Major city · Vietnam
Lý Sơn
Spend 2 nights on Lý Sơn if you have a spare day for garlic fields, a volcano crater lake and empty beaches; skip if you only have 3 days for the Central Coast.
Lý Sơn is a volcanic island off Quảng Ngãi, reachable by speedboat from Sa Kỳ port. It offers a quieter alternative to the tourist islands: garlic terraces, a freshwater crater lake, a cave pagoda and a handful of seafood spots. Two nights let you see the main sights and relax; one night is enough if you arrive early and leave late.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Feb–Aug
- avoid Oct–Dec (typhoon season, rough seas)
- Airport
- VCL
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lý Sơn113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lý Sơn, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyLý Sơn is safe; the main risks are motorbike accidents on the narrow roads and dehydration on the volcano hike.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVCL Chu Lai Airport (Nearest airport; flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; then taxi or bus to Sa Kỳ port (about 30 km (19 mi))).VCL Chu Lai Airport (Nearest airport; flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; then taxi or bus to Sa Kỳ port (about 19 mi (30 km))).
- Getting aroundRent a motorbike (about ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8)/day) or hire a tuk-tuk for the day.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (local style)₫15,000–25,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDorm bed in hostel, a night, per person₫150,000 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per room₫600,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per room₫1,200,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫500,000 (≈ US$20) · Mid ₫1,000,000 (≈ US$40) · High ₫2,000,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VCL Chu Lai Airport (Nearest airport; flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; then taxi or bus to Sa Kỳ port (about 30 km (19 mi)))VCL Chu Lai Airport (Nearest airport; flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; then taxi or bus to Sa Kỳ port (about 19 mi (30 km)))
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Feb–Aug. Avoid: Oct–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Nov (18 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lý Sơn: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rent a motorbike (about ₫150,000–200,000/day) or hire a tuk-tuk for the day. The island is small: the main road circles it in about 1 hour by bike.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Quảng Ngãi
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Speedboat from Lý Sơn to Sa Kỳ port, then bus or taxi (about 30 km (19 mi))Speedboat from Lý Sơn to Sa Kỳ port, then bus or taxi (about 19 mi (30 km))
Visit the Sơn Mỹ memorial and the city market.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around the port
Most guesthouses and hotels; walking distance to restaurants and bike rentals.
East coast (An Bình beach)
Quieter, with a few homestays and beachfront spots; need a motorbike.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫500,000–800,000 (≈ US$20–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫800,000–1,500,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₫1,500,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (guesthouse)1 × 2 nights × ₫600,000 | ₫1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₫1,000,000 | ₫4,000,000 |
| Speedboat Sa Kỳ – Lý Sơn, one way2 × ₫200,000 · check | ₫400,000 |
| Motorbike rental, per day2 × ₫150,000 · check | ₫300,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₫100,000 | ₫200,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫610,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫1,678,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫6,710,000≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in VND; flights and speedboat tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Speedboat Sa Kỳ – Lý Sơn, one way | ₫200,000 (≈ US$8) (check) |
| Motorbike rental, per day | ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Seafood meal (grilled fish, rice, vegetables) | ₫80,000–150,000 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | ₫10,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee (local style) | ₫15,000–25,000 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Speedboat tickets sell out on weekends and holidays: book at least one day ahead via the port website or your hotel.
- No ATM on the island: bring enough cash (VND) for accommodation, food and bike rental.
- The volcano crater lake (Hồ Thới Lới) has no shade: bring water and sun protection.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Lý SơnLý Sơn
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Speedboat Sa Kỳ → Lý Sơn: about ₫200,000 (≈ US$8), about 1 h (check)
- Motorbike rental, per day: ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8)
- Tuk-tuk island tour, half day: ₫300,000–500,000 (≈ US$12–20) (check)
Say or show
- Xin chào — Hello (sin chow)
- Cảm ơn — Thank you (kam un)
- Bao nhiêu? — How much? (bow nyew)
- Đắt quá — Too expensive (dat kwa)
- Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? — Where is the toilet? (nya vay sin uh dow)
No ATM on the island; bring enough cash.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lý Sơn. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Aug · avoid Oct–Dec (typhoon season, rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each sight with opening hours and entry fees (check).
- Eat pages with last-order times and seafood prices.
- Boat schedule widget with real-time cancellations.
Sources
Ask about Lý Sơn
Loading…
Was this useful?