A corner of Bai Sau beach, with its fine white sand embracing emerald, crystal-clear waters.

Dao Be, also known as An Binh island or Bo Bai islet, is part of the Ly Son special administrative zone in Quang Ngai province. Located about 3 nautical miles from Dao Lon, the special zone's center, the island maintains its pristine, tranquil beauty, making it an attractive summer destination for tourists.

The majority of residents earn their living through fishing, aquaculture, and community-based tourism development.

From Dao Lon, tourists can take a high-speed canoe to Dao Be, a trip lasting about 10-15 minutes, depending on weather conditions. A round-trip ticket costs 100,000-120,000 VND per person. For larger groups, a private canoe can be rented for about 2.5-3 million VND per day.

Canoes operate daily from Ly Son port to Dao Be, running from 7h to 11h20, with departures approximately every 20 minutes. In the reverse direction, trips from Dao Be back to Dao Lon depart from 10h to 14h30.

Bai Sau beach is a popular destination on Dao Be, thanks to its fine white sand and crystal-clear waters where the seabed is visible on sunny days. It is also an ideal area for coral diving. The island's coral ecosystem remains intact, featuring hard and soft corals along with schools of tropical fish. Compared to Dao Lon, Dao Be has fewer accommodation and tourism services, allowing it to preserve its pristine beauty and tranquil pace of life. Due to its emerald waters, many tourists refer to Dao Be as the "Maldives of Vietnam".

Instead of returning to the mainland on the same day, tourists can choose to stay overnight on the island to experience activities organized by local residents such as night squid fishing, camping, or coral diving.

A diving tour costs approximately 1.5 million VND per person, including two dives in the morning and afternoon, along with lunch and dinner.

Many tourists choose to paddle SUP to watch the sunrise over the sea or cycle along the pier on Dao Be to admire the sunset.

Dao Be spans approximately 0.69 km2 and is home to over 100 households. Life on the island unfolds at a slow pace, closely tied to the sea and Ly Son's characteristic onion and garlic fields.

Homestays and guesthouses on Dao Be are small-scale. Visitors should try fresh seafood such as: king crab, sea urchin, trevally fish, and conch, along with dishes featuring Ly Son garlic.

The ideal time to explore Dao Be is from April to August, when the sea is calm, the water is clear, and the weather is sunny, making it suitable for outdoor activities. During winter, boats to the island may be suspended due to bad weather, strong winds, and heavy waves.

Tuan Anh

Photos: Linh Huynh