Tho Chu Island, a hidden gem in the Kien Giang sea, remains a relatively new name on Vietnam’s tourism map. Dubbed a “paradise amidst the waves,” it’s celebrated not only for its pristine and magnificent beauty but also for its crucial strategic position, affirming the sacred sovereignty of the nation’s islands and seas. If you seek a destination off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and wish to immerse yourself in unspoiled nature, then Tho Chu Island is the perfect choice. Join “Travel the World” to explore this beautiful island and fully appreciate the hidden beauty of our homeland’s islands and seas.
Introducing Tho Chu Island: The Forefront Jewel of the Nation
Tho Chu Archipelago, also known as Tho Chau Islands, lies in the southwest of Vietnam, belonging to Kien Giang province. This island is approximately 100km southwest of Phu Quoc and about 220km from Ha Tien mainland. With its special geographical location, Tho Chu is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a significant sovereignty landmark, where soldiers guard the sea and sky day and night.
Tho Chu Island possesses a rare, pristine, and pure beauty. It has not been heavily impacted by mass tourism, preserving its inherent natural beauty. Visiting Tho Chu, you will admire long stretches of fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise seawater, colorful coral reefs, and a rich primary forest ecosystem. Moreover, Tho Chu is imbued with historical and cultural imprints, marking the pioneering steps of our ancestors in exploring and expanding the territory.
The Untamed and Alluring Beauty of Tho Chu Island
Tho Chu Island boasts countless mesmerizing beaches, each with its unique beauty, promising to captivate any traveler who sets foot here.
Bai Ngu: The Exquisite Crescent-Shaped Bay
Bai Ngu is considered the most beautiful beach in Tho Chu, shaped like a graceful crescent, embraced by lush green mountains. The seawater at Bai Ngu is so clear you can see the bottom, easily spotting schools of small fish swimming and sparkling coral reefs beneath the surface. The long stretch of fine white sand is an ideal place to relax, sunbathe, or engage in beach sports.
Bai Ngu beach, Tho Chu Island, showcasing its pristine beauty and clear blue waters
Explore Other Stunning Beaches
Besides Bai Ngu, Tho Chu is home to a series of other beautiful beaches such as:
- Bai Mun: Famous for its pristine, peaceful beauty and jade-green waters. Bai Mun is an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and privacy.
- Bai Dong: Impressive with the surrounding lush primary forest, creating a fresh and relaxing natural space. At Bai Dong, you can combine swimming and exploring the primary forest.
- Bai Nhat, Bai Nhi, Bai Da Bang: Each beach has its own unique beauty, from fine white sand to rocky shores with unique shapes. These are ideal spots for you to explore and take memorable photos.
Hon Nhan: Sacred Sovereignty Landmark
Hon Nhan is a small island near Tho Chu Island, famous for its majestic national flag pole, proudly standing tall amidst the sea and sky. Visiting Hon Nhan, you will not only admire the magnificent natural scenery but also feel the patriotism and national pride when standing before the sacred sovereignty landmark. Hon Nhan is also home to thousands of swallows, creating a unique and vibrant natural scene.
National flag pole proudly standing on Hon Nhan Island, Tho Chu
Hon Cau: A Paradise of Vibrant Coral Reefs
Hon Cau is a must-visit destination when traveling to Tho Chu, especially for those who love diving and exploring the ocean world. It boasts some of the most diverse and abundant coral reefs in Vietnam, with over 99 species of coral in various colors and shapes. You can easily rent a boat and diving gear to explore the wonders beneath the sea at Hon Cau.
Hon Tu: Poetic and Romantic Beauty
Hon Tu is another beautiful small island in the Tho Chu archipelago, attracting visitors with its peaceful and romantic beauty. It features a long white sand beach, clear blue seawater, and green coconut trees leaning to cast shadows. Hon Tu is an ideal destination for you to enjoy privacy, relax, and immerse yourself in nature.
Hon Tu island with white sand beach and clear blue seawater
Detailed 3-Day 2-Night Tho Chu Island Itinerary
To fully explore the beauty of Tho Chu Island, you can refer to the suggested 3-day 2-night itinerary below:
Night 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien (Overnight on bus)
The journey begins from Ho Chi Minh City, where you will travel by high-quality passenger bus to Ha Tien. Buses usually depart in the evening so you can rest overnight and arrive in Ha Tien early the next morning.
Day 1: Ha Tien – Phu Quoc – Tho Chu Archipelago (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning, upon arriving in Ha Tien, you will have breakfast and have the opportunity to stroll around Ha Tien, admiring the famous “Ha Tien Ten Landscapes.” Afterwards, you will travel to the pier to board a speedboat to Phu Quoc.
Speedboat taking tourists to Tho Chu Island
From Phu Quoc, you will continue your journey by boat to the Tho Chu archipelago. On the way, you will admire the vast ocean and enjoy a picnic lunch on the boat.
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Tho Chu, you will check into your accommodation and begin your island exploration. The first destination is Bai Ngu – the most beautiful beach in Tho Chu. Here, you can freely swim, relax, and enjoy the pristine beauty of nature.
In the evening, you will have dinner with fresh seafood specialties of the Tho Chu sea region. You can also participate in cultural exchanges with border guards and local people to learn more about life and people here.
Day 2: Tho Chu – Exploring Paradise Amidst the Waves (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
On the morning of the second day, you will wake up early to watch the sunrise over the sea and have breakfast. Afterwards, you will rent a motorbike (2 people/bike) to freely explore the attractions on the island.
You can start your journey by exploring Bai Dong, experiencing trekking through the primary forest with centuries-old trees. Next, you can swim at Bai Mun and Bai Nhat, admiring the poetic beauty of Bai Nhi and Bai Da Bang.
At noon, you can visit the fishing village to learn about the life of fishermen and buy fresh seafood as gifts.
Peaceful fishing village on Tho Chu Island
In the afternoon, you will board a local fishing boat to Hon Nhan, check-in at the national flag pole, and watch thousands of swallows living there. Then, the boat will take you to Hon Cau for snorkeling to see coral reefs and explore Hon Tu with its beautiful beach.
On the way back, you can go fishing at sea and enjoy your spoils.
If you do not take a boat tour, you can choose to explore the lighthouse, primary forest, radar station, and blockhouse on the island.
In the evening, you will have dinner and freely explore Tho Chu Island at night.
Day 3: Tho Chu – Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast, Lunch, Light Dinner)
On the morning of the last day, you will have breakfast, check out, and travel to the pier to return to the mainland.
Pier on Tho Chu Island
The boat will take you back to Phu Quoc. Here, you will have lunch and rest before boarding a speedboat back to Ha Tien. From Ha Tien, a tourist bus will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.
On the way back, you will stop for dinner at a rest stop and continue your journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, ending your exciting and memorable Tho Chu Island exploration trip.
Useful Tho Chu Island Travel Tips
To make your Tho Chu Island trip complete and meaningful, please note some of the following tips:
- Ideal time to visit: The best time to visit Tho Chu is during the dry season (from December to April of the following year). At this time, the weather is dry, the sea is calm, which is very suitable for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling to see coral reefs.
- Transportation: To get to Tho Chu, you need to travel by passenger bus to Ha Tien, then take a speedboat to Phu Quoc and continue by boat to Tho Chu.
- Accommodation: In Tho Chu, there are some guesthouses and homestays serving tourists. However, the number is limited, you should book in advance, especially during peak season.
- Dining: Seafood is a famous specialty of Tho Chu. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes at restaurants and eateries on the island or buy directly at the fishing village.
- Preparation: Bring enough personal identification documents, personal items, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, swimwear, and necessary medications.
- Other notes: Tho Chu Island is still quite pristine and has not developed strongly in tourism. Therefore, you should prepare yourself for a trip focused on exploring and experiencing nature. At the same time, please maintain environmental hygiene and respect local culture when visiting Tho Chu.
Conclusion
Tho Chu Island is truly a precious gem of Vietnam’s island tourism. With its pristine, alluring beauty and unique experiences, Tho Chu promises to bring you a memorable and unforgettable trip. If you are a person who loves exploring new lands, wants to find peace and immerse yourself in nature, then Tho Chu Island is definitely an ideal destination for you. Plan your trip and discover this “paradise amidst the waves” today!