When mentioning Ly Son, people often think of the beautiful island in the vast sea of Quang Ngai with its clear blue water, majestic volcano mouth, and sprawling white garlic fields. Not only is it an attractive tourist destination, but Ly Son is also famous for Ly Son garlic - a renowned specialty with a unique flavor, closely tied to the culture and life of the island's inhabitants. If you want to explore Ly Son and learn what Ly Son garlic is, what types there are, how much it costs, and where to buy it reliably, let's find out through the following article!

1. General introduction to Ly Son garlic

1.1 Why is Ly Son garlic considered a specialty?

Ly Son garlic is a type of garlic grown on Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai province, famous for its small bulbs, round cloves, off-white skin, and mild aroma. Thanks to being grown on coral sand mixed with volcanic ash and fertilized with seaweed, Ly Son garlic has a unique flavor, fragrant but not pungent, and does not have a strong taste, distinctly different from garlic grown in other regions.

In terms of nutritional value, Ly Son garlic contains many beneficial compounds for health. These include:

• Allicin: A compound that gives a distinctive smell, with strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Vitamins: B1, B6, C help boost immunity.
• Minerals: Calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium support cardiovascular and nervous systems.
• Antioxidants: Help slow down the aging process and protect cells.

Due to being grown in mineral-rich soil with few chemicals, the essential oil and nutrient content in Ly Son garlic is often higher than that of mass-produced garlic.

In terms of usage, Ly Son garlic is both a familiar spice in daily meals and is considered a "natural herb":

• Used in cooking to enhance aroma, increase flavor, and reduce the fishy smell of food.
• Garlic wine helps support blood circulation and enhance physical strength.
• Soaked in honey, often used when having a cough, sore throat, or mild cold.
• Eating raw in moderation helps stimulate digestion and boost immunity.

In addition to the majestic natural landscapes, Ly Son is also known as the "garlic kingdom" with a unique Ly Son garlic culture closely linked to the lives of the island's residents.

1.2 Types of Ly Son garlic

Currently, Ly Son garlic comes in many varieties, diverse in shape and quality. Here are 3 popular types of Ly Son garlic:

• Common garlic, also known as multi-clove garlic, is the most popular type among Ly Son garlic varieties. The garlic bulb is medium-sized, with many cloves, and has an off-white or cloudy white skin. The garlic has a sweet, mild spicy flavor, pleasant aroma, and a non-pungent aftertaste, making it very popular in daily meals, used as a spice, for dipping sauces, or for making garlic wine. The price of multi-clove Ly Son garlic is currently around 70,000 - 80,000 VND/kg for dried garlic and about 35,000 - 40,000 VND/kg for fresh garlic, depending on the harvest time.
• Single clove garlic, also known as one-clove garlic or orphan garlic, is the rarest type among Ly Son garlic varieties. Each bulb has only one round clove, with a mild aroma and little spiciness, often used for soaking in honey or making garlic wine to boost health. It is called "single clove garlic" because during its growth, the garlic bulb mutated to have only one clove. Due to its very low yield, the price is quite high, usually ranging from 800,000 - 1,200,000 VND/kg, considered a premium line among Ly Son specialties.
• Three-clove garlic, also known as 3-clove garlic or Tam Tai garlic, is also a distinctive feature of Ly Son garlic culture. This type of garlic is often used in meals and also in offerings to the God of Wealth, hence the locals call it "Tam Tai Garlic", symbolizing the wish for prosperity, "favorable time - favorable land - harmonious people". Each bulb has 3 large cloves, fragrant, mildly spicy, and easy to prepare. The price of three-clove Ly Son garlic typically ranges from 150,000 - 250,000 VND/kg, depending on the season and quality of the bulbs.

2. How to distinguish single clove garlic - Ly Son specialty

Single clove garlic is one of the rare and high-priced specialties of Ly Son. To choose the right authentic Ly Son single clove garlic, you can rely on the following characteristics:

• Shape of the bulb: Authentic single clove garlic has a round bulb, with exactly one clove, not separated into multiple segments. The bulb is medium-sized, not unusually swollen.
• Outer skin: The skin of the garlic is thin, off-white or slightly golden, naturally dry, not glossy like chemically treated garlic.
• Flavor: When peeled, single clove garlic has a mild aroma, not pungent. When eaten raw or soaked, it has a mild spiciness and sweet aftertaste, true to the essence of Ly Son garlic.
• Weight: Single clove garlic is usually lighter than multi-clove garlic because it does not have many segments inside. If the bulb is too heavy and unusually large, caution is advised.
• Selling price: Due to its rarity, single clove garlic is much more expensive than common garlic. If the price seems unusually low, it is likely not authentic Ly Son single clove garlic.

The coral sand mixed with volcanic ash on Ly Son Island is the condition that creates the rare and nutrient-rich single clove garlic - a specialty of Ly Son.

3. Trusted addresses to buy Ly Son garlic

If you are looking for a reliable place to buy Ly Son garlic, here are some familiar addresses chosen by many tourists when they want to own authentic Ly Son specialties:

• Ly Son Market: Markets such as An Vinh market and An Hai market are where many households grow and sell garlic. Buying at the market, you can choose freshly harvested Ly Son garlic, easily compare quality, and clearly feel the atmosphere of life closely linked to Ly Son garlic culture.

Address: An Vinh Market, An Vinh Commune, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai

• OLVIS Ly Son Garlic: One of the reputable places to buy Ly Son garlic is OLVIS. This is a brand specializing in distributing Ly Son specialties with beautiful packaging, labels, and clear origins, suitable for buying as gifts when traveling to Ly Son.

Address: Tay An Vinh Hamlet, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province

• Dori Ly Son Garlic: Dori specializes in distributing many types of Ly Son garlic, from common varieties to rare types. Thanks to stable quality and professional sales methods, this address is trusted by many people.

Address: Ben Dinh Port, Dong Hamlet, An Vinh, Ly Son, Quang Ngai

• Coopmart Supermarket: At some Coopmart systems, you can find Ly Son garlic in the regional specialty section. This buying method is convenient for those who cannot directly go to the island but still want to enjoy Ly Son specialties.
• Ly Son Garlic Specialty Supermarket - King of Garlic: This is a store focusing on products made from Ly Son garlic, from dried garlic, fresh garlic to ready-made items. Many tourists choose to stop by this place to learn more about Ly Son garlic culture and buy gifts after exploring Ly Son.

Address: Tay Hamlet, An Hai Commune, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province

Especially, many places on the above list also support distant tourists to order Ly Son garlic online through websites, fan pages, or online sales channels, making it quicker, easier, and more convenient to choose and buy Ly Son specialties.

4. Notes when buying Ly Son garlic

• When to buy: The ideal time to buy Ly Son garlic is after the harvest season, usually around the lunar months of February to April. At this time, the garlic has just been dried, the bulbs are firm, the aroma is clear, and the price is also more stable. If bought at the end of the season or out of season, the garlic often lasts longer, is prone to wilting, or loses its flavor.
• How much to buy is reasonable: Depending on your usage needs and for gifts, you can buy from 1 - 3 kg for family use. If buying for gifting or soaking in wine or honey, you can buy more, but it is advisable to divide them into smaller bags for easier storage and to avoid simultaneous spoilage.
• How to preserve garlic when bringing it home: After purchasing, store Ly Son garlic in a dry, cool place, avoiding direct sunlight and damp areas. Do not put garlic in a sealed plastic bag as it can easily cause mold. It is best to hang the garlic up high or place it in a basket or mesh bag to allow air circulation. If stored properly, garlic can remain good for several months without spoiling.

5. Travel tips for Ly Son

If you are planning to explore Ly Son, don't forget to note down some useful tips to make your trip truly fulfilling!

5.1 Ideal time

The best time to explore Ly Son is from April to August. During this period, the weather is sunny, with gentle winds and calm seas, making it very convenient for boat trips to the island, visiting famous spots, and experiencing beach activities. This is also the ideal time to combine travel with discovering Ly Son's specialties such as Ly Son garlic and fresh seafood.

In addition, from December to April, Ly Son enters the season of green moss covering the coastal rocks, creating a very unique landscape that attracts photography enthusiasts. Especially, in the third lunar month each year, the island organizes the Khao Le Festival for Hoang Sa soldiers, a major cultural event that helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of the history, people, and culture of Ly Son.

See more: What is the best season to visit Ly Son, and what is interesting?

The ideal time to explore Ly Son is from April - August or December - April.

5.2 Ly Son specialties

Not only famous for its beautiful scenery, but when exploring Ly Son, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy a cuisine rich in island flavors. Below are the Ly Son specialties that visitors must try:

• Sea urchin porridge: One of the famous specialties of Ly Son, sea urchin porridge is made from fresh sea urchins, with a sweet and fatty taste from the sea urchin roe blended with smooth porridge, very nutritious and easily addictive for diners.
• Garlic salad: This specialty is made from the young stalks of Ly Son garlic, mixed with herbs, peanuts, and sweet and sour fish sauce - a very unique culinary experience of the "garlic kingdom".
• Stir-fried oysters with papaya: Sweet sea oysters combined with crunchy papaya create a unique stir-fry dish, rich in nutrition and very popular among diners.
• Huỳnh Đế crab: The journey to enjoy Ly Son specialties cannot be complete without Huỳnh Đế crab. This precious crab has firm, sweet meat and is rich in nutrients, often steamed, grilled, or simply prepared to retain its natural sweetness.
• Ly Son fish cake: Made from fresh red grouper, fish cake has a unique flavor, often served with vermicelli or rice, and is one of the must-try specialties of Ly Son during your exploration.
• Seaweed dessert: Made from the island's characteristic seaweed, this dessert has a refreshing taste, perfect for cooling down in warm weather.
• Sticky rice cake with gai leaves: A traditional cake, with a chewy texture and fragrant gai leaf flavor, sweet filling, often given as a gift after exploring Ly Son.

See more: Tips for self-sufficient and economical travel to Ly Son island

5.2 How to hunt for cheap tickets to Ly Son

To save more for your journey to explore Ly Son, travelers can hunt for plane tickets to Chu Lai airport at good prices with Vietjet. In addition, Vietjet also offers many attractive promotional programs.

Hurry up and grab attractive flight tickets to Ly Son with Vietjet.

Hopefully, the shared information about Ly Son garlic in this article will help you easily choose the right quality Ly Son specialty. If you plan to explore the culture of Ly Son garlic, famous landmarks, and cuisine on the island, don't forget to wait for the time frame from 12 PM to 2 PM every day to hunt for 0 VND flight tickets!

To stay updated on flight schedules, ticket prices, and promotional programs from Vietjet, you can follow the airline's official information channels below: