CON DAO
OVERVIEW |
The Con Dao Islands are an archipelago of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, in southeastern Vietnam, and a district of this province. Situated at about 185 km from Vung Tau and 230 km from Ho-Chi-Minh City, the islands comprise of 16 mountainous islands and islets. The total land area reaches 75,15 km² and the local population is about 5000 inhabitants.
In 16 June 1702, British East India Company founded a settlement on the island of Pulo Condor off the south coast of southern Vietnam , and in 2 March 1705 the garrison and settlement were destroyed. The largest island is Con Son Island (also known as Con Lon Island), famous for its prison built by the French colonial government.
Con Dao was recognized as a nature reserve in 1984 and a national park in 1993. The total protected area of the park is 20,000ha, including 14,000ha of sea and 6,000ha of forest on 14 islands. There is also a buffer zone that is 20,500ha wide. Con Dao National Park encompasses oceanic and coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, coral reefs and sea grasslands. Over 1,300 species of sea animals have been identified here. The park is the most important egg-laying area in Vietnam for sea turtles. The island also has many precious animals, the most important being dugong (called "sea cows" by locals). Between late 1996 and early 1997, officials at the park counted 10 dugong in the sea surrounding the island. With high oceanic biodiversity, Con Dao is classified as one of the areas given optimum priority in the world's system of oceanic reserves.
Some of those beaches include Dam Trau, Hang Duong and Phi Yen where visitors can relax and enjoy the warm temperature. The ocean around Con Dao Island is a heaven for sea life and the splendid forest cloaks the land. This is ecotourism at its best. Clean, smooth sand banks, blue sea, dolphins jumping and racing after boats, tropical almond trees swinging in a cool sea breeze, peaceful narrow roads, and forest covering most of the island, make Con Dao seem like heaven to visitors from far and wide.
Con Dao is one of the few places in Vietnam that is home to rare dugong, sea turtles, and dolphins, and to varieties of orchids found nowhere else in the country. In addition, the island has large and diverse coral reefs comparable to the most famous ecotourism spots in the region. This peaceful island district has 5,000 people whom nature seems to have created with kind hearted and generous characters and adventurous enough to choose the remote island as their home. Visitors will arrive there to enjoy themselves in an intact natural environment and have a good time with dugong, sea turtles and dolphins playing freely around the island paradise.
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CON DAO TRAVEL TIPS |
Climate
Con Dao is located at a point where cool and warm ocean currents converge and create a localised climatic system. From June to September, frequent fierce squalls buffet the west facing aspects of the islands whilst the east is sheltered. In September, the currents and winds reverse thus exposing the east of the islands to bad weather until January. The weather is calm all over the archipelago during the remainder of the year.
This unusual weather pattern allows swimming, snorkelling and diving to be an all-year-round activity.
Facilities
The accommodation is basic and limited - the best hotel on the island is lower than our ‘local’ standard. Saigon Con Dao Resort seems the best in this remote area.
Scuba diving in Con Dao
The pristine beaches, a teaming and exotic marine life, green primitive forests and a rich cultural history, Con Dao has much to offer travellers who venture to his enchanting and undiscovered region in Vietnam. The scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing on Con Dao Island are luring an increasing number of local and foreign tourists.
The first PADI Five Star Centre on Con Dao in June 2004 and is the only dive operator located on the island. Con Dao remains largely undiscovered and there are hundreds of dive sites still waiting to be explored.
Con Dao's sea grass meadows support a small population of globally endangered Dugong. These large mammals can weigh up to 400kg and require 25kg of sea grass daily to survive, but despite their size they are slow and gentle in the water. Resident dolphins can also be found playing in the surrounding water and each year thousands of Hawksbill and Green Turtles return to the island for nesting. The turtles are considered endangered in Vietnam and since 1995 the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been working with local park rangers on a long-term conservation project. Visitors can spend a quiet but fascinating night watching turtles come ashore leaving their distinctive tracks on the sand. The turtles nest all year round but the peak season is from June to September.
Resources
Con Dao has significant value for many types of conservation and eco-friendly tourism development. Five-star PADI scuba diving will soon be available: there are several outstanding dive sites offering sightings of dolphins, turtles and dugong as well as a wide range of other species. Con Dao is definitely a place for nature lovers, but also an opportunity to visit an unspoilt tropical island before development. There is little doubt that it will soon become a popular destination, so if you want peace and solitude in a pristine setting, now’s the time to go. |
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GETTING IN - OUT
CON DAO |
+ The fast boat service linking Vung Tau with Con Lon was established last year, and in May 2004. The journey takes around twelve hours from Vung Tau to Con Dao archipelago. The boat departs at 17:00 at Cat Lo Vung Tau Harbour and arrives at Con Dao archipelago around 5:00. Call: 064.838684 to know schedule and book ticket
+ The helicopter departs at 8:00 on Monday, Thursday, Saturday at Vung Tau airport and Arrive in about 1 hour later. Call: 064.848484 or 064.856100
+ The plane daily departs at Tan Son Nhat airport and arrives after 55 minute flight. Call: 9052818 or 0988846440.
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GETTING AROUND
CON DAO |
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There are no taxis on the islands, and virtually no ‘xe oms’ (motorbike taxis). However, it’s easy to hire a small motorbike to get around the island. Prices are somewhat higher than on the mainland.
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CON DAO FOODS |
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ENTERTAINMENT |
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