Don't cry on 'Desert Island'

KOH SAMET - GOING TO THE ISLAND FOR NIGHT SQUID FISHING

Located just over 2.5 hours from Bangkok, Koh Samet welcomes visitors with year-round sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and warm sea breezes. It's not only a suitable destination for those seeking a pristine and peaceful environment, but also an ideal choice for exciting experiences such as scuba diving and other water sports.

A tranquil little town, Koh Samet is a place where, after choosing a resort near the town center, visitors can jog to the beach to admire the sunset without spending too much time traveling. From Sai Kaew beach, visitors can board a motorboat to begin their journey exploring the green island of Koh Samet. The crystal-clear blue sea allows you to clearly see schools of fish right below. The beauty of Koh Samet lies in the harmonious combination of the blue sea and the brilliant sunshine. Everyone enjoys splashing in the cool water, but sunbathing on Koh Samet is truly a delightful experience. The fine white sand along the beach is perfect for visitors to strike a pose and get the characteristic tan of a beach vacation.

As the sun sets, the island comes alive with lively activities such as enjoying seafood in beachfront restaurants, gathering in bars, strolling along the beach, and joining in unique dances performed by the locals.

The Koh Samet experience is even more complete if you join a night squid fishing tour. Visitors are provided with a long, thin bamboo fishing rod with a cluster of sharp hooks wrapped in reflective tinsel. When lowered into the sea, this line glows under the spotlights, attracting squid. Interestingly, squid fishing doesn't require real bait; instead, you use reflective plastic shrimp lures attached to the hooks. According to the boat owner, the reflective shrimp and the light from the high-powered lights confuse the squid, causing them to swim towards the hook. Then, the boat owner, with a net in hand, scoops up the translucent squid, still shimmering with bioluminescence. This is a fantastic catch for any visitor playing the role of a fisherman.

Additional information:

+ Journey: After arriving in Bangkok, tourists can buy a 16-seater van from Victory Monument bus station for 200 baht to get to Rayong ferry terminal, from there take a ferry or wooden boat to Koh Samet. The wooden boat ticket costs 100 baht/round trip, taking about 45 minutes, or a speedboat, which takes only about 20 minutes and costs 300 baht/one way.

+ Hotels: can be booked in advance through agoda.com, booking.com, or smartbooking.hotel websites, prices range from 40-100 USD.

+ Activities on the island: night squid fishing (approximately 300 baht/person), visiting Koh Samet temple, snorkeling, exploring and photographing the piers at sunset, having dinner right on the beach...

+ Cuisine: Two must-try dishes when visiting Koh Samet are crepes sold from food carts with the rich aroma of chocolate coating, and grilled fish with salt from the casual eateries along the beach in the late afternoon and evening.

KOH RONG SAMLOEM - THROW AWAY WIFI AND LIVE HAPPILY

Just a few kilometers from the coastal city of Sihanoukville, a 45-minute boat ride away, visitors will arrive at the pristine and beautiful island of Koh Rong Samloem. Unlike the larger Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem is a small island with no permanent settlements, only scattered resorts and homestays. These are mostly charming wooden houses built along the beach or in gardens, and they are indeed very… small.

Photo: Stuart McDonald

It's no coincidence that Koh Rong Samloem is referred to by tourists as a "getaway" island. A stay here means a temporary escape from technology. There's absolutely no Wi-Fi on the island, and electricity is cut off twice a day, meaning phone signal drops to zero. All you need is a camera, a few books, and a willingness to leave technology behind, and this "getaway island" is beckoning you.

Photo: Mad Monkey Hostels

As simple as the crystal-clear color of the sea and the disconnected life, a trip to Koh Rong Samloem offers visitors easy choices of destinations to experience without much hesitation: if you prefer calm and tranquil waters, head to Sunrise Beach; if you like the excitement of big waves, don't hesitate to visit Sunset Beach; if you prefer privacy and quiet, beachfront bungalows are definitely the best choice; and for those who enjoy connecting and socializing with many friends, the island's homestays with dorm rooms are always open to welcome visitors…

Besides enjoying a swim in the clear blue water or sunbathing under the coconut trees along the beach, visitors can also go scuba diving or rent a boat to visit M'Pay Bay fishing village and climb the lighthouse at Paradise Village to admire the panoramic view of Koh Rong Samloem.

Photo: Choukhri Dje

Additional information:

+ Itinerary: Tourists can fly or take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, then continue by bus to Sihanoukville and rent a boat to Koh Rong Samloem. Boat tickets can be purchased directly at the port or through the hotel reception in Sihanoukville. (Bus ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh is approximately 200,000 VND, bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville is $10, and round-trip boat ticket to the island is $20)

+ Currency: The Cambodian Riel and US Dollar are widely used in Cambodia; tourists can exchange money at border crossings if needed.

+ Food: Prices in Koh Rong Samloem are very affordable, so besides preparing meals for yourself, tourists can also ask the resort to cook meals to their liking for only about $3-$7 per person for a satisfying meal.

THO CHU - THE ISLAND AT THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT OF THE SKY

Tho Chau Island is a large island belonging to the Tho Chu archipelago (Phu Quoc, Kien Giang), which consists of many large and small islands, some submerged and some above water. It is located about 160km northwest of Ca Mau Cape and about 220km from Rach Gia town. The first must-see attraction on the island is Bai Ngu Beach, the most bustling area. Here, you can swim, visit fishing and seafood processing facilities, and learn about the lives of the local people.

The next four experiences here are wandering along the island's cross-island road, exploring the primeval forest, visiting the 140m-high lighthouse for scenic views, and snorkeling to see the coral reefs. If you visit between October and March (lunar calendar), remember to go to Nhan Island to see swallows nesting and laying eggs.

Although the lighthouse on the island isn't very tall, with a range of only about 12 nautical miles, it's worth noting that it's located at one of the highest points on the island (167m). From here, you can observe almost the entire Tho Chu Island, with its mountains, houses hidden among coconut trees, tranquil beaches, and long lines of fishing boats. Looking out to sea, tiny dots will appear as large ships bobbing on the waves.

Additional information:

+Journey: There are two ways to get to Tho Chu Island:

- You can take a tourist bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia City, then take a boat to Tho Chu Island. The boat trip takes about 16 hours. The direct boat trip from Rach Gia to Tho Chu departs at 8:00 AM on the 5th of each month and returns on the 31st or 26th. The boat ride is free, but you need to rent a hammock to lie in during the journey.

- Fly to Phu Quoc and then take a ferry to Tho Chu. The ferry departs at 8:00 AM on the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th of each month, and departs at 5:00 AM on the 6th, 11th, 21st, and 25th of each month in the opposite direction.

+Note: There is only one ferry trip per week to Tho Chu Island and back to the mainland. The distance from Rach Gia port to Tho Chu port is over 250km, so the ferry journey takes over 6 hours. This means it takes 6 hours, so those who get seasick should prepare sufficient medication and food.

NAM DU - A 'PARADISE' IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA

Nam Du is the furthest archipelago of Kien Hai district in Kien Giang province, located more than 80km by sea from Rach Gia. The 21 islands, large and small, are skillfully arranged by nature to form a stunning cluster in the sea, giving Nam Du a captivating charm of unspoiled beauty and tranquility.

The must-visit islands in Nam Du are Hon Ngang, Hon Mau, Hai Bo Dap, and Bai Cay Men. Hon Mau is beautiful with five beaches, led by Bai Chuong. There are also Bai Nom, Bai Da Den, and Bai Da Trang, all very picturesque. Bai Nam is the island's waterfront, where the waves are calm and the wind gentle year-round, surrounded by lush green coconut trees. But the most interesting is Bai Da Den, with its many beautiful, colorful, and patterned rocks. After a long journey exploring the islands, Bai Men is the ideal stop to rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Here, you can immerse yourself in the clear blue sea water or simply lie on the pristine and romantic sandy beach.

Typically, the beaches in Nam Du are shallow and quite long, requiring a short walk to reach the shore.

Photo: Giang Pham

Additional information

+Journey: From Ho Chi Minh City, travel by car to Rach Gia (245km), then take a high-speed ferry to Nam Du (travel time approximately 2 hours) operated by several ferry companies such as Ngoc Thanh, Song Hong (Helen, Goffrey), Ho Hai, etc.

+ Best time to visit Nam Du: The best weather to explore Nam Du is from the end of December to May, when the sea is calm and the water is a stunning turquoise color.

+Note: Transportation between islands is mostly by boat. To save costs, you should travel in groups of 8 to 12 people. If traveling in a group, you can choose to sleep in tents on the islands to experience the unspoiled natural beauty.

KY CO - IMMERSING YOURSELF IN NATURE

Like a precious gem bestowed by Mother Nature upon the martial arts land of Binh Dinh, Ky Co Island is a picturesque landscape of "beautiful mountains and water," with its pristine nature and majestic sea and sky. Seen from afar, Ky Co resembles a large bow, curving to embrace the long stretch of fine white sand and two towering rock formations like the two formidable stakes of Bach Dang.

Ky Co is a cluster of rocky outcrops in the middle of the sea, with many rocks, crevices, and shallow caves. Ky Co has retained its pristine and unspoiled beauty because it has not been extensively developed for tourism. The seawater here is very clear with many beautiful colors, changing with the sunlight. Near the shore, the water is crystal clear, revealing the pure white sand at the bottom. Further out, the water gradually changes color to turquoise, then blue. Viewed from above, the basket boats swaying appear to be floating amidst the azure clouds.

The sea at Ky Co is quite calm, with gentle ripples because the beach is surrounded by a windbreak arc. Immersing yourself in the clear blue water, stepping onto the soft sand, and admiring Ky Co through your camera lens, visitors not only capture the stunning beauty of Ky Co but also their own emotions. At lunchtime, you can relax and eat in a small cave, which is sure to be a unique experience.

Ky Co Island is a natural green hill range amidst the vast ocean. To explore the island, you must follow the rocky beaches and trails up the high mountain slopes. Conquering each precarious path along the cliffs or treading on the scorching sand, a day as a resident of Ky Co will offer visitors truly immersive moments with nature.

Additional information:

+ Route: From the center of Quy Nhon city, head towards the Nhon Ly peninsula (over 20km), then follow the small road to the boat dock. From there, take a large boat for about 30 minutes to reach Ky Co Island. The boat fare to Ky Co Island ranges from 270,000 to 300,000 VND per person.

+ Timing: The best time to visit Ky Co is from April to August, which is the most beautiful time of year for the central coastal region.

PHU QUY - AN ISLAND OF CHALLENGES

Phu Quy Island, also known as Cu Lao Thu, is located off the coast of Binh Thuan province, about 56 nautical miles from Phan Thiet city. The island, with an area of ​​only about 16 square kilometers, holds many interesting things to discover. Firstly, it's an isolated island, with only one boat trip to and from the mainland each day. To book this trip, you have to monitor the schedule, which is based on the tides of the day, so there's almost no fixed time to go to the island. Additionally, you must monitor the sea weather conditions, as boats are only allowed to operate when the wind speed is level 7 or below.

One of the most popular tourist attractions on Phu Quy Island is the Phu Quy Flagpole. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast coastline with its two pristine beaches, the magical colors of the sea water interspersed with distinctive black rocks, making Phu Quy Island attractive to those who enjoy exploring new places.

The next must-see spot is Gành Hang, a popular location for photographers to capture stunning sunrises when visiting Phu Quy Island. Nearby is Doi Thầy Cape, where you'll be amazed by its bizarre rock formations resembling giant stacked plates extending into the sea, with lobster farming "fortresses" running along both sides. They're called fortresses because they're built with sturdy stone and concrete to withstand the strong winds and waves on the island.

Besides its captivating long stretches of white sandy beaches, romantic rows of casuarina trees, and pristine landscape, visitors can also enjoy incredibly exciting experiences by immersing themselves in the blue sea, snorkeling to admire colorful coral reefs, fishing, catching sea urchins, and enjoying them on the spot.

Additional information:

+ Journey: Upon arriving in Phan Thiet, hire a motorbike taxi to Phan Thiet fishing port (about 3km from the bus station). From there, buy a ferry ticket to Phu Quy Island. Currently, there are two types of ferries operating alternately; the fastest and best ferry here is Hung Phat 26, costing approximately 250,000 VND per person for a seat and 350,000 VND per person for a sleeper, with a journey time of about 4 hours.

+ Best time to visit: The best time to explore Phu Quy Island is from March to May, when the sea is calm and boats operate more frequently to and from the island.

+ Note: There is only one ferry trip to the island and one ferry trip back to the mainland each day, so you need to plan your itinerary carefully and choose your ticket times precisely to avoid missing your ferry or bus.

Text: Hai An, Thu Giang, Quoc Bao, Thao Nguyen. Photos: Various authors.

The Thanh