Hon Khoai is the name of a cluster of islands located southeast of Ca Mau cape in Tan An commune, Ngoc Hien district, Ca Mau province. Hon Khoai is more than 6 nautical miles (14.6km) from the mainland and has an important position in national defense and security. This place is considered a forward station guarding the air, sea and land in the southwest of the country.
Hon Khoai Island includes many small islands: Hon Khoai, Hon Tuong, Hon Sao, Hon Doi Moi, Hon Da Le. Hon Khoai is the largest island with an area of about 4km2 and is also the highest island above sea level at 318m. In the past, this place was also known by many different names such as: Giang Huong Island, Doc Lap Island or Poulop Island during the French period. However, because of its shape like a giant potato, local people still call it Hon Khoai to this day.
With a mild climate, not hot and dry all year round, visitors can visit Hon Khoai at any time of the year. However, to fully enjoy the beauty of Hon Khoai, you should come here during the dry season from November to April every year.
For tourists in the Central or Northern provinces, you can choose to fly to Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City then take a bus or rent a motorbike to Ca Mau with a ticket price of about 500,000 - 800,000 VND/ afternoon.
For tourists in the South, with the developed inter-provincial bus system, you will not lose too much money and time if you choose a passenger car as a means of transportation. Some bus companies such as Phuong Trang, Thanh Buoi, Van Lang, Viet Hoang are operating routes to Ca Mau from the provinces with ticket prices of only about 100,000 - 150,000 VND/trip.
In addition, if you are in the Western provinces, traveling to Hon Khoai by personal vehicle will bring many interesting experiences along the way. With a distance of about 300km from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau, it will take you about 6-7 hours to travel by this type.
Hon Khoai is an island of rocks, hills and primitive forests that are almost intact with many precious woods and rich flora and fauna, which has captivated many tourists. According to the latest research, the flora in Hon Khoai has more than 1,400 species including fruit trees, timber trees, medicinal trees... Animals are also quite rich with monkeys, wild chickens, pythons, monitor lizards, squirrels. white... and more than 20 species of precious birds.
On the island there are 2 beaches, including Bai Lon in the southeast and Bai Nho in the north. When visiting Hon Khoai, the tourist boat will stop at Bai Nho, from there take a small boat to the shore about 50m.
The first time you set foot here, visitors will be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery. The most unique feature of this island is that the beaches have many strange round pebbles like goose eggs. Mother nature also favors this place with shady maple trees and casuarinas swaying in the cool breeze. When spring comes on Hon Khoai, apricot flowers bloom brightly yellow all over the island.
Hon Khoai has a long, sheltered coastline, an anchorage and storm shelter for fishermen and a breeding and sheltering place for many marine species. From tiny plankton species to aquatic species with high economic value such as: squid, lobster, mantis shrimp, grouper, cobia,... Hon Khoai beach has wide sandy beaches. When the tide is low and the sea is calm, visitors can walk on the sand to learn about marine life and breathe the fresh air of the forest and sea.
The road on the island has one main road from Bai Lon to the top of the island, about 3 km long, paved with smooth asphalt and shaded by green trees. What is special is that there are two streams on the island, providing fresh water all year round for units stationed on the island and fishermen fishing around the area. It is said that, because ancient fairies came down to this sweet stream to bathe, the island has since then been named Giang Tien.
Because the island has few residents, there are only a few small grocery stores, mainly staffed by border guards guarding the island. Because of that, Hon Khoai still retains its wild beauty that is rare to find anywhere else.
The most prominent building is probably the 100-year-old lighthouse - a place you cannot miss when coming to Hon Khoai. This tower is located on the highest peak of Hon Khoai, built by the French colonialists in 1920, this is considered one of the earliest lighthouses in Vietnamese waters.
Traveling to Ca Mau, coming to Hon Khoai, you cannot miss the sea specialties with extremely attractive dishes such as: sweet potato fish, cobia fish, lobster, mud crab, grilled mantis shrimp,... Aromatic flavor Delicious and nutritious, the seafood dishes here become an interesting highlight and leave an unforgettable impression in the hearts of visitors.
What makes tourists always remember Hon Khoai is probably the sincere hospitality of the island's soldiers, who guard the sea and sky for their homeland island day and night. And surely when leaving, visitors will love the beautiful Hon Khoai even more.
Ca Mau
November to April every year
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