Con Dao, a land associated with tragic historical memories, has long been referred to as a spiritual destination rather than a tourist paradise. But for photographer Pham Trong Nghia, the journey to this island is not simply a visit to martyrs' cemeteries but also a discovery of rare wild beauty.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, Con Dao is a place to return to, to find peace amidst pure nature.
Before arriving in Con Dao, Nghia had heard many people say that this place was "very sad", with not many places to have fun, just memorials and cemeteries. But it was those comments about the wildness that encouraged him to set out.
“I like places that still have their natural beauty, not yet commercialized. So when I learned that Con Dao is still very wild, I decided to come and experience it for myself,” Nghia shared.
The sea and sky are vast
Nghia’s trip began with a challenging journey. The boat from Tran De (Soc Trang) to the island encountered big waves, rocking violently, making many passengers unable to bear it. “Everyone vomited a lot, but I just sat there, feeling each wave. That feeling was truly memorable,” he recounted.
Another memorable event happened at the abandoned ship area. When we first arrived, the water was still shallow, making it easy to walk there. But after only half an hour of taking photos, the sea water rose rapidly, reaching our knees. “At that moment, we were so scared that we grabbed our backpacks and ran as fast as we could to get to shore. Otherwise, we might have had to stay another day on the island,” Nghia recalled.
The old ship lies quietly on the shore, like a witness of time amidst the wild nature of Con Dao.
Although many people come to Con Dao mainly to visit Hang Duong cemetery or the historic prisons, Nghia finds new perspectives. He is especially fond of two places that are not known to many people: the abandoned ship yard and Bay Nhat pagoda.
“Bai Nhat Pagoda is famous for its image of Buddha statue by the sea, but few people know that right next to it is a low mountain. It only takes five minutes to climb up, from here you can see the whole sea, a very unique perspective that not many people discover,” Nghia shared.
Looking down from Bai Nhat
Bai Nhat also has a beautiful mountain view that few people know about.
For a photography enthusiast like Nghia, Con Dao is not only a place that marks heroic historical pages but also a rare natural paradise. “Con Dao is both beautiful and sacred. I come here not only to admire the landscape but also to feel the spirit of this land,” he said.
Although he has not had the opportunity to visit the prisons or museums, Nghia still feels the presence of history. He plans to return to explore more deeply the island's past.
Road to the abandoned shipyard
Ship's Bow
Dam Trau beach, check in for plane landing and swim
Con Dao not only has beautiful beaches but is also a place that preserves a variety of rare flora and fauna.
The coastal rocky mountains create a majestic and poetic scene, highlighting the wildness of Con Dao.
According to Nghia, the best way to experience Con Dao is to rent a motorbike, roam the wild roads, and explore every corner. “Con Dao has mountains and sea, so the most ideal way is to climb the mountain tops and look down to the sea. The view is really worth it,” he suggested.
Besides, Nghia is also impressed with the cleanliness and wildness that Con Dao still retains. Walking on the street, visitors can easily see monkeys running around, the trees are still green as if not too much human intervention. This makes Con Dao a very special destination.
Memorable roads in Con Dao
Nghia also has a lot of affection for the pace of life and the people here. He commented: “The people of Con Dao are very gentle and enthusiastic. The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. A bowl of banh canh or a glass of sugarcane juice are all affordable, not overcharged like in many other tourist areas.”
After the trip, Nghia still has many things to discover about this island. But one thing he is sure of: Con Dao is a place that can make anyone linger. Not only because of its heroic history, but also because of the natural beauty and the people here.
