Con Dao National Park is a stunning natural reserve on Con Dao Island, the main island in the Con Dao islands. They lie off the southeast coast of Vietnam in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Encompassing both land and sea, Con Dao National Park is a major attraction on the island. It has a diverse ecosystem that features many species of coral along with sea turtle and the elusive dugong (sea cow).
There are a couple of hikes visitors can do on the island: a two-hour trek goes from the airport through forests and mangroves to Bamboo Lagoon (Dam Tre), where there is good swimming and snorkeling in the bay. A popular alternative to walking back is to organize a boat pick up at this bay. A hike through forest to Ong Dung Bay by way of the Ma Thien Lanh Bridge ruins is also good.
There are several other islands in the to Con Dao chain where boats take tourists to outer islands and deserted beaches, while Con Son town on the main island has accommodation and restaurants.
Getting There & Away
Con Dao National Park is accessible by boat from Vung Tau in 11 hours, although services do not run daily. Helicopter services also leave Vung Tau for Con Dao Island and flights come in from Ho Chi Minh City Airport, the main airport in the region - flight time about one hour.