Nam Du archipelago (Kien Giang) is located in the Gulf of Thailand, including 21 large and small islands, of which Hon Lon (Hon Cu Tron) is the largest island and concentrates a large population. This place stands out with clear blue beaches, small islands scattered in the middle of the sea and fishing village life is still quite close.
The ideal time to explore Nam Du is from October to April of the following year, when the weather is dry, the sea is calm and the water is clear blue. From May to September, this area enters the rainy season, which may experience rough seas, affecting travel and sightseeing.
Move
From Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can take a sleeper bus trip at 11 pm to reach Rach Gia port at about 5 am. In addition, they can choose a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia to save time.
From Rach Gia port, tourists take a high-speed boat to Nam Du, travel time is from 2 - 2.5 hours. Some airlines operating this route include Superdong, Phu Quoc Express, Ngoc Thanh and Hoa Binh Ship, ticket prices are about 190,000 - 400,000 VND/person. If you choose a regular boat, the journey lasts about 5 hours, ticket prices range from 170,000 - 350,000 VND/person depending on the type.
In addition to Rach Gia port, tourists can come to Nam Du from Phu Quoc or Ha Tien. From Phu Quoc, high-speed boats depart from Bai Vong port, travel time is about 1.5 hours, ticket price from 200,000 - 260,000 VND/person. From Ha Tien, ticket price is about 320,000 - 400,000 VND/person.
Tourists should check the train schedule and book tickets in advance, especially if traveling during the September 2nd holiday. For people who are prone to seasickness, they should prepare seasick medicine before boarding.
What to play in Nam Du?
Arriving in Nam Du, one of the simplest but most interesting experiences is renting a motorbike and driving around Hon Lon. The rental price is from 100,000 - 150,000 VND/day.
The large island in Nam Du has a road running around the island, connecting to many beaches and attractions. On the journey, visitors can both drive and admire the blue sea, roadside trees and the simple life of local people.
You don't need to schedule too densely, just drive slowly, stopping at beautiful spots is enough to feel the peaceful rhythm of life on the remote island.
Cay Men Beach and Ngu Beach are two stops chosen by many tourists. Cay Men Beach impresses with its clear blue water, sandy beaches and coastal coconut trees. Meanwhile, Ngu Beach is associated with many historical stories, notably the legend of Ngu Well - a source of fresh water passed down by local people through many generations.
On Hon Lon, visitors can also visit many other beautiful beaches such as Bai Chet, Bai Dat Do, Bai Gieng or Bai Soi. The island also impresses with its long-standing coconut forests, with many trees that are 70-80 years old.
Besides, Nam Du Lighthouse with a height of 296 m above sea level is a suitable destination for tourists who want to capture the panoramic view of the archipelago.
If tourists only stay in Hon Lon, the Nam Du trip will not be truly complete. Tourists can rent boats in groups or register for a day tour to explore small islands such as Hon Mau, Hon Ngang, Hon Dau or Hon Hai Bo Dap. The cost usually ranges from about 200,000 - 300,000 VND/person, depending on the itinerary.
Each island has its own beauty. Some places stand out with sand beaches, some places are suitable for swimming, diving to see coral reefs or simply lying down to rest in the shade of coconut trees.
A day drifting at sea, visiting the islands one by one, bathing in clear water and enjoying seafood right on the boat is a quite typical experience of Nam Du.
In addition, active tourists can learn about the trekking journey at Ma Thien Lanh. This is one of the seven prominent mountains on Hon Son, about 450 m above sea level.
Eating
Coming to Nam Du, seafood is almost an indispensable part of the journey. Giant snails are one of the dishes that many people are looking for to try. The meat is crispy, sweet, and can be processed into many dishes such as steamed, boiled, porridge or salad. In addition, blue-bone fish, snakehead fish, sea urchin or banh canh are also dishes worth trying.
The interesting point of Nam Du cuisine lies in the freshness of ingredients rather than the elaborate processing method.
Residence
Hon Cu Tron area is home to many guesthouses, homestays and accommodation establishments serving tourists. Visitors will have a fairly diverse choice, from budget rooms to homestays with sea-facing spaces.
Some names known to tourists include Chien Diem Nam Du, Langchia Nam Du Resort, Thao Thuong Camp, Meta Sea Resort, Humiso Nam Du or Bai Soi Beach Homestay.
However, Nam Du is still a destination with services that are not too diverse. Therefore, if you go during peak seasons like September 2nd, tourists should book rooms in advance instead of going to a new place to find accommodation.
Notes
Nam Du is beautiful but not a resort for those who want to have many amusement parks, shopping centers or modern entertainment services. The attractiveness of this place lies in the sea and islands, nature and local life.
Tourists should also prepare good health because the journey has quite a few stages to travel by car, train and motorbike.
