Buzz
Hon Mong Tay is an undiscovered gem located just 14km south of the pearl island Phu Quoc. Known as the 'Robinson in the middle of the ocean,' it captivates with its pristine and romantic beauty, featuring crystal-clear blue sea and long stretches of white sandy beaches under the shade of green coconut trees. Surely, these elements are enough to inspire adventurous hearts and ignite the passion for exploration in this hidden paradise.
In this article, I gather and share experiences and itineraries for exploring Hon Mong Tay, hoping to help you plan a well-prepared journey and fully enjoy your trip.
Where is Hon Mong Tay?
The island is named Hon Mong Tay because it used to be abundant with palm trees, also known as sơn hải tùng or 'sea pine.' Locals from the mainland would take boats to the island and bring back these trees for ornamental purposes. However, the number of trees on the island is now scarce.
Located in Duong Hoa commune, Kien Luong district, Hon Mong Tay is situated off the coast of Kien Giang province, about 14km south of Phu Quoc Island, between the Bà Lụa archipelago and the Pirate archipelago. Interestingly, despite its proximity to these archipelagos, Hon Mong Tay seems to resist belonging to any particular one. The island is secluded from maritime traffic, making it untouched by human hands. Hence, it is often referred to as the “Robinson Island.”
Best Time to Explore Hon Mong Tay
How to Reach Hon Mong Tay
As this is a newly discovered tourist destination, regular tours are not yet common. To truly appreciate Hon Mong Tay, the only way is to become a Robinson and experience the island on your own.
How to Reach Hon Mong Tay
To reach Hon Mong Tay, you must first travel to Phu Quoc and then head to An Thoi port to take a boat to the island. Contact the Anh The Canoe Rental at 0168-7820-424 for canoe booking to the island.
AIR TRAVEL
In December 2012, Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) was inaugurated, providing opportunities for domestic and international airlines to expand their flight routes to the island.
• Ticket prices from Ho Chi Minh City are around 700,000 – 1,000,000VND one way, with a flight time of approximately 45 minutes.
• Direct flights from Hanoi cost around 2,500,000 – 3,000,000VND one way, with a flight time of about 2 hours and 25 minutes.
• Taking a taxi from the airport to Duong Dong Center/Dinh Cau area takes about 20 minutes and costs 230,000VND. Phu Quoc has two major taxi companies, SASCO and Mai Linh (Phone: 0773.97.97.97), both operate on a meter, ensuring safety and convenience for tourists.
Tip: It's advisable to book your flight tickets a few months in advance to get the best prices. Keep an eye on airline promotions, as prices are often lower during off-peak travel times. If you don't want to spend time monitoring, you can contact your travel assistant Thao Lu at 0169 443 0461. Just let her know your expected travel time and destination, and she will find the best and most reasonable ticket prices for you without any additional fees.
BY LAND + SEA:
1. Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia – Phu Quoc:
By road from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia:
• Depart from the passenger pickup point on Le Hong Phong Street, District 10, with available bus services:
– Mai Linh. Phone: 08 39292929
– Phuong Trang. Phone: 08 3833 3468
Alternatively, if departing from the Western Bus Station, there are Tuyet Hon and Chau Ha buses.
– The bus will arrive at Rach Gia Bus Station (Kien Giang). Ticket price is approximately: 110,000 – 130,000 VND/ticket/way, and the travel time is around 7 hours.
– It is advisable to purchase tickets for a 45-seat bus, providing a comfortable sleeping position. To save time, choose a bus departing around 10 PM, and by 5 AM, you will reach Kien Giang. Before getting off the bus, inquire with the driver about the location of the transfer vehicle to board without additional fees. Avoid the crowd and head straight to the transfer vehicle. When boarding, inform the driver that you want to go to the ferry terminal for Phu Quoc.
Rach Gia to Phu Quoc Ferry: You can purchase tickets from the following two ferry companies:
• Savanna Ferry: Address: No. 12 Tự Do Street, Vinh Thanh, Rach Gia, near the ferry terminal. Phone: 0773.692.888. Adult ticket price: 270,000 VND/way, children 6-12 years old: 200,000 VND/way.
• Superdong II Ferry: Address: No. 14 Tự Do Street, Vinh Thanh, Rach Gia. Phone: 077 877742 – 077 877 741. Adult ticket price: 270,000 VND/way.
High-speed ferries depart for Phu Quoc at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Purchase tickets near the ferry area, where numerous ticket booths are available. The ferry journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on weather conditions, stopping at Ham Ninh port (Bai Vong). On the ferry, you can buy tickets for shuttle buses from Bai Vong ferry terminal to the center of Duong Dong town, priced around 20,000 – 30,000 VND, with a travel time of 30 minutes. If traveling with a group, consider taking a taxi to the town center, as the ferry terminal is about 12 – 13 km away. Alternatively, a motorbike taxi can cost around 30,000 VND/person to reach the center.
2. TP.HCM – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc:
By road from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tien, there are buses from Saigon to Ha Tien, including:
– Nguyên Dũng Bus: Address: 464 Kinh Duong Vuong. Phone: 08 37520126
– Ngoc Trinh Bus: Phone: 0918.258.169 – 0903.746.128
– Kumho Bus: Phone (Western Bus Station): 08 3752 7878. Address: 490 Le Hong Phong. Phone (Le Hong Phong): 08 3833.8180 – 3833.8190
– Co Ba Ho Bus: Address: 397 Cultural and Sports Center, next to Mien Tay Bus Station. Phone: 0919.514006 – 0913.637232. Ticket price approximately 140,000 – 160,000 VND/way.
Taking the ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc: Departure from Thanh Thoi ferry terminal (Ha Tien), stopping at Da Chong port (Bai Thom, Phu Quoc). The ferry has a large capacity and can carry various types of vehicles. The ferry journey takes a little over 2 hours. From Da Chong ferry terminal to the center of Duong Dong town is approximately 20km, and you can take a local bus or motorbike taxi (taxis are a bit scarce in this area).
High-speed boat Ha Tien – Phu Quoc: Departure from Ha Tien ferry terminal, stopping at Ham Ninh port (An Thoi, Phu Quoc). It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Some boat options for you:
– Hong Tam 1: Departure time: 08:45 to 10:30. Ticket price approximately: 215,000 VND – Hong Tam 2: Departure time: 13:30 to 15:00. Ticket price approximately: 215,000 VND – Superdong 1: Departure time: 13:15 to 15:00. Ticket price approximately: 230,000 VND – Thanh Thoi: Departure time: 08:20 to 10:50. Ticket price approximately: 165,000 VND.
Note: From Ham Ninh port to the center of Duong Dong town is about 15km. You can take a motorbike taxi or a taxi.
4 unmissable experiences on Hon Mong Tay
Immerse yourself in the deep blue of the boundless sea
Hon Mong Tay is an ideal place for camping, exploring the wild island, and admiring the stunning natural scenery. Arriving at Hon Mong Tay, you'll be greeted by the crystal-clear sea in the shining emerald hue, coconut trees casting their shadows on the smooth white sand, and uniquely arranged rock formations sculpted by nature. Venture deeper into the island, and you'll encounter expansive fields of golden grass.
You might also come across a few Son Hai Tung trees (sea trumpet trees), the reason behind the island's distinctive name. With only the sound of waves and the wind in your ears, all the urban hustle and bustle fades away. The feeling of complete harmony with the vast expanse of sky and earth will leave a breathtaking impression on those who visit.
Dive into the sea to admire the coral reefs
The refreshing water will give you the freedom to explore. Afterward, you can go fishing or crabbing. The most special experience, however, is snorkeling to observe the coral reefs. The coral ecosystem here is considered the richest in Vietnam with 17 different types of hard and soft corals. The vibrant and diverse coral formations are sure to impress every visitor.
Selfie from every angle
In addition, the photography hobby of young enthusiasts will be maximally satisfied. The combination of unique and beautiful scenery provides an ideal backdrop for capturing many one-of-a-kind photos. Equally fascinating is watching the sunset or sunrise here and capturing those magical moments.
Hon Mong Tay has become the proposal spot for a foreign couple. Perhaps in the near future, this place will become a dating location witnessing many romantic love stories. Proposing and taking wedding photos at Hon Mong Tay promises to be a memorable and uniquely charming experience.
Listen to the Robinson legend
When you're here, you can explore the real-life legend of a Robinson. It's the story of a 'island princess' named An Ngoai Tu Tuan, nicknamed the 'blind knight' by the seafaring community. He is the one who has brought life to this deserted island for the past 13 years. Although he cannot see, he can swim straight from the island to the mainland, endure fasting for a month, predict oncoming sea storms... These strange and interesting facts will surely add to the mystery and allure of your exploration.
Dining experience
As this is Robinson Island, there are no tourist services available. The only way is to buy seafood and bring it to Hon Mong Tay for a self-cooked BBQ. When you visit Phu Quoc Island, you can indulge in various tempting dishes such as herring salad, humpback snapper, or grilled chicken.
Bring seafood to Hon Mong Tay for a self-cooked BBQ.
Souvenirs
Since you're visiting Phu Quoc, take the opportunity to buy Phu Quoc fish sauce or Phu Quoc black pepper as souvenirs.
Detailed Itinerary for Exploring Hon Mong Tay – Kien Giang
Below is the detailed itinerary of Huynh Tuan experiencing 4 days on Hon Mong Tay with 1,600,000 VND/person, starting from Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 1
– 8:00 PM: Gather at Mien Tay Bus Station (Ho Chi Minh City), park motorbikes at the station.
– 8:30 PM: Departure, head straight to Ha Tien Bus Station. Be prepared for the possibility of congestion at Vam Cong Ferry, depart early.
It's advisable to be on time as the passenger bus departs punctually.
Day 2
– 5:00 AM: Arrive at Ha Tien Bus Station.
– 5-7 AM: Have breakfast right at the bus station (or you can take a shuttle directly to the Phu Quoc ferry terminal; from 3 AM to 8 PM, there are eateries and hammocks for passengers to relax right in front of the ferry terminal).
– 7:20 AM: Transfer by shuttle to Ha Tien Ferry Terminal.
– 7:45 AM: Board the high-speed ferry to Phu Quoc.
– 9:00 AM: Arrive at Phu Quoc.
– 9:30 AM: Take a 30-seat bus directly to An Thoi port.
Here, you can choose to take a straight bus to Duong Dong... The bus fare to Duong Dong is 30,000 VND per person.
A group with a large number of members can rent a 30-seat bus or 2 16-seat vans, ensuring a comfortable journey for everyone.
– 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM: Divide the group into two teams.
Support Team: Along the way, stop to buy seafood, styrofoam boxes, firewood, charcoal, drinks, fruits, etc.
Remaining Team: Enjoy a delicious and budget-friendly lunch on the road. Seafood feast is planned for the evening.
– 11:30 AM: Board the canoes. Two canoes will carry the majority of the group, while a larger boat transports all the luggage, styrofoam boxes, drinks, etc.
– 1:00 PM: Gather equipment and head to Mây Rút Trong Island.
– 2:00 PM: Move to Robinson Island, swim, and take photos. Explore the islands with beautiful landscapes and coral reefs.
– 5:00 PM: Enjoy the sunset, set up camp, and go crab catching.
Night accommodation on Mây Rút Trong Island with fresh water available.
Note for Day 2: Put backpacks, electronic devices, phones, personal documents, etc., in waterproof bags. According to the initial plan, we will camp on Robinson Island. However, due to potential high tide at night for safety reasons, the camping location has been moved to Mây Rút Trong Island.
Day 3
– 5:00 AM: Wake up early to catch the sunrise and have breakfast.
– 7:00 AM: Return to Robinson Island. Here, everyone can engage in team-building activities or take wedding photos...
– 11:00 AM: Move back to Phú Quốc Island, have lunch at Đất Đỏ Beach with dishes like herring salad, anchovy salad, grilled chicken...
– 2:00 PM: Return to the starry campsite and take a rest.
– 3:00 PM: Explore beautiful spots at Star Beach and Khem Beach.
– 4:00 PM: Board the vehicle to return to Bãi Trường. Here, you can take photos with the burnt grass field and admire the sunset.
Overnight at the Bãi Sao tent and enjoy fresh water bathing. Continue indulging in seafood for dinner.
Day 4
Here, you can dive to explore colorful coral reefs at a very reasonable cost.
– 6-9 AM: Depending on the health conditions, the group can visit some landmarks in Phú Quốc or simply relax by the beach.
– 9 AM: Return to Bãi Vòng.
– 10:45 AM: Board the boat back to the mainland.
– 1 PM: Take the bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Departing early to anticipate potential delays at the Vàm Cống ferry (at least 2 hours).
– 11 PM: Return to Ho Chi Minh City, concluding the journey.
– 6-9 AM: Depending on health conditions, the group can visit some landmarks in Phú Quốc or simply relax by the beach.
– 9 AM: Return to Bãi Vòng.
– 10:45 AM: Board the boat back to the mainland.
– 1 PM: Take the bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Departing early to anticipate potential delays at the Vàm Cống ferry (at least 2 hours).
– 11 PM: Return to Ho Chi Minh City, concluding the journey.
Hòn Móng Tay – Robinson Island in the midst of the open sea
Here is a stunning shot of Hòn Móng Tay that takes many by surprise due to its natural beauty untouched by any editing technology.
The coconut trees casting their reflections on the crystal-clear emerald water, the naturally polished and arranged rocks, and the fine white sand set it apart from anywhere else.
The seawater here possesses a gem-like emerald green, unlike the edited or overly embellished descriptions commonly associated with travel destinations. Surrendering to the cool and clear embrace of the sea, all exhaustion seems to vanish, and bodies stretch... centimeter by centimeter.
A mesmerizing shade of oceanic green that, when mentioned, might evoke thoughts of 'seaside paradises' like the Maldives, Bali, or Koh Rong Samloem.
Móng Tay stands out as the ideal destination in Phú Quốc for those smitten by love and captivated by the sea.
Here, you can freely surrender yourself to the embrace of the ocean.
The incredibly clear emerald waters here allow for easy observation of the coral reefs beneath.
Another fantastic advantage is the rich and diverse coral ecosystem, displaying a myriad of colors. Swimming under the clear water surrounded by schools of fish creates an immensely delightful experience.
Ascending onto the island, vast expanses of burnt grass fields, devoid of any human presence, make one feel like Robinson Crusoe exploring a true deserted island.
Experience sunset and sunrise on the island.
Some general notes:
1. It's advisable to book both bus and ferry tickets for the round trip.
2. Make arrangements in advance to rent a vehicle for transportation on the large island of Phu Quoc.
When traveling from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, you will arrive at Bai Vong port, considered the midpoint between Duong Dong town in the north and An Thoi port in the south (An Thoi is where you will take a boat to reach Hon Mong Tay).
3. The rental price for motorbikes on the island and accommodation on Phu Quoc: 130,000 for manual scooters and 150,000 for automatic scooters.
4. Everyone contributes to cleaning up garbage and refrains from littering to preserve the environmental landscape.
CONCLUSION: Thank you for reading the shared experience and itinerary for exploring Hon Mong Tay, Kien Giang. If you have any questions or suggestions to improve the content, please comment below this article. I am happy to address any inquiries as soon as possible. 1 Like or share to support my post. <3
Photos, Itinerary by Huỳnh Tuấn
Published by: Nguyễn Đình Duy
Keywords: Sharing travel experience to Hon Mong Tay, Phu Quoc – Robinson Island in the middle of the ocean
