There is a small island just off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City that has kept its wonders hidden from the world. It is the only island close enough that you will wonder why you have never been, yet so protected that the majority of its land and sea belongs to a National Park.
From May to October, our Vietnam island resort saves its best for the few who find their way here. This is the season when the island relaxes into itself and the wild things come a little closer. The colors grow more vivid and every moment feels like it belongs to you alone.
The water turns glassy. The coral gardens put on a show. Vietnam’s last remaining dugongs graze in the seagrass beds we have been quietly restoring. You can slide into a kayak or balance on a paddleboard, following the coastline wherever it leads. The ocean is your playground, as long as you play gently.
When the sun goes down, the island hands the hour over to creatures who have been waiting for darkness. The mother turtles arrive first, choosing our stretch of sand because we have kept it soft and undisturbed, because the lights are low and the noise is absent. They lay their eggs and slip back into the water, leaving behind a promise that will hatch six or seven weeks later.
There is something deeply moving about witnessing hatchlings take their first steps. Tiny and determined, they make their way toward the ocean with an instinct that needs no guidance, only distance to travel. From April through December, the beach belongs to them. We are simply lucky enough to witness it.
When the light fades, the island shifts its focus upward. Con Dao’s limited development has preserved an unusually dark night sky. Constellations sharpen and the Milky Way stretches overhead. No telescope required. Take it in from your terrace, a vantage point recommended by the Experience Team, or over a rooftop dinner with chef-selected dishes paired with handpicked wines.
That same sense of discovery carries over onto land. Con Dao’s most unsung treasure is its untouched forest, a protected wilderness that remains among the least disturbed of Vietnam’s destinations. Joined by a local guide, you’ll find hiking routes for everyone to enjoy.
Not all exploration requires leaving your villa. Our biodiversity book, Who Lives Here, brings Con Dao’s “locals” and wildlife to you, making it surprisingly easy to get to know your fellow island residents.
Children aged six to 12 also get their own adventure with the Climate Warrior program, learning to protect the ocean and the planet through games, gardening, and art.
When the body requires its own kind of attention, nature has already set the scene. A brief stay creates a noticeable shift. A longer stay allows for deeper restoration. Single treatments or personalized multi-day journeys: the choice belongs to you.
This season focuses on Ayurveda and Sleep as the foundations of well-being, delivered through our signature high-tech and high-touch approach what is widely regarded as the best spa in Vietnam.
Leave formality behind at the Chef’s Table, where each dish is prepared before you, our chef sharing the story behind every course, along with sommelier-guided exploration of wine pairings from the cellar. Outside, find a hideaway seaside picnic corner set aside just for you with chilled Champagne and the sound of the waves. Alternatively, dine where the moment feels best: a multi-course feast in the privacy of your villa, or a candlelit table set along the shore.
It’s not a journey you track while you’re here, and there’s no list to tick. Like all the best secrets, the hidden season only reveals itself in full once you’re here.