From the moment you step off the plane on the Con Dao Islands, you know you’re somewhere special. The main island of Con Son was a penal colony – started by the French colonial administration – until it closed in 1975. The prisons have been preserved as a memorial to those who died here. Today, it’s the gorgeous natural beauty of this archipelago that’s attracting attention. With great beaches, turquoise seas, rugged mountains, and a charming town of decaying French villas, the future is bright for the Con Dao Islands. It’s bound to become a famous luxury retreat. But for now, the islands are undeveloped and easily accessible, with daily flights from Saigon taking only 45 minutes. For more information: read my Guide to the Con Dao Islands, and watch the video below: