Five Mountains - Five Anchors of the Sky and the Sea
Ly Son welcomes visitors with the majestic image of five mountains rising high in the middle of the vast sky and sea. These are the remaining traces of volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago, contributing to the unique geological formation on the island. Among them, Thoi Loi - the highest mountain on the island is a destination not to be missed. From the top of Thoi Loi, looking far away is the vast sea and sky connected by a deep blue horizon. And when the lens is brought closer, there are green garlic and onion fields intertwined with bright red tiled roofs, creating a heartbreakingly beautiful picture of the countryside.
Ly Son is not only a scenic spot, but also famous throughout the country with the title "garlic kingdom". Ly Son garlic has a distinctive aroma, small but firm cloves, grown on a unique coral sand soil layer, with a salty climate from the sea. Garlic here is considered a typical product, closely associated with the name of the island. On the way to visit, everywhere visitors can see endless garlic fields, carefully cultivated and cared for by hard-working, gentle and hospitable people.
Morning on fishing boats returning home
Ly Son people live mainly by fishing and growing garlic. Although life is hard, they always have optimistic smiles, bright eyes and warm friendliness. It is this simplicity and sincerity that makes many people who have traveled far away remember them, and strangers who set foot here for the first time become familiar.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Ly Son district shared: "Tourism is a key economic sector, accounting for 50% of the total production value of the district's economic sectors. Currently, the district has 135 accommodation establishments and hotels with more than 1,000 rooms, meeting the capacity of up to 4,000 tourists/day. In addition to 6 enterprises operating high-speed boats from the mainland to the island, the district has also brought 16 canoes to serve tourists from the big island to visit the small island, which has shortened the distance between the mainland and the island."
The majestic vestiges of land and people
Only about 30 km from the mainland, Ly Son is now easier to access than ever thanks to the high-speed ferry system operating daily from Sa Ky port (Quang Ngai province). The round-trip ticket price is about 400,000 VND, the travel time is only about 35 minutes. Visitors should bring identification documents such as CCCD or driver's license to buy tickets. When going to the island, accommodation services, electric cars, and canoes are quite complete and convenient. In the morning, visit Ly Son fishing port to experience the bustling atmosphere when fishing boats return. This is also a good opportunity to buy fresh or dried seafood as gifts.
On July 13, 2007, the Ly Son island tourism route was officially recognized and opened by the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province. Since then, this place has become an ideal destination for tens of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. But more than just a tourist destination, Ly Son is also a place where people can find a part of their soul - where the landscape, history and people are closely intertwined in every breath.
Calm sea day on Ly Son island
Garlic fields in Ly Son
Not only possessing natural beauty, Ly Son also preserves many valuable cultural and historical vestiges. The island has up to 30 interwoven geological and cultural heritage sites, from the amazing basalt cliffs, Hang Pagoda deep in the mountain, To Vo gate with its naturally curved stone arch as beautiful as a watercolor painting, to the Tien Well crater, Hang Cau cliff with its surreal beauty. All seem to tell a million-year-long story of Mother Nature, touching people's hearts with vivid and captivating images.
In particular, Ly Son is closely associated with the Hoang Sa Fleet, which also manages Bac Hai - a special force of the Nguyen Dynasty that followed the king's orders to plant markers and erect steles affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago. Today, the Hoang Sa Fleet exhibition house on the island is a place to preserve valuable documents, a red address to educate the tradition of patriotism, reminding future generations of the responsibility to preserve the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands.
Sovereignty flagpole on Ly Son island
Children of An Hai fishing village
Ly Son tourism is especially attractive in the summer from April to August - when the weather is sunny, the sea is calm, suitable for swimming, diving to see coral or exploring the island. The beaches here are as blue as jade, the sky is clear, the sunshine is bright yellow, making everyone want to let themselves drift in the cool water to forget all the hardships. In addition to the Big Island (Cu Lao Re), visitors can also take a canoe to the Small Island (An Binh) to enjoy the clear beach, white sand and the feeling of "slow living" in the true sense.
On the top of Thoi Loi, when the moon rises and the sea gently murmurs below, we seem to touch the boundary between reality and dreams. And in that moment, we understand why those who have set foot on Ly Son have always kept a promise to return not just once, but many times to continue to love, continue to explore and continue to listen to the peaceful beat in the heart of this ocean.
Having the opportunity to visit Ly Son during the moon season, especially on full moon nights, you can enjoy a romantic scene that cannot be described in words. Sitting on the top of Thoi Loi, under the shimmering moonlight that silvers the sea surface, the night wind carrying the scent of the countryside through your hair, you can easily forget your fatigue, leaving only relaxation and gratitude for being able to live and feel such beautiful moments.
People of An Hai commune sow seeds
Fishermen go clam raking at dawn
