VI
EN
For Nhu Diem, a young travel enthusiast, Ly Son Island is not just a destination but also a place that brings a sense of familiarity, like a home in the middle of the deep blue ocean. Her journey to this island brought her back to pristine nature, genuine people, and beautiful memories. "Standing on the beach, gazing out at the vast expanse of blue, it's impossible to distinguish between the sky and the land. It's like I've reached the ends of the earth," Diem shared.
Ly Son – an island dubbed "paradise in the middle of the ocean"
When she first set foot on Ly Son Island a decade ago, she was overwhelmed by the stunningly clear blue sea. The more she explored this small island, the more she fell in love with it, not only for its scenery but also for its simple, kind, and honest people.
During her time on the island, Diem always woke up early, quietly observing the daily rhythm of life: people preparing goods for the market, fishermen pulling in their nets, and lush green garlic fields stretching out in the morning sunlight.
The more she explored this small island, the more she fell in love with it.
A 3-day trip to the main island.
Như Diễm chose a 3-day, 2-night trip to the main island during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).
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 welcomed her at the port, helped her book ferry tickets in advance, and arranged accommodation. At lunchtime, after enjoying a meal at Dai Hang restaurant, she spent time strolling around the garlic fields. In the afternoon, Diem visited To Vo Gate – where the afternoon sunlight shining through the rock arch created a magical scene. "What's special is that the color of the rocks here changes throughout the day. In the morning, when the sun shines down, the volcanic rocks turn red, and in the evening, the rocks darken, forming distinct shapes against the sky," the female tourist remarked. At the end of the day, Diem strolled through the fishing port, enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the fishermen's life.
An ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in nature and the vast ocean and sky.
On Monday, she woke up early and went to the summit of Thoi Loi to watch the sunrise. From there, the entire island landscape unfolded majestically: the blue of the sky blended with the vast sea, and the lush green garlic fields stretched out like emeralds at her feet. The island is not large, only about ten square kilometers, but it has two of the oldest volcanoes in Vietnam: Thoi Loi Mountain and Gieng Tien. Afterwards, Diem visited the freshwater lake in the crater of Thoi Loi volcano, then went to Hang Pagoda, a sacred temple hidden in the largest cave on the island. "Standing inside the pagoda, I could hear the sound of water droplets falling from the stalactites, smell the incense mixed with the cool air emanating from the rock walls. Hang Pagoda has a wild, mysterious, and sacred atmosphere," she shared.
Summer has arrived, and Ly Son Island awaits you with its inviting blue waves.
In the afternoon, she visited Hang Cau, a natural wonder with cliffs eroded over millions of years, forming unique layers of sediment. "It felt like wandering into 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 from the top of Thoi Loi peak, where a rocky outcrop juts out into the sea, with golden sunlight streaming across the waves, offering a panoramic view of Ly Son's beauty.
On the third day, before leaving the island, Nhu Diem spent the morning watching the sunrise at Mu Cu Island, visiting the national flag pole, and then running a lap around the island to enjoy the last moments before boarding the boat back to the mainland.
The lush green garlic fields stretch as far as the eye can see, creating the distinctive flavor of Ly Son Island.
The people of Ly Son – Their smiles burst forth in the sunshine and wind.
Besides its stunning natural scenery, Ly Son Island also preserves long-standing cultural values. "I will always remember the gentle, cheerful smiles etched by the wind and rain on the faces of the people on the island," Diem said. She witnessed the locals busily preparing for the four-spirit boat race during Tet, feeling the breath of tradition still vibrant in modern life.
This place is also steeped in history. Village communal houses, some hundreds of years old, and the incense-filled Am Linh Temple serve as reminders to future generations of the island's sons and daughters who fell defending their homeland's seas and skies. The memorial tombs of fishermen who depended on the sea stand as silent witnesses to the countless generations who have become one with Mother Ocean.
Peaceful days watching the beautiful sunrise and sunset on the island.
Travel experience on Ly Son Island
Ly Son doesn't have the long stretches of white sand beaches like the mainland, but if you consider it a large painting, then every small detail in that painting is a masterpiece of nature. "Sitting on the speedboat leaving Ly Son on a clear morning, the peaceful island gradually disappeared behind me. Before my eyes was the image of the vast ocean, waves crashing and foaming white. I still can't forget the feeling of driving on the roads along the garlic fields, savoring the refreshing taste of a glass of xu xoa (a type of herbal drink), and the gentle smiles of the locals, like sea breezes blowing into my heart," Diem expressed.
If we consider this place as a large painting, then every small detail in that painting is a masterpiece of nature.
As Diễm shared, if traveling by plane, tourists can choose to land at Chu Lai or Da Nang airport, then take a shared 7-seater car to Sa Ky port. If they have more time, she suggests taking a shuttle bus to Quang Ngai city to explore beautiful destinations such as Bui Hui plateau, Tea Stream, Le Thuy beach, Ba Tan Gan, Ganh Yen, or simply spend an afternoon watching the sunset on Co Luy bridge before continuing their 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 ferry tickets for her. This time, Nhu Diem chose to stay at Phuoc Loc Homestay and was very pleased with the owner's enthusiasm and friendliness. She also rented a motorbike right at the homestay, making getting around the island much easier. From there, it only takes a few minutes to drive to Mu Cu Lighthouse – the best place to watch the sunrise in Ly Son.
Whether you're embarking on an adventure or enjoying relaxing moments by the sea, Ly Son Island is sure to leave unforgettable impressions on visitors.
For food lovers, Nhu Diem recommends that if you visit during the harvest season of young garlic (December to January), you must try garlic salad or stir-fried garlic. In addition, Ly Son Island has many other attractive specialties such as xu xoa (a type of jelly), seaweed salad, red snapper fish cake, sea urchin roe, and conch... 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 more people will know about this place, so that tourism can develop further, and the harsh weather will be less difficult for the people. But I also hope that Ly Son will always retain this peacefulness, so that every time I return, I still feel comforted," Diem confided.
