Self-Guided Travel Guide to Hon Son: 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary

Hon Son is part of Lai Son commune, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province, about 65km from Rach Gia city. Covering an area of 11 km², the island boasts stunning natural landscapes, pristine beaches with clear turquoise water and golden sand, diverse vegetation, dramatic mountains, and unique flora and fauna. Since it is still sparsely populated, the island retains its wild charm, attracting nature lovers. Hon Son features 7 mountain peaks and 6 beautiful beaches.

Thanks to its location within the Ha Tien Gulf and its pleasant climate, Hon Son is suitable for travel year-round. However, the best time to visit is between May and December when the weather is cool, the sea is calm, and it coincides with the peak seafood season—perfect for enjoying nature and fresh local cuisine.

See more: Phu Quoc Travel: Destination Guide and Cheap Flights

To begin your 2-day-1-night self-guided trip, you’ll first travel to Rach Gia City in Kien Giang, then take a boat to Hon Son Island. Here's how to get there:

There are several ways to reach Rach Gia:

• By plane: For travelers from distant provinces, fly to Ho Chi Minh City first, then take a coach to Rach Gia. Vietjet offers multiple daily flights to HCMC starting from just 50,000 VND (excluding taxes and luggage fees).
• By coach: From HCMC, head to the Mien Tay Bus Station and catch a bus to Rach Gia. Fares range from 150,000 to 350,000 VND depending on the operator and seat type (sleeper or regular). The journey takes around 4 hours.
• By motorbike: For adventurous travelers, you can ride from HCMC to Rach Gia. Take National Highway 1A toward the west, turn onto Highway 62 in Long An province, pass through Tan Thanh town, and continue on the Lo Te - Rach Soi Expressway (CT02) until you reach Rach Gia.

Once in Rach Gia, head to the Rach Gia Port and purchase a ticket for the boat to Hon Son. There are two options:

• High-speed ferry: Takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Recommended companies include Ngoc Thanh, Superdong, and Phu Quoc Express. Tickets cost about 150,000 VND.
• Regular ferry: Cheaper at around 90,000 VND but takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. This option allows you to bring a motorbike onboard for convenience on the island. The round-trip motorbike transport fee is around 200,000 VND.

Since Hon Son is small, walking is a pleasant way to enjoy the sea breeze. You can also rent a motorbike for around 200,000 VND/day or hire a motorbike taxi to visit local attractions.

As a still relatively undeveloped island, Hon Son offers basic accommodation such as guesthouses and small hotels, with prices starting from 150,000 VND per night. Staying overnight on the island lets you experience stunning sunrises and sunsets right from your doorstep.

Here are some top activities and places to explore, curated by Vietjet:

Hon Son is home to 6 lovely beaches. It would be a miss not to enjoy swimming, strolling, and admiring the sunrise or sunset here. Among the favorites are Bai Bang, Bai Bac, Bai Thien Tue, and Bai Nha. With the gentle sun and cool sea breeze of the Ha Tien Gulf, immerse yourself in the clear water, lie on soft white sand, and enjoy the soothing sound of waves and whispering pines—a truly peaceful and refreshing experience.

Checking in at the leaning coconut tree stretching into the sea is one of the most beloved activities among young visitors at Hon Son.

Moreover, with its mountain-and-sea landscape, watching the sunrise and sunset at Hon Son brings unforgettable memories to your 2-day-1-night trip. At the magical moment of day and night transition, when the sun and the sea meet at a close distance, the sky paints a spectacular color shift—creating a magnificent scene over the vast ocean.

Among the seven mountains on Hon Son, Ma Thien Lanh is the tallest, standing at about 450 meters above sea level. Its summit is a popular destination for adventure seekers. After a challenging hike along winding stone steps and steep paths, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of untouched nature. The summit is known as "Fairy Yard," associated with a mysterious tale about fairies from heaven coming down to frolic here.

Aside from Ma Thien Lanh, Ong Rong Mountain is another stunning peak at around 250 meters above sea level. Though the path is shorter, reaching Ong Rong's summit involves trekking through forests and crossing streams—an exciting challenge. Once there, you’ll be amazed by the lush, poetic scenery. Notably, on its peak lies a uniquely curved sago palm resembling a dragon—perhaps the reason it's named Ong Rong ("Dragon Elder") Mountain.

Dinh Ong Nam Hai is a sacred spiritual site for the people of Hon Son Island. During your 2-day-1-night trip, you can stop by to offer prayers. Located at Bai Thien Tue, the temple honors the Whale God, worshipped by local fishermen. Before heading out to sea, locals often pray here for luck and smooth sailing. As a sacred place, visitors are expected to follow local customs and show respect.

At Bai Bang, from the summit of Ma Thien Lanh Mountain, there’s a tiered waterfall without an official name. It has been partially constructed and attracts many visitors for photo ops and quiet moments in nature. The gentle sound of flowing water and rustling wind in the fresh coastal greenery provides a peaceful, almost magical experience. This waterfall is also a rare source of fresh water for the island’s residents.

The Bai Nha Pier offers a fantastic backdrop of sea and sky, dotted with fishing boats.

Originally a docking site for boats in Lai Son commune, Bai Nha Pier’s open space and projection into the sea make it a prime sunrise and sightseeing spot. Standing on the pier and facing the sea, you can snap countless stunning photos with the vast blue sky and sea as your background.This is also where fishing boats return from offshore trips, letting you witness the daily life of a fishing village—just like the scenes described in storybooks.

No Hon Son travel guide is complete without exploring the island’s cuisine. You can visit Hon Son’s night market, Bai Nha pier, Bai Gieng market, or stop by any coastal eateries to enjoy the island's local specialties.

A must-try on your trip is Hon Son’s signature grilled chicken. The chickens are free-range and raised in the mountains, resulting in firm, flavorful meat. Once matured, they are marinated using a special local recipe—often with garlic, fish sauce, and spices—then grilled over glowing charcoal.

Simple in preparation but irresistible in flavor, this dish is often served with thinly sliced young bananas, lime-pepper salt, or thick dipping sauce. The mix of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors will delight your taste buds. Price: about 160,000 VND per kilogram—very affordable for everyone.

Located in the Ha Tien Gulf, Hon Son boasts a rich supply of fresh seafood with high nutritional value. While dining on the island, you can try standout dishes such as grilled sea urchin with scallion oil, herring salad, coconut-boiled shrimp, chili-grilled cuttlefish, and seafood porridge.

These dishes are made using traditional local methods, giving them a distinct, homey, and approachable flavor.

Sea urchin is a specialty in the coastal region of Kien Giang.

With an abundance of local fruits and diverse vegetation, Hon Son residents also make unique infused liquors ideal for gifts, such as wild grape wine, dragon blood wine, wild apricot blossom wine, and coconut wine. In addition, thanks to the island’s rich seafood supply, sun-dried seafood like dried squid or fish is a popular and valuable souvenir to bring back to loved ones.

Using the island’s free-range mountain chickens, locals prepare a signature dish of the Southwest—chicken hotpot with la giang (a local sour leaf). The chicken is tender, flavorful, and cooked in a savory sour broth infused with spices. The hotpot is packed with chicken and served with a variety of fresh vegetables like banana blossom, water mimosa, and morning glory, sure to awaken all your senses.

• Hon Son is still sparsely populated and does not yet have ATMs or banks. Visitors should prepare enough cash and keep it safe for payments.
• Bring essentials such as sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses. For hikes to Ma Thien Lanh or Ong Rong Mountain, don’t forget insect repellent cream.
• When visiting sacred sites, dress respectfully and appropriately.
• If you plan to buy local specialties as gifts, ask the seller to package them carefully for transport via boat, bus, or plane.

Most attractions on Hon Son are free to visit; your main expenses will be accommodation, transport, and food. Vietjet offers the following sample itinerary and cost estimate for a self-guided Hon Son getaway:

With the above sample itinerary and an estimated accommodation cost of about 150,000 VND per night, your 2-day-1-night Hon Son trip may range from 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 VND.

Through this Hon Son 2-Day-1-Night Travel Guide, we hope you now have enough detailed information to plan your upcoming beach retreat.Also, don’t miss your chance to grab 0 VND promotional flight tickets to both domestic and international destinations daily from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM with Vietjet HERE.

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