Once known as the “hell on earth,” Con Dao is now renowned as the “paradise of the jade island.” Its azure sea, white sands, radiant golden sun, and pristine forest system captivate travelers. So, how much does it cost to travel to Con Dao independently for two days and one night? How to plan your itinerary? When is the best time to visit? Vietnampeace.com will unveil all the answers about Con Dao through the following article.
A Brief Introduction to Con Dao
Con Dao is one of Vietnam’s most famous island paradises. Every year, Con Dao attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from both domestic and international destinations. Previously, Con Dao was a place of detention and torture for political prisoners during two resistance wars against the French and the Americans. That’s why Con Dao is often remembered as a notorious prison.
Today, Con Dao is honored as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia. It’s a beautiful scenic spot and a famous spiritual destination in Southern Vietnam. Travelers often come to Con Dao to find peaceful moments after the hustle and bustle of urban life. So, how much does it cost to travel to Con Dao independently for two days and one night? When is the best time to visit Con Dao? Let’s explore with Vietnam Booking!
Location: Con Dao Archipelago is a district belonging to Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, 97 nautical miles from Vung Tau city.
When to Self-Guide a 2-Day 1-Night Trip to Con Dao?
It’s no coincidence that this pristine and mysterious coastal area attracts many tourists. Con Dao is also bestowed with appealing titles such as “island paradise” and “sparkling jewel of the East Sea.” So, when is the best time to self-guide a 2-day, 1-night trip to Con Dao? The precise answer is from early March to mid-September!
This period marks the transition from summer to autumn in Con Dao. Therefore, the weather is delightful, not too hot, and perfect for outdoor activities. Moreover, there’s not much rain during this time, the sea is calm, the sun is not too harsh, providing a comfortable and enjoyable feeling for travelers. There’s nothing more wonderful than witnessing the sunset and sunrise over the sea during this time.
Apart from the mentioned period, can self-guide a 2-day 1-night trip to Con Dao? Absolutely! However, due to the rainy season, you should avoid visiting Con Dao from mid-September to December. This will significantly affect your recreational activities. Instead, you can self-guide your trip to Con Dao from late December to early February of the following year! If you visit Con Dao during this time, you’ll enjoy a bit of warm sunlight and the tranquil sea view.
How do you self-guide a 2-day, 1-night trip to Con Dao?
Currently, travelers can reach Con Dao by two different means: by boat or by plane. You can choose the most suitable transportation depending on your departure point, needs, and budget.
By Plane
If you prefer to fly directly to Con Dao, you can choose departure points from Can Tho or Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). These are the only two flight routes to Con Dao. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour. Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates several flights to Con Dao with prices ranging from 1,000,000 VND to 3,500,000 VND for a round trip.
If you grab discounted flight tickets to Con Dao, the prices can range from 450,000 VND one way, which is less than 2 million VND for a round-trip ticket per person. According to the experience of self-guided trips to Con Dao for two days and one night, it’s advisable to book tickets at least one month in advance to have the chance to get low prices and secure good seats.
By Boat
Besides traveling by plane, tourists can also reach Con Dao by regular or high-speed boats. However, departing from Vung Tau first to get to Con Dao would be best. After arriving in Vung Tau, you can take a boat to Con Dao.
- For regular boats: The ticket prices from Vung Tau to Con Dao will range from 200,000 VND one way (12-hour journey).
- For high-speed boats: Travelers can choose the Con Dao Express high-speed boat departing from Vung Tau. The ticket prices for each boat trip will range from 660,000 VND to 990,000 VND for a 3-hour journey. This means of transportation is exceptionally suitable for travelers from Saigon or the southern region. For travelers from the Mekong Delta, you can choose the high-speed boat from Soc Trang to Con Dao. The ticket prices for this route start from 310,000 VND and take about 2.5 hours to travel.
Self-guided itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night Trip to Con Dao
The common concern of self-guided travel is the cost and itinerary arrangement. Every traveler to Con Dao wishes to make the most of their trip and explore every corner of this place. Vietnam Booking will present an attractive yet cost-saving self-guided itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Con Dao.
Before starting your self-guided journey, rent a motorbike to explore every nook and cranny of Con Dao. Isn’t this means of transportation familiar to those who travel independently?
Day 1: Departure to Con Dao – Visit Bay Canh Island
Morning: Take a high-speed boat or plane to Con Dao.
Afternoon: Bay Canh Island is the first destination in your self-guided 2-day, 1-night trip to Con Dao. The cool breezes, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful scenery at Bay Canh Island will dispel all your worries and troubles from urban life. You can snorkel to see coral reefs or stroll along the beach.
Evening: Explore Con Dao town and enjoy street food. Stay overnight at a hotel in Con Dao.
Day 2: Visit Spiritual Destinations
Good morning. Welcome to a new day with the gentle morning sunshine at Dam Trau Beach. Then, check in at the Love Peak to capture the best moments of Con Dao.
Noon: The itinerary for the second day of self-guided travel to Con Dao includes visiting famous spiritual sites such as:
- Explore Phu Hai Prison Camp at Con Dao Prison
- Pay homage to Ba Phi Yen Temple (An Son Temple) to pray for peace and luck
- Visit Hang Duong Cemetery and the grave of Vo Thi Sau
Afternoon: Go to Con Dao Market to buy local specialties and souvenirs for your friends and family. Return to the port/airport to return to Saigon and conclude your enjoyable 2-day, 1-night self-guided trip.
How Much Does a 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Con Dao Cost?
The cost of a self-guided 2-day 1-night trip to Con Dao usually includes expenses such as transportation, accommodation, meals, entrance fees to attractions, etc. Here is the total cost for the entire Con Dao itinerary suggested by Vietnampeace.com:
- Bus from Saigon to Vung Tau: 190,000 VND round trip
- Round-trip high-speed boat ticket from Vung Tau to Con Dao: 620,000 VND per trip
- Motorbike rental in Con Dao: 120,000 VND per day
- Tour to Bay Canh Island + snorkeling: 520,000 VND per person
- Hotel cost for two days one night: 500,000 VND per night
- Food expenses: 500,000 VND – 1,000,000 VND
- Historical site entrance fee: 50,000 VND per visit
- Shopping expenses: 500,000 VND
=> Total cost of a self-guided 2-day 1-night trip to Con Dao ranges from 2,500,000 VND to 4,000,000 VND per person
Note: The above costs are only for reference and may vary depending on the situation. Additionally, food, shopping, and accommodation expenses may increase or decrease depending on individual preferences and needs. Therefore, you can clearly plan your itinerary and budget to save on travel costs. The fees may be higher than usual if you visit Con Dao during peak tourist season.
Tips for a 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Con Dao
To have a cost-saving and joyful 2-day 1-night trip to Con Dao, travelers can consider the following essential tips:
- Although Con Dao is beautiful year-round, the ideal time to visit is from March to September. Arrange your schedule and tasks to not miss this “golden time”!
- To rent a cheap motorbike, visit the center of Con Dao town or large hotels. The motorbike rental prices range from 120,000 VND to 150,000 VND per day per bike plus 50,000 VND for gasoline.
- Always ask for prices before shopping and dining to avoid overpriced items.
- Don’t forget to bring essential items such as an umbrella, hat, jacket, power bank, documents, medicine, etc., when traveling to Con Dao.
- It’s advisable to carry cash because Con Dao doesn’t have many ATMs or stores that support card payments or apps.
The above is the self-guided 2-day, 1-night travel experience in Con Dao with super-saving costs. Hopefully, these shared tips will bring you a trip full of joy and exciting experiences.
