Local life

Con Dao is not only about its profound history and stunning natural surroundings. A large part of the island is the peaceful local life and we endeavor to explore as much of this as we can. The landscape in this small town is very special with one side is the blue ocean vista view and the other side is the architecture from the French colonial era bearing the Western mark. One of the first things visitors will feel when arriving in Con Dao is the serenity, freshness, and openness of local life here. Not noisy, bustling, and bustling like the city, the rhythm of life in the small island goes on smoothly, leisurely, suitable for vacations and exploring nature. There is very little traffic in this town, so visitors can walk to experience a peaceful place.

For those looking to discover the island and find out what Con Dao life is all about it is recommended to take a local life tour. Travel through the island exploring the narrow back roads, small local dwellings, and agricultural plots peppered with livestock. The feature of this land is the age-old green Indian-almond trees (“Bang” trees) recognized as “heritage trees” presenting on quiet street corners of the island. During your tour visit the Ben Dam Harbor where the majority of Con Dao’s catch and all-island suppliers are brought in, and soak up the atmosphere at the daily market as the locals purchase the exotic fresh produce on offer.; Van Son Tu Pagoda where you can walk the 170 steps to the islands only pagoda and the Phi Yen Temple where the local Vietnamese pay their respects to the former wife of Emperor Nguyen Anh.

During your Con Dao discovery stop for some stunning photo opportunities at Nhat Beach and Shark Cape during sunset hours.

At night, you can wander on Tran Huy Lieu street, swoop into a grilled seafood restaurant, sip the sweetness of the sea that has settled in every fish, crab, crab, squid, snail… while enjoying the cool sea breeze and watching the deep, whispering night sea. Another option for visitors is night squid fishing at Tau Be Cape, or watching turtles lay on Bay Canh Island…

At the end of your tour, enjoying a local Vietnamese coffee at Café Ba Lê and chatting with Con Dao people about life on the island from a local perspective.

Perhaps living in a peaceful place, the islanders are also very friendly and gentle. The warmth, closeness, and intimacy in the local people’s lives and daily behavior make visitors feel like they are at home.