Con Dao Travel Guide
Travel to Con Dao - Reefs and Dugongs
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About 180km from Vung Tau, the remote Con Dao group of islands are surrounded by more than 20 beaches with soft sands, primitive forests and coral reefs offering opportunities to discover its wonderful marine life. Most of the archipelago is now a National Park and is considered one of the best examples of marine conservation in Vietnam with regulations to limit fishing activities and prohibit destructive fishing. Now over a thousand hectares of Con Dao National Park's coral reefs survive in the shallow waters and its entire marine area is rich in biodiversity with over 1,300 species of sea animals, and in particular rare species such as the hawksbill and green turtles, and dugong, the strange creatures popularly known as ‘sea cows’. Perfect for those seeking relaxation.
Once known as ‘Poulo Condor’, Con Son is the largest island in the archipelago and was the location for the infamous Con Son prison complex which was established by the French colonial authority early in the nineteenth century. The French colonial administration, followed by the Saigon government, incarcerated political prisoners in brutal conditions up to as recently as 1975. The Hang Duong cemetery holds the remains of the many prisoners that died there.
Since 1975, a small town has developed around the old penal colony complex and the National Park was established in 1977, initially protecting flora and fauna on land but now covering fourteen of the sixteen islands and their surrounding marine areas.
Attractions in Con Dao
There are good hiking and trekking opportunities on the main island and whilst there are no organised water sports, there are opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling. There are some good beaches on Con Son which can be reached on foot as well as many secluded beaches on the on the other islands.
Activities in Con Dao
The island is best known for its diving and beaches, however walks through the islands forest are rewarding too. Allow a week if you can to relax fully, do some diving and walking.
Relaxing
Hire a motorbike and visit the superb beaches further afield on Con Son.
Getting Around
A fast boat service links Vung Tau with Con Lon alternatively there is a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao. There are no taxis on the islands, and virtually no xe om motorbike taxis, however, it’s easy to hire a small motorbike to get around the island – take care as roads are generally poor.
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