Ba Hon Dam, an island of Ba Lua Archipelago off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, is a go-to destination for travelers who wish to escape bustling life of the city to mingle in nature at a beach.
It takes about eight hours to travel 350km from HCMC to Ba Lua Archipelago. Tourists are recommended to take a car or coach ride, or ride a motorbike from the city to Long Xuyen City in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang for four hours and stay there overnight before heading for Kien Giang the next morning. Tourists may take a night bus at around 9 p.m. and arrive in Kien Giang at 6 a.m. the next day to enjoy the sunrise on the beach.
Travelers have to depart from Hon Chong-Ben Binh An (Chong Islet-Binh An Port) in Binh An Commune of Kien Luong District in a 45-minute boat trip to Ba Hon Dam Island or they can hire a motor boat which can carry around 10 guests at a price of VND1.25 million for a round trip.
During the trip tourists can see numerous islands and the scene there is similar to that of the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
Most of the islets and islands of the archipelago are not inhabited, except for Ba Hon Dam which is the largest and the most beautiful island. This island consists of three islets where people can walk from one to another during low tides.
A favorite activity for many tourists to the island is to catch snails as the water there is just waist-deep. People just need to wear a goggle and a pair of sandals to protect their feet from sharp stones underneath and go catch snails which hide themselves in the sand or attached to some huge stones. The water is so clear that tourists can easily catch snails or admire schools of colorful fish swimming around them. People can also go along the beach and collect stones in unique shapes and multiple colors and use them as souvenirs for family and friends.
On the island tourists can enjoy fresh seafood at cheap prices. Grilled squid with ginger or chili salt, grilled to snail and grilled nhum (sea urchin) are among the best. A kilo of squid is priced at VND190,000 while an urchin costs only VND10,000.
Tourists can bring along hammocks or tents to stay overnight on the island or to stay at houses of islanders. Mineral water, flashlight, knife, medicine, insect prevention lotion, instant noodles and snacks are some of the necessities for tourists on the island.