The international resorts and spas management and development firm Six Senses will open a new destination resort on Con Dao Islands not far from the southern beach town of Vung Tau on December 20.

The 12-hectare, US$34-million resort will feature 50 villas dotted along the sandy beach. Six Senses is the only five-star resort on the archipelago.

The firm further claims that all building materials will be taken from natural, sustainable and local sources.

At the heart of the resort is the Vietnamese kitchen, using charcoal and wood fired ovens to offer Vietnamese street cooking from fresh noodles, rice, soups, rolls and wraps. Interested guests can also join daily cooking classes.

The investor said other restaurants at Six Senses Con Dao will also serve only fresh ingredients, locally caught, bought and picked.

Despite being just an hour away by airplane from Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao archipelago has remained largely undeveloped and untarnished.

More than 80 percent of the area is national park, including a 140-square-kilometer marine reserve.

The five-star Six Senses Con Dao becomes operational on December 20