Revealing 3 little-known Con Dao experiences not for those in a hurry

When it comes to Con Dao tourism, many people often think of the wild beauty or historical relics. But for me, the journey to Con Dao is also a series of unexpected experiences: diving in the middle of the ocean to see the wreck of a warship, staying up all night to watch turtles lay eggs, or trekking through the mangrove forest. Each moment has its own unique emotions - both rustic and exciting. If you are looking for a new and different perspective on Con Dao, the experiences below may make you exclaim: "I didn't expect Con Dao to be like that!"

Việt Nam•03/07/2025

Diving Con Dao: Touching history through the wreck of the LCM-8

Experience diving in Con Dao to approach the wreck of the LCM-8 warship under the deep sea. (Photo: Le Ho Uy Di)

If someone asked me what I would remember most about my trip to Con Dao, the answer would not be the sunset or the sunrise, but the feeling of diving in the deep blue water and facing a part of historical memory – the wreck of the LCM-8 ship.
The LCM-8 was once an American warship, sunk by a violent storm. Now, the ship lies forever at the bottom of Con Dao sea, as a symbol of an unforgettable past. When I dived down to the wreck, the feeling was hard to describe: emotional, curious and somewhat respectful. The ship was covered with coral and fish swimming around the old iron frame – a scene that was both wild and magical.
I learned to dive in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, but the experience in Con Dao gave me the feeling of “diving with emotions”. It is not simply diving, but discovering a story that lies quietly under the ocean.

Watching turtles lay eggs at Hon Bay Canh – Witnessing the miracle of nature

Mother turtles are laying eggs on the sand at Hon Bay Canh – One of the unique ecological destinations of Con Dao tourism. (Photo: Con Dao National Park)

I still remember that night clearly – a special night at Hon Bay Canh, which is considered the largest sea turtle conservation area in Vietnam. Thanks to “luck”, I was able to witness both processes: the mother turtle laying eggs and the baby turtles returning to the sea. My memories of Hon Bay Canh are of a cool night, the sound of gentle waves and the flashlight guiding the way to the place where nature created a miracle of encountering the mother turtle laying eggs.
Hon Bay Canh is the second largest island in Con Dao, with an area of about 683 hectares. The name "Bay Canh" comes from the shape of the island - like a polygon surrounded by seven sandy beaches. This is home to the largest sea turtle conservation area in Vietnam, part of Con Dao National Park. Visitors wishing to participate must apply for a permit in advance (free of charge, valid until 5pm the following day).
The trip started with a 45-minute speedboat ride, then I walked about 700m along the trail through the mangrove forest, past unique trees such as mangroves, cypresses, lime trees, and guava trees. When I arrived at the ranger station, I registered to stay for one night only - because according to regulations, only 24 people/night are allowed to stay so as not to affect the turtle's habitat.
When the mother turtle starts digging the nest, the light is limited to a red flashlight. The turtle uses its hind legs to dig a hole about 60cm deep, then gently lays each pure white egg. After covering the nest, the turtle also "camouflages" by digging more fake holes, erasing the traces. When the turtle leaves, the rangers and I collect the eggs and bring them back to the nest to incubate.
Here’s an interesting detail: to balance the genders of the baby turtles, half the eggs are incubated in bright light, the other half in the shade. After 45–60 days, the turtles hatch and are released into the sea. Each release is done early in the morning, when the tide is high and the sun is not yet strong – the light will disorient the baby turtles.
The moment I saw each tiny turtle, struggling to crawl towards the sea, my heart sank with emotion. I heard that only 1/1000 survive to adulthood, and if they do, they will return to the exact place where they were born to lay eggs after 30 years. A life cycle full of instinct and wonder.

Trekking Con Dao – One hour walk, thousands of shades of green in your eyes

The forest trail in Con Dao is green, pristine and easy to walk even for new trekkers. (Photo: Le Ho Uy Di)

Con Dao is not only about the sea. I discovered that when I tried trekking through the forest in Con Dao National Park - a short route, only about an hour of walking but extremely impressive. And not everyone knows about this extremely ideal trekking route, especially suitable for beginners. I once spent a morning trying the short route in the Nui Chua area, in Con Dao National Park and was completely surprised.
The journey begins with a tree-lined path, not too steep, leading through the mangrove forest - where you will clearly see each layer of typical vegetation such as guava, banyan, parasol... An hour of walking is not tiring but very relaxing. I went in the dry season, it did not rain, dry leaves rustled under my feet, the air was so cool and fresh that I felt... not wanting to breathe too hard for fear of disturbing nature. The destination is a small bay - an area that allows you to see the whole view of the northeastern bay of Con Dao - where the blue sky, sea and forest blend together, creating a picture without filters that makes me just want to sit still for a long time.
After trekking, I continued to sit on a boat along the island, relaxing and watching the purple sunset on the sea, ending a day with all the emotions: discovery, peace and gratitude. Con Dao tourism is not too noisy, not as bustling as other destinations. But in return, every breath of this place carries the pristine, pure and sincere.
I have been to many places, but Con Dao left a strange impression. Perhaps because this place combines both natural beauty and historical depth, tranquility and moments of “touching” the real life of an island.
Whether you are an explorer like me, or just looking for a peaceful place to rest, Con Dao experiences will always have their own way to touch your emotions – through the blue water, a shipwreck, the footsteps of baby turtles, or simply the sunset seen from the boat. More than just a tourist island, Con Dao is an emotional land for each person to write their own story.
P/S: From July 1, 2025, Ba Ria - Vung Tau officially merged into Ho Chi Minh City. This makes the Con Dao travel itinerary more special than ever. If you are still hesitating to plan, now is the ideal time to pack your backpack and explore a completely different Con Dao, right in the heart of the new "super city"!