An island getaway within Ho Chi Minh City, a seaside trip in Lâm Đồng: that introduction alone makes Côn Đảo and Phú Quý an intriguing pair of destinations. Following the 2025 administrative reorganization, Côn Đảo is a special administrative zone under Ho Chi Minh City, while Phú Quý is a special administrative zone in Lâm Đồng Province. [1] [2]
Both offer blue seas, journeys across the waves and stories worth hearing behind their place names. Side by side, however, each destination’s appeal becomes clearer: Côn Đảo offers a journey through historical memory, forests and the sea; Phú Quý draws visitors with rocky landscapes, island villages and a way of life tied to fishing.
If you are deciding between the two, start with a question: what would you like to spend most of your time doing on this trip?
The two special administrative zones on the map
Côn Đảo is an archipelago of 16 islands of various sizes, with a total natural area of approximately 76 km². Phú Quý covers approximately 18 km². By natural area, Côn Đảo is roughly four times the size of Phú Quý. These figures help put their geography in perspective; how rewarding your trip is also depends on how you explore each place. [1] [3]
| Criterion | Côn Đảo | Phú Quý |
|---|---|---|
| Current administrative status | Special administrative zone under Ho Chi Minh City | Special administrative zone in Lâm Đồng Province |
| Landscapes to explore | Forests, mountains, beaches and small islands | Rocky shores, bays, elevated viewpoints and small islands |
| A distinctive cultural thread | Prison heritage sites and journeys of remembrance | Fishing-village culture and whale worship |
| Getting there | Accessible by air and sea | The usual route is by boat from Phan Thiết |
| Suggested experiences | Combine historical discovery, nature exploration and relaxation | Combine sightseeing, learning about local life and activities at sea |
The table highlights selected features to make comparison easier. Both places offer nature, heritage and everyday life for visitors to discover. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Two different kinds of coastal beauty
In Côn Đảo, a striking feature of a seaside trip is the presence of forests. Beaches and small bays sit among mountains, forests and surrounding islands. Đầm Trầu, Nhát Beach, Đầm Tre and Bảy Cạnh Island suggest different ways to explore, from admiring coastal views to learning about ecosystems. [7]
Imagine a day in Côn Đảo: you might spend the morning visiting heritage sites, part of the afternoon by the sea, and leave the rest unplanned. That unscheduled time is ideal for lingering over a view or reading more about somewhere you have just visited.
Phú Quý offers inspiration through its rocky shores and viewpoints. Bãi Nhỏ–Gành Hang, Linh Sơn Pagoda on Cao Cát Mountain and Tranh Island are among the places recommended locally. Depending on conditions, you could plan a day that takes you from the shore to higher ground, from village lanes to a speedboat excursion. [4]
Photography enthusiasts can try two approaches to storytelling: use layers of forest, mountains and sea to portray Côn Đảo; use the lines of rocks, boats and island-village life to tell the story of Phú Quý. Even with the same blue sea, each set of photographs can have a rhythm of its own.
From Côn Đảo’s historical memory to Phú Quý’s maritime culture
The Côn Đảo prison system operated from 1862 to 1975. That legacy adds a particular depth to a visit: traces of imprisonment, documents and artifacts bring visitors closer to the lives of those once exiled here. [5]
A visit to a museum or heritage site therefore deserves time to listen. You might choose fewer stops, follow a clearly explained guided route and allow breaks between sites. If you are traveling with children, encourage them to ask questions about the people and everyday life of those periods.
Phú Quý offers another perspective through maritime culture. Established in 1781, Vạn An Thạnh is associated with the worship of the Nam Hải deity, the whale respectfully known as Cá Ông, and with honoring those who helped found the village. The site preserves traces of the fishing community’s beliefs and close bonds. [6]
Visiting a whale-worship shrine, hearing the traditions explained and then looking at the boats in the harbor gives travelers another way to understand the scene. A boat in a photograph can then evoke a family’s livelihood, seafaring knowledge and hopes for a safe return.
Seen together, a trip to Côn Đảo can prompt reflection on memory and gratitude; a trip to Phú Quý can raise questions about how a community lives alongside the sea. In both places, it is worth spending time with a guide or a local person who knows the stories well.
Memorable experiences beyond the photo checklist
One distinctive Côn Đảo experience is learning about sea turtle conservation. The national park organizes turtle-nesting observation and hatchling releases at managed locations, including Bảy Cạnh Island. Participation requires registration and compliance with the guidance provided; hatchling releases depend on when the turtles hatch. [8]
The appeal lies in observing a natural process and understanding conservation work. Do not make seeing turtles a condition your trip must meet. Leaving room for waiting often makes an experience more meaningful than simply ticking an item off a list.
In Phú Quý, you can spend more time learning about life in the fishing industry. Offshore fishing, cage-based fish farming and fishing support services are among the special administrative zone’s documented economic activities. Harbors, residential neighborhoods and work at sea can therefore add a practical perspective to your visit. [3]
Try asking a local person about fishing seasons or the story behind a place name. A short conversation can sometimes reveal much more about the landscape in front of you.
Island flavors to remember: tropical almond kernels and fresh beef
This part of the comparison might tempt you to book a trip: the two islands’ culinary specialties include dishes quite different from the usual picture of a seafood meal.
In Côn Đảo, mứt hạt bàng, a local tropical almond kernel snack, is a signature gift. The kernels are extracted from the fruit and roasted with salt or sugar to create savory and sweet versions. A small packet can bring a taste of the island home after your trip. [9]
In Phú Quý, alongside seafood, there is bò nóng, or “hot beef.” According to the national tourism website Vietnam Tourism, “hot” refers to beef sold and served on the same day. It is worth trying when you want a change after several seafood meals. [10]
The journey to the island shapes the trip too
Côn Đảo has air and sea connections, allowing travelers to weigh their options according to where they start. For Phú Quý, the usual journey follows the Phan Thiết–Phú Quý boat route. This difference should be factored into your overall travel time. [1] [4]
For either destination, calculate the time from leaving home to checking in, review both outbound and return journeys, and allow a buffer. Operating schedules and weather conditions should be confirmed for your actual travel dates. The most convenient option is the one that suits your starting point and the health of everyone in your group.
Compare costs for the same kind of trip
To see which destination fits your budget, draw up two plans with the same number of people, nights and standard of accommodation. Comparing a Phú Quý homestay trip with a Côn Đảo resort holiday says more about your choice of services than the relative cost of the destinations.
Return tickets, mainland transfers, accommodation, meals and optional activities together make up the total cost. For groups of friends, room sharing and transport arrangements also affect the budget per person. A useful question is: for the same amount of money, which option offers a trip that suits you better?
Two directions of development worth watching
Looking beyond a single holiday, both special administrative zones are shaping their approach to tourism development. In its plans for 2026–2030 discussed with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Côn Đảo emphasizes service quality, heritage and nature conservation, while seeking to encourage longer visitor stays. [11]
Phú Quý is implementing a community-based tourism development direction for 2026–2030, with goals for training tourism workers and connecting local resources, occupations, experiences, accommodation and distinctive products. This approach gives residents a clearer role in the destination’s development. [12]
Choose an island for the experience you want
If you want to combine history, remembrance, forest and marine exploration, and relaxation, Côn Đảo is worth considering. Make time for guided explanations and choose nature activities according to actual conditions, leaving quiet moments between sightseeing stops.
If you want more time for coastal scenery, island-village culture, local food and a journey built around the boat from Phan Thiết, Phú Quý offers plenty of material for an itinerary. Leave space for an unhurried walk through a neighborhood or an unplanned conversation.
If both appeal, consider giving each its own trip. You will have time to notice what a comparison table cannot fully capture: a story that stays with you, a dish you want to try again, or a view that makes you put down your phone and sit a little longer.
Côn Đảo and Phú Quý both have seas worth admiring. What makes the journey worth anticipating is that each can give you its own reason to remember it and return.
References
Information and sources were cross-checked on November 10, 2026. Click a citation number in the article to jump to the corresponding reference.
[1] Côn Đảo Tourism Information Portal — Overview of the Côn Đảo Special Administrative Zone
[2] Government Online Newspaper — Resolution No. 1671/NQ-UBTVQH15 on the Reorganization of Commune-Level Administrative Units in Lâm Đồng Province in 2025
[3] Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands — Phú Quý Special Administrative Zone Affirms Its Strengths in the Marine Economy
[4] Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — Strategy for Adventure Tourism Development Connecting Coastal and Island Destinations in Lâm Đồng
[5] Côn Đảo National Heritage Conservation Center — Introduction
[6] Bình Thuận Tourism Portal — Vạn An Thạnh Historical and Cultural Site
[7] Côn Đảo Tourism Information Portal — Tourism in Côn Đảo
[8] Côn Đảo National Park — Regulations for Sea Turtle Watching Experiences
[9] Côn Đảo Tourism Information Portal — Tropical Almond Kernel Snacks
[10] Vietnam Tourism — Phu Quy: Vietnam’s Up-and-Coming Island Destination
[11] Côn Đảo Tourism Information Portal — Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Works with Côn Đảo Special Administrative Zone on Tourism Development for 2026–2030
[12] Vietnam News Agency, VietnamPlus — Lâm Đồng Sets Directions for Community-Based Tourism Development in Phú Quý Special Administrative Zone