Quảng Ngãi: Volcanic Landscapes, Coastline and Island Culture

Volcanic crater rims on Ly Son, the crescent-shaped Mỹ Khê Beach and salt production in Sa Huỳnh give Quảng Ngãi a range of travel highlights. The island’s geology, local traditions, natural attractions and historic sites offer different themes for your stay. As you plan your trip, consider which of these you would like to focus on.

Ly Son: Volcanic Landscapes, Temples and Island Traditions

On Ly Son, volcanic eruptions and tectonic shifts shaped the landscape; its distinctive mountains are the rims of large craters. Thới Lới Peak offers panoramic views. The French colonial-era Ly Son Lighthouse is mentioned as a sunset viewpoint.

The island’s buildings also tell its story. Hang Pagoda is a 400-year-old cave pagoda, 24 meters deep. An Vinh and An Hai are preserved ancestral homes in the Nguyễn dynasty architectural style. Ly Son also has seven temples dedicated to sea gods. The New Whale Temples house Vietnam’s longest whale skeleton, measuring 28.7 meters.

Among the living traditions is the Khao Le ceremony, whose history dates back 200 years. In the third lunar month, it honors the soldiers who protected the Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa archipelagos. At the start of the lunar year, the colorful Tứ Linh boat race is also held. Since both events follow the lunar calendar, check their respective dates if you would like to plan your trip around them.

A local specialty on the island is its signature garlic salad, available at Ly Son Night Market. Ly Son garlic is grown in fertile basalt soil using seaweed fertilizer and coral sand. The dish is a taste of the island’s distinctive growing conditions.

Coastline and Salt-Making Tradition

The crescent-shaped Mỹ Khê Beach lies between the Sa Kỳ and Cổ Lũy river mouths and is approximately five kilometers long. Salt production in Sa Huỳnh dates back to the 19th century. Visitors can observe the traditional salt-making process firsthand; specific visitor arrangements may vary. If you want to make this experience part of your plans, it is best to check the details in advance.

Memorial Sites and Historic Traces

The Sơn Mỹ Memorial Site preserves historical memories and helps pass on revolutionary traditions. It is visited by many people from Vietnam and abroad who value peace. The ancient Châu Sa Citadel is another trace of Quảng Ngãi’s ancient culture.

Forests, Water and Outdoor Activities

The approximately 200-hectare Bàu Cá Cái mangrove wetland offers a different landscape from Ly Son and the coast. Boat trips are available to visitors. At the Suối Chí Ecotourism Area, you can kayak on the lake; on April 16, 2025, the area was recognized as a provincial-level tourist area. Ecotourism is also part of the management and development of Chư Mom Ray National Park.

For a hike, a trekking trail leads to the summit of Thác Trắng in Minh Long, with numerous beautiful landscape views along the way. At Pa Sy Waterfall, three large streams converge amid lush jungle. The two destinations showcase different aspects of nature: a trail to a summit at one, streams and forest at the other.

Mang Den lies at an altitude of 1,200 meters in Quảng Ngãi Province and is surrounded by pristine pine forests. Activities in Mang Den include hiking, cycling and horse riding. Grilled chicken is considered a specialty and is seasoned in the traditional highland style. At Dak Ke Lake, there are paths along the shore as well as canoeing, fishing and horse-drawn carriage rides. The availability of these activities may vary.

Planning Your Trip to Ly Son

Ly Son can be reached by speedboat from Sa Kỳ Port in 30 to 60 minutes, or by ferry from Đà Nẵng in about two hours. Schedules and connections may change; check the latest information before arranging onward travel. This is especially helpful if you plan to combine the island crossing with other experiences in Quảng Ngãi.

Discover more destinations: Quảng Ngãi, Sa Huỳnh, Ca Mau, Lao Cai, tt. Giồng Trôm, Tiền Giang Province, Binh Dinh, Quảng Ninh.

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