Islands in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Con Dao for solo travelers
Is Con Dao good for solo travel?
Remote, quiet island group for diving, nesting turtles, empty beaches and the history of its former prison. Suits slow, higher-budget solo trips; flights are the only practical way and everything costs more than the mainland.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Locals are welcoming and the island is relaxed, but avoid remote beaches alone at night. |
How to meet people in Con Dao
Dive shops and hotels are the main social hubs; guided turtle-watching and island tours bring small groups together. Few hostels or events.
Good things to do alone
- Dive or snorkel around Hon Bay Canh
- Join a guided turtle-nesting night on Bay Canh (permit needed)
- Visit the Con Dao Prison Museum and Hang Duong cemetery
- Ride the west coast road to Dat Doc beach
- Hike to the Ma Thien Lanh bay
Where to stay in Con Dao
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Con Dao town (Con Son) | Almost all hotels, restaurants, the prison museum and the harbor |
| An Hai beaches | Quiet beach resorts a few kilometers from town |
Solo travel across Vietnam
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hanoi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Da Nang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hoi An | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hue | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ninh Binh | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Da Lat | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ha Giang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mui Ne | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cat Ba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Vung Tau | 4/5 | Limited |
| Quy Nhon | 4/5 | Limited |
| Can Tho | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cao Bang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Mai Chau | 4/5 | Limited |
| Ha Long Bay | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nha Trang | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Phu Quoc | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sapa | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Con Dao | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Con Dao good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Remote, quiet island group for diving, nesting turtles, empty beaches and the history of its former prison.
How do you meet people in Con Dao?
Dive shops and hotels are the main social hubs; guided turtle-watching and island tours bring small groups together. Few hostels or events. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Con Dao?
Limited.
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.
More about Con Dao
Going to Con Dao solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Con Dao meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.