Traveling to Nam Du Island: A Comprehensive Guide (Latest 2024 Updates)

Located 250 km by road from Saigon, Nam Du Island always captures the footsteps of Southern backpackers, especially during holidays. If you're planning a trip to Nam Du Island soon, check out this travel guide from Mytour!

Traveling to Nam Du Island: A Comprehensive Guide (Latest 2024 Updates)

Overview of Traveling to Nam Du Island

Nam Du is an archipelago situated to the southeast of Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 65 nautical miles from the coast of Rach Gia. The Nam Du archipelago consists of 21 small and large islands closely arranged, covering a total area of 9.12 km2. The largest island, Nam Du, has an elevation of 309m with a population of 8,000. Traveling to Nam Du Island is renowned for its pristine and stunning natural landscapes, making it an instant attraction for many visitors.

Schedule Your Trip to Nam Du Island

The best time to travel to Nam Du Island is from December to March, during this period, the sea is calm and clear, reducing discomfort for those prone to seasickness during boat rides.

The coastal areas of Kiên Giang are not directly affected by storms, but the rainfall caused by storms is quite substantial. The rainy season here usually starts from April to November each year. If you want to avoid rain affecting your trip, you can check the weather conditions in advance.

Transportation to and around Nam Du

Transportation from Saigon to Nam Du

To travel to Nam Du Island, you need to reach Rach Gia City in Kiên Giang. The easiest means of transportation is by passenger bus departing from the Western Bus Station. It's recommended to take the 23:00 bus to arrive in Rach Gia at 6:00 AM the next day. Here are some bus services in Saigon you can consider:

Phuong Trang Bus Company

– Ticket Price: 190,000 VND

– Phone Number: 1900 6067

Lien Hung Bus Company

– Ticket Price: 300,000 VND

– Phone Number: 1900 2679

Bao Phuc Bus Company

– Ticket Price: 350,000 VND.

– Phone Numbers: 0901 313 128 – 0901 313 129.

To continue your journey to Nam Du, take a high-speed Superdong ferry. If the sea is rough with level 6 or higher waves, the ferry service will be suspended.

*Refer to some ferry companies from Rach Gia to Nam Du:

Ferries Superdong, Hoa Binh Ship, and Phu Quoc Express

Means of Transportation on the Island

1. Boat

To explore the surrounding islets of Hon Lon and visit some beautiful spots, it's advisable to rent a boat for transportation. There are individuals on the island who rent boats (if unavailable, you can go directly to the harbor, find any local fishing boats, negotiate prices, and agree on the destinations).

2. Scooter

You can rent scooters at guesthouses, hotels, and freely roam to your preferred locations. Alternatively, you can go to the Nam Du Port center, An Son, Kien Hai, Kien Giang for sightseeing advice and scooter rentals. Mytour recommends Chinh Hoa Guesthouse for your consideration:

Address: 127 Hamlet 10, An Cu, An Son, Kien Hai – Kien Giang, about 250 meters from the border post, 742 steps away.

Phone Number: 0773 830 829 – 0166 521 6460.

Where to Stay when Traveling to Nam Du Island?

There are several overnight options when traveling to Nam Du, such as renting guesthouses, homestays, resorts, or local houses. For a more adventurous experience, you can rent a beach and tent for overnight stays. The most suitable overnight beach is Hon Dau, as it has a wide coconut grove and sandy beach, convenient for camping and recreation.

Mytour suggests some popular accommodation options on Nam Du Island for travelers:

Langchia Nam Du Resort:

– Address: Hon Lon, An Son Commune, Kien Hai District, Nam Du (right in the center of the commune, 3 minutes from the night market by motorbike).

– Phone Number: 094 114 8110.

Homestay Chiến Diễm Nam Du

– Address: An Cu Hamlet, Nam Du, Kien Giang.

– Phone Number: 094 144 5516 – 076 899 9988.

Tourist Area Hon Cu Tron – Nam Du

– Address: Hon Cu Tron, Nam Du, Kien Hai, Kien Giang.

– Phone Number: 094 780 6756.

Bãi Sỏi Beach

– Address: Bai Soi, Nam Du, Kien Giang.

– Phone Number: 037 772 9107 – 098 976 5631.

Must-Visit Places in Nam Du

Hon Lon

Explore Nam Du Island and don't miss Hon Lon, a beautiful bay nestled in the Gulf of Thailand. This is considered the most stunning beach in the Nam Du archipelago. The swaying coconut trees, some up to 70-80 years old, create a picturesque scene. Here, you can dive to catch squid or admire the colorful coral. Bai Cay Men is less crowded, allowing you to play and swim freely. The crystal-clear and refreshing seawater awaits. Moreover, you can also collect shells along the rocky beach.

Bai Ngu Beach

Bai Ngu is located west of Cu Tron. According to legend, on the way to Xiem, King Gia Long stopped here, giving the area its name Bai Ngu (Bai Ngu means 'stop' in Vietnamese). During the dry season, this beach still has plenty of fresh water while other areas suffer from severe drought. There is a well here that locals believe was dug when the king visited, so it's called the King's Well.

Bai Chet

According to folklore from the 16th century, during the trade route to Phu Quoc, a fierce battle occurred between the Dutch and the Chinese, and a few days later, hundreds of Chinese corpses washed ashore, leading to the name Bai Chet (Bai Chet means 'Corpse Beach' in Vietnamese).

Nam Du Lighthouse

Nam Du Lighthouse is situated atop Hon Lon (Cu Tron) in An Son commune. It is considered the tallest lighthouse in Vietnam, standing over 300 meters above sea level.

Hon Dau

Similar to Hon Lon, the beach remains vividly green with coconut trees lining the shore. Hon Dau is relatively large compared to other islands, with pristine forests covering about 90% of its area. Near the shore, numerous coral reefs are growing, not as beautiful as deeper waters but the sea is clear and exceptionally clean. Some coconut trees lean gracefully towards the sea, providing a perfect spot to lie down and take a nap in the refreshing breeze.

Hon Nom

One of the 11 inhabited islands, Hon Nom was developed and built by Mr. Vương Văn Kiều and his father Dương Văn Sáu since 1960. The entire island has an area of about 10 hectares, but only 3 hectares are suitable for cultivation, with the rest being rocky mountains.

Hon Mau

Hon Mau spans approximately 200 hectares with over 120 households clustered across the lowest part of the island. Most residents here make a living from the sea. Due to its small size, as soon as you set foot here, islanders of all ages will recognize you as a newcomer.

Among the 21 islands in this archipelago, nature seems to favor this small island with stunning beaches. There are up to five beaches on the island. Among them, two have fine white sand, namely Chuong Beach and Nam Beach; the rest are rocky beaches: Bac Beach, Da Den Beach, and Da Trang Beach. Nam Beach is the face of the island, remaining tranquil throughout the year, making it a stopping point for trading boats. Consequently, the population here is denser. Nevertheless, the beach is pristine, with fine white sand.

Chuong Beach

The most exciting experience is immersing yourself in the cool water at Chuong Beach. The beach resembles a bay, appearing like a gigantic freshwater lake surrounded by coconut trees that have been around for a human lifetime. The sandy stretch is long, and the water is crystal clear with a deep blue hue. Even from a distance of dozens of meters, the seafloor is still visible.

Adjacent to it are two impressive rocky beaches. Da Den Beach features various beautiful rocks, mostly black and shiny, inspiring the locals to name it accordingly. The rocks here come in myriad shapes and colors. When the sun shines down, the rocks beneath the sea glitter in captivating colors. Some rocks exhibit unique patterns, with veins resembling green and red like marble. A 15-minute walk from Da Den Beach leads to Da Trang Beach. The entire beach consists solely of white rocks, small as fingertip pebbles to hand-sized ones, lining the shore. This beach practically has no sand, only white rocks. Anyone who visits these two rocky beaches often takes home a few rocks as gifts from the sea.

Hon Ngang

Hon Ngang boasts the calmest harbor in Nam Du, attracting thousands of boats, skiffs, and fish farming cages. The journey from Hon Lon to Hon Ngang takes a 30-minute boat ride.

Hon Ngang serves as the center of Nam Du district. The Hon Ngang port accommodates thousands of boats, skiffs, and nearly 60 fish farming cages anchored in no particular order. The portside features a line of stilt houses on bamboo stilts and concrete seamlessly stretching for 2km. There is only a narrow 1.5m-wide road, without any mode of transportation.

Hon Hai Bo Dap

Hon Hai Bo Dap is a small island in the Nam Du archipelago, Kiên Giang. It is nicknamed the “Halong Bay of the South” with numerous different-sized islands creating a breathtaking landscape that captivates everyone.

When visiting Hon Hai Bo Dap, travelers will experience the pristine yet enchanting beauty, featuring straight and tall coconut trees, crystal-clear water, and refreshing air that helps dissipate the fatigue after a long week of work.

Hon Son (Hon Son Rai, Lai Son)

Situated between Hon Tre and the Nam Du archipelago, approximately 60km from the mainland, amidst the deep blue of the ocean, Hon Son (Hon Son Rai) rises like a colossal mountain. Since 1983, this charming island has been named Lai Son, one of the four island communes in Kien Hai district (Kien Giang) covering an area of 11.5 square kilometers with over 2,000 households. Visiting Hon Son, travelers witness the poetic scenery, a harmonious blend of sea and island, intertwined with the human values attached to the history and culture of the region, where waves converge.

On clear days with vast skies, looking from a distance, Hon Son resembles a sparkling gem with 7 peaks emerging above the waves. Closer inspection reveals the captivating green hues covering the island with dense coconut groves, offering a serene and picturesque landscape. Along the coastline are fishing villages, bustling with lively fishing boats and ships.

Standing on the shore, everyone is enchanted by the fascinating rock formations, large and small, stacked on top of each other, creating intriguing shapes. The most attractive spot is Thien Tue Beach, near Nam Hai Temple, with majestic rock formations rising on coral stones, creating a unique and unfamiliar feeling.

Ma Thien Lanh Hill

Most tourists visiting Hon Son enjoy exploring Ma Thien Lanh Hill, where many legends are preserved and known by the locals. These tales often revolve around fairies descending to the mountain's summit, known as the fairy yard. Later, the area became covered with lush forests and peaceful caves, attracting many hermits seeking seclusion. On the way to Ma Thien Lanh, there is a statue of Buddha facing the sky and various ancient traces carved on the rocks.

Delicacies on Nam Du Island

Elephant Ear Snail

When in Nam Du and unsure of what to eat, seafood becomes an ideal choice, and you can opt for Elephant Ear Snail, a unique-shaped and large-sized snail often found in crevices under the sea rocks. With this type of snail, you can prepare various dishes such as boiled, steamed, cooked in porridge, or even raw. Despite being cooked in different styles, the snail meat retains its sweetness, providing a crunchy and satisfying texture.

Address:

Hien Hau Seafood Farm - Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Fish Sausage

With the abundant seafood source on Nam Du Island, locals have skillfully processed it into various delicious and appealing fish sausages, convenient for visitors to buy as gifts for family and friends. The sausages are made from finely ground fresh fish, mixed with spices, then fried to a golden brown, emitting a fragrant aroma. Diners can enjoy fresh Nam Du fish sausages by steaming, stir-frying, or including them in hot pots, according to personal preferences. The fish sausages are chewy, and when eaten, they carry the delightful aroma of fresh fish. You can pair fish sausages with noodles or rice, depending on your taste.

Selling Address:

Hoa Hoang Restaurant – Nam Du

Mudskipper Fish

Mudskipper fish is a precious seafood with fragrant and nutritious flesh. Therefore, dishes prepared from this type of fish are highly favored by many diners, becoming one of the most famous specialties of Nam Du. When grilled with ginger, the already distinctive flavor of Nam Du mudskipper fish becomes even more enticing, leaving a lasting impression on every diner.

Restaurant Address:

Nam Nuong Restaurant – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Grilled Blue Bone Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves

Blue bone fish, also known as houndfish, is a marine fish with a round and elongated body, and a pointed mouth similar to needlefish. The larger ones can reach a foot in length and weigh 2-3 kg. It's called blue bone fish because its skin has a greenish hue, and when you look at it, the fish bones appear green.

Fresh fish is carefully selected from the sea, cleaned of slime, and then wrapped tightly with banana leaves. After that, it's grilled over wood until the banana leaves become withered and dry, indicating the fish is cooked. When eaten, unwrapping the banana leaves reveals the cracked fish meat, releasing a fragrant aroma that easily captivates seafood enthusiasts from north to south. The fish meat is not only sweet but also firm, perfect when rolled in rice paper and accompanied by wild vegetables such as laksa leaves, lop leaves, ngai cam, sky cabbage, and fig leaves, creating a unique culinary experience from the island region, rarely found elsewhere.

Restaurant Address:

Nam Nuong Restaurant – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Grilled Scallops with Onion Fat

Scallops are a familiar seafood with a white, fragrant, and non-chewy flesh, suitable for both stir-frying and grilling. They are one of the versatile ingredients to create many delicious and nutritious dishes such as salt and pepper grilled scallops, grilled scallops with onion fat, and steamed scallops with vermicelli rolls.

Restaurant Address:

Nam Nuong Restaurant – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Quang Nhi Eatery – An Son, Kien Hai, Kien Giang Province

Steamed Cuttlefish with Ginger

Cuttlefish eggs are caught during the breeding season, so their bodies contain many eggs, with over 70% of the cuttlefish having eggs. According to experts, cuttlefish eggs are a highly nutritious food. Cuttlefish eggs are easy to turn into delicious dishes and are highly favored. You can make dishes like spicy fried cuttlefish eggs, crispy fried cuttlefish eggs with fragrant sauce, butter-fried cuttlefish eggs, chili-grilled, or stir-fried... but the most outstanding is still steamed cuttlefish eggs with ginger because the sweet taste of the cuttlefish is not lost, and it's easy to make, not greasy to eat.

Restaurant Address:

Hoa Hoang Restaurant – Kien Hai, Kien Giang Province

Nam Nuong Restaurant – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Quang Nhi Eatery – An Son, Kien Hai, Kien Giang Province

Sour Soup with Barramundi Fish

The western sea area of Kien Giang is quite famous for barramundi cage farming. This fish has a long, fusiform body and a black color, resembling snakehead fish. The sour soup with barramundi fish in this western sea area is different from the sour soup on the mainland. Here, the sour soup with barramundi fish is cooked with fresh or salted tamarind, along with chopped lemongrass and finely crushed turmeric. To make the dish more appealing, fresh bamboo shoots or sour bamboo shoots are added.

Restaurant Address:

Nam Nương Eatery – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Dried Fish

Drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving food known to humankind. Dried fish can be stored for a long time without spoiling. The drying process is simple but effective, often applied by fishermen to preserve their catch if it cannot be consumed immediately. Dried fish also has the advantage of being more transportable than fresh fish. In Nam Du, all types of dried fish on the Nam Du archipelago are made from freshly caught fish and are an interesting specialty for tourists.

Selling Address:

Bai Chet Pier Market

Grilled Jade Eye Snail

Jade Eye Snail, also known as Moon Eye Snail, features crispy and sweet meat reminiscent of abalone. This snail is prepared in various ways, including steaming, boiling, and stir-frying, but the most standout and straightforward method is grilling. On the island, many people prefer grilling it plain (without seasoning) and serving it with salt, pepper, and lime. Some places even add avocado to enhance the richness.

Restaurant Address:

Nam Nương Eatery – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Sea Cucumber Congee

Sea cucumber, also known as the sea pig, is often dismissed due to its unattractive appearance, covered in bumps and spines. However, it is a distinctive delicacy of the Nam Du archipelago. Sea Cucumber Congee is a simple dish widely available on the island. It's even served on many coral diving tours to cater to the guests. The congee has a sweet and mild flavor with a hint of the sea cucumber, making it a satisfying light meal at any time of the day.

Restaurant Address:

Năm Nương Eatery – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Grilled Butter Garlic Scallop

Traditionally considered a luxurious dish, the granite scallops in Nam Du will surprise you with their affordability and the way local fishermen catch them. If you're fortunate enough to observe, you'll see people waiting for the tide to recede, exposing the rocks along the shore. They then ignite fires until the scallop shells pop open. Whether enjoyed raw or grilled with butter and garlic, scallops are delicious, and a pinch of salt, pepper, and lime is a must.

Restaurant Address:

Năm Nương Eatery – Nam Du Island, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

Source: Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour