Not only famous for its white sand, golden sunshine and romantic nature, Con Dao is also famous as a place where many historical memories are kept. Join Vietnam Travel to explore historic landmarks in Con Dao!
As an archipelago located off the southern coast, Con Dao is the destination chosen by many tourists thanks to the charming natural scenery. However, not everyone knows that Con Dao used to hold a special position in the history of Vietnam, once witnessed many historical struggles of many politicians. The proof for the years of fierce struggle is that the historical places in Con Dao are still being preserved to this day.
List of historic places in Con Dao
Con Dao prison
This is one of the landmarks named after the island, once known as “earthly hell”. Con Dao prison is this prison system built by the French to keep prisoners particularly dangerous under the French colonial regime. This is not just one of the historical sites in Con Dao famous but also is considered one of the places of fear of Asia, is in the top 10 prison brutality of the world. 
Con Dao prison is also known as hell on earth
The prison was built in 1862, used to hold 200,000 political prisoners, with 20,000 prisoners died. The prison system includes Phu Son camp, Phu Hai camp, Phu Tho camp, Phu Tuong camp, the isolated area of the Tiger Cage, the Chu Bo area, the Phu An camp, the Phu Phong camp and the Phu Hung camp.
Con Dao prison used to be the place to hold 200,000 political prisoners
When visiting Con Dao prison, tourists should not miss visiting the isolated area of the Tiger Cages. Prisoners are detained in a 5 square meter room, located under damp concrete, and frequently tortured. Above the Tiger Cages are bars for the guards to observe, if the prisoner below has any protest, the guards will sprinkle lime powder or poke down with stir fry to deter them. 
The isolation of the Tiger Cages is the place with the most punishment here
Currently Con Dao prison is the top famous landmarks in Con Dao , attracting about 50,000 visitors to visit. This place is a meaningful and sacred destination to be able to see the patriotism and will of Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers. 
Go to the prison to see the will of the Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers
The island’s royal residence
The island’s royal palace is one of the historical places in Con Dao that used to play the leading role in operating the prison system. The palace is the starting place for exile orders and conspiracies, and is the luxurious living place of the former island lord. 
The island lord’s palace is the luxurious living place of the island lord
With an area of about 18,000m2, including main house, auxiliary house, garden and other works. The island’s royal palace used to be the seat of 53 lords, including 39 kings of French island and 14 generations of US island lords. This place is a place that clearly shows the contrast between the luxurious life of the island lord, the other side is slave labor, serving the life of the island lord. 
The island’s royal palace used to be the residence of 53 lords
The island’s royal palace was also the foundation of the first revolutionary government in Con Dao, so after the liberation of Con Dao, this place was used as a gallery of Con Dao historical relics. Inside the gallery of the island’s royal residence, four main themes are displayed: Con Dao – country – people, Con Dao – hell on earth, Con Dao – school of revolutionary struggle, Con Dao – historical relic. current network and in the hearts of Vietnamese people.
The island’s royal palace is also the place to display historical relics in Con Dao
Ma Thien Lanh Bridge
Ma Thien Lanh Bridge is a historic destination in Con Dao of important significance, was built by the French to blur the road from Nui Chua junction to Ong Dung beach to exploit wood and stone for the construction of the prison. The name Ma Thien Lanh is used by prisoners to place the bridge, simulating two unfinished bridge abutments made of blood and bones of thousands of prisoners. Although only 2 abutments were built in the period from 1930 to 1945, more than 365 enemies died from heavy work.
The bridge was built by the French to blur the road from Nui Chua junction to Ong Dung beach
Visiting Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, visitors not only hear the story of the past but also enjoy the very fresh atmosphere. Thanks to the immense forest trees and crystal clear streams, many tourists even consider this as a miniature Dalat. 
Ma Thien Lanh Bridge is like miniature Da Lat
Hang Duong Cemetery
Hang Duong cemetery is the largest cemetery in Con Dao, the resting place of thousands of revolutionary soldiers, Vietnamese patriots for generations. The cemetery was built in 1992 with 3 zones A, B, C, and later expanded to zone D. 
Hang Duong cemetery is the largest cemetery in Con Dao
Tourists exploring historical sites in Con Dao often come here to visit the graves and offer incense to heroes who died in fierce war years. In the cemetery area, Vo Thi Sau ‘s grave is a destination chosen by many tourists. At night, the cemetery is even more magical thanks to the small lights lit above the graves. 
Visiting Hang Duong cemetery to visit the graves for heroic martyrs
At night, the cemetery is even more magical thanks to the small lights
The shrine of Mrs. Phi Yen
Phi Yen Temple, also known as An Son Mieu, is not only a sacred place but also one of the famous historical places in Con Dao . This is the only temple area on Con Dao, worshiping the goddess which is highly respected by the people on the island. Mrs. Phi Yen was the concubine of King Nguyen Anh, credited with preventing the sale of water.
The shrine of Mrs. Phi Yen is the only shrine on Con Dao
Entering the shrine, you will feel the very light and airy atmosphere. The temple’s architecture is not too massive but green thanks to the shade of old trees. At this point, do not forget to light a piece of incense to pray and pay homage. 
The space at the temple is very fresh and airy
Con Dao Museum
Con Dao Museum was built in 2009 for the purpose of researching, collecting, displaying and preserving war artifacts. The artifacts displayed here are evidence of denunciation of the imperial colonial’s barbaric convictions, and to affirm the will to fight of the communist soldiers during the years of war. 
Con Dao Museum researches, collects, displays and preserves war artifacts
In the journey to visit the landmarks of Con Dao , coming to Con Dao Museum is where you can observe the most overview of the process of national liberation. 
Con Dao Museum is a testament to the national struggle process
Con Dao is still an idyllic and peaceful island, always welcoming visitors with fresh destinations. Not only that, Con Dao is also a place to keep many painful losses in the war years, many evidences through the list of historical places in Con Dao . Hopefully you will have a meaningful journey!