Panoramic view of Con Dao Island - A mysterious and captivating island.

Con Dao, also known as Con Lon or Con Son, is an island district belonging to Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. Located about an hour's flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao covers an area of approximately 76 square kilometers and comprises 16 islands of varying sizes with a population of only about 6,000 people. Two prestigious travel magazines, Lonely Planet (Australia) and Travel and Leisure (USA), have once voted Con Dao (Ba Ria – Vung Tau) as the "most mysterious" and "most charming" island on the planet. The editors of these two magazines recognized that Con Dao has undergone a remarkable transformation in just 50 years, from a "hell on earth" before 1975 to a "paradise" for marine ecosystem conservation and a place with many unique island and marine tourism options today.

Panoramic view of Con Dao Island, looking towards the island's administrative center.

Join Vietnam.vn in exploring this enchanting island through the photo series "Panonama of Con Dao - A Mysterious and Charming Island" by author Nguyen Minh Tan. This series was submitted to the Happy Vietnam Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

A panoramic view of the picturesque and peaceful town center of Con Dao.

"Top 10 most charming islands on the planet," "One of the most mysterious islands on the planet" are just some of the accolades that international travel magazines have bestowed upon Con Dao Island… making it a highly attractive destination not only for domestic tourists but also for international visitors.

Hon Ba Island is connected to Con Son Island by Cua Tu.

Hon Cau is a pristine and majestic island in the cluster of islands surrounding Con Dao.

The pristine, picturesque sandy beaches on the small islands surrounding Con Dao are breathtaking.

Dam Tre Bay, located east of Con Dao Island, is full of mystery and charm.

Quang Trung Lake is the reservoir that holds and supplies fresh water to the entire island.

A panoramic view of Be Dam Bay - the harbor for passenger and cargo ships, and also a mooring place for boats to take shelter from storms.

What makes Con Dao so captivating and unforgettable for visitors is its amazing marine life. It's the only place in Vietnam where you can occasionally spot dugongs, a species on the national conservation list, watch turtles lay eggs on Vich Island, or see troops of monkeys perched on the cliffs… The best time to explore Con Dao is from March to September. The weather is quite pleasant during this period; although it's the rainy season, the sea is calm and the rain doesn't last long, making it ideal for water activities. This is also the season when turtles from surrounding waters come to Con Dao to lay eggs. From October to February is the dry season, where you can enjoy abundant sunshine, calm, clear blue seas, and stunning scenery. However, you should avoid the waters around Con Son Bay during this time as there are often large waves due to the influence of the Northeast wind. In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, will continue to be held on the website https://happy.vietnam.vn for all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The contest aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world. Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, and its achievements in ensuring human rights, moving towards a happy Vietnam.

Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values: – 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND – 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND – 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND – 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND – 1 Most Voted entry: 5,000,000 VND. Winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, broadcast live on Vietnam Television.

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