New Zealand reporter shares travel experiences on Con Dao Island

According to Atkinson, from the late 19th century to 1975, the strikingly beautiful destination was viewed as hell on earth due to the extremely harsh conditions imposed on political prisoners, particularly those incarcerated during French colonial rule.

He suggested that visitors pay a visit to Con Dao Museum to gain a comprehensive overview of this tragic period in the island’s history.

“With minimal traffic, Con Dao island is one of the best places in Vietnam to ride a scooters. Sweeping coastal roads are shadowed by forested peaks, and trailheads lead to remote beaches,” the reporter noted.

Atkinson added that most guesthouses and hotels are able to arrange speedboat and snorkeling trips to Con Dao’s smaller islands, with March to September being the best time to go diving with the Con Dao Dive Centre.

Furthermore, according to the New Zealand reporter, visitors should not miss out on sampling some of the delicious food on offer on the island, with Con Son town’s covered central market being the best place for breakfast.

“Begin the day with banh tieu (Vietnamese doughnuts) and an iced coffee, or get your noodle fix with bun thit nuong (grilled pork and vermicelli) crammed with fresh herbs,” he stressed.

“Sizzling steak and egg platters served with a crunchy baguette offer good sustenance if you’re going hiking, and there are also banh mi sandwiches to take away,” Atkinson added.

For those looking to enjoy a lighter meal, Atkinson recommended Chay’s Day Vegetarian Kitchen that is a simple place serving up meat-free renditions of Vietnamese classics such as pho (noodle soup), spring rolls, and banh xeo savoury pancakes.

“For fresh Con Dao seafood, head along for hot pot at Thu Ba,” he concluded.