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Where is Ly Son Island? Why is Ly Son Island considered a resort paradise in Quang Ngai? Let's explore the travel experience to Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai.
Immerse yourself in the tranquil space of Ly Son Island, and you'll feel like stepping into a fairyland amidst the azure sea. With its smooth white sand beaches, ancient villages, and pristine natural beauty, Ly Son is not only an ideal destination for sea lovers but also a journey of discovery about the history, culture, and life of the people on this island. Join us on an adventure full of wonders on Ly Son Island - a precious gem of the East Sea of Vietnam.
Where is Ly Son Island?
Located 15 nautical miles northeast of the mainland, Ly Son is the only island district of Quang Ngai province, known for its volcanic remains with mouths aged under 30 million years. Besides creating fascinating landscapes, the dormant volcanoes also act as 'veins,' embracing vital groundwater sources for local people and creating favorable conditions for small organisms to grow and nurture the fertile bazan soil in the southern part of the island.
Possessing unique soil characteristics and a strategic location, the natural scenery on Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai, is so poetic that it touches the hearts of visitors. Most loved are Hon Mu Cu, Dao Be (or Cu Lao Bo Bai), and Dao Lon (also known as Cu Lao Re or Ly Son Island).
Guide: How to Get to Ly Son Island from Da Nang
Traveling from Da Nang to Quang Ngai
1. By Bus
From the city center of Da Nang, you can travel to Quang Ngai by bus with fares ranging from 100,000 VND to 400,000 VND. There are many reputable bus companies operating on this route, such as Phuong Trang, Mai Linh, Son Tung, Cuc Tung, Tanh Hanh, Loc Thuy... The travel time is approximately 3 - 4 hours.
2. By Motorcycle or Car
From the city center of Da Nang, head to Nguyen Tri Phuong Bridge - take Vo Chi Cong Street then Pham Hung to turn onto the East Bypass of National Highway 1A; then, proceed straight to Quang Ngai. The distance between these two locations is 145km, and it takes over 2 hours to travel. After arriving in Quang Ngai, you need to continue for about 20km to reach Sa Ky port, where your journey to Ly Son Island begins.
#teamKlook can opt to rent a motorbike in Da Nang to test their driving skills or experience leisurely travel by renting a car with a private driver.
Travel from Quang Ngai to Ly Son Island by high-speed boat
#teamKlook, please pre-book high-speed boat tickets to Ly Son Island via phone number (055).3626431, to avoid 'sold out' situations during peak season. Just provide the information as instructed by the staff.
High-speed boats to Ly Son Island from Quang Ngai operate on two main schedules:
- Departure (Sa Ky port => Ly Son Island) : 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM | Price: 105,000 VND/ticket
-
Return (Ly Son Island => Sa Ky port) : 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM | Price: 110,000 VND/ticket
Which season is the best for visiting Ly Son Island?
Except for the peak rainy season (usually in the fourth quarter), any time of the year is ideal for exploring Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai province. If you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or admiring the picturesque nature, #teamKlook should visit Ly Son independently from June to September. Early December is a chance to satisfy the voracious appetite with fresh seafood and plump Ly Son garlic just harvested.
What to do on Ly Son Island? Famous tourist destinations on Ly Son, Quang Ngai
1. Be Island
From Cu Lao Re (or Big Island), it takes about 15 minutes by boat to reach Be Island. This island with a total area of only 1km2 is likened to the 'Vietnamese Maldives' by international tourists, with tall coconut trees stretching along the smooth white sand beach.
On Be Island, it's easy to find moss-covered rock formations or natural rock formations scattered on the blue sea surface. Over 100 households here primarily make a living from farming or fishing, allowing #teamKlook to enjoy a 'home-cooked' meal of fresh seafood when traveling to Be Island.
Some notes when traveling to Be Island, Ly Son
- The boat trips to Be Island from Big Island depart from 8:00 a.m. The last trip back is at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from 30,000đ to 60,000đ per person.
- The price of soft drinks for bathing after swimming or snorkeling is 20,000đ per 10-liter container.
- On Be Island, tourists can easily get around by motorbike, three-wheeler, or electric car at a cost of 10,000đ per person.
2. Mù Cu Islet
Located about 3km east of Ly Son port is Mù Cu Islet - a newly recognized check-in spot with an old lighthouse and a stretch of black volcanic rocks. Since there are no residents on Mù Cu Islet, tourism services are quite limited. Visitors come here to admire the scenery, take photos, or simply find a quiet place to rest after days of hard work. If you have the opportunity to travel to Ly Son independently, you should visit Mù Cu Islet around 4:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. Sunrise and sunset are the moments when Mù Cu Islet puts on its dazzling 'orange-red coat', making the pristine space even more attractive.
3. Thoi Loi Mountain
With an impressive height of 149 meters, Thoi Loi Mountain allows tourists to capture the panoramic view of Ly Son Island. #teamKlook must be careful not to be submerged in the solemn beauty of the lake here - which used to be a volcanic crater erupting nearly 3 million years ago. The lake on Thoi Loi Mountain is also a 'super massive' freshwater reservoir, meeting the needs of residents on Be Island and Big Island, so it is affectionately dubbed by locals as the 'miraculous life amidst death'. Don't hesitate to take some photos by the famous Ly Son Flagpole!
4. Hang Pagoda Ly Son
After immersing yourself in the charming scenery of Ly Son Island, from the top of Thoi Loi Mountain, #teamKlook can walk just a few dozen steps to reach Hang Pagoda. On the way, you will surely be delighted to admire the harmonious nature surrounding the mountain pass, cozy villages nestled next to fresh garlic fields.
This ancient temple, nearly 400 years old, also known as Thien Khong Thach Tu, is located in a large cave on the north side of Thoi Loi Mountain, so it maintains a cool temperature all year round. The space inside the temple is described as a 'miniature paradise' - spacious and tall - with a large statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am and blooming lotus ponds. The altars inside Hang Pagoda are made from natural stone combined with meticulous sculpting art dating back to the Champa period. Don't forget to explore the 'Heavenly Path' and 'Devil's Path' - two narrow, long, and incredibly impressive paths at Hang Pagoda Ly Son.
5. Gieng Tien Mountain
Unlike the majestic Thoi Loi Mountain, most of the terrain of Gieng Tien Mountain is rich red basalt soil, a precious type of fertile soil that gives Ly Son garlic its distinctive rich fragrance. Since the time of King Minh Mang, locals have had the custom of bringing pure soil from Gieng Tien Mountain to spread on wind tombs, to express gratitude to the North Sea Coast Guard who dedicated their youth and lives to protect the nation's shores. The 'hauntingly captivating' beauty makes Gieng Tien Mountain a favorite photo spot for many couples and groups of friends.
6. Duc Pagoda Ly Son
Located in a cave on the eastern slope of Gieng Tien Mountain is Duc Pagoda (or Dinh Liem Tu) - one of the most notable spiritual complexes in Quang Ngai province, associated with legends about Bodhisattva Quan The Am of the North Sea. Duc Pagoda consists of 3 caves of different sizes, mainly worshiping Buddha, Di Tang Bodhisattva, Reclining Buddha, Three Buddhas...; the most prominent is still the statue of Bodhisattva Quan The Am sitting on a 25-meter lotus platform, surrounded by the images of Four Dragon Kings, holding a Vase of Compassion, and looking towards the vast ocean. Many Buddhists come to Duc Pagoda just to rest in the spacious garden area, with fresh air, bringing an unusually peaceful feeling.
7. Thach Cong To Vo
About 100 meters from Duc Pagoda is To Vo Arch (or Thach Cong To Vo) - a beloved spot for photography enthusiasts. Impressive with a height of 2.5 meters and European-style architecture, many tourists are surprised to learn that To Vo Arch is entirely a product of millions of years of nature. Charge your camera battery and snap away!
Most Famous Ly Son Specialties to Try
1. King Crab
If you're a seafood lover, you're probably familiar with the 'king of crabs' - king crab. With abundant seafood supply, king crabs are sold on Ly Son Island at a relatively 'soft' price, only 850,000 VND/kg (for live crabs) and from 600,000 VND/kg (for 'stunned' crabs). There are many ways to prepare king crab, but the best is still steamed with coconut water or boiled and dipped in salt and pepper lime sauce. Add a cold beer to complete the experience!
2. Black Skipjack Tuna
Tà Ma Fish is a sea fish with a similar appearance to the Western-style carp but larger and... smarter. On Ly Son Island, Tà Ma fish is a popular delicacy in hot pot, sour soup, coriander soup, or porridge. Tà Ma fish leaf hot pot is considered a 'culinary masterpiece' by gourmet connoisseurs - the sour and bitter taste of the leaf combined with the tender and chewy fish meat creates a rich sea flavor. Truly delicious to the point where it's difficult to describe in words.
3. Ly Son Garlic
Nicknamed the 'garlic kingdom', it would be a huge omission if Ly Son Garlic were missing from this list. Nurtured by the red bazan soil from the volcano, Ly Son Garlic has a strong aroma and a distinctive spicy taste compared to ordinary garlic. In addition to its delicious taste, Ly Son Garlic also offers many miraculous health benefits such as stabilizing blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol, preventing cancer, and boosting immunity. You can buy Ly Son Garlic for about 90,000 to 100,000 VND/kg.
4. Ly Son Red Fish Cake
When traveling to Ly Son Island independently, you must at least 'fill your stomach' with a few specialties from the ocean. Ly Son Red Fish Cake is made from the same-named sea fish - small in size but with firm, sweet meat and a eye-catching pink-red skin. People often use Ly Son Red Fish Cake to cook soup, dip in hot pot; simpler options include steaming with onions or frying golden brown and dipping in garlic chili sauce for a delightful taste.
When traveling to Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai, #teamKlook will discover that even in our beloved Vietnam, there are still many 'hidden gems' waiting for you to explore. This is a wonderful destination that you can combine with your upcoming independent trip to Danang.
If you still haven't finalized your travel itinerary, check out the top attractions in Da Nang on the Klook Blog. Don't miss the latest articles on Da Nang travel such as the Vinpearl Resort & Spa Da Nang Review, Cu Lao Cham, Nam O Beach Da Nang, Da Nang Specialties, Famous Da Nang Temples, Da Nang Stunning Cafes, Mường Thanh Luxury Da Nang Review, Da Nang Restaurants,...
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