With picturesque scenes, Lại Sơn Island in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kiên Giang’s Kiên Hải District remains an untouched destination. Forests cover about 80 per cent of the 11.5-sq km island.

Located about 65 km offshore from Rạch Giá City, the island has quiet fishing villages, luxuriant fruit orchards and beautiful beaches surrounded by coconut tree ranges. Bãi Bàng is the most beautiful beach with soft sand and clear water. A waterfall runs from Ma Thiên Lĩnh Mountain to Bãi Bàng Beach.

Ma Thiên Lĩnh is more than 450 metres above sea level and is the highest peak of the island’s seven mountain peaks. Legend says fairies played on a giant flat rock named Sân Tiên (Fairy Playground) on Ma Thiên Lĩnh peak.

The island has more than 2,000 households who live on fishing, making fish sauce and boats. Some households offer tourism homestay services, which local authorities plan to expand. Boat services, including high-speed services, exist from Rạch Giá to the island. With picturesque scenes, Lại Sơn Island in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kiên Giang’s Kiên Hải District remains an untouched destination. — VNS