Hon Nghe Island during calm sea season.

One May morning, we boarded a boat departing from the mainland towards Hon Nghe Island. The boat sped across the sea, leaving behind trails of white waves. Onboard, many tourists were excited to set foot on this island commune in the southwestern sea for the first time. About 45 minutes later, Hon Nghe appeared before our eyes. The undulating rocky mountains embraced the coastal fishing village, with small houses nestled against the mountainside. On the summit of Lau Chuong, the statue of the Goddess of Mercy stood out against the deep blue sky.

A view of Hon Nghe Island. Photo: DANH THANH

Walking along the roads around the island, we felt the unique beauty of Hon Nghe. On one side, there are rocky mountains covered in green trees, and on the other, the endless expanse of sea and sky. The winding roads along the mountain slopes open up to expansive views, where the sea breeze carries the distinctive salty scent of the island. Nguyen Hoang Nam, a tourist from Can Tho City, shared that what he liked most about Hon Nghe was the peaceful feeling it offered. “The island still retains its pristine beauty, the air is fresh. The people are very sincere. Standing amidst the sea and sky, I feel like my heart slows down,” Nam said.

Besides its beautiful scenery, Hon Nghe Island is also remembered by many for the simple lifestyle of its fishing village inhabitants. From early morning, fishing boats and squid-catching boats line up to dock after a night's fishing trip. Along the small coastal docks, people are busy unloading fish and sorting seafood for the upcoming market. Life here unfolds slowly but is filled with warmth and human kindness.

One of our stops was Lien Ton Ancient Pagoda. Nestled amidst rocky mountains, the pagoda offers a serene atmosphere against the backdrop of the windy sea. What's special is that the main hall is situated within a natural cave, possessing a sacred and mysterious beauty. Surrounding the pagoda are many other caves, such as the Gia Long King's Cave, the Lonely Buddha Cave, and the Diamond Cave, contributing to the unique character of this island commune.

Looking down from the top of the Bell Tower, Hon Nghe Island appears like a tranquil painting with coastal houses and floating fish farms on the turquoise water. The cages for raising grouper, snapper, and other fish are lined up one after another in the sea, providing both a livelihood for the locals and an interesting experience for tourists. Ms. Huynh Thi Tuyen, a tourist in the group, said she was most impressed by life on the floating villages. “Seeing the houses floating on the sea, you can truly feel the life of the people on this remote island – hard work but very peaceful,” Ms. Tuyen shared.

Mr. Huynh Huu Phuoc, manager of Huu Phuoc 2 guesthouse in Hon Nghe commune, said that the number of tourists visiting the island increases significantly on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. Mr. Phuoc said: “Nowadays, tourists prefer to visit places that still retain their natural beauty, like Hon Nghe. Besides sightseeing, they want to experience life in a fishing village, enjoy fresh seafood, and feel the peace amidst the sea and sky.”

As evening falls, Hon Nghe Island takes on a different kind of beauty. During the fishing season, hundreds of lights from fishing boats illuminate the night sea, reflecting and sparkling on the water's surface like distant stars. This tranquil atmosphere makes one want to slow down, listen to the sound of the waves, and feel a rare sense of peace.

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Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hon-nghe-mua-bien-lang-a485935.html