For Nhu Diem, a young person with a passion for traveling, Ly Son is not only a destination but also a place that brings a sense of familiarity, like a home in the middle of the deep blue ocean. The journey to this island brings her back to the wild nature, the honest people and beautiful memories. "Standing by the beach, looking far away is a deep blue, unable to distinguish between the sky and the ground. It's like I've gone to the end of the earth," Diem shared.
Ly Son - the island known as "paradise in the middle of the ocean"
The first time she set foot on Ly Son ten years ago, she was overwhelmed by the incredibly clear blue sea water. The more she explored this small island, the more she loved it, not only because of the scenery but also because of the simple, gentle and honest people.
During her days on the island, Diem always woke up early, quietly observing the daily rhythm of life: people preparing goods for the market, fishermen pulling their nets, and green garlic fields stretching out in the dawn light.
The more she explored this small island, the more she loved it.
3-day itinerary on Big Island
Nhu Diem chose a 3-day, 2-night trip to Big Island during the days before Tet.
On the first day, Diem left Sa Ky port at 7:30 am and arrived on the island at 8:15 am. The homestay owner enthusiastically picked her up from the port, helped her book train tickets in advance, and arranged accommodation. At noon, after enjoying a meal at Dai Hang restaurant, she spent time strolling around the garlic fields. In the afternoon, Diem stopped by To Vo gate - where the afternoon sunlight penetrates through the stone arches, creating a magical scene. "What's special is that the color of the rocks here changes according to the time of day. In the morning, when the sun shines down, the color of the lava rocks is also dyed red, and in the afternoon, the dark black rocks form a clear shape against the sky," the female tourist commented. At the end of the day, Diem walked around the fishing port, enjoying the bustling atmosphere of fishermen's life.
The ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in nature and the vast ocean and sky.
On the second day, she woke up early to go to Thoi Loi peak to welcome the sunrise. From here, the entire island's landscape appeared majestic: the blue of the sky blending into the vast ocean, the green garlic fields like jade stretching below. The island's area is not large, only about ten square kilometers, but it has two of the oldest volcanoes in Vietnam, Thoi Loi and Tien Well. After that, Diem visited the freshwater lake on the crater of Thoi Loi volcano, then went to Hang Pagoda, a sacred pagoda hidden in the largest cave on the island. "Standing in the pagoda, I could hear the sound of water droplets falling from stalactites, smell the scent of incense mixed with the cold air coming from the cliff. Hang Pagoda has a wild, mysterious and sacred look," she shared.
Summer is here, Ly Son is still waiting for you with its calling blue waves.
In the afternoon, she went to Hang Cau, a natural wonder with cliffs eroded over millions of years, forming unique sedimentary layers. "It feels like getting lost in a natural museum of the earth's crust, listening to the waves and sea breeze telling stories from millions of years ago," Diem confided. She watched the sunset on Thoi Loi peak, where there is a rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea, the golden sunlight flowing over the waves, where you can take in the entire beauty of Ly Son.
On the third day, before leaving the island, Nhu Diem spent the morning watching the sunrise at Mu Cu Island, visiting the national flagpole, then running around the island to enjoy the last moments before boarding the boat back to the mainland.
The green garlic fields stretch out, creating the unique flavor of Ly Son Island.
Ly Son people - Crisp smiles in the sun and wind
Not only does Ly Son have natural scenery, it also preserves long-standing cultural values. "I will always remember the gentle, crisp smiles that are etched in the wind and dew on the faces of the islanders," Diem said. She witnessed people busily preparing for the four-spirit boat racing festival during Tet, feeling the traditional breath still permeating modern life.
This place is also a land steeped in history. The hundreds of years old communal houses and the incense-smoke-filled Am Linh Tu remind future generations of the islanders who died to protect their homeland's sea and sky. The graves of fishermen clinging to the sea serve as silent witnesses to generations of people who have immersed themselves in the mother sea.
Peaceful days watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the island
Experience of traveling to Ly Son Island
Ly Son does not have long stretches of white sand like the mainland, but if you consider this place as a big picture, every small detail in that picture is a masterpiece of nature. "When sitting on the speedboat leaving Ly Son, in the middle of a clear morning, the peaceful island gradually disappeared behind. Before my eyes was the image of the immense ocean, the waves lapping with white foam. I still cannot forget the feeling of driving on the roads along the garlic fields, feeling the cool taste of a cup of xu xoa, and the gentle smiles of the people here, like the sea breeze blowing into my heart," Diem expressed.
If this place is a big picture, then every small detail in that picture is a masterpiece of nature.
Nhu Diem shared that, if traveling by plane, visitors can choose to land at Chu Lai or Da Nang airport, then take a 7-seat shared car to Sa Ky port. If there is more time, she suggests taking a shuttle bus to Quang Ngai city to explore beautiful destinations such as Bui Hui plateau, Che stream, Le Thuy beach, Ba Tan Gan, Ganh Yen, or simply spend an afternoon watching the sunset on Co Luy bridge before continuing the journey to the island.
It only takes about 20 minutes by car from the city center to Sa Ky port, and about 45 minutes from the port to the island. For convenience, she often asks the homestay owner to book train tickets for her. This time, Nhu Diem chose to stay at Phuoc Loc Homestay and was very satisfied with the enthusiasm and loveliness of the owner. She also rented a motorbike right at the homestay, making it more convenient to move around the island. From here, it only takes a few minutes to drive to Mu Cu Lighthouse - the most beautiful place to watch the sunrise in Ly Son.
Whether it is a journey of discovery or enjoying relaxing moments by the sea, Ly Son will certainly leave unforgettable impressions in the hearts of tourists.
For those who love food, Nhu Diem recommends that if you come during the young garlic harvest season (December to January), you should definitely try garlic salad or stir-fried garlic. In addition, Ly Son Island also has many attractive specialties such as xu xoa, seaweed salad, red fish cakes, sea urchin eggs, abalone shells, etc. If you want to enjoy fresh seafood, she often visits Long Hien, Dai Hang, Ut Ngoc or the restaurants along the embankment.
Ly Son is not only a place to explore but also a place to return to. "I hope this place becomes more known, so that tourism can develop more, so that the sun and wind are less harsh on the people. But I also hope that Ly Son will always maintain this peacefulness, so that every time I return, I still feel like I am being comforted," Diem confided.
