The Nam Du archipelago is an excellent option for young people who are enthusiastic about exploring remote and exceptionally alluring tourist destinations.
Geographic location
Nam Du is the farthest archipelago located in Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province. It is situated 83 km away from the city of Rach Gia, in the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The archipelago comprises 21 islands of various sizes, which are impressively arranged by nature. The largest island, Nam Du, boasts a peak of over 300m high. The interwoven configuration of large and small island blocks creates a breathtakingly beautiful defense position amidst the ocean. An Son commune and Nam Du commune manage the entire archipelago.
Nam Du archipelago is located offshore from the city of Rach Gia.
History
The origins of the name Nam Du remain ambiguous. Some believe that it dates back to the Gia Long era, while others suggest that it is a French transcription of the term "Nam Du" (southern island), as referred to by ancient scholars. French maps refer to the island as Puolo Dama, located at longitude 104 degrees 22' East and latitude 42' North. Moreover, Nam Du has an alternative name, Cu Tron, which is the largest island in the archipelago and is locally known as Hon Lon.
According to the Nam Du chronicles by the writer Anh Dong, which describes the oral tradition of Hon Cu Tron, in 1870, Emperor Nguyen Anh and a group of remnants sought refuge on this island cluster after their second defeat by Gia Dinh. They faced a shortage of drinking water, which prompted the emperor to order his soldiers to dig a well to access fresh water. The "Gieng Ngu" and "Bai Ngu" still exist to the northwest of Hon Lon. They also faced a scarcity of food, but the locals showed the soldiers how to dig up round-shaped tubers to cook and alleviate their hunger. When the emperor ascended to the throne in 1802, he remembered the places that held deep memories of his wandering times and gave the island a name, calling it "Hon Cu Tron." The official who was in charge was originally from Ngũ Quảng, and when he came here with his royal decree, he gathered the people and read the decree in the Quang accent. The two words "Cu Tron" became "Củ Tron" when the locals heard the official's accent, and because the decree said "Tron," they had to follow suit and say "Tron" instead of "Tròn".
When is the best time to travel to Nam Du?
The best time to visit Nam Du is during the dry season, which runs from December to March each year. The weather is at its best from January to March, with calm seas and reduced discomfort for those who experience seasickness while traveling by boat. Although Kien Giang province's coastal areas are not directly affected by storms, they receive substantial rainfall during the storm season, which usually lasts from April to November every year.
Instructions for traveling to Nam Du
From abroad
If you are traveling from abroad, you can fly to either Tan Son Nhat International Airport or Can Tho Airport. From either airport, you can take a passenger car to Rach Gia City.
Within the country
If you are traveling from a distant location, you can take a direct flight to Rach Gia Airport via Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways from Hanoi. Alternatively, you can fly to the nearest airports, such as Tan Son Nhat International Airport or Can Tho Airport, and then take a passenger car to Rach Gia City.
Getting to Nam Du Island by high-speed boat
To get to Nam Du Island, you can only use a high-speed boat, with 2 departure options from the pier in Rach Gia.
Getting around Nam Du
Motorbike
The island itself is rather small, and renting a motorbike is a convenient way to get around. Most guesthouses and homestays on the island offer motorbike rentals, so simply inform them in advance to arrange for one.
Boat
To explore the surrounding islands of Hon Lon and visit the many beautiful sights, it's recommended that you rent a boat for transportation. There are several individuals on the island who rent out boats for this purpose. If you are unable to rent one, you can head straight to the pier and negotiate with any of the local fishermen for a ride. Be sure to agree on the price and the places you want to visit beforehand.
Staying in Nam Du
Meta Sea Resort
The primary types of accommodation on Nam Du Island are homestays and resorts. In the past, when only a small group of tourists were aware of this destination, there were limited options for lodging. However, with the growth of local tourism, the options for accommodation have increased. In addition to homestays, there are now several resorts and three-star hotels available. For those looking for a more luxurious and fully-equipped resort experience, the Meta Sea Resort is a great option.
Located on a prime location, convenient to travel from the pier and beautiful view overlooking the sea. Meta Sea Resort provides a chain of services from resorts, restaurants, events…
Tourist attractions in Nam Du
Swimming
With many beautiful beaches, clear blue water as well as relatively calm waves, you should not miss being immersed in the sea. If you do not rent a boat to go out, you can swim at the beaches on the island, if you go out by boat, just wear a life jacket and jump into the sea to be able to swim comfortably.
Dive and see coral
In fact, it is more correct to swim to see the coral, because tourists only need a pair of glasses to be able to do this activity. For professional divers, bringing their own equipment and tools, there are also a few places in Nam Du for you to satisfy your passion.
Cay Men Beach
Cay Men Beach is a bay, with blue sea water with an area of 600 m², located in the Gulf of Thailand. Mr. Vo Van Phuong, who owns an area of land for growing coconuts and beaches, said he still doesn't understand why it was named Cay Men beach. During the time of his great-grandfather, his great-grandmother lived and owned this land. The total area of about 7 hectares of land was planted by his great-grandfather. There are trees with a lifespan of 70-80 years old. At first, coconuts grow sparsely. When the tree gives dry fruit, it falls to the ground and the young coconut grows and develops. Just like that, more and more coconut trees become green coconut forests, located adjacent to the bay. Great-grandfather, great-grandmother passed away, leaving his grandfather, grandmother and then his mother and uncle. Currently, Phuong's mother has transferred ownership of half of the land and part of the bay to him.
Ngu Beach
Bai Ngu is located in the west of Cu Tron. Legend has it that on the way through Siam, King Gia Long stopped here, so this area is called Ngu beach. In the dry season, this beach is still full of fresh water while other areas are seriously lacking in water. Here, I still have a well that is always full of water. Local people believe that the well was dug when the king came here, so it was named King well.
Lonely tree
Originally just an ordinary pine tree, it is located in the middle of a majestic and romantic scene between Nam Du mountains and forests, which has made it famous.
Surrounding Islands
Hon Mau Island
The beach around Hon Mau island is very beautiful, clear water, white sand stretches (Photo – 198X Retro)
Hon Mau is about 200 hectares wide with more than 120 households located adjacent to each other across the lowest part of the island. Most of the people on this island work in the sea. The island is small, so as soon as you set foot here, the people on the island from the elderly to children all know you are someone else coming to this island.
Among the 21 islands of this archipelago, nature seems to favor this small island with beautiful beaches. There are five beaches on the island. In which, there are two rare fine white sand beaches, Bai Chuong and Bai Nam; the rest are three rocky beaches: Bac beach, Da Den beach and Da Trang beach. Nam beach is the front of the island. This beach is almost quiet all year round, so ships coming to trade stop at this side. Therefore, the residents here are also more crowded, but the beach is also very clean, with fine white sand and long beach.
Hon Ngang Island
Fish farming village in Hon Ngang (Photo – Phong Vu)
Hon Ngang has the quietest harbor in Nam Du, so it attracts thousands of boats, boats and fish cages. From Hon Lon to Hon Ngang, it takes 30 minutes by boat, there are two departures every day at 7am and 3pm daily. Hon Ngang is the center of Nam Du commune. Hon Ngang wharf has thousands of boats, boats and nearly 60 fish cages anchored in no particular order. The harbor is a row of houses on stilts on bamboo and concrete poles close together running 2 km long. There is only a small road about 1.5m, without any kind of traffic.
Hon Bo Dam Island
Hon Bo Dam (Photo – Co Ua)
Hon Bo Dam has a rather special shape consisting of 2 parts, connected by a series of natural stones, looking like a dam from afar. There is only one house on the island with fish cages, so this place almost retains its original wild look. Here you can dive to see corals, visit fish cages and enjoy fresh seafood.
Hon Nom Island
As one of 11 inhabited islands, Hon Nom is currently only inhabited by the extended family of Mr. Duong Van Sau. The island was reclaimed and built by Mr. Vuong Van Kieu, his father in 1960. The whole island has an area of about 10 hectares, but only 3 hectares can be cultivated, the rest of the island is completely rocky. .
Bamboo island
Of the three island communes of Kien Hai, Hon Tre is the closest and also the administrative center of the commune (Photo – Tung Tran Thanh)
Hon Tre is the administrative center of Kien Hai, this place also has many interesting places, beautiful scenery for tourists who love to experience.
Hon Son Island
From the mainland, after passing Hon Tre, you will come to Hon Son and then finally arrive at Nam Du (Photo – Aloha Nguyen)
Located between Hon Tre and Nam Du archipelago, about 60km from the mainland, on the deep blue background of the ocean, Hon Son (Son Rai island) appears as a giant mountain. Since 1983, this charming island has been named Lai Son, one of four island communes in Kien Hai district (Kien Giang) with an area of 11.5 square kilometers with 2,012 households living. Coming to Hon Son, visitors can see all the poetic scenery, the harmonious combination between the sea - the island with the human values associated with the history and culture of the land where the waves overlap.
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