If you’re looking for a peaceful tourist destination and don’t mind the two-day travel to get there, Ly Son Island is a great option.
 
The two-day trip begins in ${bigcity_Da_Nang:"Da Nang"} City where, if tourists avail of tour packages which are proliferating in the area to begin with, they take a van and on a three-hour drive to Quang Ngai’s Sa Ky port, 16 kilometers east of downtown Quang Ngai City. From there, tourists have to get on board a 150-seat boat and travel another hour to Ly Son Island. The trip costs VND110,000 (US$5).
 
There is only one ship traveling to Ly Son everyday so tourists have to arrive at the port early or at least on time so as not to miss the ship and wait for another day to get to the island. Moreover, the slightest change in weather may cause the single trip to be cancelled, so visitors have to choose fine, hot days to explore Ly Son.
 
Ly Son Island is formed by five mountains, four of which are dormant volcanoes. June is the hottest season on the island, and between July to August is the best time for fishing, when tourists usually flock in, too, to experience the local seafood at its freshest. Guests can stay at the Dai Duong Hotel during their stay, and get a taste of the sugar cane of which the island is famous for. Sugar cane in Ly Son is known to be especially sweet, cool and surprisingly affordable. A big glass only costs VND5,000 (US$0.02).
 
Hang Pagoda is one of the tourist spots in the island. It was built in the middle of a mountain which used to be a volcano. It is said to be a historical Cham structure. Thoi Loi Mountain is one of the four volcanoes comprising Ly Son. On top of it, people built a reservoir in the 1 square kilometer crater to address the scarcity of fresh water in the island during the dry season.
 
The primary means of livelihood in the island are garlic and spring onion farming, and fishing. Ly Son Island has a land area of 9.7 square kilometers and about 3,000 residents, all depending on the said business. As such, menus in restaurants and other food establishments usually include garlic salad, as well as certain kinds of sea snail and squid. The stems and roots of the plant are usually combined with peanuts, herbs and vinegar and served with rice pancakes and fish sauce. While most people despise garlic because of its certain odor, chefs at Ly Son Island have concocted not only beautiful meals with it, but also therapeutic. Garlic salad is said to prevent colds, while garlic-soaked wine is a traditional medicine for high cholesterol level.    
 
An Hai Communal House, Duc Pagoda and Am Linh Pagodas are another tourist destinations in Ly Son. The former was built in 1820 when King Minh Mang ruled the island. It’s the oldest preserved building in the island with its engraved timber girders and beams still intact. Am Linh Pagoda was built in the 17th century during the Nguyen Dynasty as a place of worship for sailors who died during long voyages in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.
 
For the history lovers, there is a museum in Ly Son showcasing 200 ancient documents and 100 exhibits proving Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands belonging to Vietnam. For the adventure seekers, tourists can go on board a bamboo coracle and go diving and snorkeling with the local fishermen. At night, vacationers can relax and have fun at an outdoor campfire party where there is lots of seafoods, drinks, dancing and singing.
 
For those who want to take home souvenirs, visitors can buy dried garlic, spring onion, squid and shrimps at the local market and goby (small fish found at the Tra River) at a riverside restaurant.
 
The trip back is early in the morning, making tourists feel they wish they could stay longer to explore the island more. But indeed, they can always go back. There are many tour packages visitors can choose from, at affordable rates that give anyone an opportunity to discover the beauty of the Ly Son Island again, deeper.