Hon Ba Island, the third-largest in the Côn Sơn archipelago with 576 hectares of natural terrain, sits beside Côn Sơn Island and forms the sheltered Bến Đầm Bay through the narrow Cửa Tử Strait. This quiet, wind-protected bay has long been a safe harbor for fishing boats seeking refuge from storms.
Blessed with untouched forests, Hon Ba is one of Côn Đảo’s most biodiverse islands. Ancient trees, rare hardwood species, and endemic wildlife—such as long-tailed macaques, the Côn Đảo black squirrel, wild boars, monitor lizards and numerous forest birds—create a living sanctuary that remains remarkably pristine.
From the Hon Ba Ranger Station, visitors can follow a forest trail for about 20 minutes to reach Đầm Quốc Beach, a hidden corner where mangrove forests grow in their natural state. Here, travelers can cool off in the sea, snorkel above coral gardens, and watch vibrant marine life thriving in shallow waters. Those seeking a challenge can continue upward to Love Peak, standing 352 meters above sea level, where sweeping views of Bến Đầm Bay and the surrounding islands unfold in every direction.
Hon Ba is not only a treasure of nature but also a place of legend. Local lore recounts that Lady Phi Yến—concubine of Lord Nguyễn Ánh—was imprisoned on this island after she opposed his plan to seek military aid from the French and send Prince Cải as a political hostage. The tragic story left a deep imprint on island culture, and people have since called this place Hon Ba, the “Lady’s Island.”
Today, eco-tours to Hon Ba are operated exclusively by the Côn Đảo National Park Visitor Center, offering a harmonious blend of forest trekking and marine exploration. Visitors can hike, observe wildlife, explore mangroves, swim, or snorkel above coral reefs.
To preserve the island’s fragile environment, all guests must be accompanied by a licensed National Park guide and wear appropriate gear for both forest and sea activities. Tours typically last 4–6 hours, with limited capacity—15 guests by day and 10 guests at night—to ensure sustainability.
Hon Ba Island embodies everything that makes Côn Đảo extraordinary: wild nature, sacred stories, and a sense of peaceful isolation that stays with every traveler long after they leave.
