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Con Dao is 185 kilometers from Vung Tau and 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, including Ba Ria - an archipelago off the coast of Vung Tau. This place was once compared to "hell on earth", and the famous Con Dao prison used to be here. But now Con Dao's tourism industry has made great progress and has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations with beautiful pristine beaches, rainforest systems and many rare creatures. With the development of island transport, tourism, accommodation, catering and other service activities, this place is taking an increasingly high place on the tourist map.
Tourism aside, many tourists know Con Dao as a holiday paradise, a fun backpacking destination with plenty to explore. The following are suggestions forBest time to travel to Con Dao.
Best time to travel to Con Dao
March to SeptemberIsBest time to explore Con Dao.The average temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, and the peak is in July and August. Although it is the rainy season, the sea is calm at this time, and there is less wind on the eastern and northeastern islands. Visitors should plan to visit the remote islands during the day, when the weather is filled with yellow sun and blue skies, perfect for snorkeling and photo opportunities. There are often showers in the afternoon, so it is better to visit the covered monuments on Veliko otok.
July to Septemberis the breeding season for sea turtles, making it aA great time to witness nesting and hatching of sea turtles.From April to October is the sea turtle spawning season in Con Dao. After the turtles lay their eggs, it takes 45-60 days for the young to hatch, so even if the spawning period ends in September, tourists can see the turtles crawling back into the sea after 2 months. This is a great time to watch humpback whales and oil turtles lay their eggs on the island's beaches. The seabird nest is also in spawning season, and the scenery is beautiful. Environmental education and events are often held this season to raise awareness and protect endangered sea turtles around the world.
fromOctober to MarchNext year is the wind season, and the waters of Kunshan Bay will cause big waves. The average temperature at that time is between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius. Under the influence of the northeast wind, there are often large waves in the sea area of Kunshan Bay, but the west and southwest seas are still calm and less affected by waves. Tourists can go to Dam Trau Beach, Hot Spring Beach and bathe here. Visitors can still hire a boat to explore Trélón and the Isle of Trey if possible. The two islands have retained their pristine beauty to this day and are home to many colorful corals and shoals of carp.
Events in Con Dao
Depending on the time, purpose and method of travel, you can choose between the following activities as a one-day program, 4 days and 3 nights or 5 days and 4 nights.
explore nature
Hon Bay Canh and Hon Cau are two famous ecotourism spots along the coast of Con Dao. Visitors can choose from a range of experiences including snorkeling to see coral, visiting mangroves, watching turtles lay their eggs and releasing baby turtles in season.
Tourists can rent canoes to go to the island by themselves, the price is about 2-5 million VND/way. To save money, you should book a day trip that includes releasing turtles into the sea and snorkeling to see the coral at Hon Bay Canh.
diving
On most of the islets around the large island of Con Dao, you can find various corals and impressive fish. The Con Dao coral system is undoubtedly the richest in Vietnam. this oneBest time to dive in Con DaoIt is from March to the end of September.During this time, the waters in Con Dao are usually very clear, providing an excellent diving experience. You can clearly see the corals while enjoying the opportunity to observe a variety of seafood and marine life.
go fishing
There are two forms of fishing, recreational fishing (part time or 1 day) or professional fishing (usually 3 days and 2 nights or more). Whether recreational or professional fishing, this activity especially attracts anglers from all over the world.
March to May is a good time to fish in Con Dao.The water temperature is rising, and the fish species are starting to return after the winter. You can catch a variety of smaller fish such as grouper, grouper and parrotfish as well as larger fish such as barracuda and shark.
fromJune-September is the fishing seasonin Con Dao. The water temperature is the highest and the fish are more active. This is the ideal time to catch big fish like tuna, salmon and shark.
During this period, you can hire a fishing tour or charter a private boat to fully enjoy the Con Dao fishing experience. With a beautiful seascape and variety of fish, fishing in Con Dao will provide an exciting and unforgettable experience.
Explore the island's beaches
Con Son Bay consists of a system of 14 large and small islands, including Tai Island, Trac Island, Rabbit Island... gathered as one big family, and Bay Canh, Bong Lan, Cau, Egg and Tre Island. The majestic islands in the sea create poetic and picturesque islands for Kunshan Bay and are marine ecological protected areas with an unparalleled density and diversity of coral reefs.
From October to February, Con Dao is under the influence of the northeast monsoon, and the sea is rough and restless. The islands and beaches in the Northeast will experience these giant waves, creating a spectacular sight and exciting experiences for surfers and wave lovers. However, for travelers who want to relax and explore,The west and south-west coasts are ideal.During this period, places such as Dam Trau Beach, Ong Cau Beach and Hon Tre Lon are highly recommended. Protected by the natural landscape of the surrounding islands, the waters to the west and southwest are generally calmer, providing a calm and peaceful environment.
releasing baby turtles into the sea
During the Con Dao research trip, releasing the baby sea turtles into the sea will surely be one of the "one-of-a-kind" experiences you will never forget. The best time to watch the release of baby turtles in Con Dao is from May to October. During this time, sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on Con Dao beaches. It takes about 45-60 days for the eggs to hatch, and when the young turtles leave the nest, they head for the ocean. So, about 2 months after the turtles lay their eggs, in October or November, visitors can still see the baby turtles crawling back into the sea.
Festivali u With Daou
Con Dao Festival
Every year on June 20, according to the lunar calendar, a large and solemn sacrificial ceremony is held on the island. Relatives and ex-prisoners have the opportunity to light sticks in honor of their loved ones and themselves. The atmosphere was full of respect and remembrance, everyone mourning the loss of those who died on Con Dao Island. The festival not only commemorates the sacrifices made by those imprisoned on Con Dao Island, but also symbolizes the resilience and transformation of the island into a place of spiritual significance and natural beauty. It allows tourists and locals to look back on historical events and appreciate the peaceful and charming atmosphere of Con Dao today.
Mrs. Xiu's death anniversary
Madam Sau, popularly known as Vo Thi Sau, was a respected figure, often referred to as a heroine. The anniversary of her death is celebrated on December 27 every year, usually at the Hang Duong cement plant. Families prepare rice and burn incense as offerings during this traditional festival in Con Dao. In addition, tourists brought scented lamps, gifts and flowers to Ms. Xiu's grave. They participated in the ritual together, praying to her and asking for her blessing.
Mrs. Piyan's anniversary
Lady Phi Yen, also known as Le Thi Ram, is the wife of Lord NguyenAnh. She was an amazing woman who was instrumental in maintaining her husband's loyalty and sacrificing her own life to protect her identity. In her memory, a shrine was built in the village of Ankai, where the locals gather to worship her. Every year on October 18th according to the lunar calendar, the people of Con Dao will hold a grand death ceremony for Mrs. Phi Yen. This anniversary is as much a day of celebration as it is a time of joy and cultural activities. During this period, visitors to Con Dao have the opportunity to participate in various celebrations, watch artistic performances and immerse themselves in enchanting folk music with a sacred atmosphere.
How to get to Con Dao?
Flying to Con Dao is usually the most convenient and fastest option for travelers. The island has its own airport, Con Dao Airport, which is served by several airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Vietjet Air.
Airplane: The flight time from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is about 45 minutes, and the flight time from Can Tho to Con Dao is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are direct flights from Hanoi to Con Dao, which take about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
By Boat: Traveling by boat can be a more adventurous option, but it takes longer and may not be as comfortable as flying. The ferry from Vung Tau to Con Dao takes about 12 hours, while the speedboat from Tran De Port in Soc Trang province takes about 2.5 hours. Passengers also have to take a bus or car to get to the ferry or speedboat terminals, which increases travel time and costs.
Hope for sharingBest time to visit Con Daoit will be of some use to you. Make an appointment to explore Con Dao now and don't forget to share your experiences with us!