Ly Son

When to go

Climate

Monthly climate averages for Ly Son
Month	Avg temp (°C)	Rainfall (mm)	Rainy days (≥1 mm)
January	23.1	124	14.4
February	23.4	54	8.5
March	24.3	89	7.1
April	26.3	62	4.8
May	28.3	114	6.4
June	29.5	56	4.4
July	29.5	52	5.3
August	29.5	125	8.2
September	28.4	412	14.8
October	27.1	513	19.6
November	25.9	430	19.7
December	24.0	262	19.4

Data: long-term station averages from the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology (IBST). Rainy days as reported by the station.

Best Months to Visit

Best time: Mar-Aug calm seas and clear water. Garlic is harvested around Feb-Mar, when the fields are at their busiest. Avoid Sep-Jan when storms frequently cancel ferries for days.

Highlights

The best shore-access snorkeling in the Lý Sơn archipelago, with coral reefs reachable directly from the beachĐảo Bé (An Bình Island)
Small peaceful island (under 1 km²) with only around 100 households, pristine and undevelopedĐảo Bé (An Bình Island)
Electric vehicle tours from the pier covering the entire island in one loop for about 50,000 VND per personĐảo Bé (An Bình Island)
One of Lý Sơn's oldest surviving structures - founded in 1815 as a modest bamboo-and-thatch shrine, rebuilt in stone and timber in 1820, and recognised as a National Historic-Cultural Relic in 1995Đình làng An Hải
One of the two communal houses where Lý Sơn families gathered before sending the Hoàng Sa Flotilla on expeditions many never returned fromĐình làng An Hải
Rare architectural features including paired stone lions, dual-dragon roof decorations, and a yin-yang paired-nghê pillar motif rarely seen elsewhere in VietnamĐình làng An Hải
Communal house of Lý Sơn's oldest village, dating to the late 18th century and rebuilt in 1920 in the traditional 'chữ tam' three-hall layoutĐình làng An Vĩnh
Recognised as a National Historic-Cultural Relic and host site of the Khao Lề Thế Lính Hoàng Sa ceremony, itself recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage - both in 2013Đình làng An Vĩnh
For centuries, this was where Lý Sơn families gathered before sending their sons on dangerous imperial expeditions to Hoàng Sa - many held while the sailors were still alive, since so few were guaranteed to returnĐình làng An Vĩnh
A pagoda built into volcanic rock caves on the slopes of Núi Giếng Tiền, with sea and coastline views from the upper terraceChùa Đục

What To Do

Nature & Outdoors

Snorkeling
Swimming
Kayaking
Camping
Trekking
Hiking

Culture & History

Photography
History
Culture
Religious Site Visit

Chill & Relax

Beach
Boat Tour

Suggested Itineraries

2D1N

Island circuit

Day 1To Vo Gate + Thoi Loi Mountain + garlic fields + Hang Pagoda

Cổng Tò VòNúi Thới LớiLý Sơn Garlic FieldsChùa Hang

Rent a motorbike from the port (150,000 VND/day) - the whole island loop is under 20km. To Vo Gate is one of the most striking volcanic sea arches in central Vietnam. Garlic fields in the morning when farmers are working. Hang Pagoda at low tide when the sea cave entrance fully opens.

Day 2An Binh Island snorkeling

Đảo Bé (An Bình Island)

An Binh Island (Dao Be / Little Island) by boat for some of the best snorkeling in the area - around 170,000 VND return (2026), book at the main harbour. Gieng Tien Peak is currently closed.

3D2N

Full island experience

Day 1Arrive + To Vo Gate + garlic fields + Hang Pagoda

Cổng Tò VòLý Sơn Garlic FieldsChùa Hang

Arrive morning ferry. Explore the main island by motorbike. Hang Pagoda at low tide.

Day 2An Binh Island + snorkeling

Đảo Bé (An Bình Island)

Full day on the little island. Snorkeling, swimming, seafood lunch on the beach. The island has basic guesthouses if you want to stay overnight.

Day 3Thoi Loi Mountain + Hoang Sa history + final beach

Núi Thới LớiĐình làng An VĩnhĐình làng An Hải

Morning climb up Thoi Loi, the island's highest crater (Gieng Tien Peak is currently closed). Hoang Sa naval history museum near An Vinh Communal House - fascinating and rarely visited by foreign travelers. Afternoon beach before the return ferry.

Places to Visit · 9 spots

Island

Đảo Bé (An Bình Island)

Đảo Bé - also known as An Bình Island or Cù Lao Bờ Bãi - is a small outer island 3 nautical miles northwest of Lý Sơn's main island, reachable by a 10-15 minute boat ride. With clearer water, more intact coral reefs, and a fraction of the crowds of the main island, it's the best snorkeling location in the Lý Sơn archipelago and a quieter alternative for a half-day by the sea.

Apr - Aug

Communal House

Đình làng An Hải

Đình làng An Hải is one of Lý Sơn's two historic village communal houses, serving as a memorial to the Hải Đội Hoàng Sa - the imperial navy conscripts from Lý Sơn who for over two centuries sailed annually to assert Vietnamese sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands, knowing many would not return.

Dec - Jun

Communal House

Đình làng An Vĩnh

Đình làng An Vĩnh is the communal house of Lý Sơn's oldest village, near the main ferry port, and the primary site of the Hải Đội Hoàng Sa memorial tradition - the annual ceremony honoring the Lý Sơn sailors sent on imperial missions to the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands.

Year-round

Beach

Hang Câu

Hang Câu is Lý Sơn's most dramatic coastal spot - a beach at the base of Núi Thới Lới, on the island's northeastern shore, where vertical basalt cliffs meet turquoise water and coral reefs. The combination of volcanic cliff faces, clear water, and accessible snorkeling makes it one of the island's top swimming and photography destinations.

Apr - Aug

Pagoda

Chùa Hang

Chùa Hang - Thiên Khổng Thạch Tự, also known locally as 'Chùa Không Sư' (the pagoda without a monk) - is a 400-year-old pagoda built inside the largest natural cave on Lý Sơn, on the island's northeastern side below Núi Thới Lới. The cave is 24 meters deep with a 3.2-meter ceiling, housing altars set into natural stalactites, and the courtyard outside is shaded by ancient sea almond trees believed to be over 400 years old.

Apr - Aug

Farmland

Lý Sơn Garlic Fields

Lý Sơn's garlic fields cover both the main island and Đảo Bé, grown in volcanic ash and white sand that gives the island's famous purple garlic its distinctive strong flavour. February to March is harvest season - the most photogenic time, with garlic drying in the sun across the island. November to January for young green fields.

Nov - Mar

Historic Site

Di tích Nhà Pha

Di tích Nhà Pha is a French colonial complex in Đông village, An Hải commune, Lý Sơn, built in 1890 as an office building, lighthouse, and kitchen. The site witnessed the island's 1945 uprising, later became a wartime prison under both French and American administrations, and today combines revolutionary history with the still-functioning Lý Sơn lighthouse - one of the best panoramic viewpoints on the island.

Apr - Aug

Mountain

Núi Thới Lới

Núi Thới Lới is Lý Sơn's highest point at 169 meters and the island's largest extinct volcanic crater, its bowl holding the island's only freshwater lake and a peaceful cattle pasture. A 20-meter national flag tower stands at the summit facing the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands, with panoramic views over garlic fields, fishing villages, Đảo Bé, and Hang Câu beach below.

Mar - Aug

Rock Formation

Cổng Tò Vò

Cổng Tò Vò is Lý Sơn's most iconic landmark - a natural basalt arch, about 2.5 metres high, formed from Giếng Tiền volcano's lava roughly 3,000-4,000 years ago, jutting into the sea on the island's coast. Officially recognised as a National Heritage Site in September 2025, it is best photographed at sunrise or sunset when light frames the arch against the open sea.

Jan - Apr

Getting There

Quang Ngaiferry

30 minutes80,000-150,000 VND

High-speed ferry from Sa Ky port (about 20km from Quang Ngai centre). Boats run from ~7am. Buy tickets at the port - no advance booking needed except peak season (Apr-Aug). Quang Ngai is accessible by train or bus from Da Nang (3 hours) or Quy Nhon (2 hours).

Emergency & help

112Emergency (all services)
113Police
114Fire and rescue
115Ambulance

Free from any phone. National emergency line since 2025, routes to police, fire or ambulance.