Tuan Chau→Cat Ba Island Ferry
The most scenic public ferry in Vietnam & the cheapest way to cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay…
Con Dao: Boat Trips to Outlying Islands
The smaller islands in the archipelago can be reached by speedboat, offering remote beaches, hiking, snorkeling & swimming…
Into the Wild Hike & Camp | Phu Quoc Island
A short, rewarding hike through thick jungle & down steep wooden ladders to a remote beach…
Can Tho→Con Dao Express Ferry
A fast ferry route connecting the largest city in the Mekong Delta with Con Son Island in the Con Dao Archipelago…
Hiking the Con Dao Islands
One of the most pristine natural environments in Vietnam, several hiking trails traverse the Con Dao Islands offering sensational views…
Vung Tau→Con Dao Express Ferry
A new, modern ship with capacity for over 1,000 passengers is now operating on the sea crossing from Vung Tau to Con Dao…
Dam Tre Bay | Con Son Island
Turquoise water & abundant coral rimmed by forested hills & dramatic cliffs, Đầm Tre is one of Vietnam’s most pristine, remote & utterly magical bays…
Núi Đá Bạc Mountain Trek | Phu Quoc Island
Offering stupendous views, this is a fun & rewarding hike to the top of one of the jungle-clad escarpments lining Phu Quoc’s eastern flank…
Camping on Dragon Beach & the Northern Bays | Phu Quoc Island
Sleeping on the sands of the beautiful & deserted northern beaches is a real adventure & an experience that will stay with you for a long time…
Trekking to Đỉnh Tiên Sơn Peak | Phu Quoc Island
Ascending steeply through thick rainforest, a pathway leads to a nest of giant boulders atop Đỉnh Tiên Sơn, from where there are stunning 180-degree views…
Spring Hopping Loop | Phu Quoc Island
Several refreshing streams run cool & clear off the spine of jungled mountains along Phu Quoc Island’s eastern flank, all linked by quiet back-roads…
Island-Hopping in Vietnam: A Guide
From north to south, the Vietnamese coast is flecked with thousands of islands; hundreds of which are inhabited & dozens of which can be visited by island-hopping. A handful of these islands are already well-established tourist destinations, but many are only just emerging as potential attractions….
Phu Quoc Island: North & East Coasts
Newly completed roads have opened access to the beaches, bays, forests & hamlets of the north & east coasts of Phu Quoc Island. Previously difficult to get to, these parts of Phu Quoc are the least developed, most characterful & charming on the island….
Pirate Islands (Đảo Hải Tặc) | Travel Guide
Lying in the Gulf of Thailand, just off Vietnam’s southwest coast, Pirate Islands is a rugged archipelago, only recently opened to foreign visitors…
Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay: Travel Guide
An island of dramatic coastlines & jungle-clad limestone pillars, Cat Ba is one of Vietnam’s star natural attractions & part of world-famous Halong Bay….
Ly Son Island: Travel Guide
A volcanic island surrounded by a ring of reefs, Ly Son is a striking, stark & geologically fascinating destination. Easily reached by regular fast ferries, Ly Son Island is located off the coast of central Vietnam….
Tam Hai Island: Travel Guide
A small & tranquil island at the mouth of a river, Tam Hai is within easy reach of Hoi An & Danang. This little island is a self-contained, peaceful world, with its own beauty, its own festivals, and its own resort….
Phu Quy Island: Travel Guide
A new & exciting destination, Phu Quy Island is but a drop of green land in the vast blue ocean, and has only very recently opened its doors to domestic & foreign travellers. A fascinating place with a real sense of isolation, this is my comprehensive guide to Phu Quy Island….
Hon Son Island: Travel Guide
Hon Son Island is a gem. It’s a rugged yet green & exceptionally beautiful isle. With jungle-covered mountains rising from the ocean, peaceful fishing hamlets in picturesque bays, and palm-fringed beaches, Hon Son has got it all…
Nam Du Islands: Travel Guide
A glistening archipelago of small tropical islands off the southwestern coast of Vietnam, Nam Du is beautiful & undeveloped. With mesmerizing beaches & bays, a jungle-clad interior, and over 20 outlying islands, Nam Du is a treat…
Soc Trang→Con Dao Express Ferry
The fastest, cheapest & most reliable boat connection from the mainland to the islands, the Sóc Trăng→Côn Đảo ferry takes just 2 hours…
Diep Son Island & Sandbar, Van Phong Bay
Lying in the calm, warm waters of Van Phong Bay, just an hour north of Nha Trang, Diep Son is a mini-archipelago of small green islands. At low tide, a curving sandbar is exposed, linking three of the islets via a ‘sand bridge’….
Paradiso Beach Club, Phu Quoc Island
Occupying the best spot on Bai Sao, the most popular beach on Phu Quoc Island, Paradiso Beach Club is a great place to chill, drink, eat & swim…
Vung Bau Beach: Go Now
Vung Bau beach is one of the last vestiges of ‘old’ Phu Quoc. Located in the northwest of the island, the largely undeveloped sands are lapped by a sapphire-coloured sea, a reminder of what Phu Quoc’s western shore was once like…
Southern Islands: Con Dao or Phu Quoc?
Two of the most attractive beach destinations in Vietnam. But which should you choose?
Phu Quoc Island: Beach Guide
This guide covers all 21 beaches on Phu Quoc Island, including tips for accommodation, food, drink & things to see & do on each one of them…
Phu Quoc Island by Boat
Taking the boat between the Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc Island is fun, cheap, convenient & relatively hassle-free. A huge increase in fast boats & car ferries operating on several routes, means it’s now easier than ever to reach Phu Quoc Island by sea….
Con Dao Islands on a Budget
Despite several high-profile luxury developments, travel to the Con Dao Islands needn’t be too expensive. Budget travellers & backpackers can still enjoy this beautiful archipelago by taking certain steps. This is my guide to how to keep the cost of visiting one of Vietnam’s most enchanting destinations to a minimum.
Video: Con Dao Islands
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 has a tragic past as a penal colony, set up by the French colonial administration. But today, it is the gorgeous natural beauty of this archipelago that’s attracting attention.
Con Dao Islands: Travel Guide
With wild & beautiful beaches, jungle-covered peaks & a fascinating but tragic history, the Côn Đảo Islands is a remarkable destination…