Touch the Milky Way under Con Dao’s tranquil night sky

Known not only as a "sacred island" rich in heroic history and marine biodiversity, Con Dao is also one of the few places in Vietnam where you can fully witness the magical beauty of the Milky Way.
During the dry season from April to September, with its perfectly clear skies, Con Dao transforms into a giant natural theater untouched by city lights. The result is a serene nightscape ablaze with stars. Under this sky, shimmering star fields stretch across the island, giving visitors the sensation of reaching out and touching the universe — a moment both awe-inspiring and deeply soothing.

Con Dao offers many ideal stargazing spots. Bai Nhat Beach is a favorite thanks to its wide open space and minimal light pollution, where you can easily see star clusters with the naked eye. Bai Dam Trau, already famous for its untouched beauty, becomes even more romantic at night when the calm sea mirrors the stars above — as if gazing at two parallel skies.
 

 


For a more expansive and secluded experience, the Storm Shelter Harbor or Mui Tau Be headland are unmissable. From these elevated vantage points, with the salty sea breeze and the scent of wild grasses drifting through the air, you’ll feel a deep harmony between sky, earth, sea, and self.
To capture the Milky Way at its best, aim for nights with no moon or during a new moon phase. The ideal time is between 9 PM and midnight, when ambient light is minimal and the Milky Way is most vivid. Photography enthusiasts only need a camera with a long exposure setting, a tripod, and a bit of know-how to bring home stunning images. But even if you’re simply looking for a place to relax and gaze quietly, Con Dao promises an unforgettable night under pristine skies.
Even for those not seeking anything grand — just a place to rest and reflect — Con Dao offers a night that will linger in memory. In a moment when all sounds fade away, leaving only the gentle whisper of waves and a sky full of stars, one can feel both small and utterly free beneath the vast universe.



 


Perhaps it is these very nights — peaceful, quiet, and mesmerizing — that draw visitors back to Con Dao time and again. Not just for its blue seas, golden sun, or ancient forests, but for the chance to look up into the night sky and witness the Milky Way drifting silently overhead, achingly beautiful, like a gentle promise from nature to those who know how to pause and truly feel.

Photo source: Dien Phi