Monsoon season - low season
The monsoon winds in Con Dao usually start from October of this year to April of the following year. Local boats cannot go out to sea and high-speed boats transporting passengers from Soc Trang and Vung Tau to Con Dao are also limited due to strong winds and waves. The best way to ensure your trip is to go to Con Dao by air. There are about ten flights to Con Dao every day from Tan Son Nhat airport and Can Tho airport, if you intend to go, you should book your tickets early.
But it was also because of the travel factor that the number of tourists became less, returning Con Dao to its inherent peace. I found that to be a good thing. Driving the newly rented motorbike on Ton Duc Thang street by the sea to enjoy the cool breeze, golden sunshine, blue sky and listening to the sound of waves lapping in my ears. The whole two-way street seemed like I was the only one driving, only occasionally seeing an electric car or passenger car coming from the direction of Phu Hai Prison (on the road nearby).
Con Dao in peace
The center of Con Dao is very small, with only a few roads, and it takes a while to walk around. But I still like to wander around a few times to enjoy this deserted, fresh air - something that I certainly cannot find in the place where I live - Saigon. Suddenly, I realized something interesting on the banyan trees all over Con Dao, when I saw on the tops of the big trees there were only a few red, wilted banyan leaves waiting to fall to make room for new shoots. The banyan tree is closely associated with the lives of the people on the island. The canopy of the tree provides shade on hot sunny days. Fallen banyan fruits are collected, dried, and the seeds are roasted and made into snacks - a specialty that tourists often buy as gifts. The banyan tree also contributes to the beauty of the landscape of Con Dao.
From Ton Duc Thang Street to Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, straight to Dam Trau Beach, is a new road completed in April 2018, so it is still new and very beautiful. Walking on the road with one side being the green forest of Nui Chua Mountain, the other side being the blue sea with waves is wonderful, there are sections that give me the feeling of walking in the middle of the forest. During the monsoon season, this road is even more beautiful with large bougainvillea bushes blooming in pink, white and even orange.
Sunset at Bai Nhat
In the afternoon, I drove towards Shark Cape to reach Bai Nhat - the place known as the most beautiful sunset spot in Con Dao. I was engrossed in driving and suddenly realized that Shark Cape was having a wonderful sunny afternoon. From this side of the mountain which was dark, I drove to the cape to see the other side of the mountain was lit up because the sun was shining directly on the cliff.
The road from Shark Cape to Nhat Beach at sunset is probably the most beautiful road in Con Dao with curves around mountains and burnt grass hills. I found myself a rocky outcrop where there were not many people, turned on some ballads, chill music,... and sat there quietly watching the last rays of the sun, enjoying the wind, listening to the sound of the waves. It felt so gentle, romantic and peaceful. Every sunset has its own beauty and emotions - even if the monsoon winds pushed a little more clouds, it didn't matter.
Sacred land of Con Dao
Con Dao is not only known as a place with beautiful pristine beaches but also a sacred land. If you have the chance to come to Con Dao, take the time to visit the tomb of the heroine Vo Thi Sau (also known as Co Sau's tomb) in Hang Duong cemetery; visit the temple of Hoang Phi Yen - the concubine of King Nguyen Anh who was exiled to the island because of suspicion of collusion with the Tay Son army; visit the temple of Cau Cai - the only son of King Nguyen Anh and Phi Yen; visit Ngu Hanh temple and the only pagoda in Con Dao - Van Son Tu. Con Dao is a sacred land, so do not joke or say disrespectful words to people "in the other world".
So, I have been to Con Dao for the third time, each time is a different experience. One time it was raining everywhere, another time it was sunny and beautiful, another time the wind blew as if it wanted to lift me up. But I still don't get bored of Con Dao, I like everything here, and I like... the monsoon season.
MORE INFORMATION
-TRIP:You can book a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao or take a speedboat from Tran De port (Soc Trang) with a travel time of 1 hour 30 minutes and Vung Tau with a travel time of 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Con Dao. It is expected that in April, there will be more speedboats from Bach Dang wharf (Ho Chi Minh City) to Con Dao.
-MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: Con Dao has taxis and electric cars, but if you rent a motorbike, it will be easier for you to explore Con Dao at a cost of 100,000 - 120,000 VND/day.
-TIME:
- From February to June is the best time to go diving and swimming in Con Dao.
- July to October is the season when sea turtles often come ashore to lay eggs, but it is also the time when there is likely to be rain and storms.
- October to April of the following year is the monsoon season in Con Dao, so taking a speedboat can easily cause seasickness or have your trip canceled.
-CUISINE: Don't forget to enjoy banh xeo and duck porridge at Kieu Tam restaurant, vermicelli soup with crab at Ba Hai Khiem, banh beo Co Ba, chicken porridge at night on Pham Van Dong street...
-SKIN:When visiting spiritual destinations, remember to dress modestly. When going to the beach or visiting islands, wear whatever you feel most comfortable in to enjoy the clear sea air.
-TOURS TO GO: Visit the islands around Con Dao, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving,...
-COSTS OF THE TRIP: Estimated cost for a weekend trip is about 3.5 million VND (by water) to 5.5 million VND (by air).
