Con Dao Vietnam, The South

Historically an exile island, Con Dao is still largely untouched, and the natural beauty of the island remains king. Due to this remoteness, however, there isn’t much for tourism on the island and English is hard to come by. But don’t let this deter you from exploring this wonderful island.

Not only does Con Dao have untouched beauty that adds a sense of peace and tranquility to the island; the colorful, and often brutal history on which it was founded adds some historical complexity. When the French occupied Vietnam, they used Con Dao as an island to exile Vietnamese nationalists seeking freedom from French rule. You can see some of this history in the architecture and in some of the sights available to you for touring.

Besides these historic sites, there isn’t much in the way of doing besides hiking, sunbathing on the beach, and doing world-class diving off the coast. The main center of Con Dao is the small seaside town where most accommodations are located. You can also find an assortment of smaller cafés offering snacks and Vietnamese iced coffee that you can enjoy while watching the locals and Vietnamese tourists mingle.

Another great attraction from the town of Con Son is the spirited, local market where you can buy anything from souvenirs to trinkets, to fresh produce, and snacks. Open all day long, the local market in Con Son is also a great place to grab a quick bite to eat from some of the tasty food vendors.

Perhaps one of the most alluring things to do that brings visitors from all over the world, is the snorkeling available for you to do. Con Dao offers colorful coral reefs and an abundance of marine wildlife that call the coasts of Con Dao home.