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Located 15 nautical miles northeast of the mainland, Ly Son is the only island district of Quang Ngai province, known for its five-crater volcanic remnants dating back approximately 30 million years.
Besides creating spectacular landscapes, these dormant volcanic craters also act as "water veins"—embracing a vital groundwater source for the local people, creating favorable conditions for small organisms to thrive, and nourishing the southern part of the island with fertile basalt soil.
With its unique soil characteristics and prime location, the natural scenery on Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai, is so poetic it touches the heart. The most beloved islands are Mu Cu Island, Be Island (or Cu Lao Bo Bai), and Lon Island (also known as Cu Lao Re or Ly Son Island).
In the first six months of 2022, Ly Son Island district welcomed nearly 40,000 visitors. In the first half of July alone – the peak of the summer tourist season – the district received over 33,000 visitors. On weekends, high-speed ferries carried more than 1,000 tourists to the island. These are impressive figures, demonstrating Ly Son's appeal. The ideal time to explore this island district is from April to August each year, when the weather is sunny, with little rain and calm seas. May to July is the peak of the summer tourist season in Ly Son, so it is quite crowded, especially on weekends.
Tourists should proactively research and monitor the weather on the island to avoid being "stranded" due to storms and rough seas. From September to December, the island district enters its rainy season, with heavy storms and rough seas, causing many ferry services to be suspended and tourism activities to come to a standstill. From the end of December to April of the following year, Ly Son enters its impressive season of green moss.
Tourists from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can choose to fly to Chu Lai Airport (Quang Ngai), then travel to Sa Ky Port. The journey by car takes about 1 hour. One of the famous tourist areas here is Hon Mu Cu - a brand-new check-in spot "identified" by its old lighthouse and the long stretch of black volcanic rocks. There are no residents living on Hon Mu Cu, so tourist services are quite limited.
Furthermore, with its impressive height of 149 meters, Loi Thoi Mountain allows visitors to take in a panoramic view of Ly Son Island. It was once a volcanic crater that erupted with magma nearly 3 million years ago. The lake on Loi Thoi Mountain is also a "super-sized" freshwater reservoir, meeting the needs of residents on both the smaller and larger islands.
After immersing yourself in the picturesque scenery of Ly Son Island, a short walk of a few dozen steps from the summit of Thoi Loi Mountain will take you to Hang Pagoda. Along the way, you will surely enjoy admiring the harmonious nature surrounding the mountain pass, the cozy villages nestled beside lush garlic fields.
This nearly 400-year-old temple, also known as Thien Khong Thach Tu, is located in a large cave on the north side of Thoi Loi Mountain, thus enjoying a cool temperature year-round. The temple's interior is described as a "miniature paradise"—spacious and high—with a large statue of the Goddess of Mercy and a pond of blooming lotus flowers.
