Con Dao among world's 16 best island vacations: travel specialists

Con Dao Island, off the coast of southern Vietnam, has been voted as one of 16 best destinations for summer getaways by Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury travel magazine.

"Con Dao is a smaller island with very little commercial development," the magazine said. "With this, the beaches are quiet and the few resort options allow for a special retreat."

Situated around 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the Con Dao Archipelago was overlooked by tourists for years until Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie along with their children visited it in 2011, giving it global exposure.

Thanks to its low tourist profile, Con Dao is home to a large turtle population.

The U.S. magazine advised tourists to head to Hon Bay Canh Island and stay overnight at a ranger station to watch the turtles lay eggs during the mating season from April to October.

Hon Bay Canh, the second largest island of the Con Dao Archipelago after Con Son, is covered by primitive forests.

If you’re interested in history, a visit to the Con Dao Prison, which was built during the French colonial era and used through the Vietnam War, is not to be missed.

The list also included Koh Samui Island in Thailand, Lord Howe Island in Australia, Mallorca in Spain and Vancouver Island in Canada.