Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Con Dao

Introduction to Con Dao

Con Dao is an island district in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, also known as Con Lon, Con Son. This island district covers a total area of 76km2 with 16 different-sized islands.

In the years of the Vietnam War, Con Dao was known as a prison, a hell on earth for revolutionary heroes. Today, Con Dao is a land that bears the historical imprint of the past war and, at the same time, an intriguing destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Con Dao captivates travelers with its pristine beauty, untouched landscapes, and stunning, turquoise beaches. It is recognized as one of the nine most fascinating and mysterious islands in the world.

In addition, traveling to Con Dao offers you the opportunity to explore many beautiful landmarks and participate in various exciting activities on the island.

Con Dao

Weather in Con Dao

Con Dao has a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round due to its proximity to the equator. Like other regions with this type of weather, Con Dao's climate is divided into two seasons: the rainy season, occurring from around May to October, and the dry season, from around November to April of the following year.

However, visiting Con Dao in any season is not a problem for tourists because, in general, the weather here is quite pleasant.

Pleasant weather in Con Dao

Best Time to Travel to Con Dao

When is the best time to visit Con Dao? You can plan your trip to Con Dao around March to September. During this period, although it's the rainy season, the sea is relatively calm, and rain showers are not prolonged. It's very suitable for engaging in water activities, especially as this is the season when turtles migrate to Con Dao to lay their eggs.

From October to February, you can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere with gentle sunlight and a calm, blue sea. This is the dry season in Con Dao, offering breathtaking landscapes. However, be cautious if you visit during this time, and avoid the sea area of Con Son Bay, as it tends to have large waves due to the influence of the northeast wind.

Keep in mind that during this period, the sea area of Con Son Bay usually experiences large waves due to the influence of the northeast wind.

Preparing for Your Trip to Con Dao

Flights to Con Dao

The most convenient way to travel to Con Dao is by flight. Currently, only Vietnam Airlines operates flights to Con Dao, departing from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. If you're departing from Hanoi, you'll need to have a layover in Ho Chi Minh City before reaching Con Dao.

The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes, and the flight ticket prices to Con Dao range from 700,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND (excluding taxes and fees). Due to the limited number of flights, it's advisable to book your tickets early to secure the most suitable flight for your schedule.

Taking a Boat to Con Dao

Another option to reach Con Dao is by sea. You can travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau or Soc Trang and then purchase a boat ticket to Con Dao. Here are the details:

Some notes when traveling to Con Dao by boat:

• Instead of buying one-way tickets, it's advisable to purchase round-trip tickets to avoid ticket shortages.
• In case your train journey is delayed or canceled due to weather conditions, the staff will assist you in rescheduling or changing your ticket.
• To stay proactive for your trip, you can contact in advance to inquire about the departure status of the train before your travel date or have a backup plan.

Hotel Accommodation

Con Dao offers a variety of hotels and homestays with different price ranges. It's recommended to book accommodation in the areas near An Hai Beach and Dam Trau Beach, two of the most beautiful beaches in Con Dao.

Hotels in Con Dao have prices ranging from 450,000 VND to 1,600,000 VND per night. Additionally, you can consider booking a flight and hotel combo to Con Dao, which usually offers better prices compared to individual bookings.

Combo prices range from 2,000,000 VND to 4,000,000 VND for a single passenger, including round-trip tickets and a hotel room with all the necessary amenities.

>> Explore now: Best Hotel Deals in Con Dao

Required Documents

To ensure a seamless exploration of Con Dao, make sure to prepare the following types of documents:

• For Vietnamese travelers, it's necessary to carry their ID card or Citizen Identity Card (CCCD) for procedures at the airport or train station, hotel reservations, etc. If you don't have these documents, alternatives such as a driver's license, passport, Party card, press card, etc., can be used.
• For those traveling with children, bring the original birth certificate or a certified copy for the procedures with adults.
• For foreign tourists, a passport or types of identification issued by the embassy or state agencies are required. In case of a lost passport, an entry permit issued by the embassy in Vietnam can be used.

Preparing Luggage

In addition to personal documents and personal items, prepare the following to ensure a worry-free stay in Con Dao:

• Umbrella, raincoat, hat, lightweight jacket, and sneakers - these items are essential for a convenient and comfortable journey.
• Don't forget to bring some types of medication: motion sickness, headache, stomach ache, flu, insect repellent, first aid supplies such as cotton, bandages, etc., to prevent unexpected health issues during your trip. When exploring Con Dao National Park, follow the rules and signs in the forest to avoid getting lost.
• If you plan to swim, ask the locals beforehand to choose the safest and best beach for swimming, avoiding areas with large waves or underwater currents.
• Prepare cash as there are limited ATMs on the island. Note that most goods on the island are transported from the mainland, so prices may be slightly higher than usual.

Ensure you have all personal essentials for your Con Dao trip

Transportation in Con Dao

In Con Dao, there are no public transportation options such as buses. You need to take a taxi or rent a motorbike for mobility.

However, taxi services are not widely available in Con Dao due to limited operations. Your primary options are either renting a motorbike or using motorbike taxis.

Mytour recommends some reputable motorbike rental places in Con Dao for you to remember:

• Phuong An Shop, located in Zone 10, Ben Dam Port. Rental price is 150,000 VND/bike/day.
• Tan Chau Shop: Zone 10, Ben Dam Port, priced at 150,000 VND/bike/day. If you rent 3 bikes or more, there is a discount of 10,000 - 20,000 VND/bike/day.
• Shop on Le Van Viet Street, Con Dao town, contact number: 094 814 10 41. Although the shop does not have a sign, it is easy to find by calling the phone number. The rental price is 150,000 VND/bike/day for Honda Airblade, 120,000 VND/bike/day for Yamaha Nouvo.

Where to have fun in Con Dao?

Explore the breathtaking natural beauty

If you're a nature lover, enjoy exploring new lands, then Con Dao is undoubtedly the ideal stop for you. 'Pristine,' 'majestic,' 'unforgettable' will be the impressions of travelers when setting foot on this island.

Here, there are beaches with endless stretches of untouched white sand, large mountain ranges, covering the entire island district, allowing tourists to reconnect with pure, cool nature.

Some famous destinations in Con Dao that you should explore include: Dam Trau Beach, Nhat Beach, Suoi Nong, Bay Canh Island, Tai Island, Ba Island, Con Dao National Park,...

Con Dao National Park

Explore famous historical and spiritual sites

Not only blessed with stunning natural beauty, but this place also has many unique historical and spiritual sites that attract tourists.

Some spiritual destinations in Con Dao you shouldn't miss are: Hang Duong Cemetery, where the tomb of the heroine Vo Thi Sau is located, Van Son Pagoda, Cau Temple, Phi Yen Temple, Mot Mountain Pagoda.

If you plan to visit Hang Duong Cemetery, it's advisable to prepare offerings in advance, as the locals around this area do not sell paper money or gold.

Here's a small tip: tourists and locals often visit Sister Sau's grave most crowded from 21:00 to 23:59, so arrange your schedule wisely to experience it fully.

Sister Vo Thi Sau's tomb at Hang Duong Cemetery

What to eat in Con Dao?

This is probably a concern for many of you when coming here. On the island, there are plenty of food options from common dishes like rice, noodles, and pho to local specialties. So, no need to worry too much.

Food prices vary depending on the dish; however, generally, the prices are reasonable. For example, common dishes like rice and noodles range from 25,000đ to 30,000đ. Here are some local specialties you can buy as gifts or enjoy in Con Dao:

Sun-dried tuna

A special dish featuring fresh tuna washed with seawater or saltwater, then sun-dried without any additional spices. This dish is prepared in various ways such as grilling, braising, or making soup.

Sun-dried tuna is the most popular specialty that tourists often buy after each trip to Con Dao. You can purchase it at local markets, or if you're on a Con Dao tour, the guide will help you buy the best quality at around 200,000 - 500,000đ/kg.

Con Dao Seafood

Featuring a plethora of unique dishes such as queen conch, salt-roasted mantis shrimp, steamed fresh sea snails, moon crab,... Con Dao seafood always captivates tourists.

A budget-friendly and delicious seafood dining spot in Con Dao recommended by Mytour is Thu Ba restaurant, located in area 7, Vo Thi Sau street. The restaurant is renowned for its fresh and affordable seafood dishes, ranging from 50,000 - 100,000đ per dish. If you're in a large group or on a guided tour, the prices will be much better.

Hammerhead Shark Salad

Being one of the signature dishes of Con Dao that you must not miss. Fresh fish meat marinated with spices and mixed with starfruit, water spinach, sour star fruit, green banana,... has a taste of sour, sweet, salty, and a bit of bitterness.

Especially, this salad is wrapped in rice paper and dipped in hot and spicy peanut sauce to reduce the fishy taste, truly worth savoring.

You can enjoy this hammerhead shark salad at any restaurant in Con Dao, as it is a specialty and widely available in many dining places here.

Con Dao Sun-Dried Tuna

Traveling to Con Dao: Important Notes

When visiting Con Dao, pay attention to the following to avoid unnecessary troubles during your trip:

• Wear decent and modest attire when visiting spiritual, historical places, or the tomb of the martyr Vo Thi Sau.
• Con Dao is a sacred land, so absolutely do not make jokes about spirituality here. If you go swimming, follow the beach regulations and the lifeguard team, as Con Dao's sea has strong waves and underwater currents. Also, pay attention to the little ones if you have children with you.
• When exploring the forested areas in Con Dao, follow marked trails and do not attempt to find your way through the forest on your own, as it is easy to get lost and encounter danger. Prioritize your safety and the safety of those with you.

With these insights, you now have valuable information. To fully explore this beautiful island, book your Con Dao budget tour with Mytour now!

Author: Hanh Chu

Image sources: Mytour, Internet