With untouched coastlines stretching endlessly into the horizon, Con Dao has quietly transformed into one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations for travelers seeking authenticity, serenity, and raw natural beauty.
For those who dream of escaping the crowds, immersing themselves in slow living, and exploring places still preserved in their purest form, Con Dao is not just an alternative to Jeju — it is a revelation.
A “Vietnamese Jeju,” Yet So Much More
Many liken Con Dao to the famous island of Jeju in South Korea — but anyone who has set foot here knows the comparison barely scratches the surface.
This small island town offers a rare landscape unlike anywhere else in Vietnam:
- On one side lies an endless stretch of emerald-blue coastline;
- On the other stands elegant French-colonial architecture, remnants of a turbulent past;
- In between is a peaceful town with almost no traffic, where locals still greet each other by name.
The streets are so tranquil that visitors often choose to explore on foot or by bicycle, allowing themselves to completely absorb the calm rhythm of island life — the sea breeze, the soft sound of waves, and the distant silhouette of fishing boats returning home.
A Viral Sensation: Con Dao Through the Lens of Sơn Đoàn
Recently, social media erupted in admiration after young photographer Sơn Đoàn unveiled a photo series capturing Con Dao in its most poetic form.
If you are passionate about travel or photography, you might know him by his online moniker “Những Điều Dễ Thương” — a name that perfectly reflects the gentle, emotional storytelling in his images.
Sơn, once a contestant of Team Mượt in Here We Go 2018 by Kênh14, has long been known for turning everyday scenes into cinematic moments. Yet his Con Dao series struck a chord beyond expectation.
His photographs reveal a Con Dao that feels almost unreal:
- deserted morning beaches touched by golden sunlight,
- fishermen quietly mending their nets at dusk,
- pastel-colored homes reflecting their shadows on rain-washed streets,
- and a town that seems frozen in time, tender and peaceful in every frame.
Through his lens, Con Dao emerges not as a destination, but as an emotion — calm, nostalgic, and overwhelmingly beautiful.
A Place Where Time Slows and the Soul Breathes
What makes Con Dao truly unforgettable is not just its scenery — it is the feeling it gives.
Walk down Tôn Đức Thắng Street at sunrise, and you’ll see the ocean glowing softly under rosy morning skies.
Turn your head, and colonial-era villas whisper stories of a bygone era.
Stand quietly at the pier in the evening, and the island gifts you a stillness so rare in the modern world.
Here, life flows differently — slower, gentler, more human.
Nature Still Untouched, Still Sacred
While many famous islands across Asia are becoming increasingly commercialized, Con Dao remains remarkably pristine.
Visitors come here not for flashy entertainment or bustling nightlife, but for:
- Beaches with water so clear you can count each grain of sand beneath your feet
- Coral reefs among the most vibrant in Vietnam
- Ancient forests alive with wildlife
- Sacred spiritual sites deeply rooted in Vietnamese history
And yet, despite its rising popularity, Con Dao retains an astonishing level of tranquility.
It is the kind of place where you can spend an entire afternoon hearing nothing but the wind, the waves, and your own heartbeat — a luxury in today’s noisy world.
More Than a Trip — A Reminder to Slow Down
Con Dao is not a destination you rush through; it’s a place you feel.
Where every moment — from sipping morning coffee in a quiet café to watching the last orange streaks fade behind the mountains — becomes a memory you hold onto long after you leave.
So before you dream of Jeju or another faraway island, ask yourself:
Why look elsewhere when Vietnam has a treasure even more serene, more soulful, and far less discovered?
Come to Con Dao — even just once — and let the island show you a gentler, more meaningful way to experience the world.
