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The beginning of a memorable trip.
Located in the northeast of Con Son Island, Lo Voi Mountain rises 577 meters above sea level. Locals often introduce the mountain as a "newly popular" landmark thanks to its panoramic views of the town, Con Son Bay, and the surrounding green islands. I started my trip in the afternoon, determined to complete the entire ascent and descent within about three hours.
Hiking, also known as outdoor walking on existing trails, usually takes place over one day and is intended for fitness and relaxation in nature.
Lo Voi Mountain has become a new popular check-in spot in Con Dao thanks to its panoramic views, overlooking the town and the bay.
Driving along Co Ong road towards the airport, about 4km from the center of Con Dao, I saw a flat concrete parking area on my right. Right next to it was a small slope nestled among dense bushes, leading deep into the forest.
My gear was fairly light: shoes with good grip, bottled water, a hat, and insect repellent. The trail leading up the mountain, originally a forest patrol path, had been renovated with sturdy stone steps. Initially, it was a gentle slope, winding through a dense forest with tangled vines and crooked branches. The August air carried a hint of dampness, the smell of dry leaves, the earth, and the buzzing of insects, making each step both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.
The hiking trail begins with gentle, relatively flat sections that wind through dense forest.
The forest trail opens up a panoramic view of Con Dao Island.
The first 20 minutes were quite easy, but the higher we climbed, the more challenging the path became. A 45-degree incline appeared, and the continuous stone steps forced me, someone not very active, to exert myself to the fullest. Sweat soaked my shirt, and at times I had to stop to catch my breath. But in return, each stopping point opened up a new horizon. I encountered huge, smooth rocks that served as resting places, tall trees intertwined like green canopies, and I even caught glimpses of small birds flitting overhead.
Branches twisted and turned in all shapes, and vines crisscrossed the pathway.
Halfway through the journey, the scenery unexpectedly opened up. Con Dao town appeared below, small and nestled against the white sand and calm blue waters. In the distance, mountain ranges stretched out into the sea, embracing Con Son Bay like a pair of arms. From above, a strangely cool breeze seemed to touch every tense muscle. I felt not just climbing mountains, but also harmonizing with nature, drawing strength from the very earth and sky.
The view unfolds from above, with the sea on one side and mountains and the town on the other.
From here, the path gradually became flatter. I walked among low bushes, crossing a stone-paved trail covered with thick, shoulder-high shrubs. On either side, scattered clusters of small pitcher plants lay, a testament to Con Dao's biodiversity. After a few more minutes of perseverance, I saw the path open up to a long, protruding promontory – jokingly called the "dinosaur's spine."
The trail, likened to a "dinosaur's spine," leads to the viewpoint overlooking Lo Voi Mountain.
Where the sea, mountains, and sky meet.
The last 50 meters were a steep slope and a dirt path. I reached out and grabbed a branch, stepping into a small archway that opened up to a vast, expansive space. Standing on the rocky outcrop, I could clearly hear the gentle lapping of the waves right beneath my feet. Before me was a magnificent scene: the endless blue sea, the towering mountains, and the interwoven clouds. To my right was the small town of Con Dao nestled beneath the high mountains, Tran Phu road running along the coast, and Quang Trung lake providing fresh water to the entire town. To my left were Bay Canh, Tai, and Trac islands, standing majestically amidst the sea and sky.
The viewpoint overlooking Lo Voi Mountain has become a popular spot for tourists to check in recently.
This is also the spot that many people call the most beautiful sunset viewing spot in Con Dao. I had been looking forward to the moment the sun would sink into the sea, painting the horizon red. But that day, thick clouds rolled in, obscuring the twilight. The sunset didn't come, but the scene still left me speechless.
Perhaps, sometimes the journey doesn't need to end with what we expect, but rather the experiences along the way are the real reward. Three hours of hiking, both ways, gave me moments to connect with nature in its most pristine form.
Where tourists and nature meet.
According to the Con Dao Cultural, Information, Sports and Tourism Center, the road leading up to Lo Voi Mountain was originally part of a forest patrol road improvement project, aimed at protecting and monitoring nature. However, with its spectacular scenery, the area is now being considered for development as a unique ecotourism product.
Climbing Lo Voi Mountain is not just a sporting activity, but also a way for tourists to get closer to nature. I encountered patches of pristine forest, heard the rustling of leaves in the wind, and saw tiny insects still diligently living in the wilderness. It is this unspoiled nature that makes Con Dao unique, not noisy or crowded, but quietly offering visitors authentic experiences.
August is also the time when sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs – a unique "specialty" of Con Dao. Con Dao National Park was the first place in Vietnam to implement a sea turtle conservation program, with Bay Canh Island accounting for up to 80% of the mother turtles that come ashore to lay eggs.
I didn't have enough time to join a turtle-watching tour, but just hearing the locals say that hundreds of turtles crawl onto the sand at night, leaving behind trails of sand and dozens of eggs buried deep beneath the sand, was enough to make me eager to return. It's a new life, a continuation of nature, a persistent cycle that humans are fortunate enough to witness.
Known as the "green pearl," Con Dao is one of the few rare places where sea turtles come to breed.
My August hike up Lo Voi Mountain left me with more emotions than I expected. Three hours of hiking not only improved my physical fitness but also gave me the chance to listen to the rhythm of nature, to see that Con Dao is not just about blue seas and white sands, but also about mountains waiting to be explored. And I know that some journeys are worthwhile just for the sake of going.
