Must-know Notes for visiting Con Dao this season, 2025

According to the Con Dao National Tourist Area Management Board, March to September is the ideal time to visit Con Dao, thanks to its mild and sunny weather. However, unlike previous years, 2025 brings several important changes implemented by the island district under Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province.
Tri Thuc - Znews summarizes the latest transportation updates and regulations to help tourists plan their trips more easily.
Ritual Offerings and Plastic Use Regulations
▸ No Votive Paper Offerings
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Starting January 1, 2025, the Con Dao District People’s Committee has officially prohibited the use of votive paper offerings at religious and historical sites across the island, including Hang Duong Cemetery, Mieu Cau, and the Graves of the 75 Martyrs in Residential Area No. 1. This initiative is part of the “Green Offering Basket” campaign.
Tourists visiting the island—especially for spiritual purposes—are encouraged to bring light, eco-friendly offering sets in line with local guidelines. Many shops have switched from selling votive paper and plastic items to real, sustainable offerings, making it easy for visitors to find appropriate items for worship.
▸ No Plastic Items
In addition to banning votive papers, tourism businesses on the island now use glass bottles or aluminum cans instead of single-use plastic water bottles. This shift supports the “Reducing Ocean Plastic Waste in Vietnam” initiative, a collaborative project between the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and WWF-Vietnam.
▸Transportation to Con Dao
Con Dao is located offshore in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, requiring travel by air or sea.

• By Air: There are currently two direct flight routes to Con Dao from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. Ticket prices range from 1.1 to 3 million VND per one-way ticket, depending on the flight schedule.

• By Helicopter: Available from Ba Ria - Vung Tau, with round-trip fares at about 4.4 million VND for adults and 3.9 million VND for children aged 2 to under 12.

• By High-Speed Ferry: Visitors can travel to Con Dao from Ho Chi Minh City, Soc Trang, Can Tho, and Vung Tau by ferry. Travel time varies between 2.5 and 8 hours 23 minutes.

  • The route from District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, operated by Phu Quy Express, begins service on March 29.

  • The previous Nha Be – Con Dao route, operated by Thang Long Express, was suspended in July 2024.

According to Phu Quy Express, weekday ticket prices (Monday to Thursday) range from 990,000 to 1.25 million VND, depending on age and seat class. Weekend and holiday fares are higher. Prices include VAT and port service charges.
Based on official timing charts, the journey from Saigon Port (District 4) to Con Dao Passenger Port takes approximately 8 hours and 23 minutes under normal weather conditions. Travelers are advised to check weather conditions before booking.

 

▸ Getting Around Con Dao

In the past, electric four-wheeled vehicles were popular among tourists due to their affordability and convenience. However, as of March 10, this service has been suspended due to traffic violations by some operators, according to the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Department of Construction.
Visitors are now encouraged to rent motorbikes or use taxis to get around the island. The Con Dao Information Portal reports that there are currently three taxi companies operating: Mai Linh, Con Son, and Sai Gon Con Dao.