Con Dao is a famous tourist destination, known for its beautiful scenery and abundant specialties. Let’s explore the top 15 Con Dao specialties worth buying as gifts for your friends and family!
1 Introduction to Con Dao Tourism
Con Dao is an island district belonging to Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, 185 km from Vung Tau, 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 83 km from Can Tho. This 76-square-kilometer archipelago comprises 16 islands, the largest being Con Son Island. The development of transportation, travel, accommodation, and dining services on the island has elevated its status on the tourism map.
The ideal time to visit is between March and September, marking the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. The weather during this period is cool and pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.
Moreover, the sea is usually calm at this time, making it perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and exploring the islands and bays. If you want to witness sea turtles laying their eggs, plan your visit between July and September—an unforgettable experience!
Introduction to Con Dao Tourism
2 Top 15 Con Dao Specialties to Try and Buy
Specialties to Try in Con Dao
Red Lobster
In addition to the aforementioned specialties, Con Dao is renowned for its fresh seafood, particularly red lobster. It is a luxurious delicacy that can be prepared in numerous mouthwatering dishes.
Fresh Seafood – Red Lobster.
Red lobster can be grilled, steamed, or made into a salad, among other dishes. It is a rich source of nutrients and offers a tender, sweet, and firm texture with an exceptional flavor compared to other types of lobster. It would make a precious gift for your loved ones.
Estimated Price: 800,000 – 1,200,000 VND/kg
Address: Thu Ba Restaurant – Zone 7 Vo Thi Sau, Con Dao District
Moon Crab
Another unique seafood delicacy found in Con Dao is the moon crab. These crabs have a distinctive appearance with red markings on their backs.
Con Dao’s Moon Crab has a peculiar shape.
Moon crabs can be prepared in a variety of ways, or simply steamed and dipped in salt and pepper for a delicious treat.
Nurse Conch
Nurse conch is another special seafood delicacy in Con Dao that is ideal for buying as gifts. It is a rare find in Con Dao and is considered one of the top ten most delicious seafood dishes in Vietnam.
Nurse conch is ranked among the top ten most delicious seafood dishes in Vietnam.
This conch can be prepared in multiple ways, including grilling, boiling, stir-frying, or making into a salad. It is often grilled with spring onions to treat visitors to Con Dao.
Address: You can find nurse conch at the large seafood markets in Con Dao. Several restaurants in Con Dao also serve delicious nurse conch dishes:
+ Tri Ky Restaurant – Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
Oyster Porridge
Oyster Porridge
Con Dao oysters are large in size and have a sweet and buttery flavor, setting them apart from others. They are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. The perfect bowl of oyster porridge is made by cooking rice until it blooms and becomes soft and fluffy. Adding pepper, coriander, and sauteed shallots further enhances the flavor.
Estimated Price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl
Address:
+ Ut Trieu Restaurant – Tran Phu Street, Zone 6, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
+ Cay Bang Restaurant – Tran Huy Lieu Street, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Trough Shell
Trough Shell
Another seafood delicacy and Con Dao specialty is the trough shell. These large shells resemble the shape of an elephant’s ear. The meat is chewy and crunchy with a delightful flavor, captivating all who taste it.
Estimated Price: 280,000 – 300,000 VND/kg.
Address: Thu Ba Restaurant – Vo Thi Sau Street, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
Bun Rieu Hai Khiem
Bun Rieu Hai Khiem
Bun Rieu Hai Khiem is a simple yet captivating Con Dao specialty. This dish is nutritious, affordable, and generously topped with ingredients like pork hock, tofu, blood cake, and shiitake mushrooms, satisfying even the most discerning palates.
Estimated Price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl
Address: 22 Nguyen Hue Street, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
Shark Fin Salad (Dogfish Salad)
Shark Fin Salad (Dogfish Salad)
This salad is prepared with fresh ingredients such as green bananas, star fruit, pineapple, and various herbs (wild pepper leaves, fishwort, etc.). Each bite offers a burst of flavors—the sweetness of the fish, the spiciness of the chili, the sourness of the pineapple and star fruit, and the astringency of the green bananas. It is a truly harmonious and palate-pleasing dish.
Estimated Price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/serving
Address: Ot Restaurant – Nguyen Duc Thuan Street, Zone 5, Con Dao Town, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop
Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop
In addition to seafood, Con Dao’s broken rice with grilled pork chop is a must-try. The marinated and grilled pork chop is full of flavor, complemented by crispy pork skin, a fried egg, and a savory egg meatloaf—a dish that will surely captivate your heart.
Estimated Price: 20,000 VND/serving
Address: Com Tam Thuy – Zone 6, Con Dao, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Specialties to Buy as Gifts in Con Dao
Sun-Dried Mackerel
When it comes to Con Dao specialties, mackerel is undoubtedly one of the most famous. The processing of sun-dried mackerel ensures food safety, so you can rest assured when buying it as a gift.
Freshly caught mackerel is immediately cleaned, cut into pieces, washed with salted water, and then sun-dried for a day.
Con Dao’s famous sun-dried mackerel specialty.
Sun-dried mackerel can be prepared in various ways, including grilling, stewing, or frying, while retaining its sweetness, tenderness, and unique aroma. It is free from any fishy smell, making it an excellent choice for gifts.
Price Range: 220,000 – 500,000 VND/kg
You can find sun-dried mackerel at the seafood markets in Con Dao!
Pangium Edule Fruit Jam
Pangium edule fruit jam is another Con Dao specialty not to be missed. This unique jam is rarely found in other tourist destinations. Therefore, it is an excellent choice to buy as souvenirs for your loved ones.
The pangium edule fruits are harvested and processed, with the seeds removed and the kernel extracted. The kernels have a light brown color and a flat, elongated shape. After cleaning, the kernels are roasted with salt or sugar using a traditional method of the local people.
Enjoy the unique flavor of Con Dao’s Pangium edule fruit jam.
The flavor of the jam is a delightful combination of buttery, nutty, sweet, and savory notes. The outer shell is crispy, and the kernel is buttery and tender. Don’t hesitate to buy this jam as a gift for your friends and family!
Price Range:
+ Sugar-roasted type: 220,000 – 500,000 VND/kg
+ Salt-roasted type: 280,000 – 500,000 VND/kg
You can find pangium edule fruit jam in local grocery stores or souvenir shops in Con Dao.
Bird’s Nest
Bird’s nest is another luxurious and expensive Con Dao specialty. Con Dao is a prime location for swiftlets to build their nests due to its fertile and favorable natural environment.
After harvesting, the bird’s nests are cleaned using modern technology and processed into various products
