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Like Robinson Crusoe If you're weary of the day to day rat race in the city, an excursion exploring the pristine islets and beaches of Vietnam's secluded Con Dao Island might be just what you need.

It takes only 35 minutes by plane (Vietnam Air Services Co., VASCO) to reach Con Dao Island, part of an archipelago of 14 mountainous islands and islets that make up Con Dao National Park, east of Vietnam's southernmost point, 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City (185k from Vung Tau) .

Those looking to get away from the crowds for a pleasant beach experience will enjoy Con Dao’s many untouched islets and unspoiled beaches as well as popular tourist sights like Con Dao French Colonial Prison, Con Dao Museum , and the Hang Duong cemetery.

Once you’ve castaway to the islands, a good place to begin your exploration is Hon Tai islet, some five kilometres from the Con Dao district center.

There you can hike in the hills, see native monkeys in their natural habitat, or dive and kayak through beautiful coral reefs.

You can either wade or take a kayak across the shallow water to Bảy Cạnh (seven edges) islet. Here you may feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe did when he found himself completely alone.

Walking along the calm beach, pass over a wooden bridge to enter the Con Dao Natural Reserve.

Staying over night at the Con Dao Natural Reserve provides a real treat if you have a chance observe sea turtles delivering and hatching their eggs on the beach at night.

Sea turtles usually swim in clear water and nest on the beaches, so whether staying dry on the beach or swimming, you should have plenty of opportunities to see them.

Remember that the sea turtles are protected, so it is illegal to touch the eggs.

Con Dao is also famed for crystal, evergreen-shaded beaches like Hang Duong, Phi Yen and Dam Trau, where the fresh air, clear blue waters, and untouched forests house many rare and protected species of flora and fauna.

Delicious seafood is also in abundance at Con Dao. The more adventurous can go down to the sea with local fishermen to catch fish like ca bop or ca bo hom, lobsters or a special type of shellfish called oc vu nang , named after what they most closely resemble: a woman’s breasts.

The best time to visit Con Dao is from March to July, when the sea is calm.

Vasco runs three weekly flights from HCMC to Con Dao every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A return ticket costs VND1.25 million (US$78.2). Booking must be placed two or three weeks in advance.

A three-day tour by air to Con Dao costs VND2.6 to 2.8 million ($162.5-175) per person.

Book tours at Saigon-Con Dao Hotel in Vung Tau on (064) 830155, or other travel companies in HCMC such as Saigontourist (08) 830 3029, Fiditourist (08) 914 1516, Ben Thanh Tourist (08) 520 2020, or Sasco Travel (08) 848 7142.

Compiled by Thu Thuy

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