All about Ly Son tourism 2025: What to eat, what to do, where to stay?

Ly Son is an island located in the middle of the Quang Ngai sea, formed from the remains of a volcano millions of years ago. The dormant craters have now become mountain peaks, freshwater lakes, and majestic cliffs, creating a majestic and attractive landscape. Considered the "garlic kingdom" of the Central region, this is an ideal destination for those who love nature, geology and want to experience a different journey of discovery. If you are looking for a new and inspiring trip, Ly Son is the choice not to be missed.

Related articles

All about Vinh Hy tourism 2025: What to eat, what to play, where to stay?

Peaceful Ly Son Island in the eyes of travelers

Where is Ly Son? What is special?

Ly Son is an island district of Quang Ngai province, located about 15 nautical miles northeast of the mainland, in the middle of the central sea of ​​Vietnam. This island district consists of two main islands, Big Island (Cu Lao Re) and Small Island (An Binh), along with Mu Cu Island located east of Big Island. With a geological structure from lava millions of years ago, Ly Son is covered with steep cliffs, unique volcanic basins and beaches as clear as mirrors.

Ly Son is not only attractive for its landscape, it is also a land of historical stories associated with the heroic Hoang Sa army, and the traditional Khao Le The Linh ceremony. And if you have ever heard of “single garlic”, this is the cradle of this garlic, a specialty of Ly Son, nourished by basalt soil and salty wind and sun.

What is the best month to go to Ly Son?

The best time to visit Ly Son is from April to August, when the sun is evenly spread, the sky is clear and the sea is calm. This is the main tourist season, suitable for swimming, diving to see coral, exploring volcanic craters and enjoying the brilliant natural scenery. In particular, if you come around March-April, you will witness the garlic harvest season - a typical image of Ly Son with white fields and the gentle smell of garlic in the wind.

On the contrary, from September to about December is the rainy and stormy season, the weather is erratic, the sea is often rough and the boat to the island is easily delayed. If you do not have a specific and flexible plan, you should avoid this period to ensure safety and not have your trip interrupted.

How to get to Ly Son

Visitors need to go to Sa Ky port (Quang Ngai) first to be able to take a speedboat to the island. If you are in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the fastest way is to fly to Chu Lai airport (Quang Nam), then take a car (shared taxi is a popular means of transport) to Sa Ky port. Taking a speedboat from the port to the island takes about 35-45 minutes. You can book tickets on the port's website with many shipping companies to choose from, one-way fares from 205,000 VND; you can also book boats from Big Island to Small Island in advance, one-way fares from 70,000 VND.

Highlights of Ly Son

Big Island

As the central island of Ly Son district, Big Island is the remnant of a volcano with 5 mouths, formed about 25-30 million years ago. This geological feature gives the island a different beauty compared to similar tourist destinations, with many beautiful attractions for visitors to freely "live virtual":

Thoi Loi Mountain:As the highest mountain in Ly Son, Thoi Loi not only has geological significance as an ancient volcanic crater, but is also the place where the national flagpole is located, a sacred symbol of sovereignty in the middle of the ocean. From the top of the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the white "garlic carpet" spread out below. Watching the sunrise and sunset here is also an experience not to be missed.

To Vo Gate:A natural lava arch facing the sea, To Vo Gate is a must-see check-in spot in Ly Son. At sunset, the red sunlight shines through the arch, creating a romantic and surreal scene, making this place a "queue to take photos" spot for tourists every tourist season.

Mu Cu Lighthouse:Mu Cu Lighthouse located on Mu Cu Island is the ideal place to watch the first sunrise on the island. The red and white lighthouse and the wave-proof concrete blocks are located between the green of the mountains and the sea, interspersed with the black of volcanic rocks - another great check-in spot for you!

Hang Cau:Hang Cau is a majestic complex of vertical cliffs located close to the sea, with a curving shape like a natural sculpture. This is an ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking or simply enjoying the pristine beauty.

The coastal mural road:Starting from the foot of the overpass to To Vo gate, this is the work of architecture students of Da Nang University of Technology in collaboration with the island district. Nearly 1.5 km long, the colorful paintings carry the message of protecting the marine environment, expressing the determination to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland and have become a tourist highlight of Ly Son in recent years.

Tien Well Mountain:If you have come across the recent viral image of the enchanting land in Vietnam that is compared to the anime movie “Your Name”, then this is the place! Gieng Tien Mountain is the largest crater in the volcanic cluster west of Ly Son Island, although it is less noticed than Thoi Loi Mountain, the unique terrain of this place is worth a visit.

Small Island

True to its name, Be Island, though very small, is home to one of the clearest beaches you can find. Here you can visit places like Bai Ngang with its emerald green water and fine white sand, and Hai Au Cape with a view of the vast ocean. There is also An Binh mural village that recreates the life of a fishing village through vivid murals, along with a bougainvillea road that creates a romantic scene like a summer movie.

What to eat in Ly Son?

Tuyet Vy Quang Noodlesis a very famous local restaurant, famous for dishes such as Quang noodles, duck noodles and grilled pork noodles at "cheap" prices. The restaurant is open all day so visitors can flexibly schedule to stop by and experience.

Banh xeo cay bangOpen in the evening, it is also a place where locals often come to enjoy banh xeo. The restaurant is located right on the coastal road so visitors can eat while enjoying the relaxing sea breeze.

Khoi Chieu Seafood and Dai Hang Seafoodare the two most famous seafood restaurants on the island. In addition to fresh dishes, you should try seaweed salad, a specialty of Ly Son.

Besides garlic, when mentioning Ly Son, we must mention xu xoa - a specialty drink made from seaweed mixed with sugar water and ginger. In addition, there are ram cha ca, along with familiar dishes such as grilled meat with rice vermicelli, banh beo, banh dap, and duck porridge - all of which have a rustic yet unforgettable taste of the island.

Where in Ly Son?

In Ly Son, it is not too difficult for tourists to find suitable accommodation. On the Big Island, there are not many homestays and most are motels. The most popular homestays include Phuoc Loc and Bep's House - both have convenient locations, clean and beautiful spaces, thoughtful services and enthusiastic, hospitable hosts. If staying overnight on the Small Island, tourists can refer to Be Ecolodge or Gio Bien.

Suggested itinerary for Ly Son 2 days 1 night tour

Day 1:

• In the morning, travel from Sa Ky port to the island by speedboat. Upon arrival, check in, relax and rent a motorbike to explore the island.
• Start your journey by strolling along the coastal mural path. Then have lunch at a local restaurant to recharge your batteries for the afternoon.
• Afternoon is the ideal time to conquer Thoi Loi peak, check-in at the sovereignty flagpole, admire the garlic fields from above, and visit Thoi Loi volcanic lake.
• Continue to visit Hang Cau, participate in swimming and snorkeling activities. Before dark, drive to the east of the island to watch the sunset at Mu Cu lighthouse. Return for dinner and relax in the sea and island atmosphere at night.

Day 2:

• Early in the morning, wake up early to go to To Vo Gate to catch the sunrise and get the best photo spots. Then, take a speedboat to Be Island, explore the highlights such as Hai Au Cape, the bougainvillea road, the mural village, and Bai Ngang.
• Have a light lunch at Small Island before returning to Big Island, pack your luggage and move to the port to return to the mainland, ending a 2-day, 1-night trip full of experiences and discoveries.

Tips and notes when traveling to Ly Son

• Tourist attractions on Big Island are close together, you can rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) or take an electric car.
• There are not many places to visit on Small Island, visitors can schedule half a day to a day here to experience it.
• Just like when choosing a tourist destination on any other island, pay attention to the weather before going to ensure a safe travel and travel experience.

Why should you visit Ly Son this year?

Ly Son is a place that you will remember not only because of the famous check-in spots but also because of the special feeling that this island brings. There is something rustic, yet dreamy and dreamy about this place, as if taking you to a separate world. In the midst of a year full of hustle and bustle, a trip to Ly Son is truly a great remedy after daily worries.

Wang Long