The beach view from Con Dao Seatravel Resort

Con Dao Sea Travel Resort Facilities Brief – Cable TV, air conditioning, free wifi, bay views, beach swimming. No pool – but you don’t need one with a beach like this!
Pricing - All rooms 60USD including breakfas

According to company travel, Con Dao Island was also a favorite places for honeymoons in the 2010 wedding season. Tourists traveling there have a peaceful time on the beautiful beaches, offshore islands and breathtaking landscapes.

This is a five-star resort on the pristine island which lies one hundred miles off the southeastern coast of mainland Vietnam.

A view of Six Senses Con Dao

Susan M. Noonan, general director of the Six Senses Con Dao, told the Daily on Monday,

“Our main concern at the start of the project was how to deal with the site’s pristine and unique natural environment without destroying the essence of the landscape.”

Certified as a Green Globe 21 development, the resort – which is designed to meet the highest standards of environmental stewardship – has 50 villas which have won Asia Pacific Property Award 2010 and International Architecture Award for 2010.

Noonan said she anticipated visits by local guests and those from Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, England and Australia.

The National Park was established in 1977, but protection extended only to the flora and fauna on land. The region was given protected status in 1984 and made a national park in 1993. The park now covers fourteen of the sixteen islands and their surrounding marine areas. The forest cover on the islands is dense: a sizable proportion is in pristine condition, particularly the humid hill forest growing above 500m above sea level. Over a thousand hectares of Con Dao National Park’s coral reefs survive in the shallow waters—a stark contrast to other areas of Vietnam that have low coral cover as a result of overexploitation, destructive fishing, and sedimentation. In 1998, the park was extended to include 14,000ha of sea together with an additional 20,500ha marine buffer zone. The Con Dao National Park officially covers 45,000ha, encompassing beautiful beaches and forests. It is home to 882 species of floral species, 135 species of animals, and more than 1,300 species of marine creatures. The park includes a part of the island and the surrounding sea. The national park is characterized by a diverse ecosystem. Many species of corals and especially the sea turtle are found here. In 2006, a delegation of UNESCO Vietnam representatives surveyed the area and concluded that the park is eligible to be a natural-cultural mixture world heritage The Vietnamese government is preparing necessary documents to submit to UNESCO soon. Con Dao’s environmental significance is recognized internationally and is included in the list of “Areas of highest regional priority” in The World Bank Global System of Marine Protected Areas. The entire marine area is rich in biodiversity: over 1,300 species of sea animals have already been identified. The ecosystems on Con Dao are favourable habitats for rare species such as the Hawksbill, Green Turtles & Dugong, the strange creatures popularly known as ‘sea cows’ and believed to be the source of the ‘mermaid’ legends from their habit of sunbathing on rocks.

Conservation Efforts

The World Wide Fund for Nature has been active in protecting sea turtles and dugong. Since 1995, more than 300,000 baby turtles have been released to the sea and nearly 1,000 mature turtles have been tagged. Con Dao National Park is now considered one of the best examples of marine conservation in Vietnam, complete with regulations to limit fishing activities and prohibit destructive fishing, and is a model for marine conservation throughout the country.

The Weather

Con Dao’s exposed position in the East China Sea means its weather patterns differ from those on the mainland. Con Dao is located at a point where cool and warm ocean currents converge and create a localised climatic system. The wet season is from July to September when frequent fierce squalls buffet the west facing aspects of the islands. During this time visibility can be cut down to about 100m and the wind storms can last about half an hour and can be quite frightening. Swimming, diving and snorkelling can be dangerous. During this time the eastern face of the island is sheltered. In September, the currents and winds reverse thus exposing the east side of the islands to bad weather until January. The weather is calm all over the archipelago during the remainder of the year.

This unusual weather pattern allows swimming, snorkeling and diving to be an all-year-round activity. From January to June, conditions are usually calm all over the archipelago.

Forest Flora and Fauna Resources

Con Dao National Park was established according to the Decision No 85/CP by the Chairman of Minister Committee dated 01/01/1984 with the purpose of conserving flora and fauna species. With total area of 6,043 ha, Con Dao National park accounts for 83.7% of total natural area of this island district, including 14 islands/islets of Con Son archipelago. In addition, there is a sea buffer corridor of 4 km wide around these islands/islets to conserve precious sea animals. In Con Dao National Park, at present, there are 1,770 flora species which represent different climate zones of Vietnam. Forests are mainly primeval forests with many layers and canopies, ancient trees, medical value trees. Scientists have found many species of plants for the first time in Con Dao. In forest, there are 135 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species including animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in which birds takes up 51%. Bird species in Con Dao distribute in all islands but mainly in Egg islet (Hon Trung) and Small Bamboo islet (Hon Tre Nho) with output of 25-30 kg of swallow nests per annum. Beside three endemic animals: oriental tree squirrels, Con Dao black squirrels, Con Dao curve-toed geckos, there are 18 other valuable and rare animal species

Sea flora and fauna resources

Coastal area of Con Dao National Park has the nature of tropical sea ecosystem; therefore the quantity and the reserve of sea flora and fauna are very diversified and plentiful. The coastal area of Con Dao, which has 34 species of snails with economic value such as Trochus pyramis, hand snails, Hippopus sp. And 9 species of corals, is the home of many stranger and beautiful sea fauna species.

Coastal area of Con Dao National Park is the place where the largest number of turtles comes to give birth in Vietnam every year, especially on the beach of Bay Canh islet and Big Bamboo islet. In the sea bed, there are large holothurians flats being home of dolphins, black whales, sea-cow and dugong. In tidal flats, out-of-the-wind small gulf, the distribution of sea flora and fauna is also plentiful

Implications:

The diversification of components of Con Son coastal area are of high economic value in terms of foods (red snappers, prawns, crabs, abalones, oysters, snails, tortoises, sea snakes, gracilarra), medicines (holothurians, sea snakes, sea horses, abalones) and art objects, ornament. (oysters, fish species, actinia, butterfly fish, macropoduses, tortoise-shell, corals).

The diversified forest and sea floral and fauna resources are also of high tourism and scientific values. They provides prerequisite for various complementary activities such as sightseeing, scientific researches, convalescence, etc.

Some islands with special features such as bird island, animal island can become significant attractions for tourists while those tidal flats and out-of-wind small gulfs are locations to establish sea flora and fauna collection and research areas, diving, under water fish and corals watching areas

Both forest flora and fauna system and structures of sea ecosystem in many areas are kept in an intact state such as Northern East Gulf and Northern West of Con Son island (from Big Bamboo islet to Viet Minh cape) and sensitive. Therefore the development in this area should be carefully integrated with natural landscape. Protection area should be identified, development standards should be proposed, and principles of ecotourism should be applied to minimize the negative physical, visual and environment impacts on the nature and achieve a sustainable development.

Con Dao has 20 sandy beaches, some of which are attached to primitive forests creating a poetic landscape. White sand dunes slope gently to the blue and clear water of the sea, inviting visitors to swim, play in the waves and discover the beauty of coral reefs with scuba diving. Tourists are also encouraged to try fishing, and in particular squid fishing.

Con Dao fishing is an option both day and night; however squid fishing is only available at night. Unlike many areas where the fish and squid are found in deep waters or hiding behind stone falls, fish and squid are abundant around Con Dao and are easy to catch.
Services are available such as boat, fish rods and bait, as well as high-tech fishing equipment. There are many types of fish to catch and families and friends often gather together for seafood parties.

Shark can be reached overland and boat, junk and canoe trips which can also be arranged from Con Son town center or Ben Dam Port to seven sceneries, Mui Dai Cape, big bamboo, and small bamboo islands, where visitors can indulge in the splendid island sceneries as well as freely drop their fishing rods and relax after a tiring work day.

At night the shimmering lights, gaudy colors and fake squid lure the squid swimming in the darkness of the sea. The best places for squid fishing are 914 Pier, Ben Dam Port, Mui Dai Cape, to name just some off-shore-sites. Nhat Beach on Love Top is known for romantic sunsets as well as wonderful shark fishing. This is the best place for fishermen hoping to conquer a shark.

Visit the world’s most coveted spots and hear the fervent whispers on Con Dao, both from those who’ve yet to uncover its secrets and from those who’ve already fallen under its sensual spell.

A mere 20 minutes from the expanded Con Son international airport, Con Dao district center, as it has for centuries, with boundless beauty. Formed by the sea and sculpted by wind, rain and sun, this jagged peninsula reaches northwards into the warm waters of the Sea of China. The expanse and diversity of unspoiled land is astonishing: 22.84 kilometers of coastline and bluff edges, three separate beaches of white, coral, and gray sands. Mother Nature must consider Con DaoIsland one of her finest hours.
Part sophisticated resorts, part primitive playground, Con Dao Island will fulfill a dream envisioned by the Vietnamese government, to introduce the natural and cultural treasures of Con Dao to an international audience. Those who embark on this remarkable journey will be among the first to explore the splendor of such a vast, unbridled wilderness. And uncover the wonders of a 897.8 hectare paradise, known simply as Peninsula Con Dao - Vietnam’s premier five-star destination.

To arrive at Con Dao is to discover the most seductive corner of the globe, wrapped in a masterfully designed residential resort community. Whether private resident or hotel guest, enlightened pleasures will ultimately include a world-class resort environment and soothing spas, pools that rate second only to the sea, sumptuous dining spots and open-air bars, exclusive tennis and beach clubs, a state-of-the-art marina, cultural programs and imaginative outdoor eco tourism pursuits, even a waterfront village with shops and restaurants set into the beautiful.

Imagine ….. an international resort environment that opens the mind and spirit to a seductive realm of experiences never dreamed of before. Such is the vision behind Con Dao… a blend of raw natural beauty and personalized luxury that rarely exists in the same setting.

Source: Con Dao Seatravel

Con Dao Accommodation & Dining
on Dao Island has fewer hotels, they have local place to stay in but the hotels are at a normal state. Places like apartments or rooms to sleepover are well known in the area. Foods in the area are typical, it is a must that tourists should get to excited among unique foods, most of the restaurants offer unique foods but instead they serve fruits to the tourists. Although they serve fruits in a different way the sea food in Con Dao is the best in its region.
i visit Con Dao and in Con Dao Seatravel Resort, it very good

Con Dao Shopping & Nightlife
Nightlife in con Dao Island depends on you, surely there are night parties and live bands for tourists to enjoy, much like typical Vietnam scene in the movies. Tourists should remember that con Dao Island is at development state so not much is happening mostly if you’re alone travelling.

Getting To & Around Con Dao
You can reach Con Dao islands via boat service from con to Vung Tao, the Vietnam airlines also started to have flights six times a week from the city of ho chi minh to con Dao directly. The boat ride wills take12 hours while the aero plane will take 40 to 50 minutes.

Each of the Con Dao villas is built entirely of Indochinese Hardwood from managed forests and Con Dao granite stones. The concept is to enhance the natural beauty of the site by having the design, layout, scale and texture of all the buildings and features fit within the existing environment.

The Con Dao villas are ultra-contemporary in design, offering everything from Bose Hi-fi systems to Molteni built-in kitchens, with the generous living space coming complete wtih lush tropical mangrove vegetation and breathtaking views. There are 16 residential villas for sale, from 3 bedrooms to 5 bedrooms, each with spectacular ocean views. Each villa is designed with two separate infinity pools and represent the ultimate in modern luxury.

Situated on Con Son Island, less than 150 miles from Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao villas are 45 minutes flight from Co Ong Airport via the resort’s own private plane. Con Son is also a National Park, with over 1,000 hectares of pristine coral reefs that are considered the best diving in Vietnam.

The price tag of $2 Million buys you the villa, but allows the resort to rent it out when unoccupied at the rate of $1,000 per night. The luxury market is exploding in Asia, with the growth of India and China the catalyst, and this is fueling development of some of the most astonishing homes available anywhere in the world.

A lofty price indeed, but what price paradise? With Asia & the Middle East trailblazing the luxury market, and the caribbean not far behind, and we expect to see more of this type of residentioal development catering to the newly rich. Located in an area of pristine outstanding natural beauty, this is one very luxurious Modern Dream Home.

Sunset at Condao Island

Con Son is largely mountainous and covered in forest, with ample opportunity for hiking through the jungle and looking for wildlife. The island is also home to a coastline of steep, rocky hills and long sweeping coves, boasting some excellent spots for swimming and snorkelling. The best source of information is the National Park Headquarters, located about five minutes’ drive from Con Son town on Vo Thi Sau Rd. From here you can organise trips to other islands in the archipelago, hire a guide for trekking (required) and get permits to enter certain parts of the forest. Three tourist hotels are available on Con Son, all on Ton Duc Thang Rd which follows the beach and the harbour around Con Son town.

Con dao from airplane

One of only two terrestrial and maritime National Parks, the Con Dao archipelago became a national park in 1993 and five years later the park was expanded significantly into the surrounding waters. Because of this protective status, the waters escaped some of the destructive fishing practices that have marred many other marine areas in Vietnam.