🇻🇳 Con Dao,
Vietnam
#2664
Nomad Score
5.4
Coords
8.6855081, 106.6067254
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Con Dao Islands, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 40-60 Mbps; VNPT and Viettel fiber are reliable, but international bandwidth can fluctuate during sea cable repairs. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 24,800 VND. ATMs are limited; Agribank and Sacombank near the market are the main options. High fees for international cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. Use bottled water (approx. 10,000 VND per 1.5L) or filtered water provided by guesthouses. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C/G sockets. Power outages are rare but can occur during storm season. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Viettel has the best coverage on the island. Buy at the airport or 'Cua Hang Viettel' on Pham Van Dong St for approx. 200,000 VND/month for 4GB/day. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Agribank (6 Pham Van Dong) is the primary local branch. Revolut and Wise work at ATMs but expect a 3% local bank fee. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Mix of boutique hotels, homestays, and luxury resorts like Six Senses. Booking.com and Agoda are better than Airbnb here. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partial. Hotels and high-end restaurants accept cards/Apple Pay; local eateries and markets are strictly cash or VietQR transfer. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Uyen's House (approx. $25/night) or Con Dao Camping ($30/night) for monthly stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Lighthouse Boutique Hotel (approx. 450,000 VND/night) or Punon Con Dao Homestay (300,000 VND/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Con Son Coastal Road (Ton Duc Thang St) for sea views and proximity to the pier. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Town Center near Vo Thi Sau Street for easy access to the market, cafes, and stable WiFi. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 10,000 residents |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | No dedicated coworking spaces. Most nomads work from 'The Secret Con Dao' lobby or high-end hotel lounges. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Infiniti Cafe & Lounge (Tran Huy Lieu St) - Good WiFi, plenty of sockets, and excellent coffee (approx. 55,000 VND). |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal. Check the 'Expats in Con Dao' Facebook group for occasional meetups at Bar200. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Friday night drinks at Bar200 (approx. 80,000 VND for a craft beer). |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is not available. Use Con Dao Taxi (0254 3830 830) or electric tourist cars (approx. 20,000 VND/km). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Standard semi-automatic scooters cost 120,000 - 150,000 VND/day from most guesthouses. Fuel is available at only two stations on the island. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Bai Nhat (Stunning sunset spot) or Dam Trau Beach (near the airport, famous for planes flying low overhead). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Bamboo Airways and VASCO (operated by Vietnam Airlines). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Connect via Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN) using Vietnam Airlines. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Island ring road (Cung Duong Tay Bac) connects the town to the northern airport and southern port. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Con Dao Airport (VCS) for flights; Ben Dam Port for high-speed ferries from Vung Tau or Soc Trang. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None. Transportation is strictly private rental, taxi, or walking. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Superdong Speed Ferry to Soc Trang (approx. 350,000 VND, 2.5 hours). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Con Dao Military & Civilian Medical Center (Vuon Dao St). For serious issues, medical evacuation to HCMC is required. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Six Senses Spa offers high-end yoga sessions (approx. $40+). Local sessions are infrequent. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Public outdoor gym equipment along the waterfront (free) or the fitness center at The Secret Con Dao (paid day pass). |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Most homestays offer laundry for 30,000 VND/kg. Look for 'Giat Ui' signs on Nguyen Hue St. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | None. Order via Zalo/Phone directly from restaurants like Gia Minh. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Banh Canh Ghe (Crab noodle soup) - approx. 50,000 VND at local stalls. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Quan Chay Phuc Loc (Nguyen An Ninh St) offers rice plates for 30,000 VND. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Che Con Dao (shaved ice/sweet soup) near the night market (20,000 VND). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Con Dao Market (Cho Con Dao) for fresh fruit, snacks, and local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Shopee and Lazada deliver to the island, but expect 5-7 days shipping time via ship. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Not available; local shopping at the market is the norm. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The intersection of Pham Van Dong and Nguyen Hue; Bar200 is the main hub. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | No local brewery; C-Brewery craft beers are shipped in from the mainland and sold at Bar200. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Sunset Lounge at Six Senses (High-end). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Con Dao Night Market (Tran Huy Lieu St) for grilled seafood and pancakes. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Bar200 for Pizza and Burgers (approx. 180,000 VND). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Con Dao Prison (Tiger Cages) - 40,000 VND entry fee. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Con Dao Museum (approx. 50,000 VND) showcasing island history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Phu Hai Prison and the 914 Pier. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Van Son Tu Pagoda; requires a steep walk but offers incredible bay views. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Death Anniversary of Heroine Vo Thi Sau (January 23rd) - a major local event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The historic French Quarter along the waterfront. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | None. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Con Dao Central Market (morning is best). |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Mostly acoustic live music at Infiniti Cafe on weekends. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Limited; mostly historical murals near the museum. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Offered occasionally by Six Senses or secret garden restaurants. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | None. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The former French Governor's Palace (now part of the museum grounds). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Associated with the struggle for independence; the Hang Duong Cemetery is a sacred site. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Con Dao National Park - Hiking trails to Ong Dung Beach (60,000 VND permit fee). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Con Dao National Park covers 80% of the island chain. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The coastal road from town to Ben Dam Port is 12km of scenic, paved riding. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mui Chim (Bird Cape) for sunrise and Bai Nhat for sunset. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Hon Tre Nho (Small Bamboo Island) accessible by boat. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Generally discouraged due to National Park regulations; allowed only at specific island camping tours. |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | VNPost (Post Office) near the museum for international/local shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Small phone repair shops on Nguyen Trai St; no Apple-certified repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local sports center near the lake. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | None/Private tutors only. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Con Dao Library (limited English selection). |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Cultural House (Nha Van Hoa) near the park. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Small 'Internet Net' cafes on the outskirts; basic rigs only. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None (Gambling is generally illegal in Vietnam outside specific resorts). |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 45-60 million VND per m² ($1,900 - $2,500/m²). Example: 40m² = 2.2 Billion VND. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 30-40 million VND per m². Example: 40m² = 1.4 Billion VND. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 50 million VND per m². Example: 60m² = 3 Billion VND. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 35 million VND per m². Example: 60m² = 2.1 Billion VND. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 45 million VND per m². Example: 80m² = 3.6 Billion VND. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 30 million VND per m². Example: 80m² = 2.4 Billion VND. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% (Standard Vietnamese rate). |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% for individuals. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income for residents (staying >183 days). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% for monthly income above 80 million VND. |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% (standard), though some services are 8%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Vietnam is currently strengthening transfer pricing and anti-tax avoidance rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Very low land use tax (approx. 0.03% - 0.15% of land value). |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% Personal Income Tax on sale price + 0.5% Registration fee. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific nomad visa yet; most use E-visas (90 days). No tax if staying under 183 days and income is from abroad. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING CON DAO