giang
05-03-2007, 10:48 PM
The calm sea of Con Dao and the sound of gentle waves lapping against the shore at this time of year is appealing to tourists in search of places of historical and natural interest on the islands in the southeastern waters of Vietnam.
Every year, many local and foreign tourists travel either by air from HCMC or boat from Vung Tau City to get an insight into the past and indulge themselves in the peace and beauty of Con Dao, formerly known as “The Hell on Earth” in Indochina during French rule and the American War.
Historical documents and pictures at the Con Dao Museum provide clear evidence of the cruel practices used by both the French and then the U.S.-backed former regime of Saigon to torture thousands of revolutionaries and independence fighters during the 113 years from 1862 to 1975, which marked the reunification of Vietnam.
More than 20,000 prisoners were ruthlessly tortured to death during that period, including heroine Vo Thi Sau. But, it was the “Hell on the Earth” that steeled the will and the strength of prisoners, who contributed to the liberation of Con Dao, also known as Con Lon, and the country’s reunification.
The sad era ended more than 30 years ago, but the heroic fights still echo in the present and the future. These historic values, together with its natural attractions, have turned Con Dao into a popular destination for historical researchers and tourists from near and far.
Nowadays, tourists can enjoy the isolation of the peaceful island of Robinson when traveling to Con Dao, whose current population exceeds 5,000. The best time to visit Con Dao is in summer, when the sea is calm, and visitors can view the 16 islands of the Con Dao Archipelago, which appear in the shapes of a bear, an egg and other figures according to their imagination, from the aircraft windows before landing and after the take-off.
Motorcycles can be rented at most hotels or resorts for VND20,000 for an hour. Motorcycle taxis are also available for hire for private tours to the in-land and coastal places. Receptionists can give directions or provide maps of Con Dao, identifying the popular sites such as Hang Duong Cemetery, where Vo Thi Sau and other revolutionaries and independence fighters rest, French and American-style prisons like tiger houses, Pier 914, the Place of Islandlord, the Vestige of Skull, Ben Dam Bay, Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, and the Temple for Lady Phi Yen, who was the concubine of Lord Nguyen Anh, who later became emperor Gia Long.
Adults and children play on the beaches and swim in the sea along Ton Duc Thang Street in the late afternoon, and visitors are invited to shrug off their tiredness on the way back and join in the fun. Privacy lovers should head to the wild, white-sands of Nhat beach, which is on the way between Ben Dam Bay and the heart of Con Dao Town.
The tourism services office of Con Dao National Park arranges one-day tours of two-hour treks through forests, snorkeling at the coral reefs in Tre Lagoon and visiting Bay Canh Island to swim on the daylight and see turtles giving birth at night . The tours cost around US$20 per person.
Con Dao which is 180 kilometers from Vung Tau City and 210 kilometers from HCMC, was recognized as a nature reserve in 1984 and a national park in 1993. The total protected area of the park is 20,000 hectares, including 14,000 hectares of waters and 6,000 hectares of forest. The park is now home to more than 1,057 floras, 135 forest faunas and 1,321 oceanic species, including rare species like dugong, sea turtles and squirrels.
For organized tours to attractions of Con Dao, contact the tourism services office of Con Dao National Park at 29 Vo Thi Sau Street, Con Dao District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Tel: (064) 830 669; 858 792.
by Mong Binh
Every year, many local and foreign tourists travel either by air from HCMC or boat from Vung Tau City to get an insight into the past and indulge themselves in the peace and beauty of Con Dao, formerly known as “The Hell on Earth” in Indochina during French rule and the American War.
Historical documents and pictures at the Con Dao Museum provide clear evidence of the cruel practices used by both the French and then the U.S.-backed former regime of Saigon to torture thousands of revolutionaries and independence fighters during the 113 years from 1862 to 1975, which marked the reunification of Vietnam.
More than 20,000 prisoners were ruthlessly tortured to death during that period, including heroine Vo Thi Sau. But, it was the “Hell on the Earth” that steeled the will and the strength of prisoners, who contributed to the liberation of Con Dao, also known as Con Lon, and the country’s reunification.
The sad era ended more than 30 years ago, but the heroic fights still echo in the present and the future. These historic values, together with its natural attractions, have turned Con Dao into a popular destination for historical researchers and tourists from near and far.
Nowadays, tourists can enjoy the isolation of the peaceful island of Robinson when traveling to Con Dao, whose current population exceeds 5,000. The best time to visit Con Dao is in summer, when the sea is calm, and visitors can view the 16 islands of the Con Dao Archipelago, which appear in the shapes of a bear, an egg and other figures according to their imagination, from the aircraft windows before landing and after the take-off.
Motorcycles can be rented at most hotels or resorts for VND20,000 for an hour. Motorcycle taxis are also available for hire for private tours to the in-land and coastal places. Receptionists can give directions or provide maps of Con Dao, identifying the popular sites such as Hang Duong Cemetery, where Vo Thi Sau and other revolutionaries and independence fighters rest, French and American-style prisons like tiger houses, Pier 914, the Place of Islandlord, the Vestige of Skull, Ben Dam Bay, Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, and the Temple for Lady Phi Yen, who was the concubine of Lord Nguyen Anh, who later became emperor Gia Long.
Adults and children play on the beaches and swim in the sea along Ton Duc Thang Street in the late afternoon, and visitors are invited to shrug off their tiredness on the way back and join in the fun. Privacy lovers should head to the wild, white-sands of Nhat beach, which is on the way between Ben Dam Bay and the heart of Con Dao Town.
The tourism services office of Con Dao National Park arranges one-day tours of two-hour treks through forests, snorkeling at the coral reefs in Tre Lagoon and visiting Bay Canh Island to swim on the daylight and see turtles giving birth at night . The tours cost around US$20 per person.
Con Dao which is 180 kilometers from Vung Tau City and 210 kilometers from HCMC, was recognized as a nature reserve in 1984 and a national park in 1993. The total protected area of the park is 20,000 hectares, including 14,000 hectares of waters and 6,000 hectares of forest. The park is now home to more than 1,057 floras, 135 forest faunas and 1,321 oceanic species, including rare species like dugong, sea turtles and squirrels.
For organized tours to attractions of Con Dao, contact the tourism services office of Con Dao National Park at 29 Vo Thi Sau Street, Con Dao District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Tel: (064) 830 669; 858 792.
by Mong Binh