Nestled in the clear blue waters of Ha Tien Bay, Hon Son Island in Kien Giang emerges as an alluring rough gem, awaiting adventurous footsteps. This place not only boasts rare pristine beauty with its blue sea, white sand, and lush green forests but is also an ideal destination for those seeking to return to nature, escaping the hustle and bustle of urban life. Let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) unveil the secrets of this beautiful island and plan a memorable trip for you!
Hon Son, also affectionately known as Hon Rai, belongs to Lai Son commune, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province. This island is situated between the Nam Du archipelago and Hon Tre Island, covering an area of approximately 11 km² with diverse terrain ranging from long stretches of fine sandy beaches to majestic primeval mountains and forests. With its natural beauty, Hon Son is gradually becoming a highlight on the marine tourism map of Vietnam, attracting visitors with its simplicity, wilderness, and unique experiences.
Discover the unspoiled beauty of Hon Son Island, Kien Giang
The Best Time to Visit Hon Son Island
To have a complete exploration of Hon Son Island in Kien Giang, choosing the right time to visit is crucial. According to the experience of many travel enthusiasts, the best time to come to Hon Son is from November to May. During this period, Hon Son enters the dry season with sunny weather, calm seas, and little rain or storms, which is very favorable for sightseeing, swimming, and island exploration activities.
Especially, this is also the season for fresh and affordable seafood. You will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood specialties such as shrimp, squid, crab, sea urchin, etc., with unforgettable rich flavors. However, if you want to experience a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere, you can consider visiting Hon Son during the off-peak season (from June to October). During this season, the island is less crowded, and service prices are also softer, but you need to follow weather forecasts regularly to avoid stormy days at sea.
Ideal weather on Hon Son Island for your trip
Detailed Guide to Getting to Hon Son Island from A to Z
To start your journey to explore Hon Son Island in Kien Giang, you first need to travel to Rach Gia, Kien Giang, and then continue your journey by boat to the island. Below is a detailed guide to transportation options for your reference:
Getting to Rach Gia, Kien Giang
From different provinces and cities, you can choose various means of transport to Rach Gia as follows:
- Bus: This is the most popular and economical means of transport for the journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia. Travel time is about 5-6 hours. To catch an early boat to the island (usually departing in the morning), you should choose a night bus departing from Ho Chi Minh City around 10-12 pm. Some reputable bus operators for the Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia route that you can refer to are Phuong Trang, Viet Duc, Kumho, etc. Ticket prices range from 150,000 – 200,000 VND/trip. Upon arrival at Rach Gia bus station, you can take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Rach Gia pier (about 30 minutes away).
- Limousine: If you want to travel more comfortably and conveniently, you can choose a limousine. The ticket price will be slightly higher than a regular bus, but in return, you will have spacious space, comfortable seats, and better service. Some quality limousine operators you can refer to are Son Ha Limousine, Tuan Nga Limousine, etc.
- Airplane: If you are from distant provinces such as Hanoi, Da Nang, etc., then flying is the fastest way to get to Rach Gia. Currently, there are direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Rach Gia. From Rach Gia airport, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Rach Gia pier. However, the cost of traveling by plane will be higher than other means of transport.
From Rach Gia to Hon Son Island
From Rach Gia pier, you can travel to Hon Son Island by speedboat or ferry:
- Speedboat: This is the preferred means of transport for many tourists due to its speed and time-saving. Travel time by speedboat from Rach Gia to Hon Son is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Speedboat ticket prices range from 160,000 – 200,000 VND/trip (depending on the boat operator). Some reputable speedboat operators serving the Rach Gia – Hon Son route that you can refer to are Superdong, Phu Quoc Express, Hoa Binh Ship. You should book your boat tickets in advance, especially during peak season or weekends to ensure you have a seat.
- Ferry: If you want to save costs or have more time, you can choose the ferry. Travel time by ferry is about 3-4 hours. Ferry ticket prices are cheaper than speedboats, ranging from 80,000 – 100,000 VND/trip. However, ferries will be slower and may be more prone to seasickness than speedboats.
Some boat operators and contact information:
- Superdong Speedboat: Phone: 02973877742, Website: superdong.com.vn
- Phu Quoc Express Speedboat: Website: phuquocexpress.com.vn
- Hoa Binh Ship: Phone: 02973996868, Website: hoabinhship.com.vn
- Ngoc Thanh Ferry: Phone: 0947333572
Note: Boat schedules and ticket prices may change depending on the time, you should contact the boat operators directly to update the latest information.
The blue sea of Hon Son beckons tourists to explore
Getting Around Hon Son Island
For convenient exploration of Hon Son Island in Kien Giang, you can choose the following means of transport:
- Motorbike rental: Motorbike is the most popular and preferred means of transport on Hon Son Island. You can easily rent a motorbike at guesthouses, hotels, or rental points on the island for about 150,000 – 200,000 VND/day (excluding gasoline). Motorbikes allow you to freely explore every corner of the island, from pristine beaches to winding trails. If you want to bring your personal motorbike to the island, you can send it by boat with a cost of about 200,000 VND/motorbike (round trip) and a loading and unloading fee of about 40,000 – 80,000 VND/trip.
- Car rental (pickup truck, 12-seater car): If traveling in a large group, you can rent a car for more comfortable and convenient travel. However, roads on Hon Son Island are still quite narrow and steep, and large cars may have difficulty moving on some sections.
- Walking: For nearby places or if you want to leisurely enjoy the scenery, walking is also an interesting option. Hon Son has many coastal paths and village roads shaded by green trees, which are very suitable for walking and exploring.
Must-Visit Attractions on Hon Son Island
Your exploration of Hon Son Island in Kien Giang will not be complete if you miss the following attractive destinations:
- Bai Bang Beach: Renowned as the most beautiful beach in Hon Son, Bai Bang captivates visitors with its long stretch of fine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise seawater, and green coconut trees leaning to cast shadows. At Bai Bang, you can freely swim, relax on the sand, participate in water sports, or simply lie in a hammock under the shade of coconut trees and enjoy the fresh air.
The beauty of Bai Bang – the most beautiful beach on Hon Son
- Bai Da Chai Beach: Unlike the gentle beauty of Bai Bang, Bai Da Chai offers a wild, majestic scenery with large and small rocky outcrops stacked on top of each other. This is an ideal place for you to explore the unique beauty of nature, take impressive check-in photos, and enjoy a quiet, private space.
Bai Da Chai – a wild and unique beach
- Ma Thien Lanh Peak: With a height of 450m above sea level, Ma Thien Lanh Peak is the highest point on Hon Son Island. To conquer this peak, you will have to overcome stone steps and trails through the forest. However, the reward for your persistence is the majestic natural scenery, overlooking the entire Hon Son Island and the surrounding sea from above. In particular, San Tien (Fairy Yard) on Ma Thien Lanh Peak is a great viewpoint where you can admire the brilliant sunset and sunrise over the sea.
Conquering Ma Thien Lanh Peak and enjoying panoramic views of Hon Son
Stunning scenery from San Tien (Fairy Yard) on Ma Thien Lanh Peak
- Other beaches: In addition to Bai Bang and Bai Da Chai, Hon Son also owns many other beautiful and pristine beaches such as Bai Nha, Bai Gieng, Bai Bac, Bai Thien Tue, Bai Cay Dua Nam… Each beach has its own unique beauty, promising to bring you interesting exploration experiences.
- Spiritual and historical sites: If you are interested in local culture and history, you can visit spiritual and historical sites on the island such as Mieu Ba Co Chu, Dinh Than Lai Son, Hai Son Pagoda, Cao Dai Holy See, Lang Ong Nam Hai, Quan Am Pagoda, Pho Tinh Tu Pagoda…
In addition, Hon Son also has many cafes and bars with chill spaces and beautiful sea views such as Doc 3 Tang Restaurant, Nha An Cafe, Sao Bien Cafe, Do Cafe, Rai Ca Cafe, Mango House… These are ideal places for you to relax, enjoy drinks, and admire the night sea view.
Accommodation on Hon Son Island: From Homestays to Budget Guesthouses
Accommodation services on Hon Son Island are still quite pristine and not as developed as other famous tourist destinations. However, you can still easily find options that suit your needs and budget, from budget homestays to guesthouses and simple hotels.
- Guesthouses, hotels: Mainly concentrated in the Bai Nha and Bai Bang areas. Guesthouses and hotels in Hon Son are usually small in scale, with simple but clean and basic amenities. Room rates range from 200,000 – 500,000 VND/night.
- Homestays: If you want to experience a closer connection with the local people’s life, you can choose a homestay. Homestays in Hon Son are often designed in a nature-friendly style, bringing you a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Homestay room rates range from 150,000 – 300,000 VND/night.
- Camping: For adventurous tourists who want to immerse themselves in nature, camping on the island is an interesting experience. You can camp at some deserted beaches such as Bai Bang, Bai Bac… However, you need to prepare your own tents and other necessary items.
Experience overnight camping on Hon Son Island
Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse Recommendation: If you are looking for an affordable guesthouse with beautiful views and good service, Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse is a great suggestion. This guesthouse is located in a quiet location, not far from the center, with a spacious garden overlooking the sea. Room rates here are quite affordable, suitable for many types of tourists. In particular, the guesthouse also supports booking boat tickets, free motorbike rental, and the staff are very enthusiastic and friendly.
Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse with stunning sea views
Green space at Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse
Simple but fully equipped rooms
Grounds of Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse
Doc 3 Tang Restaurant is also an attractive culinary destination on Hon Son Island. Here, you can enjoy many delicious dishes, especially fresh seafood dishes at reasonable prices. The restaurant also has many unique check-in spots such as Hon Son Heaven Gate, Hon Son Beer Cart, infinity net… In addition, Doc 3 Tang also regularly organizes Acoustic music nights, DJs, Lotto, and mini tours to explore the island such as coral diving, fishing, squid fishing, mountain climbing…
Doc 3 Tang Restaurant with many attractive dishes
Lively atmosphere at Doc 3 Tang
Doc 3 Tang Guesthouse Contact Information: 08888 17530 (Mr. Luan)
Hon Son Island Cuisine: A Paradise of Fresh Seafood
Exploring Hon Son Island in Kien Giang is incomplete without experiencing the unique cuisine with fresh seafood dishes. Hon Son is known as a seafood paradise with abundant and diverse seafood sources, processed into many attractive dishes.
You can easily find affordable seafood eateries in the Bai Nha port area or Bai Gieng market. Seafood prices in Hon Son are quite reasonable, and you can freely enjoy delicious dishes without worrying about the price. In addition, you can also buy fresh seafood directly from fishing boats or markets and ask locals to help prepare it.
Some typical seafood dishes you must try when coming to Hon Son:
- Grilled sea urchin with scallion oil: The most popular dish in Hon Son. Fresh sea urchins are grilled over charcoal, with a little fragrant scallion oil, served with salt, pepper, and lemon, it is irresistibly delicious.
- Steamed mantis shrimp with ginger: Fresh mantis shrimp is steamed with ginger, retaining its natural sweetness and characteristic aroma.
- Seafood hotpot: Hot pot with full of fresh seafood such as shrimp, squid, fish, clams… is an ideal choice for a cozy dinner with family and friends.
- Herring salad: A refreshing salad with fresh herring, herbs, roasted peanuts, and distinctive sweet and sour fish sauce.
- Various types of snails: Hon Son has many types of fresh and delicious sea snails such as grilled snails with scallion oil, stir-fried snails with garlic, steamed snails with lemongrass…
Delicious stir-fried snails with scallion oil in Hon Son
Enjoying fresh seafood at seaside restaurants
Grilled sea urchin with scallion oil – a must-try specialty
Besides seafood, you can also enjoy other rustic dishes at affordable eateries on the island such as fried garfish, garfish sour soup, oyster porridge…
Some good restaurants you can refer to: Doc 3 Tang Restaurant, Ken Restaurant, Thanh Giao Restaurant…
Exploring diverse cuisine on Hon Son Island
Conclusion
Exploring Hon Son Island in Kien Giang is a journey to experience pristine nature, unique cuisine, and simple local culture. With the detailed information in this travel guide, “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) hopes you will have a truly memorable and fulfilling trip to this beautiful island. Hon Son is waiting for you to discover and feel its hidden beauty!