Is Con Dao safe?
Very safe from crime and relaxed. Main risks are rough seas, thin medical services and weather that can stop flights and boats.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-06-23.
- Homicide rate in Vietnam: 1.5 per 100,000 people (2011, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Vietnam: 30.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
Safety in Con Dao at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Very low; occasional theft from unlocked rooms or beach bags. |
| At night | Very quiet; the town winds down by 9–10 pm. Walking at night is safe, though many roads are dark. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Locals are welcoming and the island is relaxed, but avoid remote beaches alone at night. |
| Other risks | Rough seas and typhoons Oct–Dec; Strong currents at some dive sites; Limited emergency care on the island |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat operators quoting low prices, then adding fees on the day
- Unlicensed guides selling turtle-watching trips
Take care
- Swimming and snorkeling outside calm months: strong currents
- Turtle beaches at night without a permit or guide
- Scooter riding on steep, wet coastal roads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty; possession means prison
- Flying a drone needs a permit; unpermitted drones get confiscated
- Photographing military sites or joining protests can lead to detention
How Con Dao compares in Vietnam
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Con Dao | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hanoi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Nang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hoi An | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Long Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nha Trang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phu Quoc | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sapa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ninh Binh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Lat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mui Ne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phong Nha | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cat Ba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vung Tau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Quy Nhon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Can Tho | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cao Bang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mai Chau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Giang | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Con Dao safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Locals are welcoming and the island is relaxed, but avoid remote beaches alone at night.
Is Con Dao safe at night?
Very quiet; the town winds down by 9–10 pm. Walking at night is safe, though many roads are dark.
What is the crime rate in Con Dao?
Very low; occasional theft from unlocked rooms or beach bags. Nationally, Vietnam records 1.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2011).
What number do I call in an emergency in Con Dao?
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
More about Con Dao
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Con Dao National Park
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
- Vietnam Airlines
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.