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What to Prepare for the Con Dao Exploration?
Before heading to Con Dao for travel or any destination, proper preparation of essential items is crucial for your trip. So, what do you need to prepare for your Con Dao expedition? Mytour will help you list them below:
Book your Con Dao flight tickets ahead of your trip, as both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer direct flights operated by domestic airlines. So, reserve your tickets to be ready for the planned journey.
When it comes to attire, prepare clothing and accessories suitable for the destinations in Con Dao. Whether it's flaunting your body in bikinis, wearing maxi dresses or shorts with sandals, these outfits are essential for beach activities. Also, ensure to have modest and respectful clothing for exploring mystical spiritual sites. Beyond the beaches and spiritual spots, exploring the forests is a must for backpackers. Lightweight clothes and high-top shoes are suitable for this activity. Don't forget to pack a long-sleeved shirt, as Con Dao nights can get chilly.
Must-have items for health care to ensure a seamless trip include mosquito repellent, insect repellent, seasickness medication, and digestive aids. As Con Dao can experience unpredictable weather, bring a hat or umbrella and a raincoat. Be prepared for rain or shine.
Prepare some cash for your trip and limit ATM withdrawals, as there are only two ATMs on Con Dao, making it more challenging to withdraw money. Always keep your money safe, consider dividing and storing it in secure places.
Finally, meticulously prepare personal items such as a phone, power bank, and smartphone. As Con Dao is sunny during the day, Mytour recommends bringing sunscreen and using it regularly when exploring Con Dao. Depending on individual needs, you can also bring skincare products and personal hygiene items.
Travel light with the essentials for the Con Dao journey (Source: @samm__sammie)
When is the best time to travel to Con Dao?
Con Dao experiences a tropical monsoon climate, divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.
Con Dao's rainy season lasts from April to November, with consistent rainfall throughout the month. However, the rain is not excessive and serves to cool the weather after a period of intense heat. During these times, the rest of the day still enjoys beautiful sunshine, making it favorable for adventurous Con Dao trips with wheelchairs or bikes. It's an ideal period for activities like diving to explore coral reefs, observing turtle egg laying, as the sea is calm during this time.
However, the most ideal time for a Con Dao adventure is during the dry season, which extends from December to April of the following year. During this period, sunlight is frequent, ensuring your journey is uninterrupted by sudden downpours.
Before embarking on your exploration of Con Dao, check the weather forecast to travel during the best conditions. Also, prepare contingency plans for unexpected weather changes.
Ideal time for a Con Dao adventure during the dry season (Source: @lqn1812)
Exciting Activities Not to Miss for Con Dao Backpackers
To add more excitement to your Con Dao backpacking journey, don't miss out on activities like coral reef diving, deep-sea fishing in the East Sea, exploring deserted islands, watching turtle egg hatching, or stopping at a cafe along the journey for picturesque check-in photos.
Coral Reef Diving
At islands such as Bay Canh Island, Tai Island, Tre Island, Trung Island, Trac Island, Cau Island, there are comprehensive A to Z services for underwater diving to explore the long coral reefs beneath the sea. Depending on the service provider, the cost ranges from 750,000 VND to 2,200,000 VND per person. If you plan a trip here, take at least a one-hour break and ensure your stomach is not empty for the best health during this exciting activity.
Deep-Sea Fishing in the East Sea
Fishing here comes in two forms: recreational fishing and professional fishing. For those traveling independently to Con Dao, the advice is to join local residents to experience fishing with them without any cost. These are the most experienced people who will guide you in fishing skills while sharing stories about their lives and the land they inhabit. The locals will remind you to pay attention to ensure your safety.
Watching Turtle Egg Hatching
After exploring all of Con Dao on a motorbike, stop at the beaches and witness turtle egg hatching. You don't have to look far for a place to watch turtles lay eggs; right on Cat Lon Beach on Bay Canh Island is one of the 14 egg-laying sites of Con Dao's sea turtles and the one with the highest number of turtles laying eggs. If patient and lucky, you'll have the chance to see the adorable baby turtles crawling into the open sea after breaking out of their shells.
Apart from the enticing activities mentioned, you can join local residents to explore the wild forests and deserted islands of Con Dao. This will undoubtedly be an extremely interesting experience where you'll learn many things that are sometimes not found in books. Another appealing suggestion is the roadside cafes in Con Dao, which make excellent stops for backpackers. Some famous cafes in Con Dao include Con Son Cafe, Infiniti Cafe, Phiên Khúc Cafe, Ba Lê Cafe, and Nice Coffee.
Fishing is an activity chosen by many Con Dao backpackers
What to Eat When Backpacking in Con Dao
Certainly, in your Con Dao travel tour, you can't miss out on culinary exploration. Con Dao offers many delicious dishes at affordable prices in various restaurants.
Con Dao Night Market Cuisine
When it comes to delicious dining spots in Con Dao, the night market area is a must-visit. Here, you can indulge in many of Con Dao's delicacies without the need for extensive travel, and of course, at reasonable prices. All dishes, including grilled items, noodle soups, seafood porridge, are sold by the locals and are exceptionally delicious. With an average cost ranging from 10,000 VND to 30,000 VND, you can freely enjoy these tasty treats.
- Address: Con Dao Market, downtown Con Dao, Con Dao district
- Operating hours: 16:00 – 00:00
Mrs. Hai Khiêm's Crab Noodle Soup
The flavor of crab noodle soup here differs from elsewhere, and for just 17,000 VND - 25,000 VND, you can have a delicious bowl of noodles.
- Address: 22 Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 8, Con Dao.
- Operating hours: Served from 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily.
Thu Ba Restaurant
Renowned as the most popular restaurant in Con Dao, Thu Ba Restaurant always serves tourists fresh seafood with a diverse and rich menu suitable for every budget. If you visit the restaurant during peak hours, the service may be slightly delayed.
- Address: Zone 7, Vo Thi Sau Street, Con Dao District.
- Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM every day.
Wandering Goat Restaurant
In the list of affordable and delicious eateries in Con Dao is the Wandering Goat Restaurant. True to its name, the restaurant specializes in dishes made from goat, prepared uniquely to always captivate tourists.
- Address: 1A Vo Thi Sau Street, Zone 6, Con Dao.
Rice Plate Restaurant
This is an affordable rice plate restaurant that cooks dishes appealing to most people due to its diverse and extensive menu. To have a satisfying meal here, you only need to spend around 40,000 VND. However, the restaurant is often crowded, so be mindful of the time and arrive early as seats may run out.
- Address: Con Dao Market, downtown Con Dao, Con Dao district.
- Operating hours: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Seafood is a popular cuisine in Con Dao. (Source: @imldat)
Tips for Con Dao Backpacking
- Book Con Dao accommodation before your trip to save time looking for hotels on the island.
- Due to Con Dao's remote location, many items need to be transported from the mainland, leading to higher prices for these items. Mytour advises you to prepare all the necessary items to avoid additional expenses buying things on the island.
- You should buy reserve fuel and ensure a full gas tank before embarking on a motorcycle trip as there are only two gas stations on the island.
- In the evening in Con Dao, there are many mosquitoes and insects that can harm your skin and health. It's essential to apply mosquito and insect repellent.
- When backpacking, bring enough necessary items; avoid carrying too much bulky luggage that could affect your mobility.
Mytour has compiled the Con Dao travel experiences to remind you of the essentials when backpacking in Con Dao. Mytour is ready to hear about your exciting Con Dao journey, wishing you a complete and fulfilling trip!
Cuc Hoa
Photo Credits: Instagram, Internet
