Everything you need to know about traveling to Ly Son Island in 2025: What to eat, what to do, and where to stay?

Ly Son is an island located in the middle of the sea off Quang Ngai province, formed from the remnants of volcanoes millions of years ago. The dormant volcanic craters have now become mountain peaks, freshwater lakes, and majestic cliffs, creating a spectacular and captivating landscape. Often referred to as the "garlic kingdom" of Central Vietnam, it's an ideal destination for those who love nature, geology, and want to experience a unique adventure. If you're looking for a novel and inspiring trip, Ly Son is a choice you shouldn't miss.

Related articles

Everything you need to know about traveling to Vinh Hy in 2025: What to eat, what to do, and where to stay?

Ly Son Island is peaceful in the eyes of the traveler.

Where is Ly Son Island? What makes it special?

Ly Son is an island district belonging to Quang Ngai province, located about 15 nautical miles northeast of the mainland, in the middle of the central Vietnamese sea. The district consists of two main islands: the Big Island (Cu Lao Re) and the Small Island (An Binh), along with Mu Cu islet located east of the Big Island. With its geological formations from millions of years ago, Ly Son boasts towering cliffs, unique volcanic basins, and pristine, mirror-like beaches.

Ly Son is not only attractive for its scenery, but it is also a land of historical stories associated with the heroic Hoang Sa troops and the traditional Khao Le The Linh ceremony. And if you've ever heard of "single clove garlic," then this is the birthplace of this type of garlic, a specialty of Ly Son nurtured by basalt soil and salty sunshine and wind.

What is the best time to visit Ly Son Island?

The ideal time to visit Ly Son Island is from April to August, when the sun shines brightly, the sky is clear, and the sea is calm. This is the main tourist season, perfect for swimming, snorkeling to admire coral reefs, exploring volcanic craters, and enjoying the vibrant natural scenery. Especially if you visit around March or April, you'll witness the garlic harvest – a characteristic image of Ly Son with its pristine white fields and the gentle scent of garlic in the breeze.

Conversely, from September to around December is the rainy and stormy season, with unpredictable weather, often rough seas, and frequent delays to ferry services to the islands. Unless you have a specific and flexible plan, you should avoid this period to ensure safety and avoid disruptions to your trip.

How to get to Ly Son

Tourists need to travel to Sa Ky Port (Quang Ngai) beforehand to take a speedboat to the island. If you are in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the quickest way is to fly to Chu Lai Airport (Quang Nam), then take a taxi (shared taxi is a popular option) to Sa Ky Port. The speedboat ride from the port to the island takes about 35-45 minutes. You can book tickets on the port's website with many ferry companies to choose from; one-way tickets start from 205,000 VND. Alternatively, you can book ferry trips from the main island to the smaller island in advance, with one-way tickets starting from 70,000 VND.

Highlights of Ly Son Island

Big Island

As the central island of Ly Son district, Big Island is the remaining trace of a volcano with 5 craters, formed approximately 25-30 million years ago. This geological feature gives the island a unique beauty compared to similar tourist destinations, with many stunning attractions for visitors to take amazing photos.

Thoi Loi Mountain:As the highest mountain on Ly Son Island, Thoi Loi not only holds geological significance as an ancient volcanic crater, but also houses the national flag pole, a sacred symbol of sovereignty in the middle of the ocean. From the summit, you can gaze out over the vast expanse of white "garlic fields" below. Watching the sunrise and sunset here is also an experience not to be missed.

Archway:A natural volcanic rock arch facing the sea, To Vo Arch is a must-see check-in spot in Ly Son. At sunset, the vibrant red sunlight shining through the arch creates a romantic and surreal scene, making it a popular photo spot for tourists every season.

Mu Cu Lighthouse:Mu Cu Lighthouse, located on Mu Cu Island, is the ideal spot to watch the first sunrise on the island. The lighthouse, painted red and white, and its wave-resistant concrete structures nestled between the green of the mountains and the sea, interspersed with the black of volcanic rock – another fantastic photo opportunity!

Hang Cau:Hang Cau is a magnificent complex of sheer cliffs located right by the sea, with undulating shapes like a sculpture created by nature. It's an ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty.

Coastal Mural Road:Starting from the foot of the overpass to the To Vo Gate, this artwork is a collaboration between architecture students from Da Nang University of Technology and the island district. Nearly 1.5 km long, these colorful murals convey a message of protecting the marine environment and demonstrating the determination to defend the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands, becoming a highlight of tourism in Ly Son in recent years.

Gieng Tien Mountain:If you've seen the recent viral images of the enchanting land in Vietnam compared to the anime "Your Name," then this is it! Gieng Tien Mountain is the largest volcanic crater in the western volcanic cluster of Ly Son Island. Although less well-known than Thoi Loi Mountain, its unique topography makes it well worth a visit.

Little Island

True to its name, Be Island, though small, boasts some of the clearest beaches you can find. Here you can visit places like Bai Ngang with its emerald green waters and fine white sand, and Hai Au Cape with its panoramic ocean views. The island also features the An Binh mural village, depicting the life of a fishing village through vibrant wall paintings, and a bougainvillea-lined road that creates a romantic scene like something out of a summer movie.

What to eat in Ly Son?

Tuyet Vy Quang NoodlesThis is an extremely popular local eatery, nổi with dishes like Quang noodles, duck noodle soup, and grilled pork noodle soup at very affordable prices. The restaurant is open all day, so tourists can flexibly schedule a visit to experience it.

Banh xeo cac bangOpen in the late afternoon and evening, it's also a popular spot for locals to enjoy Vietnamese savory pancakes (banh xeo). Located right on the beachfront, visitors can enjoy their meal while relaxing in the sea breeze.

Khoi Chieu Seafood and Dai Hang SeafoodThese are the two most famous seafood restaurants on the island. Besides fresh seafood dishes, you should try seaweed salad, a signature dish of Ly Son.

Besides garlic, mentioning Ly Son Island means mentioning xu xoa – a specialty refreshing drink made from seaweed mixed with sugar syrup and ginger. There are also fish cake rolls, along with familiar dishes like grilled meat with rice noodles, banh beo, banh dap, and duck porridge – all carrying the simple yet unforgettable flavors of the island.

Where is it located in Ly Son?

In Ly Son, it's not too difficult for tourists to find suitable accommodation. On the main island, there aren't many homestays; most are guesthouses. The most popular homestays include Phuoc Loc and Bep's House – both conveniently located, clean and beautiful, with attentive and thoughtful service, and friendly, hospitable owners. If staying overnight on the smaller island, tourists can consider Be Ecolodge or Gio Bien.

Suggested itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Ly Son Island.

Day 1:

• In the morning, travel from Sa Ky port to the island by speedboat. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation, rest, and rent a motorbike for easy exploration of the island.
• Begin your journey by strolling along the coastal mural street. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant to recharge for the afternoon.
• The afternoon is the ideal time to conquer Thoi Loi peak, check in at the sovereignty flagpole, admire the view of the garlic fields from above, and visit Thoi Loi volcanic lake.
• Continue your visit to Hang Cau, where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling to admire the coral reefs. Before dark, drive east on the island to watch the sunset at Mu Cu Lighthouse. Return for dinner and relax in the tranquil island atmosphere at night.

Day 2:

• Wake up early in the morning to go to To Vo Gate to watch the sunrise and secure the best spots for photos. Afterwards, take a speedboat to Be Island and explore its highlights such as Hai Au Cape, the bougainvillea flower road, the mural village, and Bai Ngang beach.
• Enjoy a light lunch on Little Island before returning to Big Island, packing your bags, and heading to the port to return to the mainland, concluding a 2-day, 1-night trip full of experiences and exploration.

Tips and things to note when traveling to Ly Son Island.

• The attractions on the main island are close together; you can rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) or take an electric vehicle.
• Be Island doesn't have many attractions, so half a day to a full day is enough for visitors to experience it.
• Just like when choosing a travel destination at any other beach or island, be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand to ensure a safe travel and sightseeing experience.

Why should you visit Ly Son Island this year?

Ly Son Island is a place you'll remember not only for its famous photo spots but also for the special feeling it offers. It has a rustic charm, yet is also dreamy and ethereal, transporting you to a separate world. Amidst a year full of hustle and bustle, a trip to Ly Son is truly a wonderful way to rejuvenate yourself after the daily stresses of life.

Wang Long