Condao Island (Vietnam) does not have such a loud fame as the resorts of Mui Ne, Vupgtau, Phuket and others. Nevertheless, the flow of Russian and foreign tourists for 2022-2023 increased by 30%. There are many tourist and excursion routes here.
Condao: general information about the island
There are 15 islands of volcanic origin within the Con Dao archipelago. They have an area of 76m².
Co Ong Airport is located in the north of the archipelago. ATR-72 airplanes from Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City fly to the island. A 30 km highway connects the southwestern part of the island with the airport.
The road passes by Mt. Chia. For the convenience of tourists, the highway is marked on the map.
Main streets in the township:
- Ton Duc Thang;
- Vo Thi Sau;
- Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen.
Vo Thi Sau Street is home to a market and a post office. The Governor’s Villa is located across from the shore dock 914. The trade industry is represented by small private shops. It sells toys, household chemicals and food.
Historical background
The first information about the Con Dao is found in Ptolemy’s Geography (2nd century BC). In ancient times, this stretch of land was called the “Island of the Satyrs”. In 1271, Venetian merchant Marco Polo visited 2 small land areas (Kondur and Sandur) while traveling from China to India.
In 1861, the French government built casemates on the island for dangerous political criminals. Prisoners were held in “tiger rooms.”
These 1.5-meter-high above-ground wells were covered with concrete lids. During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), important persons who were captured were held here. The prison ceased operations in 1975.
Climate in Condao
Spring in Condao is warm and windless. The air temperature ranges from +29.2°C (March) to +31.9°C (May). The humidity does not exceed 19%. The wind is southerly (5 m/s). The water temperature is +6.9…+31.1°C.
It’s a hot summer. The temperature in August reaches +31°C. In the second half of summer the sea water heats up to +29°C. In the fall it is hot: +29.7…+30.5°C. It rains heavily in September and October. The amount of precipitation ranges from 231-193 mm.
In winter it is windy: the speed of air masses reaches 9 m/s. The average air temperature is +27.6°C (February).
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Tourist seasons in Condao: when is the best time to go?
A distinction is made between two seasons:
- Dry (September through March).
- Humid (April through September).
Con Dao Island, located 481 kilometers from Nha Trang, receives a lot of rainfall. The humidity in May, for example, is 75%.
There are no prolonged tropical downpours in September. Blowing southwest wind up to 5 m/s.
The dry season from May to September is characterized by the absence of showers. The air temperature is +37°C. Humidity is high (85-97%). It’s sunny on the island in August. The thermometer rises to +44°C.
How to get to Condao Island
The route to the island is not difficult. Tourists can take the next transportation to the desired location:
| N n/a | Name of transport | Departure point | Travel time |
| 1. | Plane | Tan Son Nhat | 3 hours |
| 2. | Airliner | Can Tho | 1 hour and 50 minutes |
| 3. | Plane | Noi Bai International | 4 hours and 42 minutes |
| 4. | Cab, ferry | Vietnam, Vung Tau | 5 hours and 20 minutes |
| 5. | Bus, ferry | Tan Son Nhat (SGN) to Conson (VCS) | 7 hours and 58 minutes |
By plane
Flights to the island are operated by 2 major airlines, Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines.
Travelers can also avail the services of carriers:
- Vietjet Air;
- Xiamen Airlines;
- Korean Air.
Popular flights to Con Dao:
- Can Tho (direct, Vietnam Airlines);
- Ho Chi Minh City (direct).
In November – February, airfares from Ho Chi Minh City to the island are low (from 4779 rubles). The average travel time is 70 minutes.
On the ferry
Phu Quoc Express offers a fast ferry service (travel time is 3.5 hours). The distance to the destination is 254 kilometers. Local carrier Greenlines DR operates night ferry services from Vung Tau pier. During the wind season (November – March), sea transportation runs irregularly. Travel time is 12 hours.
Features of Con Dao Island Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure includes highways and water areas used for navigation. The southern part of the island is flanked by a 25 km long highway.
You can rent a motorcycle cab (Xe Ôm) at Condao Airport. A popular means of transportation among tourists is the moped. It’s used to transport goods, groceries.
Vacationers can take the Con Dao Express 36 speedboat between Vungtau and the island. The trip lasts 3 hours.
There are private stores on the island. Local open-air coffee shops offer tourists delicacies such as lemongrass drink, boiled bitter cucumbers, eggs with germ, etc. At the market, vacationers purchase vegetables and fruits.
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What to travel in
The best vehicles for getting around on Con Dao are:
- sportbikes;
- bicycles;
- motorcycle cab.
The Honda Win bike, which has a 4-speed gearbox and a 100 cc engine, is used for traveling around the island. It is designed to be driven only on well-lit streets. Vacationers prefer Yamaha Nouvo LX (4-6), SYM Atilla and Excel 1 YT motorcycles.
Hotels offer motorcycle cabs for rent. The cost of 1 trip is 1.5 USD. Driver and passengers are required to wear helmets.
Where to stay
Popular among vacationers are the hotels:
- Con Dao Resort;
- Six Senses Con Dao:
- Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa, etc.
Thien Tan Star Hotel is located 20 meters from the sea. To be found at the hotel are comfortable rooms, sanitary facilities, showers, Wi-Fi.
In the restaurant, vacationers are offered national dishes:
- Nem ga pancakes (with pork, vegetables or chicken);
- hot, hearty beef broth with peppers;
- rolls, etc.
Thien Tan Hotel is located near Con Dao Market. It offers a restaurant open 24 hours a day. Bungalow Hotel is 1.5 km from Ben Dam Port. Guests rent rooms with Wi-Fi. Parking is paid. Nearby points of interest include Van Son Pagoda and Trai Phu Hai Prison.
At Tien Minh Motel, all rooms are air-conditioned.
Tourists can do some sightseeing:
- Phu Son Camp;
- Hang Duong Cemetary (burial ground for military heroes).
Attractions
On the island, vacationers are introduced to the National Park, which opened in 1984.
They admire rare animals and birds:
- by parrots of the species Bucerotidae;
- by primates (pygmy lories);
- mossy frog and others.
The Revolutionary museum is located on the island. Near the historic site is a cemetery where warriors and political figures are buried.
On the coast of Con Dao, vacationers can see box turtles (Cuora galbinifrons Bourret) with a length of 19 cm. In May – June, they lay up to 5 eggs in 1 underground chamber.
Beaches
Tourism lovers and nature connoisseurs will love the beaches:
- Bai Khem;
- Ong Dung;
- Dam Trau.
The coastal area of Ong Zung is 5 kilometers from the central part of the island. The low bank is flanked by mighty boulders. They consist of sandstones, limestones of different colors and compositions. The coastal area has inshore and ring-shaped coral reefs.
The main feature of the beaches on the island is the lack of infrastructure:
- sports fields;
- of the emergency services;
- changing booths;
- braziers;
- lounge chairs;
- gazebos, etc.
Dam Trau beach is popular among tourists and sightseers. It has a paid parking lot. There is a restaurant on the premises. Tourists can make use of sun loungers and jet skis. The sea water is a deep blue color, the sand is soft, clean and golden.
Bai Khem Recreation Area is located 87 km from Nha Trang. It stretches for 15 kilometers along the coastline. The small beach is surrounded by mountains. Tourists can take advantage of the restaurant and hotel services.
Entertainment
Scuba diving enthusiasts come to the island. The pride of Con Dao is the Con Dao Dive Center diving school. At any time of the year, vacationers have access to the mountain route. They climb to an altitude of 400 meters.
Underwater diving (freediving) enthusiasts can use scuba diving and wetsuits.
SPA-salon services are available to vacationers:
- body massage;
- swimming in the spacious pool;
- aromatic sauna;
- hamam, etc.
Tourists rent scooters from the hotel to get around the island.
For fishing, vacationers rent canoes (light water craft). Diving enthusiasts visit the Bar 200 restaurant, where they talk to dive instructors and sample vegetarian dishes.
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Local food and restaurants
Popular restaurants on the island:
- Tommy’s;
- Good Morning Vietnam;
- Hai San Song;
- Ned Kelly;
- Black Cat;
- Bamiboo;
- Cay Bang.
The institution Black Cat offers vacationers dishes of Asian cuisine:
- beef in hondashi sauce;
- dried scallop with Char Siu Sauce.
The restaurant has VIP lounges (French and Moroccan).
For demanding gourmets there is a hookah lounge with a wide range of liquors and wines:
- Bacardi;
- Mozart;
- Martini Asti;
- Brut (champagne), etc.
The Bamboo restaurant is located on the coast.
Seafood specialties are available to patrons:
- tiger shrimp in wasabi sauce;
- miso (soup);
- salmon gunkan set;
- exotic oysters “Casablanca” from Morocco, etc.
Hai San Son Restaurant serves the following dishes to tourists:
- Tom Kha Gai (shrimp and vegetable soup);
- an appetizing wok of beef noodles;
- “Myk Noi Tit” (squid stuffed with meat);
- Pho soup (with rice noodles), etc.
Tourists love to relax at Tommy’s restaurant.
Western cuisine is prepared here:
- chicken fillet with Asian sauce;
- pumpkin cream soup;
- Peking Caesar salad with duck;
- tomato puree soup with shrimp;
- loin kebab, etc.
Banh Xeo store sells pork and shrimp pancakes. Bar 200, located near the market, offers tourists pizza, salads, ice cream, and hamburgers.
