One of the stellar attractions in South-east Asia, the Con Dao archipelago, is slowly gaining attention for its startling natural beauty.

The spectacular Con Dao archipelago, comprised of 16 islands, is situated in the South China Sea, around 250 kilometres, or a 45-minute flight, from Ho Chi Minh City. Con Dao is undoubtedly one of South-east Asia’s most untouched and breathtaking getaways, characterised by an immense beauty and an utterly pristine environment, which is so rare these days. The archipelago epitomises picture-postcard prettiness – white sand beaches, aquamarine seas, coral reefs to-die-for, charming French architecture and fascinating history.

Con Dao offers probably the best diving available in Vietnam. The archipelago became a national park in 1993 and has since been expanded significantly into the surrounding water. It is home to some 1,000 plant varieties, 1,300 marine species and 160 types of animals. It is also home to the biggest population of sea turtles in Vietnam. Among those are the endangered green and hawksbill species. In fact, 83% of the archipelago is protected by the Con Dao National Park, encompassing 6,000 forested hectares and 14,000 hectares of marine areas.

Despite these considerable assets and its proximity to the mainland, the islands are still largely untouched by mass tourism. The pristine setting and preserved natural landscape provides an extraordinary sense of seclusion, creating an ideal place to escape, relax and live close to the natural elements.

There are few places in the 21st century that can rival Con Dao’s pristine beauty. It is difficult to believe that places like this with charming locals and empty beaches still exist.

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