Vietnam’s remote Con Dao archipelago has topped a global ranking of 30 “most mysterious islands” to visit this summer, earning praise for its untouched beaches, dramatic granite cliffs and escape-the-crowds appeal.

Con Dao, a cluster of islands off Vietnam’s southeastern coast, has claimed the No. 1 spot on Travel + Leisure’s list of the world’s most mysterious islands worth visiting this summer. The U.S based travel magazine released the ranking in early May, highlighting destinations that remain largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism.

While Phu Quoc has often been described as a smaller version of Thailand’s Phuket, Travel + Leisure pointed to Con Dao as the destination for travelers seeking something far quieter an archipelago still largely unknown to international visitors.

Travelers can reach Con Son the largest of Con Dao’s 16 islands by ferry or a roughly 60-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Once there, visitors are greeted by towering granite cliffs framing pristine, crowd-free beaches and crystal-clear waters that several international guests have compared to Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast.

Beyond swimming and sunbathing, popular activities include watching sea turtles nest, stargazing under some of Vietnam’s clearest night skies, and renting a motorbike or booking a guided tour to nearby landmarks such as Bay Canh Lighthouse and Dam Tre Lagoon.

According to Travel + Leisure, most accommodation on Con Son consists of simple, budget-friendly guesthouses, though upscale options are also available, including Six Senses Con Dao and Poulo Condor Boutique Resort and Spa. Susmita Baral, an editor at the magazine who stayed at one of the island’s resorts during a 2023 trip to Vietnam, described the breakfast spread as generous and the on-site dining as good enough to make guests reluctant to leave, adding that staff went out of their way to accommodate every request.

Other islands featured on the 2026 list include Gili Trawangan (Indonesia), Pico (Portugal), Sandön (Sweden), Skopelos (Greece), and Caye Caulker (Belize).

Travel experts note that when people picture an island getaway, household names like Bali, Hawaii, and Santorini typically come to mind first. But beyond these overcrowded hotspots, the world still holds plenty of equally captivating island escapes that fly under the radar.

That reasoning is exactly why Travel + Leisure compiled its “mysterious islands” list, curated from the input of travel experts and tourists based on criteria such as remoteness, untouched natural beauty, low visitor numbers, minimal overtourism, and the ability to offer a genuine escape from modern, fast-paced life.

Long known among domestic travelers as a site for heritage and spiritual tourism, Con Dao is increasingly being discovered as a resort destination and an offbeat adventure spot with much still to explore. The best time to visit runs from March to September. Daytime hours are ideal for diving and photography, while afternoon showers make it a good time to explore the island’s sheltered historical sites.

Sea turtle nesting season runs from July to September. From October to March, the main Con Son Bay area typically sees stronger winds and rougher seas, though the western and southwestern coasts often remain calm and dry, offering an equally scenic alternative for visitors during those months.