Con Dao Islands

The Con Dao Islands are an archipelago of 16 islands off the southeastern coast of Vietnam, about 230 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, administered as Con Dao District of Ho Chi Minh City. Centered on Con Son Island, the archipelago is known for Con Dao National Park, pristine beaches, coral reefs, and well-preserved French-era prison sites. It combines marine nature reserve, historical memorials, and beach tourism within a protected island environment.

Visitors can expect a remote island archipelago centered on Con Son Island with forested hills, clear-water beaches, coral reefs and small fishing settlements. Areas to explore include Con Dao National Park with hiking trails and mangroves, beaches such as Dam Trau, An Hai and Lo Voi, offshore islets for snorkeling and diving, and preserved prison complexes, museums and cemeteries. Services are concentrated in Con Son town with resorts, restaurants, dive centers and boat piers for island-hopping and seasonal turtle-watching tours.

The islands were developed as a penal colony during the French colonial period from 1862, with a system of prisons including Phu Hai and Phu Tuong later used through subsequent periods. The prison complexes, now preserved as relics, and Hang Duong Cemetery are maintained as historical memorial sites documenting the islands' use as a place of detention.

The islands hold significance for marine conservation culture centered on sea turtle protection, traditional fishing communities, and memorial practices at historical sites and temples such as An Son Temple and Phi Yen Temple. Con Dao National Park is recognized for biodiversity conservation and environmental education.