Ly Son Island

Ly Son Island is a hidden gem in Vietnam that offers a unique experience of volcanic landscapes, coral beaches, garlic fields and historical sites. It is a perfect place for adventurous travelers who want to explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this island. Ly Son Island is located in the East Sea, about 30km from the mainland of Quang Ngai Province. It was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, creating five craters and many cliffs and caves. The island is also known as the kingdom of garlic and onions, as these crops are grown everywhere on the island. The garlic and onions from Ly Son are famous for their flavor and quality. To get to Ly Son Island, you need to take a speedboat from Sa Ky Port, which takes about 35-40 minutes. You can buy the ticket in advance or at the port, but be aware that it might be crowded during the peak season (June-September). The speedboat ticket costs 178,000 VND for one way and 160,000 VND for the return trip. Ly Son Island consists of three islands: Lon Island, Be Island and Mu Cu Islet. Lon Island is the main and largest island, where most of the attractions and accommodations are located. Be Island is a small island with a stunning beach and coral reefs. Mu Cu Islet is an uninhabited island with a lighthouse. Some of the things you can do on Ly Son Island are: - Visit the historical sites: Ly Son Island has a rich history as a naval base and a prison island. You can learn more about the history of the island by visiting the Ly Son Museum, the Tiger Cages, the Hang Duong Cemetery and the Vo Thi Sau Tomb. You can also join the special holiday to commemorate the Hoang Sa soldiers, who defended the Paracel Islands from foreign invaders. The holiday takes place on 18th, 19th and 20th of March lunar calendar. - Enjoy the beaches: Ly Son Island has many beautiful beaches with clear water and white sand. You can swim, snorkel, dive or just relax on the beach. Some of the most popular beaches are Dat Doc Beach, Loi Beach, An Hai Beach and Bai Nhat Beach. - Explore the national park: Ly Son National Park covers most of the island and is home to many rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. You can hike, bike, camp or join a guided tour to see the wildlife and natural scenery of the island. You might also have a chance to see the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach at night. - Try the local food: Ly Son Island is famous for its seafood, especially the con son snails, which are only found on this island. You can also try other dishes such as banh canh ca ro dong (rice noodle soup with mud carp), banh xeo (crispy pancake with shrimp and pork) and banh it tran (steamed glutinous rice dumplings with mung bean paste). You can find many restaurants and street vendors around the island that serve these delicacies.