(TITC) - According to Travel Specialists of Condé Nast Traveler, Island vacations are the ideal travel for a classic summer getaway or escape from winter blues. The list of the best island vacations to take this year of Cat, ranging from classics in the Caribbean and Mediterranean to relatively undiscovered gems in Scandinavia and French Polynesia, including Con Dao Island of Vietnam, a perfect destination for geographical and cultural diversity.
Con Dao – an archipelago of 16 islands off the coast of Vung Tau – comprises protected, biodiverse areas. Con Son, the archipelago’s biggest island, has had many names. The famous Italian explorer Marco Polo called it Sondur and Condur in 1292, while the French colonialists referred to it as Grande-Condore. Its charming town features a lovely beachfront promenade, and gorgeous seaside scenery.
From Con Son, Con Dao’s other islands are just a boat ride away. To explore some of the best coral reefs in Vietnam, book a snorkelling trip to Tai Islet, Bay Canh Islet or Cau Islet. During turtle-breeding season, most visitors head to Bay Canh Islet, to see Vietnam’s turtle-conservation efforts in action.
Since it has very little commercial development, the island owns quiet beaches and the few resort options allow for a special retreat.
Best things to do in Con Dao include watching the turtles hatch. During the breeding season (April−October), visitors can watch this natural marvel, and even help release tiny hatchlings into the sea. Wish them luck (and a long life) as they bravely enter the big blue beyond.
For history lovers, a visit to the Con Dao Prison Relic serves as a reminder of the horrors of war. Prisoners were held in such appalling conditions in this so-called “Hell on Earth”. Learn more about the island’s centuries-old history at the Con Dao Museum, where over 2,000 photos and artefacts reveal Con Dao’s past. Visiting Con Dao’s former prison is a sobering experience. Other places namely Hang Duong Cemetery, Van Son Pagoda and An Son Temple.
Eagletree (or Bang tree) is a specialty of Con Dao
Monkey at Van Son Pagoda
Visitors can reach the island by commercial flights from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Tourism Information Technology Centre