A sustainable island resort blending the spirit of a traditional fishing village with modern comforts, set amid the natural majesty of Vietnam’s Con Dao archipelago
BIRD is delighted to announce its partnership with Six Senses Con Dao, a pioneering eco-resort that blends barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship. Set in Vietnam’s Con Dao Archipelago – an under-the-radar cluster of 16 islands and islets – the resort is located on a pristine 2-kilometre beach within the protected Con Dao National Park, framed by majestic mountains and the turquoise waters of the South China Sea.
Accessible by a 45-minute plane journey from Ho Chi Minh City, Six Senses Con Dao offers 50 exquisitely designed private pool villas peppered along the coastline. Cementing its dedication to holistic wellbeing, in November 2024, Six Senses Con Dao unveiled its new 162,000 sq ft spa alongside a selection of new wellness journeys. Guided by a commitment to sustainability through its renowned turtle conservation programme, the resort is located in one of Southeast Asia’s most naturally vast archipelagos. This environment offers special experiences all year round, from watersports and hiking to cultural excursions, allowing guests to delve deeply into the unique history and traditions of Con Dao.
A jungle spa harnessing ancient knowledge and cutting-edge technology
At Six Senses Con Dao, guests are invited to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit through the resort’s indepth wellness offering, bridging ancient wisdom and cutting-edge techniques such as biohacking and non-invasive wellness screenings. In late 2024, Six Senses Con Dao launched the Wellness Village, hidden within the jungle. This tranquil sanctuary combines the charm of Vietnamese traditional fishing villages with contemporary facilities, set across nine overwater pavilions, including a signature treatment area with handwoven bamboo mirroring the curves of the surrounding water lilies. The spa is home to eight treatment rooms, steam and sauna facilities, biohacking and relaxation lounges, a yoga pavilion, a meditation sala, and an Alchemy Bar where guests can create their own body scrubs and healing concoctions using fresh herbs handpicked from the on-site garden.
The resort recently introduced a series of wellness journeys, including Sleep, designed to restore rest through consultations, yoga Nidra, and soothing treatments; Detox, a gentle cleanse combining therapies, light training, and nutrition support; and Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, guided by the resort’s Ayurvedic doctor, who prescribes a personalised journey based on each guest’s Dosha. Yoga takes centre stage with resident instructor Sandeep, a Himalayan yogi with over 13 years’ experience, whose Discover Yoga program combines daily hatha practice with meditation, breathwork, and tailored spa therapies. Guests can also enjoy the expertise of world-class visiting practioners, such as physiotherapist Dome Srisawat, whose specialisation in Myofascial Release Therapy helps individuals dealing with persistent muscular patterns, postural imbalances, or physical discomfort.
Upcoming practioners include renowned international wellness consultant Joao Santos, in residency from December 2025 to February 2026. Santos’ intuitive and holistic practice fuses Western and Eastern techniques, combining his in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and the human psyche with a deep understanding of energy and the balancing of meridians.
Sea turtle incubation and research
Six Senses Con Dao goes far beyond sustainability quotas with pioneering initiatives, most notably its flagship turtle conservation programme at the Let’s Get Cracking Incubation Centre. The resort’s untouched 2-kilometre beach and protected marine area becomes a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, with the centre protecting eggs and hatchlings during their most vulnerable stages. Since 2018, more than 31,000 baby turtles have been safely released into the wild. Guests are invited to witness and even join the magical moment of hatchling releases from May through to December.
Sustainability runs through every aspect of the resort and is woven into daily life, from eliminating single-use plastics to its four organic gardens supplying produce for the kitchen. Innovative guest experiences, such as Feed the Fish Golf using biodegradable balls that dissolve into fish food, bring a touch of playfulness to eco-practices, while broader community efforts include twice-weekly English classes for local children. The resort also filters its own mineral water in reusable glass bottles, with profits providing water filter machines for local schools. The Earth Lab invites guests to learn some handy life hacks, from making chemical-free detergent to extracting the essential oils from herbs grown in their gardens.
Design inspired by Vietnamese fishing villages
Six Senses Con Dao’s 50 spacious villas and residences are inspired by traditional Vietnamese fishing villages and reached directly from the beach or through winding pedestrian and cycle paths. Designed by Paris-based firm AW² (Architecture Workshop), each villa is built from natural materials such as teak and bamboo, with the core of palm-leaves used for shade and natural ventilation, minimising the need for air conditioning and lighting. Each lodging features a private infinity pool, open-air bathrooms, and sweeping ocean views, with layouts tailored to couples, families, or groups. Interiors blend sleek design with earthy tones and soft lighting, creating a warm, understated luxury. Notably, each villa offers an attentive yet discreet butler service, offering as much assistance or privacy as desired, in addition to a Guest Experiences Maker assisting on a daily basis with activity and meal bookings. Additionally, on offer to purchase are The Residences; striking luxury beachfront homes providing a home-away-from-home, amidst the world-class amenities at Six Senses Con Dao.
Dining with a sense of place
Six Senses Con Dao celebrates Vietnam’s culinary heritage with modern flair, drawing on fresh local produce across its diverse dining venues. The oceanfront restaurant By the Beach serves European cuisine and is spearheaded by Chef Chandra, who brings over 20 years of culinary experience, including a period with Chef Thomas Keller at the three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry (declared “the best restaurant in the world” by Anthony Bourdain), and three-Michelin-starred Grace, the subject of the Netflix documentary “For Grace.” Chef Chandra also oversees By the Kitchen (Chef’s Table), which offers fully bespoke menus crafted from the day’s freshest ingredients.
Vietnamese By the Market, led by Chef No, who originates from Con Dao, recreates the charm of a traditional local eatery with baskets of seasonal produce and authentic regional recipes. Guests seeking something more exclusive can indulge in private dining anywhere from a jungle clearing to a beach picnic or an intimate in-villa dinner. For relaxing moments, the Splash Bar serves light bites and cocktails by the pool, while the Elephant Bar provides casual all-day dining and cool drinks in laid-back interiors with playful leather swings. To truly discover the nuances and techniques of Vietnamese cooking, guests can also sign up to Six Senses Con Dao’s daily cooking lessons at By The Garden located within the resort’s organic gardens.
Adventures on land and sea
Six Senses Con Dao invites guests of all ages to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty and culture. Children can make friends and learn new skills with the joyful Grow with Six Senses programme and Kid’s Club Sense of Laughter, offering everything from yoga and beach football to sand painting and jungle movies. Complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and body boards make it easy to explore turquoise waters, while speedboat excursions reveal the untouched islands of Hon Tai, Bay Canh, and Hon Cau—home to more than 1,400 species of marine life and 340 coral varieties within Vietnam’s best-preserved reefs. On land, cycling tours, cultural encounters, and market visits offer a glimpse into the island’s daily rhythms, while guided prison tours provide a poignant window into its history and role as a site of remembrance. For adventurous travellers, curated hikes unlock jungle-clad peaks and secret beaches, showcasing a side of the island few ever experience.
