Con Son
Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
Once a notorious penal colony, Con Son and the other 15 islands of an obscure archipelago in the South China Sea, known collectively as Con Dao, might seem an unlikely destination for travelers. But their former off-limits status has preserved intact Vietnam’s most diverse offshore ecosystem. Today, a 45-minute turboprop flight from Ho Chi Minh City will land you in a ruggedly beautiful place of astounding biodiversity, including several endemic mammals, 44 unique plant species, and marine life spanning 270 different corals, giant clams, hawksbill sea turtles, and dugongs. Visitors looking to make the most of it all will want to book a stay at the Six Senses Con Dao (Dat Doc Beach; 84-64/383-1222; doubles from US$580), whose 50 sustainably designed timber- and-glass villas are sited along a great curve of empty beach five kilometers east of Con Son town. The only crime one is likely to be accused of here is over-indulgence: facilities include a market-style Vietnamese eatery, a beachside seafood restaurant, a dive center, Hobie Cats, and a serene spa.