Kai Reisen: Con Son

Con Son Vietnam

South of the mainland, the idyllic Con Dao Islands of Vietnam, with about 6,000 inhabitants, are the perfect ocean antidote to the feverish energy and heavy pollution that characterize the country’s megacities. For decades, the main settlement of Con Son was used by the French and Americans as a penitentiary center for anti‑regime activists and criminals. Many of those prisons are today chilling points of interest. History aside, Con Dao is blessed with breathtaking beaches and rich coral reefs that offer some of Vietnam’s finest scenery. The islands have been declared a national park and offer rewarding excursions into rainforests and remote bays. The tiny capital of the islands is a delight to explore on foot, with streets almost free of traffic, a couple of traffic lights (that don’t work), and a solitary gas station (which closes at siesta time). It is Vietnam in slow motion. Start with a morning stroll along the village’s spectacular waterfront promenade, with the turquoise ocean on one side and, on the other, an ocher row of beautiful French colonial villas. You’ll pass the old French customs house, where Camille Saint‑Saëns composed his opera "Brunehilda" in 1895. Then visit Con Son Market for a local breakfast of rice porridge or noodles and Vietnamese coffee, thick as molasses and slow‑dripping. If you’re more in the mood for a cappuccino and an omelet, head to Infiniti Cafe & Lounge, a bohemian spot with a great street‑side terrace. To get an overview of the islands, their natural environment (the Con Dao are important sea‑turtle nesting grounds and home to 11 endemic tree species), and their role as a concentration camp, visit the modern Con Son Museum, which prepares visitors for the prison circuit. It’s a good idea to head to the beach and switch gears. Ride a scooter north across the island, passing high granite hills and fishermen’s houses draped in wild bougainvillea. On a corner of the coast, near the airport and flanked by rocky headlands, lies Dam Trau Cove, with fine pale sand, fringed by casuarina and pandanus trees. Along the shore, a few simple eateries serve fresh seafood, with especially tasty crab. On the way back, you can stop at the ultra‑luxurious Six Senses resort (where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stayed in 2011), which occupies a stunning, secluded beach, for a drink or a gourmet dinner. Another option is to dine at Thu Ba, a family‑run restaurant in Con Son that serves excellent Vietnamese dishes and plenty of vegetarian options. The English‑speaking owner guides diners through the menu and offers suggestions.

Recommended airport

Co Ong Airport (VCS)

Nearby destinations

Con Dao a 5.65 km

Con Son, Vietnam

Con Son Vietnam