Con Dao Island was selected as one of the top travel destinations in 2021 by a US newspaper.

On January 7, 2021, the New York Times published its list of 52 destinations for 2021 after selecting and consulting with readers from over 2,000 different suggestions. Gone are the luxurious destinations of previous years; this year's list is considered quite different.

2021 was a year of travel restrictions, meaning the New York Times' reviews were primarily based on news, updates on restaurants, hotels, museums, and the cultural characteristics of destinations.

Of the 52 destinations, Southeast Asia contributed only two: Con Dao (Vietnam) and Tagaytay (Philippines). Each destination was featured by a person chosen by the New York Times to provide a unique experience. For Con Dao, the chosen person was Thang Dac Luong, a lawyer and writer currently living in Sydney, Australia.

Mr. Thang Dac Luong shared: "My father was a journalist who was imprisoned on Con Dao Island from 1961 to 1963. He was held in a 'tiger cage' measuring only 1.5 x 2.7 meters, but with 5 or 6 other prisoners. He passed away abroad in 2006, and I chose to return to Con Dao to learn more about my father's past, visit relatives' graves, and enjoy tourism. Con Dao has a thriving sea turtle conservation area. On my last day swimming in the sea, the feeling of being immersed in the warm, emerald-green water made me cry. Having a place to return to and remember deceased loved ones is very important. I will definitely bring my children back to Con Dao someday so they can understand more about their grandfather."

Additionally, rural and wilderness areas dominate this year's list of 52 destinations, which have become more popular amid Covid-19. Many destinations that were previously considered "too modest" and "too dangerous" are also on the list, such as parks in southern England, Haiti, and Lake Michigan in the US.

Man Nhi