Lý Sơn Islands, off the coast of Quảng Ngãi Province. The islands will host a series of events to draw visitors over the summer holidays. Photo courtesy of Quảng Ngãi Tourism

LÝ SƠN  A series of summer vacation events are scheduled on the island district of Lý Sơn, 30km off the coast of the central province of Quảng Ngãi, offering different options for sea and island summer trips for families and friends.

Nguyễn Minh Trí, the secretary of the district Communist Party committee, said the summer events this year will be opened with the historical commemoration ceremony to pay tribute to the men enlisted by the Nguyễn Lords for the flotilla to erect boundary sovereignty markers on the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường  Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, patrol and collect marine resources from the seas.

He said the ceremony will be held at An Hải Village temple on April 27 in honour the Hoàng Sa flotilla, which was established in early 17th century under the Nguyễn Lords’ reign.  

Beach volleyball teams are competing in the tournament on the pristine beach from April 25-28.

A photo exhibition on Việt Nam's seas and islands will open from April 27 to 30, along with boat races at sea.

Local people re-enact a ceremony to see off the men enlisted by the Nguyễn Lords in the 17th century for a flotilla to erect boundary sovereignty markers on the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, and patrol and collect marine resources from the seas.  Photo courtesy of Lê Ngọc

The district has planned to operate a fleet of six high-speed boats and 17 motorboats carrying 2,000 passengers each day from Sa Kỳ Port in the mainland of Quảng Ngãi to the islands during the high season.

The islands hosted 170,000 tourists, 10 per cent of total visitors in the province, including 2,000 foreign visitors in 2023.

A photo exhibition is organised at an event in Lý Sơn islands of Quảng Ngãi Province. The islands will host the Sea and Islands photo exhibition in 2024.  VNS Photo Công Thành

The islands also plan to host sport events to attract athletes and their families in exploring the islands in 2024.

Around 600 athletes have registered for the Lý Sơn Cross Island open sea swimming competition on June 2, Phạm Thị Hương, deputy chairwoman of the district’s People Committee [government] told Việt Nam News.

A diver checks coral reef in water off the Lý Sơn islands. Marine conservation zone features pristine coral reefs and rich biological value in waters off the islands. — Photo courtesy of Lý Sơn Islands Marine Conservation Centre

She said 1,500 runners would join the Lý Sơn Islands Marathon on August 18.

The unique culture, rich biodiversity and extinct volcanoes, which have been conserved in the waters around Lý Sơn islands, and garlic and scallion farms are major attractions for summer tourists, she said.

Garlic farms are seen in Lý Sơn Islands.  Visitors can explore the beauty of the 'Kingdom of garlic' in central Việt Nam. Photo courtesy of Chu Mạnh Trinh

Lý Sơn islands, formed by ancient volcanoes more than 25 million years ago, is the most visited site in Quảng Ngãi with its unique archaeological value.

The islands could accommodate 2,000 visitors at a time.  VNS

Cliffs at Câu Cave in Lý Sơn. The islands, formed by volcanoes more than 25 million years ago, are the most visited site in Quảng Ngãi with unique archaeological value.  Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm