Some islands for a perfect summer break in Vietnam
It’s summertime and Vietnam has many beautiful islands perfect for a memorable, and affordable, hideaway trip.
The island off the central province of Quang Ngai has drawn more attention from solo tourists of late thanks to its stunning views, including an arch gate formed in volcanic rocks, checkered garlic fields and a mountain offering a great view of the island.
A high-speed boat trip from Sa Ky Port to Ly Son takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The first boat leaves at 8 a.m. but tickets are on sale from 6:30 a.m., so you’d better take a public bus from the province’s downtown at 6 a.m.
A two-day tour to the island costs around VND700,000 (US$32) a person.
Binh Ba
Many people refer to the island as the lobster island, after its famous farming business.
You can rent a motorbike from Nha Trang to ride to Ba Ngoi Port more than 50 kilometers to the south and then go on a boat to Binh Ba, where you can rent another motorbike to travel around.
Two days and one night are enough to capture most of the best parts of the island, and it costs around
VND1.3 million a person.
Other islands which have drawn tourism attention recently along Vietnam's central coast are Phu Quy, Chim and Hon Ngu.
Nam Du has become a new weekend getaway for people in Ho Chi Minh City, which is connected to the province’s capital town Rach Gia both by air and road.
But it will be move convenient taking a bus as the company will have transit service to take you to the pier to travel to the islands.
Go on a high-speed boat that leaves at between 8 and 9 a.m. and sail 80 kilometers to Hon Lon, the biggest island in the group which has coconut trees of up to 80 years old.
Then rent a boat to travel around the smaller islands, most of which are about primeval forests, coral reefs and fishing boats. Many local families live on fishing and they are nice enough they are willing to join you in a bonfire, grilling fresh catches, at night.
Electricity on the islands is only available between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and then 3:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. every day, so do not forget to charge your phone and other devices.
If you leave Ho Chi Minh on Friday night and come back on Sunday, it’ll cost around VND1.5 million.
Kien Giang is also known for several other beautiful islands like Hai Tac and Hon Son.
There are two boat trips from Rach Gia to Hai Tac every day, at 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. A one-way trip takes VND40,000 and around one hour and 20 minutes.
The island is 75 kilometers from Rach Gia. Boats leave at around 8 a.m., at the cost of VND90,000 and a trip is four hours long. A high-speed boat charges more, but can cut the travel time by half.
You can swim in the deep blue sea, dive to see coral reefs and rent a boat to the Little Island right next to it. The islands are surrounded by crystal clear waters, full of fresh seafood. And there are guesthouses to spend the night.
A high-speed boat trip from Sa Ky Port to Ly Son takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The first boat leaves at 8 a.m. but tickets are on sale from 6:30 a.m., so you’d better take a public bus from the province’s downtown at 6 a.m.
A two-day tour to the island costs around VND700,000 (US$32) a person.
Binh Ba
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Binh Ba off Khanh Hoa Province also attracts sea lovers for its pristine beaches, and also for the delicious seafood.
Many people refer to the island as the lobster island, after its famous farming business.
You can rent a motorbike from Nha Trang to ride to Ba Ngoi Port more than 50 kilometers to the south and then go on a boat to Binh Ba, where you can rent another motorbike to travel around.
Two days and one night are enough to capture most of the best parts of the island, and it costs around
VND1.3 million a person.
Other islands which have drawn tourism attention recently along Vietnam's central coast are Phu Quy, Chim and Hon Ngu.
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The group of 21 islands off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam is another great option with magnificent beaches, fresh seafood and a peaceful way of life.
Nam Du has become a new weekend getaway for people in Ho Chi Minh City, which is connected to the province’s capital town Rach Gia both by air and road.
But it will be move convenient taking a bus as the company will have transit service to take you to the pier to travel to the islands.
Go on a high-speed boat that leaves at between 8 and 9 a.m. and sail 80 kilometers to Hon Lon, the biggest island in the group which has coconut trees of up to 80 years old.
Then rent a boat to travel around the smaller islands, most of which are about primeval forests, coral reefs and fishing boats. Many local families live on fishing and they are nice enough they are willing to join you in a bonfire, grilling fresh catches, at night.
Electricity on the islands is only available between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and then 3:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. every day, so do not forget to charge your phone and other devices.
If you leave Ho Chi Minh on Friday night and come back on Sunday, it’ll cost around VND1.5 million.
Kien Giang is also known for several other beautiful islands like Hai Tac and Hon Son.
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Hon Son in the province is surrounded with coconut trees and reefs. Some local houses are willing to prepare fresh seafood the local style. You just have to ask and pay them a small fee.
The island is 75 kilometers from Rach Gia. Boats leave at around 8 a.m., at the cost of VND90,000 and a trip is four hours long. A high-speed boat charges more, but can cut the travel time by half.