10 days "living like an islander" in Ly Son

Nguyen Huyen (TikTok We Du Ky), a 23-year-old girl from Bac Giang, is undertaking an 8-month cross-Vietnam trip from North to South. She chose Ly Son Island as her first stop on her journey to explore Central Vietnam. Ten days on this beautiful island have given Huyen unforgettable experiences, not only in terms of natural beauty but also in the culture and people of the region.

The female tourist shared: "Visiting Ly Son allowed me to discover another beautiful island in Central Vietnam. It also helped spread the beauty of Ly Son's nature, scenery, and people to more people."

Ly Son – the "garlic kingdom" in the middle of the sea.

Ly Son Island impressed me not only with its pristine and majestic beauty but also with the captivating charm of its natural landscape and culture. Boasting crystal-clear beaches and undulating rocky mountains, this island has become an ideal destination for those eager to explore a land steeped in history.

Along with a travel companion, Huyen stayed at Phuoc Loc Guesthouse, where Ms. Chung, the owner, created a cozy and comfortable space like a homestay. "Ms. Chung was very enthusiastic and friendly, supporting us throughout our time on the island," she shared.

Experience "living like an islander".

Wanting to explore Ly Son in the most authentic way, Huyen decided to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Be Island, a small island with crystal-clear water and only a few beachfront homestays. "True to its name, Be Island is a real paradise. I got to live like the locals, waking up to watch the sunrise, having lunch with a sea view, and watching the sunset at Bai Ngang beach in the evening. Be Island doesn't have fresh water, so I got to experience bathing in fresh water scooped from earthenware jars – quite interesting, everyone should try it," Huyen recounted.

During her 10 days on the island, the TikToker enjoyed many delicious dishes and local specialties. She visited many eateries and returned multiple times, such as Hoang Anh Duck Noodle Soup, Hang Dai Seafood Rice, the banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) stall, duck porridge near her homestay, chicken sticky rice at Ly Son market, and famous snail restaurants. In addition, Phuong Trang sweet soup and Hang Cau seaweed drink were also must-try items.

Tips for traveling to Ly Son Island

Huyen and her travel companion chose to travel to Ly Son from Hoi An, Quang Nam. The journey of over 100 km by motorbike to Sa Ky port, Quang Ngai, took about 3 hours. Huyen also shared detailed information about buying ferry tickets and bringing motorbikes on the ferry, helping tourists easily plan their trip.

"We asked Ms. Chung (the owner of Phuoc Loc homestay) to book our ferry tickets about 10 days in advance. The price for the outbound trip was 203,000 VND per person, and the return trip could be booked later for 185,000 VND per person. There are many ferries and departure times throughout the day, so tourists can choose a suitable time to book their tickets. Regarding bringing motorbikes onto the ferry, upon arriving at Sa Ky port, we drove straight to gate number 5 (cargo), where the ferry staff guided us and let us board. The ticket price for a motorbike is 100,000 VND per trip," she said.

Additionally, Nguyen Huyen advises tourists to bring just enough personal items, mosquito repellent, and a small handheld fan if they plan to stay on Be Island. Regarding local culture, Huyen says that Ly Son, like other tourist destinations, only requires tourists to follow general rules.

At the end of the trip, what Huyền enjoyed most was the stunning color of the sea water in Lý Sơn and the ability to freely admire the sunrise and sunset. With its pristine natural beauty, picturesque landscapes, and the kind people of Central Vietnam, this will surely be an ideal destination for those who love to travel.

Ha Mai Trinh - Photo: Nguyen Huyen