Buzz
Summer is the perfect time for a trip to Ly Son Island to relax, explore, and recharge after days of work.
Detailed solo trip review to Ly Son Island
1. Itinerary
If flying from Hanoi, catch the morning flight around 8 am to Chu Lai at 9:30 am, drive to Sa Ky port, and take the 11 am ferry to the island. It only takes 40 minutes from Sa Ky to the island. Have lunch upon arrival, check in at Mường Thanh Hotel in the city center, making it convenient for sightseeing.
The first tour includes visiting the eastern points of the island: Chua Hang, Hang Cau, Mu Cu, Nui Thoi Loi. These spots are only 5-10 minutes apart by car. The sea view at Chua Hang and Nui Thoi Loi is breathtaking, so take some extra time to enjoy the experience. Watching the sunset on Nui Thoi Loi is exceptionally beautiful.
The next morning, we hopped on a canoe at 8 am to explore Be Island. Be Island boasts pristine and crystal-clear waters, providing ample opportunities for stunning photos with various outfits, bikinis, beach activities, and even submersible diving. Don't miss the chance to experience coral reef diving with colorful coral formations. Note: Be prepared with swimming goggles and rubber diving shoes as the corals can be sharp and may cause some scratches.
By noon, we took a boat back to Ly Son for lunch and relaxation. There are very few boat trips to Be Island in a day, usually ending around 12 pm, so make sure to plan your return time, or you might end up staying overnight.
After a comfortable break until 3 pm, we resumed our journey to explore the southern part of the island, checking in at the Tò Vò Gate and Đục Pagoda, marking the end of Ly Son. Along the way, make sure to stop and capture the scenic coastal road, the ship anchorage, and the beautiful landscapes.
When at the Tò Vò Gate, take advantage of checking in before sunset, as it gets crowded during sunset, making it difficult to get good photos. When everyone rushes out, go in the opposite direction to explore Đục Pagoda logically.
However, Đục Pagoda is situated amid a densely populated area with a focus on the dead (cemetery, ghost beach, and even newly dug graves). If you're a bit faint-hearted, you might get a bit scared. During my visit, I saw two girls walk 2 meters, turn around, and sprint back out because of fear.
In Ly Son, the number of rooftops is fewer than the number of graves. Graves are scattered all over the fields. Everywhere you go, there are graves. The population here is sparse, services are basic, but the locals are remarkably hospitable and sincere.
Ly Son truly has only garlic and the sea. The fields are dedicated to garlic and peanuts. Large trees providing shade are a rarity. Along the roads, the only square-shaped banyan tree and its branches barely offer shade for a parked motorbike.
And that's Ly Son in a nutshell. The next morning, just relax, do some shopping, grab souvenirs, and then return to Chu Lai to catch a flight back.
2. Dining and Transportation
Dining in Ly Son is not as unique as in other coastal areas. Seafood is not abundant, and prices are not cheap. The most common dining model here is sidewalk grilling stalls, which are ubiquitous. They operate all day until evening, as if the locals prefer grilled food throughout. The main grilled items are pork belly, stomach, chicken feet, etc. I tried a grill stall and found it decent, with reasonable prices. However, the price for dried squid is significantly higher here.
Additionally, when inquiring about local specialties in Ly Son, locals recommended trying the moon crab. That crab is practically armored; I tried to break its shell with my hands, but even the pincers and legs inside were still tough. It took me a full hour to finish a 2-tael crab.
For transportation, it's advisable to rent a motorbike since the attractions are quite close. If in a group, electric bikes are also an option. The cost of transportation here is higher than in other places. I'll summarize the expenses shortly.
3. Expenses
Food expenses, including various seafood dishes, range from 400k-500k per person, while snacks cost around 100k-200k per person.
Transportation costs are quite high:
Renting a motorbike is 160k per day for manual scooters and 200k per day for automatic scooters (covering probably up to 20km). For Be Island, it's 100k per bike (covering about 5km).
Electric bikes or taxis cost 600k-700k per day for a complete tour of the island (as mentioned earlier, about 20km). If traveling to individual points, it's around 200k for 5km.
Sa Ky - Ly Son ferry tickets cost 178k for the outward journey and 160k for the return journey.
Boat to Be Island is 100k per person for a round trip.
Renting a car from the airport to the port costs 400k per trip.
In summary, Ly Son offers beautiful, untouched beaches, and the people are friendly. It's a must-experience destination.
By Do Oanh
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Reference: Mytour
MytourJune 28, 2021
