Ly Son highlights and travel guide

Thoi Loi Peak

See and Do

Ly Son Island has acquired its reputation for the stunning scenery as well as invaluable historical sites that are still well preserved up until now. When coming to Ly Son, tourists can visit many attractions, each sharing its own story and beauty.

An Vinh and An Hai Communal houses are national monuments that carry both historical and spiritual values as they are the earliest communal houses being built and are well-preserved up until now by Quang Ngai province in general and Ly Son Island more specifically. Here you can join in Khao Le The Linh Hoang Sa Festival which takes place from March 18th to 20th according to the lunar calendar.

Am Linh Pagoda of Anh Vinh Commune is the place that worships the soldiers that lost their life during their mission of setting the milestone marking Paracel Island as our country’s property. This is a meaningful place where people come to pray for peace, luck, health and success.

To Vo Gate, a small gate-shaped-like cliff located near the sea, is a famous destination that should not be missed when traveling to Ly Son. This is the result of volcano eruption that created a unique shape for the cliff that attracts a huge number of tourists to come and take photos especially at dawn when the sun comes up or sunset.

Thoi Loi Peak is the highest peak in Ly Son Island from which you can see the whole view of Ly Son and its emerald sea water, white sand and green fields of garlic. It is told that during the old days there were a lot of precious trees in the center of the volcano. Nowadays, on top of the peak there is a 30.000 m3 fresh water lake that supplies water for the entire locals living on the island.

Residing in the highest part of this volcano stands the 20-meter high National Flagpole which was built on May 4th, 2013, turning towards the Paracel Island. The flagpole has four main parts including the base, stairs, the flagpole body and the campus around consisting of concrete floor and lights. In the front of the flagpole are special parameters.

You can also take part in a myriad of activities with the locals to get a deeper understanding of the people living in Ly Son. You can learn to cultivate garlic and onion, how to knit a net, go catching crab and snail, or go coral diving.

Culture and Arts

Food and Drink

Ly Son Garlic, or so-called Lonely Garlic, carries a gentle aroma and a slight taste of spiciness, well-known to many people. Coming to Ly Son you will have to try the most unique dish in the world that made of only garlic – the Ly Son garlic salad. In this dish, the garlic is chopped and steamed until it is softened then mix it together with spices like sugar, salt, pepper and finally, peanut. The way to make it is simple but the flavor and the scent of the cuisine is hard to forget.

The Spanner crab is considered as Vietnamese King of crab. A Spanner crab is the size of an adult’s hand, with bright red shell and sharp pincers. This cuisine lures eaters by its sweet and nutritious meat and the flavor is hard to describe. Unfortunately this crab is not available all year round.

Festival and Events

After the Lunar New Year, there are several festivals that represent the culture of Ly Son people.

Whale Worshipping Ritual is a subculture of Ly Son people, held annually in the spring and autumn seasons to worship the whale. This is a form of cultural and religious activities of the people living near the sea as it was told that many people were rescued from ship wreck or storm by whales. There are a lot of temples that worship the whale but Ly Son owns one of the most ancients in the area.