Silver stone island the spot for oysters
Known colloquially as “the silver stone,” Hon Da Bac Island has gained a reputation as southern Vietnam’s spot for do-it-yourself oysters as visitors have a chance to dive for their own shellfish.
The 180-million-year-old East Sea island off the coast of Ca Mau Province got its name from the shiny granite rock formations that make its shore sparkle in the sunlight.
Hon Da Bac has one of southern Vietnam’s best seafood restaurants, which specializes in bird’s nest dishes and its trademark oysters.
Travelers have the opportunity to fish out their own oysters.
Visitors dive 1-3m deep to reach the mollusks and use mallets to loosen the oysters from their beds.
It is said that the oysters in Hon Da Bac are the most wholesome and delicious in the country.
Hon Da Bac is also home to several unique tourist attractions, such as a temple that houses a giant whale’s skeleton placed on an altar for worship.
The island’s Hung Tue pagoda attracts Buddhist pilgrims and other visitors for worship every full-moon.
Each year, the Fish Worship Festival takes over the island on the 23rd of the fifth lunar month.
Tourism on the island has become popular enough that the Ca Mau Municipal Travel and Service Company has built a road around the island to facilitate tours.
Many popular legends are set on the island, including stories of whales saving people, as well as a tale about a mystic lagoon where fairies go to bathe.
From the provincial capital of Ca Mau, it takes one and a half hours by motorbike to travel the 60 km to the island, which is linked to the mainland by a bridge.
Travelers can also reach Hon Da Bac by canoe or ferry.
Local hotels or guesthouses offer rooms for around VND200,000 (US$12.40) a night.
Hon Da Bac has one of southern Vietnam’s best seafood restaurants, which specializes in bird’s nest dishes and its trademark oysters.
Travelers have the opportunity to fish out their own oysters.
Visitors dive 1-3m deep to reach the mollusks and use mallets to loosen the oysters from their beds.
It is said that the oysters in Hon Da Bac are the most wholesome and delicious in the country.
Hon Da Bac is also home to several unique tourist attractions, such as a temple that houses a giant whale’s skeleton placed on an altar for worship.
The island’s Hung Tue pagoda attracts Buddhist pilgrims and other visitors for worship every full-moon.
Each year, the Fish Worship Festival takes over the island on the 23rd of the fifth lunar month.
Tourism on the island has become popular enough that the Ca Mau Municipal Travel and Service Company has built a road around the island to facilitate tours.
Many popular legends are set on the island, including stories of whales saving people, as well as a tale about a mystic lagoon where fairies go to bathe.
From the provincial capital of Ca Mau, it takes one and a half hours by motorbike to travel the 60 km to the island, which is linked to the mainland by a bridge.
Travelers can also reach Hon Da Bac by canoe or ferry.
Local hotels or guesthouses offer rooms for around VND200,000 (US$12.40) a night.
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See also
Tourist sector leads the way to adventure(02/13/2008)
Tourism rides new investment wave(02/12/2008)
Flight shortage affecting Tet travelers(02/01/2008)
Pilgrimage to the South(01/31/2008)
More overseas Vietnamese heading home for Tet(01/31/2008)
Vietnam Airlines add 212 flights over Tet(01/30/2008)
To the waters and the wild(01/28/2008)
Pacific Airlines launches HCM City-Vinh route(01/28/2008)
Hotels, resorts to pay musical copyright fees(01/26/2008)
Vietnam joins in ASEAN Tourism Forum(01/26/2008)
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