Have you ever heard of Kondao Island in Vietnam? This is an amazingly beautiful and cozy place where you can spend an unforgettable week or two, relaxing or doing a variety of exotic attractions, of which there are many. And at the same time you can see with your own eyes local attractions. In a word, having been here once, you will never forget these days!
Geographic location
The island of Kondao (Vietnam) is located almost a hundred kilometers from the coast of the country, in the South China Sea. Although such a name was attached to it, in fact Kondao is a small archipelago consisting of sixteen islands.
Their total area is about 76 square kilometers. Moreover, the largest part (51 square kilometers) falls on the share of the largest of the islands - Kon Sean. It was once a prison island, but today it is one of the most popular resorts in Vietnam. Usually tourists, telling that they had a rest on Kondao, have in mind Kon Shon.
Climate
Due to its location, Con Dao pleases tourists with its magnificent warm climate all year round. Throughout the year, the temperature changes quite a bit. True, in winter the amount of rainfall is sharply reduced, but in the summer the probability of spending the whole vacation at the hotel, escaping from heavy tropical rain, is quite high. Tourists should consider this when planning a vacation.
In general, the dry season lasts almost six months - from December to April. It is at this time of year that the largest influx of tourists is observed. Precipitation is almost absent, and the temperature is not too high - suitable for swimming, but still do not have to suffer from the sweltering heat. However, in November you can also visit this island - it does not rain too often and usually lasts only a few hours.
However, some tourists do not come here to swim and sunbathe. For example, have you ever dreamed of seeing thousands of turtles crawling ashore, rushing to lay eggs in sand wet from the tide? Then it is best to visit here from May to October. But for diving, it is advisable to come here from February to July - in these months the waters of the South China Sea are surprisingly clear. At a depth of 20-30 meters, you can easily see any detail.
How to get here?
Many tourists have a question, how to get to Kondao in Vietnam? There are two ways to do this. The fastest - by plane. There is an airport at Kon Shao where planes regularly fly from Kanto, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Moreover, from Ho Chi Minh there are several flights a day. And the cost of the flight is just ridiculous - about $ 35 (or 750 thousand dongs - Vietnamese currency). Planes fly from Kanto and Hanoi 3-4 times a week, depending on the season and the influx of tourists.
From the airport to any hotel you can get a taxi for a fairly small fee - about $ 3.
But if you want to plunge into the atmosphere of Vietnam, it is better to use not a plane, but a ferry. It leaves daily from Vung Tau and goes as long as 12 hours. Yes, quite a while. But such swimming will give unforgettable memories to you and your loved ones. Yes, and it costs quite inexpensively - about $ 10. And you can get to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City, there are usually no problems here.
Condo Hotels
Of course, not the last question that excites tourists is the place where you can live for several days. Fortunately, hotels in Kondao in Vietnam are quite inexpensive, so you don’t have to give astronomical amounts for a modest room.
However, the rooms here are really modest - there is no reason to hope for a chic reception. And even it is advisable to book such rooms with a good supply (for three to four weeks, or better - for a couple of months) or buy ready-made tours from serious travel agencies in order not to be left without housing. Still, there are not too many hotels here, and affordable prices attract a large number of tourists. But today there is an active development here - soon several large hotels will appear on the island. Most likely, after their commissioning, the situation with a lack of places will change dramatically.
Well, today, even if you can’t rent a room, you can spend the night in a tent, in a campsite. Although this is not free, but for a modest fee.
sights
In general, there are not many attractions on the island. One of the most interesting is the old prison. For tourists, they even play theatrical performances, showing the conditions under which people who have transgressed the law or have somehow blamed the powers that be were held. The conditions are truly inhuman - few have stood here for long. Take at least one of the most used punishments. People were planted in shallow pits dug in the ground, and covered with a sheet of iron on top of them. In the sunshine, he quickly heated up, turning the pit into a real branch of hell.
Also left on the island are many interesting buildings built by the French - once this island was their colony. Some of them were built at the end of the nineteenth century - you should definitely look at them, since you decided to visit the island of Kondao in Vietnam, a photo of which is attached to the article.
On this list of attractions ends. However, don’t be afraid that you’ll get bored - there is enough entertainment here.
Beaches
Of course, one of the reasons why Kondao Island in Vietnam receives beautiful reviews from tourists is because of its chic beaches.
Despite the small size of Condao, the number of beaches here is impressive - about twenty. Well, the most popular of them is Ong Dung - primarily because of the white sand. By the way, it is here that turtles get out in the season to lay eggs in the moist sand warmed by the sun. And after some time, tiny turtles hatch from them, hurrying back into the water from all legs. Local authorities are careful to ensure that tourists who decide to admire this spectacle, observe silence, and also do not drink alcohol and tobacco.
The beaches are quite clean - not only representatives of the authorities, but also hoteliers are closely monitoring their condition so as not to scare away picky tourists. Therefore, you can enjoy warm water and hot, clean sand.
What to do here?
Many tourists come here for turtles. Someone - solely because of affordable prices and tasty unusual food. Some like the clear sea and gorgeous beaches. But the list of advantages does not end there.
Also worth noting is the gorgeous wildlife. Almost two thirds of the largest island is occupied by a national park, where a piece of wild, unspoiled nature is preserved. Of course, it is advisable to visit it only with a guide. It is interesting and more secure.
Another reason to visit the island is diving. As mentioned above, in some seasons, visibility in water reaches 20-30 meters. So you can fully enjoy the underwater beauties. And there will be no problems finding equipment - quite a few small companies work here and rent out everything they need. They are suitable for both experienced divers and beginners. You can always get detailed advice from experts who will tell you about all the intricacies of scuba diving. Well, those who prefer to dive without scuba gear, but only with a mask and snorkel, are waiting for snorkeling. Swim among the underwater beauties, chase bright tropical fish, admire the long algae - you will definitely not forget all this!
Fishing enthusiasts will not get bored either. According to local residents, the choice of marine inhabitants is more than anywhere else. Indeed, experienced fishermen say that with luck you can catch a shark here. And near the Nyat beach there are large squids. Want more extreme? You can hunt a sea cow or dugong. But before that, you need to get permission so as not to go for poaching to a local prison. And do not forget - this is a rather dangerous animal, quite capable of standing up for itself.
Reviews from tourists
Most people who have visited the amazing island of Kondao are satisfied with their time. Many note affordable prices, good service and delicious food. Indeed, the cuisine here is largely composed of seafood, so if you like to enjoy squid, shrimp and fish, then a visit to the island will be a good solution. Tourists also note clean beaches with golden and white sand, as well as warm water. Service is at its best - hotel workers are ready to do everything to make their visitors like it and they visit their place again.
Cons usually come down to bad weather. However, tourists are usually to blame here themselves, choosing the wrong time to visit the sunny island. Sometimes poisoning messages flash. But most often this is not due to stale foods - just the food is very specific, not everyone can get used to it. By the way, everyone should take this into account so that the long-awaited vacation is not hopelessly spoiled.
Conclusion
On this, our article about the amazing island of Kondao comes to an end. We hope that you have learned enough from it to become interested in this paradise with unspoilt nature. Perhaps one day you will have the desire and the opportunity to visit it.