Nam Du Island: The Heaven on Earth

Located 40 km away from Phu Quoc Island, with endless evergreen primeval forests, long stunning beaches and splendid rock cliffs, Nam Du Archipelago (Kien Giang province), it is not an exaggeration to say this place is a wonderland.

Cool and windy throughout the year, Nam Du is an ideal holiday destination. (Source: embebu)

Nam Du at a quick glance

Recently, Nam Du Archipelago has become an attractive destination for backpackers heading to the Mekong Delta. This pristine island has 21 islets, 11 islets of which are inhabited, while the others remain completely untouched, offering visitors a real break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The untouched sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of the sea are the greatest attractions on this archipelago, and one cannot get enough of gazing at this wonder.

The archipelago stretches over two communes of An Son and Nam Du with a population of 10,000 people working in fishing and sea-related services. Formed from a volcano, it has numerous six-meter creeks which are advantageous for transportation. As it is endowed with high mountains, Nam Du also is suggested as a great spot for offshore fishermen to flee rough storms.

And given the number of islands, there is a lot of gazing that can get done. For boat rides of just VND150,000 ($7), people can discover islands like Hon Ngang, Bai Nom and Da Den.

At the Ngu beach, most of the people are fishermen, but they can tell you one interesting royal fact. Gia Long (1762-1820), the first Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty - the last Vietnamese dynasty - came here for a vacation.

Best time to visit Nam Du

The islands can be visited anytime of the year, but it’s best to go between November and May.

The rainy season is characterized by rain, and during the peak of this season from July to September, it may have a lot more rain and rough seas. Hence, the best time to visit Nam Du Island is from December to April when the sea is peaceful and turquoise, the temperature is comfortable and the weather is consistent and sunny.

The untouched sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of the sea are the greatest attractions on this archipelago, and one cannot get enough of gazing at this wonder. (Source: golux.vn)

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Nam Du Island

By Plane

You can take a flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc to Rach Gia Airport (Kien Giang Province) and then take a bus or taxi from the airport to Rach Gia wharf.

At the Rach Gia ferry wharf, you can take either a Superdong Speed-boat or Ngoc Thanh Ferry to Nam Du Island. The Superdong Speed-boat is efficient, orderly, air-con and comfortable. Seating is assigned and you get a bottle of water, a refresher towel and entertainment on flat-screen TVs.

By bus

It takes a seven-hour drive on a bus from Ho Chi Minh City and a two hour boat ride from Rach Gia City in Kien Giang Province.

Activities

Trekking and Hiking

For people who love some sport activities, trekking to Nhum Beach is a great experience, you need to hike along a small trail, pass the towns fresh water supply source, and down through a densely forested area teeming with wildlife. The trail eventually leads to a rocky beach and the best time to hike this trail is before sunrise.

Another activity to engage in apart from long walks on the beach is to rent a bike and cycle/drive around each island. Motorbike rentals cost VND150,000 to 200,000 ($6.5 to 8.5).

Snorkeling
Nam Du archipelago is plentiful marine life and coral reefs and Hon Dau Island is a perfect destination for ping, snorkeling that offers you a discovery of the colorful world of wonderful coral reefs. You can snorkel from shore, join a tour, or charter your own boat and don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and your swimming goggles.

Watching sunrises and sunsets
Nam Du’s ocean sunrises and sunsets are some of the best you will ever see in Vietnam and since the island is so small you can actually watch from a single location. The pier at Hon Lon Island is a perfect spot to watch the sunrise right behind Hon Dau Island. Be sure to keep an eye out above to spot the few hawks in the area. Meanwhile, sunset along the coastal road on Hon Lon Island is breathtaking. Stop anywhere along this road and watch an amazing ocean sunset.

Fishing and foraging
You can either fish from the main pier, commission a small boat, or rent a boat. There are also night squid and baby octopus fishing excursions that may be of interest to you. You can also forage for your own food as all the Nam Du Island are blessed with many wild edibles and seafood such as sea snails, oysters, clams and sea urchins.

Visiting temples and pagodas
There are two colorful temples called Mieu Ba Chua Xu and Ngu Thanh Mieu. Mieu Ba Chua Xu is near Tret Beach having a beautiful statue of Ba. Ngu Thanh Mieu is near Bai Ngu, worships whales and you can see their bones on display.

Nam Du Island discovery tour
Discover the Nam Du archipelago by joining a full or half day tour of the Nam Du islands. The itinerary for these tours consists of visiting the popular islands, swimming at calm bays, snorkeling in areas that have good coral, and visiting Nam Du’s best beaches. There are 2 tours available, a full day tour or half day tour so you should consider with your schedule.

Specialties

Blue bonefish

Blue bonefish or "Xuong Xanh", as this green colored fish is quite abundant in and around the Gulf of Thailand. It is of served grilled or a dried version is fried.

Grilled scallop with fat and onion

Grilled scallop with fat and onion: Dulich

Steamed squid with ginger