Con Dao, located off the southern coast of Vietnam and one-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City. It was the Portuguese who first landed in Con Dao in 1516, the French then occupied the area in 1861 and used Con Son to imprison anti-French fighters. During the Vietnam war, thousands of political dissidents were also sent to the prison on the island until it was closed in 1975.
Today life carries on for 8000 inhabitants on Son Son island, mostly military officers and fishermen who spend their days at sea. Con Dao offers a perfect beach break destination, and rare experience not found anywhere else in Vietnam. The sandy beaches and crystal clear waters in Con Dao make it the best diving spot in the country. Visitors to the island has chances to see stingray, moray eel, batfish and dugong.
