This guide will give you a brief look at what to explore in this intriguing archipelago. For historical buffs, the prisons from the French colonial and Vietnam War eras are a must-visit. Meanwhile, the beaches will enthrall those longing for some vitamin sea.<\/p>\n
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How to get to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o<\/h3>\n
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C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o<\/strong> is a group of islands, or archipelago, situated about 250 kilometres to the southeast of Saigon, in the southern part of the South China Sea. Administratively, it is a remote district of B\u00e0 R\u1ecba-V\u0169ng T\u00e0u province.<\/p>\n To get to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o, you can either take a flight or a boat trip. Currently, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways offer many flights from Saigon to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o per day. The basic prices vary from VND1,500,000 to more than VND3,000,000.<\/p>\n You can also travel to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o on a high-speed ferry from V\u0169ng T\u00e0u City and Tr\u1ea7n \u0110\u1ec1, S\u00f3c Tr\u0103ng province in the Mekong Delta. Travel time varies from 2.5 hours if you depart from V\u0169ng T\u00e0u to 12 hours if you start from S\u00f3c Tr\u0103ng. The ferries have scenic decks from which you can enjoy a South China Sea view.<\/p>\n Though C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o has not been well-developed in terms of tourist facilities, you can still seek accommodation from a wide range of hotels and resorts on C\u00f4n S\u01a1n, the main island.<\/p>\n If you are going on a tight budget, look out for family-run hotels and homestays on C\u00f4n S\u01a1n. These prices for a night at these places start from VND500,000 (~USD21.53)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Otherwise, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o also features several high-class resorts such as Sao Condore, Six Senses, Paulo Condore Boutique, and C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o Resort. Their prices vary from around VND1,000,000 (~USD43.07)<\/strong> to VND50,000,000 (USD2,153,60)<\/strong> per night, depending on the resorts and the room sizes.<\/p>\n If you ask a Vietnamese about the first thing that pops up in his or her mind about C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o, it’s likely to be the prisons. In fact, due to its isolated geographical location, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o had been transformed into a prison archipelago by the French in 1862.<\/p>\n During the Vietnam War, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o was under the control of the former South Vietnam. New prisons were built to contain felony and political criminals.<\/p>\n Today, these prisons no longer contain any criminals. Instead, they are now historical sites attracting gobs of tourists. This prison system include Camp Ph\u00fa H\u1ea3i, Camp Ph\u00fa S\u01a1n, Camp Ph\u00fa Th\u1ecd, Camp Ph\u00fa T\u01b0\u1eddng, Camp Ph\u00fa An, Camp Ph\u00fa Phong and Camp Ph\u00fa H\u01b0ng. Altogether, they have 127 rooms, 44 cells, and 504 solitary confinement spaces.<\/p>\n Prisons on the island are conventionally divided into two types: French and US-style. Though each of them has distinctive characteristics, they all reflected the harsh treatment and terrible living conditions that the criminals had to tolerate during their confinement years.<\/p>\n H\u00e0ng D\u01b0\u01a1ng Cemetery is a key attraction on C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o. This is the resting place of many revolutionaries and civilians who had lost their lives in the prisons from 1862 to 1975.<\/p>\n The cemetery stretches across a 20-hectare area and is divided into 4 sections containing approximately 2000 graves in total, including those of some remarkable Vietnamese historical figures such as V\u00f5 Th\u1ecb S\u00e1u, L\u00ea H\u1ed3ng Phong, and Nguy\u1ec5n An Ninh.<\/p>\n Despite being a cemetery, H\u00e0ng D\u01b0\u01a1ng is designed to look like a large garden with rows of trees casting shadows on soil paths leading to the graves. Along the way, you may spot some big sculptures signifying the revolutionary resistance in C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o. The whole space is filled with an otherworld sense of tranquillity.<\/p>\n Conventionally, the best time to visit the cemetery, particularly V\u00f5 Th\u1ecb S\u00e1u’s grave, the main attraction here, is at night as the atmosphere becomes really solemn and sacred. However, please note that due to the pandemic, the cemetery will close at 9pm.<\/p>\n Another attraction related to wartime on this island is the 914 Pier. It is a 300-metre-long pier stretching out to the main beach of C\u00f4n S\u01a1n island. The residence of Island Lord Residence is on the other end of the pier.<\/p>\n As the construction started in 1873 and took about a decade to complete, built completely by the prisoners’ strength with no support, many lost their lives while working in terrible conditions here. In fact, the name 914 is assumed to be the number of prisoners who died building this pier, though the exact number is unspecified.<\/p>\n Right behind the 914 Pier, you will see Dinh Ch\u00faa \u0110\u1ea3o, or The Island Lord Residence. As the name suggests, this used to be the place where the island head used to reside. Moreover, it also serves as an archive of C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o history with lots of pictures and documents about the archipelago.<\/p>\n The residence was completed in 1862 on an area of 18,600 square metres. 53 island lords, including 39 French and 14 former South Vietnamese used to live here. The building and its furniture are still in good condition, so you can see how the lords’ extravagant lives were in contrast to the terrible treatment that the prisoners had to endure during those years.<\/p>\n Apart from the prisons built during the 19th and 20th centuries, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o is also home to An S\u01a1n Mi\u1ebfu, a famous temple associated with a legend about Emperor Gia Long, the founder of the last Vietnamese feudal dynasty.<\/p>\n An S\u01a1n Mi\u1ebfu is the worshipping place of Lady Phi Y\u1ebfn, said to be a mistress of Nguy\u1ec5n \u00c1nh before he became an emperor. As in the anecdote, Nguy\u1ec5n \u00c1nh and his family fled to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o to avoid the T\u00e2y S\u01a1n Army who were chasing them down.<\/p>\n When he wanted to asked the French for help, Lady Phi Y\u1ebfn strongly opposed this, leading her to be imprisoned on this island when he left the island. Though the validity of this story is controversial, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o people still worshipped her wholeheartedly in this temple.<\/p>\n Annually, on the 18th of the 10th lunar month, people on the island will hold a big death ceremony for her at this temple, which also attracts lots of tourists.<\/p>\n In addition to historical destinations, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o is also known for its pristine beaches. Many visitors to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o prefer beaches on the C\u00f4n S\u01a1n – the largest island in the archipelago.<\/p>\n There are about 7 beaches around this island, each with their own distinctive feature. If you want to enjoy yourselves on a peaceful beach with few tourists and a very much pristine landscape, \u0110\u1ea7m Tr\u1ea7u and An H\u1ea3i beaches are both must-considers. They are both long and broad, so you can have a good walk there to enjoy the sunrise.<\/p>\n For those who want to have great pictures, check out Nh\u00e1t Beach. It is adjacent to one of the island’s main roads and has groups of stones along the beach, making the landscapes much more Insta-worthy.<\/p>\n However, just like Nh\u00e1t Beach, some beaches may be unsafe for tourists to swim or dive. Please contact your tour agency or a local for reliable advice.<\/p>\n C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o National Park is one of 34 national parks in Vietnam. It covers the whole 14 islands of the archipelago, including C\u00f4n S\u01a1n, the largest one. At this national park, you can find up to 1000 species of plants and thousand species of animals, both terrestrial and aquatic. Among them, 29 species are on the verge of extinction, and 6 other endemic to this archipelago.<\/p>\n The national park is also widely known for its breeding of endangered sea turtles and dense forests. Until now, conservationists have saved more than 21,000 holes of turtle eggs, facilitating the birth of approximately 1.5 million turtles.<\/p>\n However, not all areas are open to tourists, so you should contact your tourist agency or the national park to book a tour.<\/p>\n C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o is a archipelago with great historical and natural significance. From colonial prisons to sacred temples, C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o will give you new insights in Vietnamese history. Moreover, for those who love nature, the national park and long pristine beaches await your exploration.<\/p>\n Also check out:<\/p>\n Cover image adapted from Vincent Oliver<\/a>, V\u00e2n Ng\u00f4<\/a>, and Khoa Tr\u1ea7n<\/a> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on<\/span> Facebook<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Telegram<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Instagram<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> LinkedIn<\/span><\/a> for more stories like this. If you have a story to share, email us at pressvn@thesmartlocal.com.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o is an archipelago famous for the prisons during the Vietnam War. It also has beautiful beaches and a national park with dense forests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":759,"featured_media":246845,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[3205,715,4093,4095,4094,4096,3797,694],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-11658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities-attractions","tag-ba-ria-vung-tau","tag-beach","tag-con-dao","tag-con-dao-national-park","tag-con-dao-prison","tag-lady-phi-yen","tag-national-parks","tag-vung-tau"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Con](\"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Vietnam_location_map-523x1024.png\")
\nThe location of C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o (in a red circle) on the map of Vietnam. It is considered a district of B\u00e0 R\u1ecba – V\u0169ng T\u00e0u province (blue).<\/em>
\nImage adapted from Uwe Dedering\/Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhere to stay in C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Con](\"https:\/\/vi.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/T%E1%BA%ADp_tin:Vietnam_location_map.svg\")
\nThe topographic map of C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o archipelago as shown in C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o Museum<\/em>
\nImage credit: Giang Nguy\u1ec5n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhat to do in C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o<\/h3>\n
\n1. C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o Prisons – the place to learn about the dark days of the islands<\/h3>\n
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\nThe yard of Camp Ph\u00fa H\u1ea3i, a French prison on C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Hoa Thanh Ong<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe path where French superintendents looked down to the prisoners in small cells known as <\/em>chu\u1ed3ng c\u1ecdp, or tiger cages.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Vincent Oliver<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe yard of Camp Ph\u00fa B\u00ecnh, where you can find the US-styled tiger cages.<\/em>
\nImage credit: T\u0103ng Qu\u1ed1c C\u01b0\u1eddng<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n2. H\u00e0ng D\u01b0\u01a1ng Cemetery – the resting place of a national heroine<\/h3>\n
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\nThe monument of H\u00e0ng D\u01b0\u01a1ng Cemetery.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Huy Ph\u1ea1m Vlog<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
\nMany visitors comes to C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o to leave some flowers on the grave of V\u00f5 Th\u1ecb S\u00e1u, a patriotic teenage who was imprisoned and executed by the French colonials.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Vincent Oliver<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n3. The 914 Pier – the construction built by prisoners<\/h3>\n
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\nThe 914 Pier is located on a beautiful beach.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Nguyen Dinh Cuong<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe end of the pier gives you a wide vantage point of the ocean.<\/em>
\nImage credit: LOAN TR\u1ea6N<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n4. Island Lord Residence – a look back to the former island leaders’ lives<\/h3>\n
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\nThe typical French colonial architecture of Dinh Ch\u00faa \u0110\u1ea3o.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Manh-Tuan Nguyen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe interior was extremely extravagant compared to the standard living condition on C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o when the building was constructed.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Andrew Ng 91<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
\n5. An S\u01a1n Mi\u1ebfu, the temple of Lady Phi Y\u1ebfn \u2013 mythical stories from the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty<\/h3>\n
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\nAn S\u01a1n Mi\u1ebfu, where Lady Phi Y\u1ebfn is worshipped, is located to the southwest of C\u00f4n S\u01a1n Island.<\/em>
\nImage credit: L\u00e2n Nguy\u1ec5n \u0110\u0103ng<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nTo the northeast of C\u00f4n S\u01a1n Island, Mi\u1ebfu C\u1eadu is the worshipping place of Prince H\u1ed9i An, Lady Phi Y\u1ebfn’s son.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>T\u01af\u1edcNG BTK<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
\n6. An H\u1ea3i, \u0110\u1ea7m Tr\u1ea7u – Pristine beaches across the main island<\/h3>\n
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\nAn H\u1ea3i beach has a long and broad sand backshore.<\/em>
\nImage credit: thu huynh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u0110\u1ea7m Tr\u1ea7u beach is next to an airport, so you can see lots of aeroplanes flying by.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Mattias R.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n7. C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o National Park – The unique natural beauty of the islands<\/h3>\n
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\nMany tourists prefer trekking through the dense forests of C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Khoa Tr\u1ea7n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nA C\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o long-tailed monkey, or Macaca fascicularis condorensis, endemic to the archipelago.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Richard Houtzager<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\nC\u00f4n \u0110\u1ea3o Archipelago<\/h3>\n
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