The park boasts diverse ecosystems, ranging from primeval forests to marine environments.

Trekking allows visitors to explore nature while gaining a deeper appreciation of the forests that need to be protected alongside the island's coastal attractions.

The site also offers visitors a chance to explore unspoiled nature and capture unusual photographs.

For those more familiar with images of blue seas and sandy beaches, the forest reveals a different, more untouched side of Con Dao Island.

Exploring the old-growth forest and its tangled vines

Established in 1993, Con Dao National Park is located in the northern part of Con Dao Special Zone. It covers nearly 20,000 hectares of land and sea.

The park is rich in biodiversity, encompassing forest and marine ecosystems, including rare habitats.

In 2014, Con Dao National Park was recognized as a Ramsar site of international importance, highlighting the value of its wetland ecosystems and its role in nature conservation.

The forest is home to diverse vegetation, including many species of trees, shrubs and vines that form a multilayered canopy.

Each forest layer provides a habitat for various organisms, from insects and reptiles to birds.

One feature that particularly fascinated members of trekking groups was the unusual shapes of the vines.

Some clung tightly to tree trunks, others twisted into large loops, while some climbed high and intertwined with branches above.

These unusual shapes became natural stopping points along the trail.

Group members normally stop to take photos, look up at the towering trees overhead, before continuing along the path.

Amid the old-growth forest, a phone can capture a photograph, but standing beneath trees that are decades old and looking up at the tangled vines overhead is an experience that pictures cannot fully convey.

The Cave of the Virgin Mary amid the quiet forest

One notable stop on the journey was the Cave of the Virgin Mary.

Along the way, a small stream and patches of greenery on either side of the trail create a landscape quite different from Con Dao's familiar coastal scenery.

The cave lies in a tranquil forest setting. Inside stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, along with traces associated with the period of French presence in Con Dao.

Getting to Con Dao National Park

According to the Con Dao National Tourism Area Management Board, visitors can reach Con Dao by air from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Hanoi.

Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company also operates a helicopter service between Vung Tau and Con Dao once a week, with flights from Vung Tau to Con Dao on Fridays and return flights on Sundays.

High-speed boat services are also available from Can Tho and Vung Tau.

Once visitors arrive in Con Dao Island, there are two common ways to get to Con Dao National Park. 

From Con Dao Port, visitors can take a boat to the park, enjoying the cool breeze and views along the way. The park is about 15km from the port, and the journey takes around 25 minutes.

Visitors arriving at Con Dao Airport can rent a motorbike or a self-drive car, or take a taxi to the national park. The drive takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

In 2025, Con Dao had 146 operating accommodation establishments, offering a total of 2,923 rooms and capacity for 7,598 guests per day.

These included one five-star resort, five four-star hotels or equivalent establishments, three three-star hotels or equivalent establishments, and 137 standard hotels rated at the equivalent of one to two stars, along with guesthouses, motels and homestays.