Vietnam's hellish island ranks fourth in Lonely Planet's top Asia spots

Con Dao Island has come a long way from a notorious prison under French colonial rule to where it is today.

27/07/2016 11:21

Their appeal includes coral gardens that offer Vietnam’s best diving, rewarding hikes in wildlife-rich tropical forests, and a coastline studded with gorgeous white-sand coves.

With improved flight connections from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's isolated archipelago of 16 islands known as the Con Dao Islands has stolen tourists' hearts with its breathtaking beaches, fresh seafood and rugged mountains.

The island is about 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City and 180 kilometers from Vung Tau City. Between March and September is the best time to visit the island as it has little rain and the sea is more "obedient" to transport goods from the mainland.

You can hire a motorbike to explore the island but t there are only a few gas stations, so it is a good idea to fill up whenever you can.

The BBC Travel website describes Con Dao as a world away from Vietnam’s well-beaten tourist trail. Furthermore, having no touts, only peaceful beaches with luxurious resorts have made this island more unique.

The island is known as a mysterious and untouched paradise that can be a little scary for those who have read the hellish stories about its infamous prison. But do not worry, the war ended decades ago and Con Dao has been transformed into a Vietnamese island heaven.

For decades, Con Dao was known for its brutal colonial prisons but this archipelago now ranks among Asia’s hottest emerging destinations. Lonely Planet says the list offers travellers “a fresh twist” in regions packed full of action and edge-of-the-map places you’ve probably never heard of. Here is the list of Lonely Planet's top Asia spots in 2016.