Tho Chu Island - The southernmost island of Vietnam

Tho Chu Island is a large island belonging to the Tho Chu archipelago (Phu Quoc, Kien Giang), which includes many other islands of varying sizes, some submerged and some above water. It is located approximately 160 km northwest of Ca Mau Cape and about 220 km from Rach Gia town. The Tho Chu archipelago comprises eight islands: Tho Chu Island, Hon Nhan, Hon Xanh, Hon Kho, Hon Cao Cat, Hon Tu, and Hon Keo Ngua.

Tho Chu Island plays a strategically important military role and is therefore very strictly controlled by the border guard force. Getting there is already difficult, but to freely travel to Tho Chu, you also need permission from this force.

My first stop was Ngự Beach, the busiest spot on the island. Ngự Beach is still quite unspoiled and tranquil, with many ancient Barringtonia and Terminalia trees, along with coconut palms swaying in the breeze – enough to lull me into a midday nap amidst the stunning natural scenery. I could spend the whole afternoon here swimming without getting bored. Additionally, you can visit the seafood fishing facilities and stop by a few local houses to learn about their lives. The people here are gentle, warm, and hospitable. Visiting Thổ Chu feels right at home for everyone.

After spending the rest of the day wandering along the island's winding roads, exploring every simple corner of Tho Chu Island, I occasionally stopped to listen to the rustling of leaves in the wind or followed a forest trail, encountering majestic ancient trees so large that it would take 5-7 people to encircle them. Continuing my wandering, the Tho Chu Island lighthouse appeared before me. At 140 meters tall with an 18-meter-high tower, during the day, the Tho Chu lighthouse serves as an observation point for the entire island, used by border guards to monitor maritime security. Tourists are also welcomed to admire the view and take pictures. At night, the Tho Chu lighthouse provides a source of light, giving peace of mind to fishermen as they head out to sea to catch seafood.

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

In the following days, I set off to visit the small islands nearby. Hon Nhan has towering, treeless mountain ranges, yet strangely, it is the nesting and egg-laying ground for thousands of swallows. If you have the chance to visit Hon Nhan between October and March (lunar calendar), you will witness firsthand the sky over Tho Chu Island filled with swallows returning there.

As for Hon Xanh (Green Island), it truly is green, because everywhere I looked, I only saw the lush green of the natural vegetation. This beautiful little island is a perfect place for camping, relaxing, and enjoying the unspoiled life of a real fisherman. The island is also home to monkeys, pythons, monitor lizards, and snakes... which is interesting but also a little... scary, if you're afraid of reptiles like me. So, be observant, choose a cool, shady spot to rest, and of course, don't forget your first-aid supplies.

Another incredibly interesting experience is taking a wooden boat ride around Hon Cao Island amidst the calm, clear blue sea, or landing on the deserted island and trekking through the forest to admire the ancient trees such as the Barringtonia and Barringtonia species in bloom. Or, don't be afraid to try the challenging path filled with broken, dried coral branches to reach the rocky forest area, where millions of years of relentless waves have sculpted and eroded the rocks into bizarre shapes.

On sunny days, the sea is crystal clear, and from the boat, visitors can see staghorn coral reefs, densely packed together at depths of 5-7 meters, and schools of colorful fish gliding among the swaying anemone bushes with each wave. Tho Chu Island boasts a rich ecosystem, with 99 species of coral identified in the waters around the island. It would be a shame to miss snorkeling here. I could hardly resist the urge to put on my goggles, snorkel, and dive into the sea to admire the magical underwater world, shimmering in the sunlight.

Eating here is quite simple; Tho Chu has an abundance of fresh seafood, readily available at the Tho Chu market. Alternatively, you can buy some and have a BBQ on the beach, enjoying the sea breeze, camping, and savoring the local seafood – a truly unique experience. The Tho Chu area remains largely unspoiled, and thankfully, the locals have chosen not to interfere with the existing ecosystem, preserving its pristine state and allowing visitors to freely explore and discover.

Additional information:

Trip:

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 ride takes more than 16 hours. Those prone to seasickness should prepare sufficient medication and food.

Huong Thao