Similar to Quang Ngai , one of the very few localities after the merger that possesses two contrasting yet harmonious resort areas. On one side are the blue sea, volcanic rocks, and windswept garlic fields; on the other are pine forests, lakes, waterfalls, and the cool highland air. People jokingly call it a "eat the sea - sleep in the forest" journey, a slow pace of life amidst pristine nature. That's when you embark on a journey from Ly Son Island to the vast forests of Mang Den .
The national flag pole atop Thoi Loi mountain in the Ly Son special zone.
PHOTO: HAI PHONG
Ly Son, rocks and wind
Morning in Ly Son begins with the sound of waves crashing against volcanic cliffs. The sun rises from the sea, casting a golden glow on fishing boats that have just docked after a long night at sea. The salty smell of the sea mingles with the distinctive aroma of garlic, creating a unique flavor of this frontier island. Ly Son is not as bustling as many other seaside tourist destinations. People come here to live at a slower pace. To sit for hours by Hang Cau cave listening to the wind rustling through the cliffs. To stand on the peak of Thoi Loi mountain and gaze at the endless blue sea. To drive around the island in the sunny afternoon, passing by garlic fields nestled on red basalt soil left behind by volcanoes millions of years ago...
The beauty of Ly Son lies in its naturalness, without any pretense. A coastal road where only the sound of the wind can be heard. A rocky beach with a few basket boats anchored peacefully. A small eatery selling seaweed salad, king crab, or freshly caught barramundi. All of this creates a rare sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
A view of Ly Son Island
Photo: Hai Phong
Many visitors to Ly Son Island share a common feeling of nostalgia. Some say that the older they get, the more they want to return to the island, because it makes them feel small in the face of vast nature. Visitors are often advised not to just "check in" at every destination. Instead, they are encouraged to stay for a few days, wake up early with the fishermen, enjoy a simple seafood meal by the sea, and listen to the waves under the warm glow of the lights at night.
Hidden within each communal house, ancestral temple, or scattered tomb lies the story of the heroic Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) troops of yesteryear. These soldiers sailed to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa in small boats, carrying orders from the imperial court and the constant worry that "those who go may not return." It is this layer of historical sediment that makes Ly Son not only beautiful but also imbued with a unique cultural depth.
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An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 occurred in Mang Den, Quang Ngai.According to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center, Institute of Earth Sciences (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), on the afternoon of May 28th, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 was recorded in the Mang Den commune area, Quang Ngai province; the natural disaster risk level is 0. At a seminar on the geology and culture of Sa Huynh - Ly Son, Dr. Pham Thi Ninh (Vietnam Archaeological Society) stated that Ly Son Island was formed primarily from ancient basalt eruptions. On the main island, there are still five volcanic craters: Hon Tai, Hon Tien, Hon Soi, Hon Vung, and Thoi Loi. Local people call these five mountains "five sacred mountains" or "five sacred peaks," like guardian spirits protecting the frontier island. Together with Hon Dun on the smaller island, they form a unique system of volcanic remnants in the middle of the sea. Among them, Thoi Loi is the most prominent destination. From an altitude of approximately 149 meters above sea level, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and sky of Ly Son. In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight illuminate the black basalt cliffs, creating a magical scene. In the heart of the ancient volcano, the Thoi Loi freshwater lake emerges like a "treasure" amidst the rocky island.
Ly Son is at its most beautiful on peaceful days. When the sea is so clear you can see the bottom, you can look up at the vast sky, and you can sit for a long time by the sea, admiring the rocks, listening to the sound of the waves and the wind.
Mang Den , a tranquil haven in the vast forest.
What makes Quang Ngai special today is that after a relatively short journey, visitors can leave the salty sea breeze and experience the cool highland air. While Ly Son boasts the expansive beauty of an island, Mang Den opens up a completely different world . The rolling hills covered in pine forests, the crisp air, and the rustling wind in the vast wilderness create a rare sense of peace.
It is this very contrast that creates the allure of Quang Ngai's "sea-forest" ecotourism route. You can enjoy seafood on a frontier island in the morning, and then sit by a campfire in Mang Den in the evening, listening to the pine trees rustling in the cold mist. Many believe that once the Quang Ngai-Kon Tum expressway is completed, this "sea in the morning, forest in the evening" journey will become a signature experience of the region.
The colors of Mang Den
Photo: Thanh Trung
The people of Mang Den don't like being called "the second Da Lat." Mang Den has its own unique charm: it's not overly crowded, the streets aren't congested, and it retains the pristine beauty that many famous tourist destinations are gradually losing.
Mornings in Mang Den often begin with a thin mist enveloping the pine forest. The air is just cool enough to make one want to walk slowly along paths covered with fallen pine needles. Dak Ke Lake is as calm as a mirror in the forest. Pa Sy Waterfall cascades with white foam day and night amidst the vast wilderness. The forest trails create the feeling of stepping into another world, where time slows down. But what captivates visitors in Mang Den is not just the scenery. It's also the feeling of true relaxation. No car horns, no dust, no daily pressures. Only the sounds of forest birds, the scent of pine wood, and the cool breeze rustling through the verandas.
At night, the temperature drops, and the entire area is shrouded in mist. Many tourists enjoy sitting by a charcoal fire, savoring grilled chicken, sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, wild vegetables, and sipping a glass of wine in the cool air.
Dak Ke Lake in Mang Den in spring.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries. Photo: Hai Phong
Mr. Pham Van Thang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Mang Den commune, said that the locality is located at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level, with an average temperature of 18-22 degrees Celsius and a diverse forest ecosystem with over 75% forest cover. Besides its pristine landscapes including lakes, waterfalls, streams, and pine forests, Mang Den also possesses many indigenous cultural values with traditional festivals that are preserved and restored, creating a foundation for community tourism development.
In recent years, Mang Den has attracted many large-scale tourism projects, creating new sustainable tourism products. By 2025, the locality is expected to welcome over 1.5 million visitors. Many distinctive products such as cold-climate coffee, Ngoc Linh ginseng, medicinal herbs, vegetables, flowers, and cold-water seafood are gradually establishing their brands in the market. According to Mr. Thang, Mang Den aims to become a national tourist area by 2030, developing in the direction of "green tourism" associated with nature, local culture, and the community.
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What Ly Son and Mang Den have in common is that neither is suitable for hurried tourism. Their greatest value lies in nature and the relaxing feeling it provides. For tourists, the "eat by the sea - sleep in the forest" journey is not simply a trip. It's also an opportunity to slow down, truly rest, and better appreciate the generosity of nature bestowed upon this region of Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.
In Ly Son, people learn to sit for a long time by the sea. In Mang Den, people learn to wake up early to watch the mist dissipate in the pine forest. Travel, to live more slowly.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thien-duong-an-bien-ngu-rung-185260616180453996.htm
