Giang Côn Đảo · a child of Côn Đảo, family on the island for three generations, many years working in island tourism, founder of Côn Của. Updated 22/10/2026.
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Getting ready to goRead tips on getting there, the best season, costs and itineraries Already in Côn ĐảoStop by the Côn Của stand at the Night Market gate and get your free Indian almond ice cream codeI was born in 1996 and grew up in Côn Đảo. In my years in tourism, the question I'm asked most is: "How many days is enough, Giang?". My answer is almost always 3-day 2-night Côn Đảo itinerary.
Two days lets you touch the sacred side of the island. One more day gives you time to go out to the islands and see coral, and in the right season, meet the turtles. I hope that when you go home and mention Côn Đảo, you remember its people, its flavors and the beautiful stories here, not just the prison and the cemetery.
Itinerary table by part of the day
The outline I usually suggest to first-time visitors:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive on the island, check in, light lunch | Côn Đảo Prison, Côn Đảo Museum (enter from 14:00) | Dinner, pay respects at Hàng Dương Cemetery |
| Day 2 | Speedboat to Hòn Bảy Cạnh, coral snorkeling | Release baby turtles if in season, return to the main island | Stroll the Night Market, stop by the Côn Của stand for ice cream |
| Day 3 | Bà Phi Yến Temple, swim at Đầm Trầu Beach | Lunch, buy gifts, head to the airport or port | Arrive home |
If you want to stay on the island to watch turtles nesting at night, the schedule changes a bit; I explain on day 2.
Day 1: historic sites and paying respects at Hàng Dương Cemetery
Morning. Arrive on the island, check in, have a light lunch. Rent a motorbike so you're independent for the whole trip.
Afternoon. The Côn Đảo prison system is a special national relic. According to VnExpress, the relic area is open 7:30-11:30 and 14:00-17:00, so going in from 14:00 is just right, and stop by Côn Đảo Museum too. Take it slowly; this is what helps you understand why our island is unlike anywhere else.
Evening. Hàng Dương Cemetery is the resting place of more than 2,000 martyrs, including the grave of Võ Thị Sáu. Many people choose to pay respects at Hàng Dương Cemetery in the evening, when it's cool and the island is quiet. My general advice: dress modestly, speak softly, no joking around. Keep offerings simple; what matters is sincerity.
Sources differ on the evening closing time (22:00 or 24:00); ask the cemetery management board or message me beforehand to be sure.
Islander's tip: Don't go to the prison close to 11:30; the relic area closes for lunch until 14:00 and you'll end up waiting in the midday sun. Bring water and a hat.
I recorded Võ Thị Sáu's death anniversary and the ceremonies in Côn Đảo; watch them beforehand to understand the atmosphere of this place:
More vlogs on YouTube: Em Giang Côn Đảo · Giang Côn Đảo · Côn Của
Day 2: Hòn Bảy Cạnh and watching turtles nest in Côn Đảo
Now for the most fun part! Côn Đảo National Park covers nearly 20,000 ha and is a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance).
Morning. Take a speedboat out to Hòn Bảy Cạnh, put on a snorkel mask and look at the coral. The water out by the islands is crystal clear. I've gathered tour prices in the costs section below.
Afternoon. If it's the right season, you may get to help the rangers release baby turtles into the sea. Watching the little turtles waddle down to the water is so endearing.
Want to watch turtles nesting in Côn Đảo? Mother turtles come ashore to nest at night, so you have to stay on the island under the National Park's program and must book with Côn Đảo National Park in advance. Under 2022 rules, Hòn Bảy Cạnh accepts a maximum of 48 visitors by day and 24 by night; please double-check these numbers with the National Park. In that case the schedule becomes: go out to the island on the afternoon of day 2, return on the morning of day 3.
Sources disagree on turtle season (July-September, June-October, some say April-October). Simplest: around mid-year, and ask the National Park before booking tickets. When you're on the beach, do exactly as the rangers say; don't shine your own lights, don't touch the turtles. Whether you see them or not is up to nature.
Evening. Back on the main island, freshen up and stroll the Night Market on Phạm Văn Đồng Street. Right at the market gate is the Côn Của stand, open 7:00-23:00. Stop by for a cup of ice cream and swap turtle stories. If you stay on the island to watch turtles, you can visit the Côn Của stand on the morning of day 3 instead.
Islander's tip: Island tours depend on the weather and the tide. From March to September the sea is usually calm, but on days with big waves, swap day 2 and day 3. Book your tour early with an operator who knows the tides.
On the last day, if you still have energy, these places are also worth a visit:
More vlogs on YouTube: Em Giang Côn Đảo · Giang Côn Đảo · Côn Của
Day 3: swimming, visiting the temple, buying gifts
Early morning. Visit Bà Phi Yến Temple (An Sơn Miếu); mornings are quiet and cool. If you happen to go on the 17th-18th of the 10th lunar month, you'll catch the temple's big festival, which is very lively.
Late morning. Swim at Đầm Trầu Beach; it's near the airport, with planes landing just overhead. Lying back listening to the waves and waiting for planes to pass is fun enough.
Midday and afternoon. Have a farewell seafood meal then buy gifts. Indian almond candy is what we make, carefully packed so it won't spoil on a long journey; see it on the Indian almond candy page. Read more Côn Đảo specialties to buy as gifts. Allow extra time to get to the airport.
Sightseeing tickets and reference costs
According to VnExpress (updated 04/02/2026), may have changed:
- Côn Đảo prison system: 40.000đ.
- Côn Đảo Museum: 20.000đ.
- National Park entry: 60.000đ.
- Turtle release and coral snorkeling tour at Hòn Bảy Cạnh: about 790.000đ per person (one tour operator).
- Private boat hire to the islands: about 2-5 million per session.
Côn Đảo has been a special zone of Hồ Chí Minh City since 01/07/2025, and ticket prices may still be adjusted. To book a tour in advance, see tours recommended by Côn Của, or message Giang on Zalo so I can advise you on the right route for the tides. Getting there and accommodation are covered in Côn Đảo travel experience.
Frequently asked questions
Which season is good for a 3-day 2-night Côn Đảo trip?
From March to September the sea is usually calm, making island trips easy. To watch turtles nesting, go around mid-year and ask Côn Đảo National Park before booking tickets.
Do I need to register in advance to watch turtles nesting in Côn Đảo?
Yes, you must book with Côn Đảo National Park because the number of visitors per session is limited. Ask the National Park for the exact number for the year you're going.
What should I keep in mind when paying respects at Hàng Dương Cemetery at night?
Dress modestly, speak softly; simple offerings are enough. Ask the cemetery management board about the evening closing time beforehand.
What if the sea is too rough to go to Hòn Bảy Cạnh?
Swap day 2 and day 3, do the land-based part first, and wait for calm seas before heading out to the islands.
A suggested itinerary based on my experience. Opening hours, ticket prices and tour schedules may change; please check again before you go.
- VnExpress, Cẩm nang du lịch Côn Đảo (Côn Đảo travel guide), updated 04/02/2026: ticket prices, prison opening hours, Hòn Bảy Cạnh, Đầm Trầu Beach, Bà Phi Yến Temple, calm sea season.
- Diễn đàn Doanh nghiệp, Côn Đảo mùa rùa biển đẻ trứng (Côn Đảo in sea turtle nesting season), 2022: number of turtle-watching visitors at Hòn Bảy Cạnh.
- Pháp Luật TP.HCM, Đến Côn Đảo trải nghiệm tour xem rùa biển đẻ trứng (Visit Côn Đảo to experience a sea turtle nesting tour), 28/09/2022: turtle season June-October.
- Vietnam Airlines, Côn Đảo guide: Hàng Dương Cemetery opening hours, turtle season.
- MIA.vn, Nghĩa trang Hàng Dương Côn Đảo (Hàng Dương Cemetery, Côn Đảo): opening hours, dress code when paying respects.
- Wikipedia, Côn Đảo National Park: area, Ramsar site.
Coming to the island? Message me for your ice cream code
If you're coming to Côn Đảo soon, leave me your contact. I'll send an ice cream code via Zalo or Messenger; show it at the Côn Của stand at the Night Market gate and the cup of Indian almond ice cream is on me. While you're at it, ask me about itineraries, places to stay or the turtle release tour, and I'll point you in the right direction; just message naturally like a friend.
If you like the taste of Indian almond, you can take candy home as gifts.