Not only Phu Quoc, Kien Giang also has a 'rough gem' with captivating beauty and surprisingly cheap prices.

Hon Son Island, located in Lai Son commune, Kien Hai district, 65km from Rach Gia city, is known as the "rough gem" of Kien Giang province . This island commune lies between Nam Du Island and Hon Tre Island, surrounded by 6 beautiful beaches and covering an area of 11km2.

This place attracts tourists with its pristine natural landscapes, clean environment, fresh seafood, and friendly, hospitable people. The island's population is small, mainly consisting of fishermen who make a living from fishing and gardening.

The peaceful, rustic beauty of Hon Son Island

"My family has visited many famous islands such as Ly Son, Cu Lao Cham, Con Dao, Nam Du, Phu Quoc..."

"Each place has its own unique charm and beauty, but Hon Son Island can be said to be the most rustic and pristine, not yet heavily exploited for tourism – a place where you can live slowly, detached from the hustle and bustle of city life," shared Nguyen Ngoc Minh (30 years old, Ho Chi Minh City).

Minh's family arrived at Hon Son Island in mid-April, a time when the sea is calm and the sun is shining, ideal for outdoor activities.

During their 3-day, 2-night stay on the island, they rented a homestay from a local. The house had a balcony overlooking the sea, and every morning they woke up to the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore.

When visiting Hon Son Island, tourists shouldn't miss swimming at Bai Bang beach, watching the sunrise from the top of Ma Thien Lanh mountain, exploring the fishing village, and enjoying fresh seafood right by the sea.

The view from the homestay where Minh's family is staying.

"There's a single circular road on the island connecting the beaches and main attractions. By renting a motorbike (around 150,000 VND/day), visitors can freely explore the most beautiful spots from Nha Beach, Bang Beach, Xep Beach to Thien Tue Beach."

"Driving around the island at dawn or dusk, you'll be able to enjoy an impressive and unforgettable beauty," Minh shared his experience.

Coastal road connecting destinations on the island.

Bai Bang boasts a long stretch of fine white sand bathed in sunlight, with a crystal-clear, emerald-green sea reflecting the sky. Unlike crowded shops, hotels, or modern resorts, this place remains largely unspoiled, with its pristine beach, sand, and forest.

The summit of Ma Thien Lang Mountain is over 450m above sea level, covered with gardens and forests.

The most enjoyable experience for Minh's family on this trip was snorkeling to see the coral reefs in Thien Tue hamlet.

Locals' floating houses welcome tourists to paddleboard (SUP) and snorkel to admire the coral reefs.

"This is the first time my child has seen such colorful coral and fish swimming right under their feet. They were both surprised and delighted."

"The whole family put on life jackets and immersed themselves in the cool water. The feeling of being one with nature, without internet, phone screens, or computers, just the sea and sky, laughter, and radiant eyes, is exactly what our family always looks for on every trip together," Minh recounted.

The seafood here is fresh and abundant, with all kinds of fish, squid, shrimp, crab, sea urchins... All are caught on the same day and are incredibly fresh. Tourists can go to Thien Tue market to buy fresh seafood; the prices are only 2/3 of those on other tourist islands, but the quality is excellent.

"Our family's favorite dishes are grilled sea urchin with scallions and butter, steamed squid with ginger, and grilled grouper with chili and salt. You can buy seafood to cook yourself at the homestay or take it to the seaside restaurants to have it prepared," Minh said.

The island's population is not large.

According to the visitor, services ranging from car rentals and hotel bookings to tours are all run by local people. Although not yet professional, the locals are simple, honest, and incredibly hospitable.

"The people of Hon Son Island embody the spirit of the Mekong Delta: gentle, sincere, and always with a warm smile. Perhaps it's them, not the beach or the delicious food, that's the biggest reason I want to return to this place many more times," Minh said.

The total cost of a trip to Hon Son Island for a family of two adults and one child was approximately 5 million VND, including ferry tickets, homestay accommodation, food, and transportation on the island. This is considered significantly cheaper than other islands.

The Hon Son pier is located at Bai Nha beach, so it is often referred to as Bai Nha port.

Hon Son Island currently has quite a few homestays and guesthouses right by the beach, with prices ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 VND per night depending on location and amenities. Tourists can take a speedboat from Rach Gia to the island, which takes about 1.5 hours (regular ticket 150,000 VND, VIP ticket 250,000-300,000 VND).

"My family used to be quite hesitant about traveling to the island because we were afraid of seasickness. But now, most of the boats going to Hon Son are high-speed, very smooth and stable," Minh said.

This family usually has a light snack before boarding the ship, chooses middle seats, and takes motion sickness pills. Their key secret is to stay relaxed and avoid looking down at the sea.