With many historical, cultural relics and fascinating tourist areas, the 10-square-kilometer Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai Province is really an amazing tourist attraction.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
From Quang Ngai Province, Ly Son Island can be reached by trains from Sa Ky fishing port at 8 a.m. every morning. The island is distinguished for its vast garlic fields with a pungent aroma. That explains why Ly Son is called the kingdom of garlic.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
The island has a diverse ecosystem. It has five mountains, namely Thoi Loi, Gieng Tien, Hon Vung, Hon Soi and Hoi Tai. The magnificent mountains entice tourists by mysterious caves, imposing waterfalls, and splendid rivers and lakes.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
The mountainsides covered with green cornfields are studded with old, charming ruong houses. Along the mountains are stunning beaches full of colorful rocks, pebbles and corals.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
Nestled in the Thoi Li Mountain is the Hang Pagoda, a peaceful sanctuary with ancient architecture surrounded by beautiful scenery.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
Not only accommodating various valuable historical and cultural relics, the Ly Son Island also embraces legends associated with many folk and traditional festivals such as Tet (Vietnam’s new year), boat race, hat boi (traditional Vietnamese opera), fish worshipping, and especially ceremonies to pay homage to solders who died in battles in Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
The island is also considered a living museum for Hoang Sa’s artifacts. An Vinh Temple worships the ancestors who explored and reclaimed the land four centuries ago. It also hosts offering ceremony to marine soldiers who sacrificed in missions on the East Sea and the offering ceremony to the souls of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa soldiers in the third lunar month every year.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
The island has a 374-square-meters museum displaying more than 1,000 documents, photos and artifacts associated with the heroic Hoang Sa and Truong Sa troops. The island also holds a cemetery for the late Hoang Sa soldiers.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
Many artifacts of Sa Huynh and Cham Cultures were discovered on Ly Son island. The Thien Yana and old ruong houses are evidence for Sa Huynh and Cham’s ancient civilizations.
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
Ly Son can be reached by train from Sa Ky fishing port, about 20km away. The one-hour trip by train is VND70,000 per person. A boat trip with local fishermen is cheaper at VND40,000 to VND50,000 (* cost in 2010).
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| Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai |
Some guest houses near the wharf are priced at VND80,000 (* cost in 2010) per room per night. In case they are full, local people can offer their houses for rent.
In Ly Son, power is available once every two nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the summer, tourists can camp on the beach to experience nature.
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| More 2 km Grandiose Wall from Cau Cave to Hang Pagoda - National historic monument, one of the most amazing tourist attraction in Quang Ngai |
(The Saigon Times and Phuot)
