Those who have been away from Ly Son (Quang Ngai) for about ten years will be amazed upon their return by the transformation of an island once buried in poverty and oblivion. Tourism has been the catalyst for the awakening of this beautiful island in recent years.
A PLACE DEEPLY IMMERSED IN CULTURE AND HISTORY
The Vietnamese were present on Ly Son Island in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when 15 founding clans from Binh Son and Son Tinh districts ( Quang Ngai province ) officially set foot on the island and began to explore and establish their lives there.
Despite its isolation from the mainland and its constant exposure to the elements, this "battleship floating in the East Sea" always knows how to survive and overcome challenges. Nowhere else can you find a place with an area of only 10 square kilometers that boasts such a dense and unique concentration of cultural and historical relics as Ly Son.
A cave temple exudes a wild and mysterious charm. A Fairy Beach on Be Island evokes the primeval era, intertwined with mystical legends. A strangely shaped archway – a remnant of volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago. A giant crater atop Thoi Loi mountain. Two whale skeletons, considered the largest in Vietnam, have been preserved by the local fishermen for hundreds of years. A shrine dedicated to "fallen soldiers" is always filled with incense smoke, a reminder to future generations not to forget the immeasurable sacrifices of their ancestors in protecting maritime sovereignty … Especially noteworthy is the Khao Le The Linh Hoang Sa ceremony – a unique festival in Vietnam honoring the soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending Hoang Sa for 300 years.
According to cultural statistics, Ly Son Island currently has 4 national-level cultural relics, 14 provincial-level cultural relics, and many other unique intangible cultural forms. Archaeological excavations at Suoi Chinh - Ly Son show that this is a place where the Sa Huynh, Champa, and Dai Viet cultures intersected. Therefore, each historical and cultural relic here demonstrates the inheritance and intermingling of the finest elements of each culture that once existed on Ly Son Island throughout its thousands of years of history.
Despite facing numerous challenges due to geographical isolation and the harshness of nature, the people of Ly Son Island always cherish and preserve the heritage left by their ancestors. This is the "treasure" that their descendants inherit today through tourism business activities.
ESCAPING THE "FLED" SITUATION
Ly Son is considered the "kingdom of garlic" in Vietnam, yet 300 hectares of land used for cultivating garlic and onions cannot support the island's 20,000 inhabitants. Ly Son has "saved itself" with a "field foot - sea foot" approach, meaning half the population works in agriculture and the other half in fishing. However, hunger and poverty still plague the island. Then, a miracle occurred: high-voltage electricity was delivered to the island via underwater cable, starting in 2014. This can be considered a breakthrough that has completely transformed the face of Ly Son over the past 10 years.
It's also worth reiterating this: before 2014, tourists did visit Ly Son Island, but very few. They would only stay one night before leaving and never returning because the generator-powered electricity was cut off between 5 PM and 9 PM. The lack of electricity also prevented the construction of any hotels or guesthouses on Ly Son Island.
Furthermore, although the island is only 18 nautical miles from the mainland, it used to take visitors 2-3 hours to reach it because they had to travel on old passenger boats or "hugging" the hulls of construction material ships. Now, however, there is a high-speed ferry to the island every 30 minutes, and it only takes 40 minutes to get there.
LIVING OFF TOURISM
Since being connected to the national power grid, restaurants and hotels have sprung up more and more on Ly Son Island, and many businesses have invested tens of billions of dong to purchase high-speed boats to transport tourists to the island. With complete amenities and easy transportation, Ly Son is changing every day.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Ly Son Island District, there are currently 130 accommodation establishments with 1,100 rooms on the island, including 23 hotels ranging from 1 to 4 stars, not to mention 55 homestays where locals utilize some rooms in their homes. Even so, on normal days, all rooms are available to accommodate tourists visiting the island. During holidays or events such as the national marathon, paragliding, beach volleyball, or the recent open sea swimming race to Be Island, rooms are fully booked because over 3,000 tourists visit the island on each occasion.
Despite its relatively small area, Ly Son still allocated land for a grand square, located near Ben Dinh port. This is where cultural and artistic activities take place, and where local specialties are sold to tourists throughout the night. More than 10 years ago, this place was deserted, but now it is bustling with activity thanks to the influx of tourists.
According to statistics from Ly Son district, approximately 7,000 families are currently involved in tourism services, accounting for 30% of Ly Son's current population. This is understandable, as the island welcomes 170,000 domestic and international tourists annually. Without relatively adequate infrastructure, it would be impossible to accommodate such a large number of visitors. The material and spiritual lives of the island's residents have also improved significantly.
Despite facing many challenges such as environmental pollution, disorganized housing, and a lack of professionalism in tourist services, what Ly Son has achieved in the past 10 years has transformed this once desolate island into an attractive destination for tourists from near and far.
According to thanhnien.vn
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/ngo-ngang-ve-dep-ly-son-135095.html
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