- 25/05/2020
Pristine Hon Son, often referred to as Hon Rai, is 65 kilometers west of Kien Giang 's capital, Rach Gia Town, and covers 11 square kilometres.
Huynh Van No, who visited Hon Son in March on a budget of just VND2 million ($86), from Ho Chi Minh City, has some handy tips.
"I booked a coach ticket to Kien Giang Province from Mien Tay Bus Station in Binh Tan District, HCMC, leaving for VND150,000 ($6.5) at 11:45 p.m. After a five-hour journey, I caught a connecting bus to Rach Gia Pier, where I arrived at around 6 a.m .."
After breakfast, No and three friends each purchased a speedboat ticket to Hon Son Island for VND140,000 ($6).
The boat set sail at 8:15 a.m. And got to the island at 1:10 p.m. Staff at the hotel picked them up at the pier and lent them a motorbike at a price of VND200,000 ($8.6) a day, warning them to keep the helmets safe as they are easily stolen.
"For about VND600,000 ($26), we got a single double bed, complete with sea view," he said.
A meal at one hotel costs VND120,000 ($5). At a local market, you can also buy fresh seafood, prepared by workers for VND50,000 ($2) to VND70,000 ($3) per kilogram. Photograph by Huynh Van No.
Hon Son boasts beautiful sandy beaches such as Bai Nha, Bai Gieng, Bai Bac and the ultimate Bai Bang, lined with endless palms of coconut.
If you choose, walk to Ma Thien Lanh Mountain's 450-meter-over-sea-level top, which can take at least half a day to both ends, made worthwhile by the island's panoramic view.
With limited infrastructure, the islanders are highly environmentally sensitive, employing environmentally friendly paper straws at coffee houses.
The best time to visit Hon Son Island is from May to December, when the weather allows for calm seas and the surplus is fresh, cheap seafood.
To get to the island, fly from Hanoi or HCMC to Rach Gia Airport and then catch a VND140,000 ($6) per person, an hour and a half speedboat ride from Rach Gia Pier. Alternatively, you could also travel by traditional VND90,000 ($3.9) ferry, which takes about three and a half hours to complete.
As boat owners only operate one return trip to the island per day, it is recommended that tickets be booked in advance.
During his March 2020 voyage to Hon Son Island, Huynh Van No. Courtesy photo of No.
Source : Vnexpress International