Con Son
Con Son at a Glance
Costs: Moderate to slightly expensive island prices - expect $50-120/day; island prices higher than mainland Vietnam.
Safety: Relatively safe for tourists - generally safe; standard tropical-island precautions for storms and marine conditions.
Best Time: Dry season (spring-summer) - march-September for dry weather, calm seas and diving.
Why Visit Con Son?
On Côn Sơn Island, visitors come for a mix of historical reflection and marine nature that’s rare in Vietnam. The Côn Đảo Prison complex offers a sobering look at the country’s past, while surrounding coral reefs, clear beaches and seasonal turtle nesting provide memorable wildlife encounters. Fresh seafood and relaxed island rhythms round out the experience for those seeking both history and natural beauty.
Best Things to Do in Con Son
Con Son Bucket List
Don't Miss
Côn Đảo Prison Museum - Former penal colony with exhibits on prisoner history and preserved cells.
Dam Trau Beach - Long sandy beach with clear water, popular for swimming and relaxing days.
Con Dao National Park - Protected marine and forest habitats offering snorkeling, hiking trails, and turtle nesting.
Hidden Gems
Hàng Dương Cemetery - Quiet cemetery with wartime graves and memorials, offering historical reflection.
Con Son night market - Evening market selling fresh seafood, grilled skewers, and local souvenir stalls.
Small fishing hamlets - Nearby coastal villages where fishermen sell fresh catches and local seaside eateries.
Day Trips
Bay Canh Island - Short boat trip to Bay Canh for excellent snorkeling and simple beach restaurants.
Con Dao Marine excursions - Half-day boat trips for dolphin watching, snorkeling, and coastal island exploration.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Con Son
Côn Sơn (Con Son) is best in the dry season (December-April) for sunshine, calm seas and diving. The monsoon brings heavy rain and rough water from May onward, though crowds thin and prices drop.
Dry Season
Sunny, breezy days and calm seas - the most pleasant time for beaches, boat trips and snorkeling.
Rainy Season
Frequent heavy showers and rough seas; fewer tourists and lower prices but plan around storms.
Transition Season
Hotter, increasingly humid days as the monsoon approaches - good deals but expect sudden downpours.
Con Son's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (2091 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 26° | 17 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| February | Excellent | 23° - 28° | 26° | 4 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Ideal | 24° - 30° | 27° | 8 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.0 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 26° - 32° | 34° | 228 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 312 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 267 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| August | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 331 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 25° - 30° | 31° | 333 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 25° - 30° | 30° | 298 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 25° - 29° | 27° | 192 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Very Good | 24° - 28° | 26° | 60 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Con Son
How to Get Around Con Son
- Walking -
- Motorbike taxi -
- Taxi -
- Ferry / Boat -
- Car / Rental -
Where to Stay in Con Son
Budget
Côn Sơn town - $15-60/night
Con Son (Côn Sơn) has a mix of high-end resorts and small guesthouses; budget options are limited and fill quickly in peak season.
Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa - Island boutique resort, simpler rooms.
Con Dao Backpackers (guesthouse) - Basic guesthouse in town centre.
Mid-Range
Côn Sơn town - $60-130/night
Mid-range choices cluster around Côn Sơn town and the main harbour; comfortable family-run hotels and small resorts are common.
Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa - Boutique beachfront resort with spa.
Con Dao Hotel (local listings) - Well-located mid-range choices in town.
Luxury
Private resort areas - $200+/night
Luxury resorts on the island focus on privacy, beaches and diving; options limited but excellent for splurges.
Six Senses Con Dao - High-end resort on Con Dao island.
An Lam Con Dao Resort - Luxury villas and private beach.
Where to Eat in Con Son
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Con Son’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Con Son
Nightlife on Con Son is low-key and relaxed. Evening life centres on beachfront bars, laid-back restaurants and hotel terraces rather than clubs; many places close earlier than on the mainland.
Expect an island pace - informal social spots and occasional live music rather than a busy late-night scene.
Shopping in Con Son
Shopping on Con Son is limited: small souvenir shops, dive shops and convenience stores for basics. You’ll find local handicrafts and island-themed souvenirs in the town, but selection is modest.
For extensive shopping (electronics, large department stores), plan to return to Ho Chi Minh City or other mainland centres.