Bai Dram Trau

Top choice in Con Dao Islands


Reached via a dirt track 1km before the airport on Con Son Island, Bai Dram Trau is a sublime, remote 700m half-moon crescent of soft sand, fringed by casuarina trees and bookended by forest-topped rocky promontories. It's best visited at low tide. There's snorkelling on reefs offshore and some very simple seafood shacks (all open noon till dusk only).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Con Dao Islands attractions

1. Phu Binh Camp

2.46 MILES

On the northeastern edge of town, this prison was built in 1971 by the Americans, and had 384 chambers. The cells had corrugated-iron roofs, and were…

2. Hang Duong Cemetery

2.55 MILES

Some 20,000 Vietnamese prisoners died on Con Son and 1994 of their graves can be seen at the peaceful Hang Duong Cemetery, located at the northeastern…

3. Bai Dat Doc

2.7 MILES

This simply beautiful cove consists of a kilometre-long crescent of pale sand, fringed by wooded hills. The beach's profile is gently shelving and there's…

4. Ma Thien Lanh Bridge

2.81 MILES

The ruins of this bridge, built by prisoners under the French occupation, lie in the hills 1km northwest of Con Son town.

5. Tiger Cages

3.07 MILES

The notorious cells dubbed 'tiger cages' were built in 1940 by the French to incarcerate nearly 2000 political prisoners; the USA continued using them in…

6. Bai Loi Voi

3.07 MILES

On the north side of Con Son Town, Bai Loi Voi is a broad sand-and-shingle beach with lots of seashells and shade-providing coastal trees. At low tide…

7. Bao Tang Con Dao Museum

3.19 MILES

This impressive museum has more than 2000 exhibits, including many rare documents, dioramas and excellent photographs, which comprehensively record the…

8. Cow Shed

3.21 MILES

Built by the French in 1930, this crumbling complex was initially known as the 'pigsty' as prisoners were kept in farmyard-style quarters and fed like…