pristine beaches, historical sites, and diverse marine life, Con Dao stands as an enticing destination for those seeking a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. From the underwater wonders of coral reefs to witnessing turtle nesting, exploring untouched landscapes, and savoring unique seafood delicacies, Con Dao beckons with a promise of unforgettable memories. As you embark on this journey, the Con Dao travel experiences shared by Vietnampeace.com serve as a valuable companion, enhancing your understanding and enjoyment of this paradise on earth.