During my first visit to Con Dao, I found it more pristine than any other island I've been to. It's ranked among the top 10 most mysterious islands in the world. The local government here takes great care to preserve the natural environment, with anti-plastic waste messages visible everywhere. Besides its beauty, Con Dao also has a spiritual aspect with world-famous landmarks like Hang Duong Cemetery, the prison system, and Con Dao's Governor's Palace. Notable beaches include Dam Trau Beach (where you can swim while watching planes land), An Hai Beach, and particularly the area of Nhat Beach (with its stunning emerald-green waters).
This trip involved supporting logistics for four cyclists riding from Long Thanh to Con Dao. I came up with this daring idea and convinced them to bring their bikes to the island, conquering the challenging terrain and experiencing Con Dao by cycling through its roads. Every member of the team was tremendously excited, and many memorable moments were created on this journey.
Our group camped overnight at Dam Trau Beach, but a sudden fear in the middle of the night prompted everyone to pack up and return to the district center, making it one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
We spent less than 24 hours on the island, which was not enough time to explore it fully, but sufficient for visiting its famous spots, enjoying beach time, cycling, and tasting local drinks and Con Dao coconut ice cream. Despite the four-hour boat ride, the sea was calm this season, and everyone enjoyed the journey, feeling relaxed, healthy, and endlessly curious exploring the island.
Watching the release of turtles into the sea at Hon Bay Canh in Con Dao National Park was quite fascinating; the tiny baby turtles delighted everyone in the group with their experience.
Here are some photos from the trip for you to view and experience.