How To Get To Con Dao Islands
Con Dao Island By Air
The nearest airport that has flights to Con Dao (IATA: VCS) is Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat Airport (IATA: SGN). The flight is operated by VASCO Airlines, a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines and there are up to 6 flights daily. Flights are only 45 minutes in duration and cost around 150.00US for a return ticket. 16 Seats on each flight have been prioritize for guests of the Six Senses resort and flights are often sold out in advance so book early to avoid disappointment. If tickets are sold out you may still have a chance of obtaining last minute tickets via a travel agent.
You can also fly from Can Tho (IATA: VCA), a city in the Mekong Delta Region in southern Vietnam, to Con Dao as well and flights cost $58.00US for a one way fare. The Can Tho to Con Dao flights are only offered 1x per week. VASCO operates a ATR72-500 turboprop service to Con Dao and space is limited. The Baggage allowance is 20 kilograms as per Vietnam Air Service Company (VASCO) rules. Excess baggage charge is USD 1.18 per kg and to be paid directly to VASCO at check-in procedures.
Con Dao Airport:
The Con Dao Airport, Côn Đảo Airport or Cỏ Ống Airport (IATA: VCS, ICAO: VVCS), is located on the northern section of Con Son Island. To travel from the airport to the islands center you can take a shared minivan (50,000VND per person), a taxi, or have airport pickup per-arranged from you. The nearest beach to this airport is Bai Dam Trau Beach, which is located a 1.5 kilometers away and camping is available on this beach for free.
Ferry Boat To Con Dao
Taking the ferry to Con Dao from mainland Vietnam is the more adventurous way to travel to the Côn Đảo archipelago. There are two ferry routes that go to Con Dao:
Vung Tau to Con Dao
You can travel to Con Dao by boat by taking the Vung Tau to Con Dao Ferry (distance of 97 nautical miles). The ferry takes approximately 15 hours and departs both Vung Tau (Cat Lo Pier at 1007/36 30/4 street) and Con Dao (Ben Dam Port on Con Son Island) at 5:30pm. From March to July ferry's to Con Dao depart daily, and during the other months the schedules vary depending on the weather. The boat is divided into cabins consisting of 3, 4, or 6 beds in bunk bed style. These cabins are located on 3 different levels of the boat and are air conditioned. Don't expect the cabins to luxurious and always watch your belongings. Some cabins also smell better than others as a lot of passengers often succumb to sea sickness. On the boat there is also a small cafe that sells food, drinks, and cigarettes, but no beer. The cost for a one way trip from Vung Tau to Con Dao, or vice versa, is 200,000VND for a sleeping berth and 100,000VND for standing. Those who opt to stand can sleep on the upper deck or at the small cafe on the boat. Tickets for both classes are limited and often sold out, however if you go to the actual Con Dao Ferry office in Vung Tau, there is a good chance of obtaining a ticket.
Sóc Trăng (Trần Đề) to Côn Đảo
At Trần Đề Town in Soc Trang Province, you can take a speedboat to Con Dao via Superdong Ferry. The distance between the two regions is about 90 kilometers and the trip takes only 2.5 hours via speedboat. The one way fares are as follows:
310.000 VND per adult
230.000 VND per child
260.000đ VND per senior
200.000đ VND per person with a disability
Charter A Helicopter To Con Dao
Have $16,250US to spare? If so you travel to Con Dao via helicopter. The helicopter tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is offered by Veli Helicopter Tours and trip takes 1-hour-30-minute in which you will have a stunning uninterrupted and panoramic of Saigon, Can Gio, Mekong Delta, and Con Dao.
