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Côn Sơn Island

Island

Part of the Con Dao archipelago, Côn Sơn Island combines sandy bays, marine reserves and the notorious Con Dao prison complex; visitors dive, track nesting sea turtles and visit wartime memorials.

Côn Sơn Island HanoiHo Chi Minh CityHa Long BayHoi AnDa NangHueSa PaNha TrangDa LatPhu QuocCôn Sơn Island
In this guide

Côn Sơn Island essentials

Country: Vietnam
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Dong (₫)
Language: Vietnamese
Emergency: 03

Côn Sơn Island at a Glance

About Côn Sơn Island

Côn Sơn Island is the largest island in the Côn Đảo archipelago off the southern coast of Vietnam and serves as the administrative and transport centre for the island group. The island combines historical sites, beaches and protected natural areas and is the primary base for visitors to the archipelago.

The island contains former prison facilities that were used during French colonial rule and later periods; these sites are interpreted today as part of the island’s historical heritage. The archipelago also includes Con Dao National Park, which protects terrestrial forest and surrounding marine habitats and supports coral reefs and nesting sea turtles.

Tourism on the island focuses on historical interpretation, nature-based activities such as snorkeling and hiking, and visits to beaches and viewpoints. The island has ferry and small-airport links to the Vietnamese mainland and serves as the gateway for visitors to the smaller islands of the group.

Côn Sơn lies off the southern Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea; administratively it is part of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu province for transport links though the islands are often referenced in connection with Ho Chi Minh City as the nearest major urban centre to the northwest.

  • Principal island: The island is the largest and principal inhabited island of the Côn Đảo archipelago and contains the chief town and main transport links for the group.
  • History and nature: The island is known for a combination of historical sites related to its prison system and protected natural areas including beaches and reef habitats.

What to See#

  • Côn Sơn prison area: Historic prison sites and memorials provide information about the French colonial and later South Vietnamese-era prisons that operated on the island.
  • Con Dao National Park: Con Dao National Park protects terrestrial and marine habitats around the islands and includes coral reefs, beaches and forested hills used for hiking and wildlife observation.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Côn Sơn Island

Visit during the dry season for reliable boat crossings and clearer skies; ferry services from the mainland are more frequent then.

Dry season
November-April · 24-31°C
Calmer seas and sunnier days; best for beach time and boat trips.
Green season
May-October · 25-32°C
Higher chance of showers and rougher seas, but the island is lush and quieter.

Weather & Climate near Côn Sơn Island

Climate

Côn Sơn Island's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2066 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 48 Good
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 23° - 27° 25° 19 mm overcast 86% 3.2 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.6h
February Excellent 23° - 28° 26° 4 mm partly cloudy 85% 3.3 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.7h
March Ideal 24° - 30° 27° 9 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.1 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 25° - 31° 32° 43 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.3 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.2h
May Acceptable 25° - 31° 33° 224 mm overcast 81% 2.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.4h
June Good 25° - 30° 32° 303 mm overcast 82% 2.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.5h
July Good 25° - 30° 31° 264 mm overcast 82% 2.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
August Good 25° - 30° 31° 326 mm overcast 83% 2.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.3h
September Good 25° - 30° 30° 330 mm overcast 82% 1.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.1h
October Good 24° - 29° 27° 295 mm overcast 82% 2.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
November Good 24° - 29° 26° 190 mm overcast 85% 2.7 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
December Very Good 23° - 28° 26° 59 mm overcast 85% 2.9 m/s 1.8 very high 11.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Côn Sơn Island

Con Dao Airport (VCS) receives daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) and occasionally from Can Tho; flight time from HCMC is about 45-50 minutes. There are also overnight ferries from Vũng Tàu or Sóc Trăng, but crossings can be rough and weather-dependent. From the airport, taxis and hotel transfers reach main villages in under 30 minutes.

Tips for Visiting Côn Sơn Island

  • Book flights to Con Dao (VCS) well in advance - seats sell out around national holidays.
  • Visit the Côn Sơn Prison Museum early in the morning to avoid heat and crowds; bring respectful clothing when entering memorial zones.
  • Rent a motorbike or arrange a car with a local driver to reach isolated beaches and inland trails; road signage can be sparse.