Ranked among the world's most mysterious islands to visit by Travel&Leisure magazine (US), Con Dao offers distinct experiences thanks to its pristine nature and slow pace of life.

Known for its rich historical and spiritual heritage, Con Dao is now an eco-tourism destination. Over 80% of its area belongs to a national park, home to international luxury resorts, and has appeared on global tourism maps many times.

Tran Trong Sang, a hotel manager on the island, and several tour guides suggest exploration and experience activities for visitors on a three-day, two-night summer vacation itinerary.

Visitors walk along a Con Dao beach. Photo: Booking

Ideal time to visit

Summer, from june to september, is when Con Dao's seas are calmest, perfect for snorkeling and diving. The weather is sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees C. This also marks the peak season for sea turtles to come ashore, nest, and lay eggs on the small islands within Con Dao National Park.

On clear nights, visitors also have the chance to observe the milky way appearing in the Con Dao sky.

Travel and accommodation

Visitors can currently reach Con Dao by air from TP HCM (flight time: 45 minutes, round-trip fare from approximately 3 million VND). Alternatively, high-speed ferries departing from TP HCM are a popular option, with costs starting from 965,000 VND.

In Con Son town, visitors have many accommodation options, from homestays starting at 600,000 VND per night to luxury resorts like Six Senses Con Dao.

In a 2/6 survey by Traveloka, Con Dao emerged as a bright spot. Searches for summer flights to Con Dao increased by 42%. The number of visitors to the island in summer 2026 is projected to rise by 15% compared to the same period last year, so visitors should book services at least three weeks in advance.

From Con Dao airport, travelers drive 15 km to the town center, a trip of about 20-30 minutes. On the island, visitors can travel by taxi, electric car, or motorbike.

Six Senses Con Dao resort from above. Photo: Booking

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Con Dao boasts long, quiet beaches. Photo: Booking

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Visitors participate in water sports activities. Photo: Booking

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Visitors explore Voi mountain. Photo: Six Senses Con Dao

Day one:

2 PM: If arriving by air, visitors can view a part of the Mekong Delta from above. After landing at Con Son airport, travelers collect luggage and head to their accommodation to check in and rest. Here, visitors can enjoy afternoon tea and admire the sea view from hotel balconies.

4 PM: Beach time

At Six Senses Con Dao, each villa has a private pool, yet the beach remains the main attraction. Nearly 2 km long, with gentle sands and clear blue waters, this area is suitable for swimming, relaxing, or walking along the shore.

Alternatively, visitors can go to Dam Trau beach, a calm beach located near Con Dao airport. This spot attracts many visitors who come to capture the sight of "planes landing close to people's heads".

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International visitors check in at Dam Trau, with a plane landing in the distance. Photo: Instagram/mathieu.veckenberg.

6 PM: Dinner

Con Dao offers many dining options, from Vietnamese dishes like shrimp and pork pancakes, various vegetables and mushrooms, to international cuisine. Visitors can also enjoy local specialties such as "oc vu nang" (limpet snails), cone snails, giant clam snails, red lobsters, slipper lobsters, red groupers, sun-dried squid, and various sea fish.

8 PM: Visit Hang Duong cemetery

For many visitors, a visit to Hang Duong cemetery is an essential part of exploring Con Dao. This is the resting place of over 2,000 revolutionary soldiers and patriots, including General Secretary Le Hong Phong, patriot Nguyen An Ninh, and heroine Vo Thi Sau.

When visiting, guests should choose respectful, modest attire. The Con Dao National Relic Conservation Center and local authorities also encourage the use of "green offerings" including incense, flowers, fruits, and sweets, while discouraging the burning of votive paper to protect the environment.

Day two

8 AM: After breakfast, visitors can begin exploring Con Dao's nature. Located next to Six Senses, Voi mountain (also known as Lo Voi mountain) is a recommended trekking route, with options ranging from easy to difficult, taking one to four hours depending on the path.

From high points on the mountain, visitors can observe panoramic views of Con Dao town and the coastline. Besides Voi mountain, trails like So Ray mountain, Ong Dung beach, or Bang beach also attract nature lovers.

For those who love the sea, snorkeling and diving at Hon Tai, Hon Bay Canh, and Hon Cau are excellent choices. Visitors can also join canoe tours to explore surrounding islets such as Hon Trung, Hon Tre, or Hon Vung.

12 PM: Lunch

Though not large, Con Dao town still offers many dining choices, from seafood and clay pot rice to European dishes and pizza. "Banh khot" (mini savory pancakes) and coconut ice cream are local dishes many visitors seek out. Alternatively, guests can have lunch at their resort's restaurants.

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Releasing turtles into the sea in Con Dao. Photo: Booking

2 PM: Relaxation and wellness

After a morning of activity, visitors can choose to relax their muscles or enjoy wellness treatments at the hotel spa in the afternoon. Meditation and yoga are also suggested for guests preferring lighter activities.

Other options include visiting the temple and tomb of Prince Cai (Prince Hoi An) on Co Ong road, near Con Dao airport, or stopping at the temple of Ba Phi Yen (a concubine of Lord Nguyen Anh), now called An Son Mieu.

Nui Mot pagoda, considered one of Vietnam's most beautiful feng shui pagodas, nestled against a mountain and overlooking a cool lotus pond with the distant sea, is also a recommended visit.

6 PM: Dinner under the milky way

According to Ho Vu, visitors should combine outdoor dining, such as a BBQ on the beach, to enjoy dinner while stargazing.

Observing the milky way in Con Dao's night sky is a favorite experience. Due to low population density and minimal light pollution, many areas on the island maintain ideal conditions for stargazing. On moonless summer nights, visitors can see the brilliant milky way with their bare eyes.

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Stargazing in Con Dao. Photo: Booking

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The milky way in Con Dao. Photo: Booking

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Visitors can dine while stargazing. Photo: Booking

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The night sky viewed from Six Senses Con Dao. Photo: Booking

Day three

6 AM: Releasing turtles into the sea

Sea turtle egg-laying and baby turtle release tourism (primarily from june to september, and sporadically until december) is a signature ecotourism product of Con Dao National Park. This activity combines nature conservation, environmental education, and the rescue of endangered wildlife.

Six Senses Con Dao is the only resort in Con Dao with a sea turtle hatchery and a baby turtle release program within its grounds, in collaboration with the Con Dao National Park Management Board. The beach in front of the resort remains a nesting site for mother turtles each breeding season. Currently, the sea turtle nesting and hatching season is underway on the island. During their stay, if any turtle nests hatch, guests will be informed if they wish to participate in the baby turtle release.

Waking up early and arriving at the "let's get cracking" turtle hatchery, visitors will learn about the sea turtle life cycle and conservation efforts in Con Dao. Afterwards, guests can closely observe newly hatched turtles, the process of finding individuals still in the sand, and counting eggshells after hatching. All activities are conducted carefully for research and conservation purposes.

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Cuisine in Con Dao. Photo: Booking

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Grilled fermented pork roll in Con Dao. Photo: Booking

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Releasing turtles into the sea. Photo: Booking

As the sun rises, the baby turtles are brought to the beach. Each tiny individual crawls towards the ocean, observed by resort staff and visitors.

According to conservation experts, this might be the last time humans see these hatchlings for many decades. After leaving the beach, they will begin their journey of growth in the ocean. Approximately 25-30 years later, upon reaching maturity, surviving individuals will travel thousands of kilometers to return to their birthplace to nest, guided by Earth's magnetic field.

Con Dao National Park also organizes programs to watch turtles lay eggs or release hatchlings at Hon Bay Canh. Registered visitors will be notified one day in advance and will travel by boat to the islet early in the morning. The baby turtle release tour lasts about four hours, priced from 680,000 to 2,2 million VND. The two-day, one-night turtle egg-laying tour ranges from 2,15 to 5,1 million VND.

"Witnessing the baby turtles slowly crawl towards the sea in the sunrise is a special experience, becoming the most memorable impression of a visitor's 48-hour journey," Sang said.

Additionally, visitors can choose to visit the Con Dao museum, the island lord's house, the Con Dao prison system, Pier 914, Hang Keo cemetery, or Ma Thien Lanh bridge.

11 AM-12 PM: Visitors check out of their hotel and head to the airport or high-speed ferry for their return to TP HCM, concluding a short but experience-rich trip to the "most secret island" in the world.

Phuong Anh