Things to Do in Con Dao Islands
50 curated spots from Con Dao Islands itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Dam Trau Beach
Settle into a sunbed under the trees at Dam Trau, a gorgeous bay with bright sand, clear water, and jungle-covered hills behind; swim, nap, or read while occasional planes land nearby. You can also stroll to the quieter end of the beach for more privacy.
3h · $2-5 (sunbed + drink)
Con Dao Museum
Explore exhibits on the island’s history, from French colonial rule to war-era prisons and natural heritage. Displays are in Vietnamese with some English, but photos and artifacts are self-explanatory.
1h 30m · $2-3
Con Son Town Waterfront Stroll
After the museum and prison, walk the seafront road past colonial-era buildings, the harbor, and small parks. Stop for photos of fishing boats with jungle-covered hills behind them and explore a couple of nearby side streets at your own pace.
45m · Free
Hang Duong Cemetery & Vo Thi Sau Memorial
Walk shaded paths through the cemetery where many prisoners are buried; visit Vo Thi Sau’s grave, often adorned with offerings and incense.
1h · Free
An Hai Beach
Spend the afternoon on an easy beach break with swimming, sand play, and relaxed photos; bring snacks and let the kids decompress after the morning history stop.
2h · Free
Bay Canh Island Boat Trip
Take a boat excursion for snorkeling, clear water, and a true escape into Con Dao’s marine landscape; keep this as the day’s main highlight.
4h · $35-80 per person
Bay Canh Island Turtle Conservation Tour
Take the conservation-focused boat trip for snorkeling, mangrove scenery, and turtle education; if the season and timing align, you may see nesting or hatchling release activity.
4h · $45-90 per person
Coastal Road Ride to Dam Trau Beach
Rent a motorbike or hire a driver in the morning and follow the scenic coastal road past jungle-covered hills and sea cliffs to Dam Trau Beach near the airport (roughly 25–35 minutes). Enjoy the views, stop at small roadside lookouts, and take photos of the wild, undeveloped shorelines.
2h · $6-12 for bike rental or more with driver
Colonial Con Son Walk
Stroll past colonial-era facades, the old customs house area, and the compact town center for architecture, ocean views, and relaxed photography.
1h 30m · Free
Con Dao Market & Seafront Promenade
In the cooler morning, wander the market’s fruit and vegetable aisles, then head a few minutes to the waterfront road to walk under trees with sea views, fishing boats, and jungle hills across the bay. Pick up simple fruit and snacks to carry for the day.
1h 30m · Free (plus any purchases)
Con Dao Museum & Con Dao Prison (Phu Hai / Phu Son)
Visit the small but informative Con Dao Museum first to understand the island’s political prisoner history, then walk to the nearby Phu Hai and Phu Son prison complexes to see cells, the infamous “tiger cages,” and memorial spaces. Dress modestly and move slowly; it’s emotionally heavy.
2h 30m · $2-4 per person
Con Dao Museum and Prison History Cluster
Visit the museum and nearby prison-related sites to understand Con Dao’s history in one compact area before returning to the waterfront.
2h 30m · $2-6 or Free
Con Dao National Park – Ong Dung or So Ray Trail
Enter the national park just outside town and choose an accessible half-day trail like the walk to Ong Dung (forest path down to a rocky bay) or So Ray (old plantation site with viewpoints). Bring water, good shoes, and insect repellent; walk at a comfortable pace and enjoy dense forest, birds, and distant sea views.
3h · $3-5 per person (park fee/permit)
Con Dao National Park – Ong Dung Trail
Take a short, family-friendly jungle hike along a marked trail through thick forest down to the rocky bay of Ong Dung, where you can look for monitor lizards, giant squirrels, and coastal views; bring water and reef-safe sunscreen.
2h 30m · $3-5 park entry per person
Con Dao National Park Environmental Education Center
Browse small exhibits about local wildlife, coral reefs, and conservation projects; staff (when present) can sometimes explain turtle protection and recommend suitable family trails.
1h · Free or small donation
Con Dao National Park Headquarters Trails
Head to the park area for an easy jungle walk, looking for dense canopy, birds, butterflies, and the island’s wild interior feel.
2h 30m · $1-4
Con Dao National Park Visitor Center
Stop at the park office for trail info, simple exhibits on local wildlife, and up‑to‑date advice on conditions and closures.
45m · $1-3
Con Dao National Park Visitor Center & Short Nature Trail
Drop by the visitor center near town to see displays on local flora and fauna, then walk one of the short signed paths through secondary forest.
2h · $2-4
Con Dao Prison (Phu Hai) – Gentle Family Visit
Tour the main prison complex at a relaxed pace, focusing on open courtyards and lighter exhibits; explain the history in age-appropriate terms for your 12-year-old and skip the most graphic rooms if needed.
1h 30m · $2-4 per person
Con Dao Prison & Phu Hai Prison Complex
Explore the main prison museum and nearby Phu Hai complex, including cells, exhibits, and courtyards explaining the French colonial and later prison eras. The atmosphere is heavy but very important historically; move at your own pace and take time in the shaded courtyards if it feels intense.
1h 30m · $3-5
Con Dao Prison Complex
Visit the main historical site for a concise, family-friendly introduction to the island’s past; keep it short and focus on the key exhibits.
1h 30m · Free or low entry fee
Con Dao Prison Complex (Phu Hai & French Tiger Cages)
Visit the preserved prison blocks, cells, and infamous ‘tiger cages’ used by the French. Walk through at your own pace, reading signs and reflecting in the courtyards.
2h · $3-5
Con Dao Prison Museum (Phu Hai Prison)
Visit the preserved prison complex, cells, and exhibits explaining the island’s history as a place of incarceration during French and later regimes.
2h · $2-4
Con Dao Prison Sites
Visit the major prison memorial sites to understand the island’s past, then leave time afterward for a quiet café stop or a slow return to the hotel.
2h 30m · $2-6
Con Son Bay Boat Trip (Cau Island & Con Son Bay)
Join a simple half-day boat outing from Con Son pier that cruises the bay and stops at nearby islets like Cau Island for snorkeling and swimming (mask and life jackets usually provided). Check weather the day before and bring sun protection and a dry bag.
3h · $20-35 per person
Con Son Market Browse
Walk the market for tropical fruit, snacks, local produce, and a feel for daily island life; focus on fresh items rather than packaged foods with unclear ingredients.
1h · Free
Con Son Market Morning Stroll
Walk through the covered market and surrounding streets to see daily island life; browse fruit stalls, fishermen’s catches, and small produce vendors. Stick to whole fruits (mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, bananas) and sealed snacks if you want a light halal snack. Great for casual street photography with a jungle backdrop and distant hills.
1h · Free (plus any snacks you buy)
Con Son Market Waterfront Stroll
Wrap up with a low-key walk around the waterfront and market area for snacks, local atmosphere, and a final look at island life.
1h 30m · Free
Con Son Seafront Promenade Walk
Take an easy romantic walk along the nearly traffic-free seafront, pausing for colonial-era buildings, ocean views, and shaded benches.
1h 30m · Free
Con Son Town Free Explore
Wander the small grid of streets around the market and seafront—peek into fruit stalls, simple shops, and old villas with jungle‑covered hills in the background.
2h · Free (plus any snacks/souvenirs)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Infiniti Cafe & Resto
Cozy garden-style café with plants and wood decor a few minutes from the seafront. For halal: stick to vegetarian or seafood options like the vegetable omelet (ask for no ham), fresh fruit plate, Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, and any fish or shrimp dishes cooked without alcohol or pork; clearly request no pork, no lard, and no alcohol in preparation.
1h · $5-10 per person
Poulo Condor Boutique Resort Restaurant
Leafy, garden-wrapped restaurant inside Poulo Condor overlooking the jungle-backed coast; ask in advance for halal-friendly options like vegetable pho without meat broth, omelettes cooked in vegetable oil, fresh fruit platters, salads, and grilled local fish prepared separately from pork.
1h · $10-18 per person
Bar 200 Con Dao (Halal-Friendly Choice)
Casual, greenery-framed spot in town; while not certified halal, they can prepare fish and vegetarian dishes separately—order Margherita or vegetarian pizza without meat, plain fries, salads without bacon, and grilled fish cooked in a clean pan with vegetable oil and no alcohol, clearly stating your dietary needs.
1h · $8-15 per person
Bar 200 Con Dao (Light Lunch)
Stop again for a simple lunch; stick to your confirmed halal-friendly choices like vegetarian pizza, fries, salads without meat, and smoothies without alcohol or gelatin.
1h · $8-15 per person
Bar200 Con Dao (Farewell Lunch)
Return for a final vegetarian-friendly meal: order meat-free pasta or rice dishes, salads, and a smoothie or juice; specify clearly that you do not eat pork or alcohol and choose only vegetarian items.
1h · $8-14 per person
Bar200 Con Dao (for Breakfast & Smoothies)
Casual café-bar on the edge of town, with indoor plants and wooden décor. Halal-friendly options: order vegetarian choices such as pancakes without bacon, vegetable omelette, fruit bowl, juices and smoothies; explicitly mention you do not eat pork or alcohol and choose dishes without meat to stay safely within halal boundaries.
1h · $6-10 per person
Bar200 Con Dao (Seafood & Veg Options Only)
Laid-back spot with lots of greenery, wooden furniture, and a casual backpacker vibe. They serve Western and Vietnamese dishes; for halal, focus on vegetarian pizza (ask for no meat, no alcohol-based sauce), veggie burgers if patty ingredients are acceptable, or grilled fish/seafood plates without alcohol or pork products. Confirm they cook your food separately from pork items as much as possible.
1h 30m · $10-18 per person
Bar200 Con Dao (Vegetarian Pizza & Pasta Focus)
Popular traveler hangout with a relaxed, semi-open setting, plants, and wooden furniture. While not a halal restaurant, you can safely choose meat-free options like Margherita or vegetable pizzas (request no pork, no alcohol-based ingredients), vegetarian pasta with tomato or pesto, fries, salads, and soft drinks; avoid all meat and alcohol-based dishes and ask for a clean pan for your order.
1h 15m · $8-15 per person
Cafe Con Son
Simple café with greenery and street views. Have Vietnamese coffee, fresh coconut, and light options like fruit, yogurt, and toast; confirm no lard or pork products in any pastries you choose.
45m · $4-8 per person
Cafe Infinity Con Dao (Halal-Friendly Options)
Casual cafe near the seafront with a leafy, relaxed feel. For halal: stick to vegetarian options like fresh fruit plates, banh mi with egg and vegetables (no meat, no pâté), pancakes or toast with jam, salads, and iced coffee or juices; politely confirm no alcohol or pork fat is used in your food.
1h · $4-8 per person
Cay Bang Restaurant
Order grilled shrimp, fish, sautéed vegetables, and rice; ask for halal-safe preparation and avoid any mixed dishes unless ingredients are fully confirmed.
1h 15m · $14-24 per person
Co Ba Con Dao
Choose seafood soup, grilled fish, vegetable dishes, and plain rice; ask the kitchen to keep everything halal-compatible with no pork, no lard, and no shared pork wok if avoidable.
1h 15m · $8-16 per person
Co Minh Restaurant
Order egg banh mi only if the kitchen can prepare it without pork, or choose plain rice noodles with seafood, fruit, and Vietnamese iced coffee; ask staff to confirm halal-safe ingredients.
45m · $5-10 per person
Cochin Kitchen Con Dao
Choose seafood pasta only if the kitchen can confirm no pork or alcohol in sauces, or stick to grilled fish, vegetables, and rice with a simple citrus dressing.
1h 20m · $16-28 per person
Con Dao Breakfast House
Choose fruit, eggs, plain toast, and tea or coffee; confirm the kitchen can keep the meal free of pork products.
45m · $6-12 per person
Con Dao Resort Beachfront Restaurant
Eat at the open, garden-like beachfront area; order steamed or grilled fish, stir-fried morning glory with garlic (check they use vegetable oil), plain rice, and simple omelettes, making it clear you do not eat pork or alcohol-based sauces.
1h 15m · $10-20 per person
Con Dao Resort Breakfast Buffet
If staying here or nearby, use the resort buffet and stick to halal-friendly items such as fresh fruit, bread, eggs cooked to order in vegetable oil, and plain rice; verify ingredients of any soups or curries before trying.
45m · $8-12 per person
Con Dao Resort or Tan Son Nhat Con Dao Restaurant
Have a low-key dinner at your hotel; select grilled or steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, omelettes, and rice, confirming again: no pork, no lard, and no alcohol-based sauces in your dishes.
1h · $10-18 per person
Con Dao Sea Restaurant
Seafood-focused restaurant facing the sea with open sides and potted plants. Halal-friendly options: steamed or grilled fish, boiled prawns, vegetable hotpot with tofu (no meat stock), rice; be clear about no pork, no alcohol, and request separate oil and pans.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
Con Son Green Garden Restaurant
Order vegetable dishes, grilled fish, rice, and fresh fruit; ask the kitchen to keep everything halal-safe and avoid pork-based seasoning.
1h 15m · $14-24 per personMore on Con Dao Islands
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