A brief overview of the culture and history of Hòn Sơn

HÒN SƠN – THE PLACE YOU MUST VISIT AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!

Hòn Sơn or also known as Hòn Sơn Rái a name that sounds as peaceful as the people who live there: gentle, genuine. From time immemorial, the forefathers who first set foot on the land of Hòn Sơn to clear and cultivate these new lands. From farming to fishing far offshore, through rain and shine all year round. From a barren stretch of land with just a few houses to a bustling area as more and more people from elsewhere came to fish and settle, creating Hòn Sơn—aland that has evolved from wilderness to bustling activity, with fishing villages coming to life each morning, a scene of hustle and bustle as seafood is traded each morning.

By midday, the crowds begin to thin out; the beaches are where the dried specialities of at that time: dried squid, dried fish, and various types of dried cuttlefish. A scene reflecting the rich, prosperous and happy lives of the people living here.

As dusk falls, that the boats begin to race out to sea to catch fish, bringing back a bountiful catch each morning thereafter.

When night has fully fallen, Hòn Sơn here is beautifully aglow with lights everywhere, and the cafés compete to screen films. The most beautiful sight is when you look out towards the distant coastline; you will see this place isto an extraordinary degree; the sky and the sea blend together like a vast canvas, with stars shining down upon the sea like a thousand stars in a constellation of blue, red and gold...colours are glowing. These are the lights of the fishing boats far offshore.

Bai Bang Hon Son

BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE TOURIST DESTINATIONS!

From a remote region where people once only knew how to farm and fish, began to become scarce, and the local economy was no longer stable, yet thanks to the land’s stunning beaches, islands, and the vegetation here began to attract visitors from afar to Hòn Sơn; perhaps they were enchanted by the scenery here and spreading ever wider; today, tourists from far and wide flock here to explore and discover the mysterious legends of the island.

Bai Cay Dua Nam – Hon Son

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

A distinctive feature when looking out from the ship’s deck towards the distance Hon Son is a range of majestic, layered mountains with an air of mystery mystery; yet as you draw nearer, visitors cannot help but be surprised by the scenery here—a stretch of white sandy beach with rows of coconut palms casting their shadowson the water’s surface, with a few scattered houses in the distance, a sense of warmth and friendliness fills the hearts of visitors. Looking up, one sees a massive rock stretching from the mountain peak down to the beach; that is Sân Tiên nestled beneath the majestic peak of Ma Thiên Lãnh. It can be considered the tail of Hòn Sơn, a gigantic claw that forms this sacred land.

Ma Thien Lanh Mountain Peak - Hon Son

As the boat gradually approaches the tourist port, one begins to get a clearer sense of the natural scenery and the people of Hòn Sơn. A majestic mountain range, layer upon layer, with clouds hovering over the peaks, cradles a long stretch of beach dotted with dotted with houses and boats bobbing on the sea’s surface—a majestic scene that touches the soul.

As soon as you set foot on the island, a sense of profound peace washes over you; it is not because no longer being on a ship adrift at sea, but but because of the friendly, polite people here—the way they greet and invite guests, without or forced, as is the case in some other places, because that manner from the people who first settled here; they came from all corners of the country, yet they are very hospitable and live in harmony. Anyone who has ever stayed overnight in a local’s home will feel this!

Although there are many beaches, no two are alike, and each has a unique, distinctive name such as: &at;i, Xếp Beach, Bàng Beach, Bấc Beach, Giếng Beach, and Thiền Tuế Beach. The main highlight is the island-crossing road, a perilous route leading from Bãi Bấc to Bãi Nhà, giving the sensation of riding a motorbike along a path through the pristine forest; you’ll be able to admire Hòn Sơn from various angles.

LOCAL CULTURE

Just like other regions across Vietnam, this place has both shared and unique cultural traditions; the shared aspect worth mentioning is Đình Nguyễn, the Cá Ông Shrine, the Thất Cao Đài Temple, and the Hải Sơn Tự Pagoda alongside these this area also boasts unique cultural features such as Sư Bác Pagoda, Phật Lộ Thiền, and the Shrine of the Late Cố Chủ. It can be said that this place hosts numerous major festivals rich in ethnic culture throughout the year; if you have the chance, you should visit here at least once to experience the spiritual atmosphere of this place.

LOCAL CUISINE & SPECIALITIES

As you stroll through the market or wander through the areas where the locals live, you’ll come across locals selling, not the stalls catering to tourists; you’ll experience the distinctive flavours of the simple, rustic dishes of the western region, crafted by the people of this land using passed down through generations, simple dishes such as: Bánh khọt, Bánh xèo, Bánh ướt, Bánh Lá, Xương xăm ...and especially Bò Đen cake —one of the flavours you should try in Hòn Sơn. You’ll be amazed by the authentic local flavours.

Alongside the traditional fish sauce-making craft, which has existed for three to four generations and is preserved to this day, the Hon Son coastal area, there is an abundance of anchovies caught daily; the fish are extremely fresh and are immediately salted and fermented to make fish sauce,
The oldest fish sauce brand worth mentioning is Thuy Duong fish sauce, one of the best-selling and most trusted brands for decades; you can can buy it as a souvenir when visiting the island; find out more about Thuy Duong fish sauce here. 

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