Buzz
Pack your backpack, hop on the bus, and embark on discovering new lands, perfect experiences for the summer of young adventurers. An ideal destination where you can conquer the beautiful challenges of youth is Nam Du Island, a beautiful and pristine island located in Rạch Giá City, Kiên Giang Province. Just go and let Nam Du paint a truly “awesome” summer for you.
Nam Du Island Beauty (Photo: Collection)
Nam Du is the farthest island of Kiên Hải District, Kiên Giang Province, about 250 km from Phú Quốc. Coming here, tourists are captivated by the islands that still retain their pristine beauty yet are equally majestic and magnificent. This is truly an ideal place for an adventurous journey full of experiences.
Best Time to Visit Nam Du Island
Nam Du Island has the advantage of not experiencing large storms, but the downside is that it receives a lot of rain from storms, so traveling to Nam Du Island during the rainy season may encounter many obstacles. The rainy season in Nam Du starts from April and ends in November, so the ideal time to start your journey is between December and March. During this time, Nam Du Island has calm seas and less rain, eliminating the worry of prolonged rainfall during your trip, and those prone to seasickness need not worry too much about their health.
Visit Nam Du Island at the right time for a complete journey (Photo: Collection)
Transportation to Nam Du Island
To reach Nam Du Island, travelers need to head to Rạch Giá city first. For those coming from Ho Chi Minh City, there are affordable Mekong Delta buses ranging from 150,000 to 170,000 dong.
For travelers from Hanoi or other provinces, options include flights, trains, or coaches to Ho Chi Minh City, then onward to Rạch Giá. Booking flights early can secure discounted fares, saving on travel costs.
A. Some bus companies from Saigon to Rạch Giá
- Phương Trang Bus: 170,000 dong per ticket (sleeper bus)
- Kumho Samco Bus: 150,000 dong per ticket (sleeper bus)
- Tuyết Hon Bus: 145,000 dong per ticket (sleeper bus) | Diệu Bus: 160,000 dong per ticket (16-seater bus)
Coaches are a common mode of transportation from Saigon to Rạch Giá, Kiên Giang (Image: Collected)
Regarding transportation to Nam Du Island, the only available option is by high-speed ferry with round-trip fares approximately 440,000 dong.
B. Some ferry companies from Rạch Giá to Nam Du Island, Kiên Giang
1. Ngọc Thành (High-speed ferry)
Schedule: Rạch Giá – Nam Du
Departure times: Rạch Giá at 8:15 AM and Nam Du at 12:15 PM
Travel time: 2 hours
2. Hồ Hải (Regular ferry)
Schedule: Rạch Giá – Nam Du
Departure times: Rạch Giá at 9:00 AM and Nam Du at 10:00 AM
Travel time: 4 hours
Contact number: 077 3863019
If you catch the 8:15 AM ferry, it will arrive at Hòn Lớn, part of the Nam Du archipelago, around 11 AM.
3. Superdong
Schedule: Rạch Giá – Nam Du
Departure times: Rạch Giá at 7:20 AM and Nam Du at 10:15 AM
Travel time: 2 hours
Contact number: 0919664660
High-speed ferry to Nam Du Island – Kiên Giang Province (Image: Collected)
The only way to reach the island is by high-speed ferry (Image: Collected)
Means of transportation on Nam Du Island
1. Motorbike
For those eager to experience island exploration, renting a scooter is essential for your journey. You can easily rent one from guesthouses at prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per day, kickstarting your adventurous trip. Remember to equip yourself with the necessary tools and safety gear for this journey.
You can rent a scooter and embark on your exploration of Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
2. Boat Trips
To explore the islands and various sea spots, renting a boat is necessary. You can find boat rental services or negotiate prices at the docks with locals for your desired destination.
Discover the tourist spots here by boat (Photo: Collected)
Must-Visit Destinations When Visiting Nam Du Island
1. Hon Lon (Big Island)
Hon Lon, also known as Cu Tron Island, is one of the most beautiful beaches of Nam Du Island. It is associated with the legend of Lord Nguyen Anh during the famine days when he sent troops to search for food on the island. They found roots resembling round bulbs to eat temporarily. Nguyen Anh later named the island Cu Tron Island, but over time, it was pronounced as Củ Tròn.
Explore Hon Lon in Nam Du with its stunning beaches (Photo: Collected)
Hon Lon comprises Cây Mến beach, Ngự beach, and Chệt beach, among which Cây Mến beach is recognized as the most beautiful beach on the island. Each beach possesses its own beauty, enchanting visitors with the azure hues of the sea, the smooth white sands, and the vibrant green of coconut palms casting shadows on the water.
The beautiful Hon Lon of Nam Du Island in Kien Giang (Photo: Collected)
2. Cây Mến Beach
Not only mesmerized by the stunning scenery, visiting Bai Cay Men is immersing yourself in incredibly exciting marine experiences such as snorkeling to admire corals or catching squid by hand. This place remains very pristine partly because there aren't many hotels or guesthouses yet, with just a few scattered homes of locals offering places for visitors to rest, drink water, or freshen up. This very aspect contributes to the exceptionally rustic charm of this place.
The image of Bai Cay Men with the emerald green color of the sea in Kien Giang (Photo: Collected)
The color of the sky and the color of the sea seem to blend into one (Photo: Collected)
3. Bai Ngu
No less captivating than Bai Cay Men, Bai Ngu is also known as an incredibly beautiful beach on Nam Du Island. Bai Ngu is located on the west side of Cu Tron Island. It is called Bai Ngu because in the past, King Gia Long on his way to Siam stopped here for a while, so the locals showed their respect by giving this name to the beach.
Bai Ngu is closely associated with the legend of King Gia Long (Photo: Collected)
Although it's a beach, tourists don't come here to swim but to experience the culture of the coastal people here. Bai Ngu enjoys a distinct advantage that during dry seasons, the sea water remains abundant and blue instead of being depleted. Therefore, the livelihood of the people living here is still ensured.
Explore Nam Du Island and admire the sunset over Bai Ngu (Photo: Collected)
Visiting Bai Ngu, you'll witness a vivid picture of the coastal people's lives - boats moored closely together along the coast, displaying a rich variety of colors and sizes. The locals here make a living through fishing and aquaculture, setting sail every day and returning with boats full of harvested fish and shrimp.
Bai Ngu always bustling with boats moored (Photo: Collected)
4. Bai Chet
Bai Chet is the first stop for tourists when visiting Nam Du Island. Here, there's a bustling seafood market with various fresh seafood on display. At Bai Chet, you can freely choose the freshest and most enticing crabs, fish, etc., for your meal.
Exploring the seas of Nam Du Island, Bai Chet with closely moored boats (Photo: Collected)
Fishing boats docking at the pier in Bai Chet, Nam Du archipelago (Photo: Collected)
5. Nam Du Lighthouse
There is a proud lighthouse atop Cu Tron Island in Nam Du. Proud because it is the tallest lighthouse in Vietnam, standing 300m above sea level. With such a height to boast of, tourists ascending the lighthouse can admire a picturesque panorama of Nam Du Island, with its beautiful green mountains blending into the sea, dotted with moored boats by the pier, surely a sight to behold.
A proud lighthouse standing by the coast on Nam Du Island (Photo: Collected)
To reach Nam Du Lighthouse from Hon Lon Island (Cu Tron), you'll have to cross three hills, trekking it will take about 2 hours, but to save time, you can take a motorbike taxi (about 80k/VND one way) or ride a motorbike by yourself. Although the road to Nam Du Lighthouse is winding, the scenery on both sides is peaceful, with lush trees providing shade, and the chirping of birds hidden behind the trees will make the journey seem shorter, the promised tranquility of Nam Du Lighthouse welcoming travelers even before they set foot on the lighthouse.
The lighthouse on Nam Du Island (Photo: Collected)
6. Hon Dau
Hon Dau is just a small island with a few households living there. Because of its size, many tourists have overlooked the island on their Nam Du island tour.
Hon Dau, fresh and pristine on Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
There is no pier at Hon Dau, so passenger boats can only anchor far offshore and tourists have to take small boats to shore. Another interesting way to get to Hon Dau is by wearing a life jacket and swimming to the shore. Divide the group into two: one group takes the boat to carry equipment and the other group swims to Hon Dau. Immersing in the cool water, waving in the open sea to reach a pristine island in front of you, what could be more exciting than that?
The beautiful, irresistible clear water of the island (Photo: Collected)
Accessing Hon Dau, Nam Du by boat (Photo: Collected)
But you can also swim to Hon Dau (Photo: Collected)
With few inhabitants and not many tourists, Hon Dau is a hidden gem with a stunning beach that few people know about. Its untouched beauty is evident on the sandy beach, with few footprints, and along the rows of trees that line the beach. Visiting Hon Dau, you'll have an extremely private space to experience your vacation plans. Hon Dau can meet all your recreational needs from swimming to snorkeling, fishing, or climbing tall coconut trees to pick fruits. A world where you can do everything you like, capture photos with the vast sea without being hindered by crowds behind. Isn't that enticing enough for you?
Experiences at Hon Dau are sure to leave you impressed (Photo: Collected)
7. Hon Mau
This is also a favorite stop for tourists when visiting Nam Du Island. Hon Mau, with 120 households living here, is a bustling stop on your journey. Hon Mau is fortunate to have many beautiful beaches with charming scenery, loved by many tourists. There are also many boats passing by daily, creating a lively atmosphere in the pristine setting of a small island on the sea.
Hon Mau, Nam Du Island in Kien Giang (Photo: Collected)
Image of Hon Mau in Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
Hon Mau Beach, Kien Giang (Photo: Collected)
8. Bai Chuong
A paradise on earth that you cannot miss when traveling to Nam Du Island is Bai Chuong. Viewed from above, Bai Chuong resembles a small lake surrounded by beautiful coconut groves. Bai Chuong has crystal clear blue water and white sand stretching out like a precious gem. On both sides of the beach are two unique rock formations: Black Rock Beach with rocks stacked together on the sea surface, and White Rock Beach with pure white rocks resembling pearls.
Bai Chuong, beautiful with clear blue water (Photo: Collected)
Black Rock Beach, Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
And White Rock Beach (Photo: Collected)
9. Hon Ngang
Hon Ngang is located in the center of Nam Du town, where the calmest harbor is, so it welcomes thousands of boats passing by every day. To travel from Hon Lon to Hon Ngang, there are two ferry trips daily, departing at 7 am and 3 pm, and it takes 15 minutes to travel between the two islands.
Tourism at Hon Ngang with crowded harbor (Photo: Collected)
Hon Ngang boasts some of the bluest beaches with fine white sand and lush green vegetation. Not only does it feature serene beaches, but Hon Ngang also challenges tourists with rugged cliffs stacked layer upon layer, looking very treacherous, creating a vivid and colorful natural landscape. Next are the bustling boat docks. Hon Ngang is most beautiful in the late afternoon, when the setting sun tints the sky red, and the boats cast shadows on the sea, making the natural scenery more mysterious and alluring than ever.
Hon Ngang with crowded boat docks (Photo: Collected)
The rugged cliffs of Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
Boats filled with fish and shrimp (Photo: Collected)
Hon Ngang is most beautiful in the late afternoons (Photo: Collected)
9. Hon Son
Located between Hon Tre and the Nam Du archipelago, Hon Son emerges beautifully like a giant mountain. With over 2000 households, Hon Son brings a lively and bustling atmosphere with many sites closely associated with the culture and history of the islanders. Under the sunlight, Hon Son sparkles with 7 peaks protruding from the sea. Closer still is the green of the familiar coconut groves of Nam Du island and the playful small rocks floating on the water.
Explore the beauty of Hon Son in Nam Du (Photo: Collected)
Venture into the azure beauty of Hon Son (Photo: Collected)
Hon Son is a promising stop for your trip (Photo: Collected)
Indulge in the island specialties of Nam Du
1. Grilled Blue Bone Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves
Blue bone fish, also known as unicornfish, has a round and elongated body. Its name aptly describes its fascinating features, with green-colored skin and a captivating blue glow on its bones.
Freshly caught fish are cleaned and wrapped in banana leaves, then grilled until the banana leaves dry out and the fish is cooked. Sitting by the beach, setting up a makeshift fire pit, grilling the fish, unwrapping each banana leaf to reveal the fragrant, tender meat, accompanied by rice paper and wild vegetables, creates a memorable culinary experience. The rich, savory taste of the fish, the chewiness of the rice paper, and the refreshing flavor of the wild vegetables will leave a lasting impression.
Golden and delicious fish meat from Nam Du Island (Photo: Collected)
Fragrant Blue Bone Fish Cooking Over a Warm Fire (Photo: Collected)
2. Grilled Scallop with Garlic Butter
In regions with abundant and fresh seafood like Nam Du Island, grilled scallops are highly sought after. Sitting by the sunny beach, listening to the soothing sound of waves, and enjoying the juicy, flavorful, and nutritious scallops will surely create unforgettable memories for your trip.
The enticing specialty of Grilled Scallop is evident from its appearance alone (Photo: Collected)
There are many ways to prepare scallops, but grilled scallops remain the most popular method. Fresh scallops are grilled over glowing charcoal, emitting a wonderfully fragrant aroma. Scallops require minimal seasoning, just a sprinkle of pepper, chili, peanuts, etc., to create a perfect grilled scallop feast.
Once grilled to perfection, each scallop opens up invitingly. The shell is partially removed and the scallop is garnished with fresh herbs, scallions, peanuts, etc., making your scallop dish look elegant and luxurious. Scooping a piece of scallop with a spoon into your mouth, you can feel the rich, plump, and flavorful scallop meat, truly elevating the dining experience. Scallops breathe life into the culinary scene of Nam Du Island with their rich, fresh, and enticing flavors.
The enticingly flavorful scallops of Nam Du Island cuisine (Photo: Collected)
3. Steamed Cuttlefish with Ginger
The people of Nam Du are incredibly creative in preparing their delicious seafood in unique ways. One of the unusual dishes with an intriguing name is steamed cuttlefish with ginger. Cuttlefish eggs are highly nutritious and easy to cook, making them a favorite among many. People in Nam Du prefer steaming cuttlefish with ginger because it preserves the fresh, fragrant taste of the cuttlefish while making it easy to eat without feeling overwhelmed.
Steamed Cuttlefish with Ginger dish (Photo: Collected)
4. Sour Soup with Barramundi Fish
For the locals in Kien Giang, barramundi fish is quite familiar as they breed it in small cages. Tourists visiting this place often enjoy ordering sour soup with barramundi fish, which is both easy to eat and rich in flavor. Sour soup in Nam Du Island is different from elsewhere. Here, the sourness of the soup comes from adding fresh or pickled tamarind, along with some chopped lemongrass and fresh turmeric, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
The delicious and flavorful sour soup with barramundi fish is a favorite among many tourists (Photo: Collected)
5. Dried Fish
Not only famous for fresh seafood, but dried goods are also a specialty here. Stalls selling dried fish are plentiful on the docks of Nam Du Island. Dried fish not only smells delicious and is easy to store but also makes a great gift for loved ones back home!
The flavorful specialty of dried fish from Nam Du Island (Photo: Collected)
Where to Visit Nam Du Island?
There are two options for overnight stays on Nam Du Island: renting guesthouses or homestays, with prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per night.
For a more adventurous experience, you can rent a camping site and tent for overnight stays. The most suitable camping site is Hon Dau, as it has coconut trees and a fairly spacious beach, convenient for camping and recreational activities. The rental price for a camping site is about 30,000 VND per person, while the tent rental is 40,000 VND per person.
You can experience camping on this island in Kiên Giang (Photo: Collected)
Here is the travel handbook for Nam Du Island that mytour.VN wants to offer you. Choose the destinations you desire most to create a perfect itinerary for your trip. Wishing you a truly enjoyable journey full of wonderful memories!
