Top 5 best bicycle rentals in Con Dao

Picture a quiet ring road with almost no traffic, the sea on one side and jungle on the other, and nowhere you need to be by a set time. That's Con Dao. Hop on a scooter in town and within twenty minutes you can be standing at Dam Trau Beach, watching planes skim low over the water toward the airstrip, or lighting a candle at Hang Duong Cemetery as the evening crowd gathers at Vo Thi Sau's grave. Few places in Vietnam let you cover this much ground, and this much history, in a single unhurried afternoon.

Con Dao's sights sit along one coastal loop with a scattering of inland spurs, most within 15km of town, so there's no need for taxis or timetables. Traffic is close to nonexistent outside the small town centre, the roads are in good shape, and the scenery does the work for you. If you've ever found mainland Vietnam's cities intimidating to ride in, this island is the opposite: a scooter rental in Con Dao is genuinely low-stress, and it opens up beaches, forest trails and historic sites that buses and taxis simply don't reach.

Top 10 things to see in Con Dao by scooter

1. Con Dao Prison System (Phu Hai & Phu Tuong "Tiger Cages") — the island's central historic site, a short ride from town and essential to understanding its past as a colonial-era penal colony.
2. Hang Duong Cemetery — Vo Thi Sau's grave draws a steady stream of riders each evening for candlelight visits.
3. Con Dao Museum — a quick stop in town that sets the context before you ride out to the historic and natural sites.
4. Dam Trau Beach — widely rated the island's best beach, reached by a scenic ride past the airport runway.
5. An Hai Beach — right in town, an easy first ride and a popular spot to watch the sunrise.
6. Bao Dai's Villa (Villa 1) — a former imperial retreat with sea views, an easy detour without leaving town.
7. Ong Dung Bay (Vinh Ong Dung) — the trailhead for a rainforest walk down to a coral-viewing bay, reached along the coastal road.
8. So Ray — a quieter, forested cove on the island's west side, worth the longer ride out of town.
9. Ma Thien Lanh Bridge ruins — the moody, unfinished remains of a colonial-era bridge along an inland route.
10. Con Dao National Park Headquarters — the starting point for ranger-led information and several coastal and forest routes.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Con Dao?

For the standard rental — a scooter under 50cc — you don't need a driving licence at all in Vietnam; this is the class almost every visitor rents. Rental shops typically set their own minimum age, usually 18, even though the legal minimum for these smaller machines is lower. Expect to leave a deposit, usually in cash or by having the shop hold your passport as security, with the amount depending on the shop and the bike. If you plan to ride anything above 50cc, you'll need a motorcycle licence and, as a foreigner, either a Vietnamese licence or a 1968-convention International Driving Permit — check that any IDP you carry is the 1968 format, since the 1949 version issued in the US and a few other countries isn't valid here.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Con Dao?

A basic manual scooter runs roughly 80,000–100,000 VND per day in low season and 120,000–180,000 VND per day in high season. If you'd rather ride a newer automatic or a bigger-capacity bike, budget 150,000–250,000 VND per day.

• Prices climb highest in December–February, when dry-season crowds overlap with the Tet holiday surge.
• There's a smaller bump in July–August, driven by domestic summer travel.
• June–September is generally the cheapest stretch, thanks to rain and lighter visitor numbers.

When to book a rental scooter in Con Dao?

November to April is high season on Con Dao, with the sharpest spike around Tet in late January or February, when bikes get scarce, prices rise, and some shops close for the holiday — book well ahead if you're travelling then. May to September is low season, quieter and cheaper, though July and August see a smaller rise from domestic travellers. If you want the calmest riding conditions at the best price, aim for June, September, or the shoulder weeks either side of the Tet rush.

Local traffic rules in Con Dao

Vietnam drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter, no exceptions, and checks are routine. There's a zero blood-alcohol limit for anyone riding, enforced with roadside breath tests, especially at night. Speed limits are lower in town than on the open road and are always signposted, so read the signs rather than assume a number. Headlights are required after dark, and remember there's no general right-turn-on-red here — only where a sign or green arrow allows it.

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in the city;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local bicycle rentals have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!