(VOVworld) - Ly Son, also known as “Cu Lao Re" or Re islet, is an island outpost attached to the central province of Quang Ngai. With its historical relics, age-old cultural tradition and stunning scenery, the islet has everything its needs to develop its tourism.

Ly Son island is a vestige of a volcanic crater formed millions of years ago. The island has an area of about 10 km2 and a population of over 20,000 people. Archaeologists have found evidences that Ly Son was inhabited at least 2,500 or 3,000 years ago. The island boasts two national heritage sites: An Hai communal house, which is closely associated with the Hoang Sa flotilla and Hang Pagoda. Sa Huynh cultural relics have also been found on the island. They include Suoi Chinh relic site, Oc hamlet, and traces of Champa culture. In addition, the island has 24 famous pagodas and temples. The best known is Am Linh Tu temple, which is dedicated to the Hoang Sa troops who have sacrificed their lives to defend Vietnam’s national sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago. Vo Hien Dat, who is nicknamed "a living history of the island”, says Am Linh Tu temple is the first destination of tourists on Ly Son. "The temple has been here for a very long time and we don’t know when it was built. As far as I know, it has been here for 400 years. Under the French colonization, it was bombed. In 2008, the temple was restored and is now a historical site".

Ly Son is closely associated to the Hoang Sa archipelago. Throughout history, the Hoang Sa archipelago and the Hoang Sa maritime area in general has been a mecca for fishermen. Since the 17th century, generations of Ly Son people followed in their predecessors’ footsteps to join the Hoang Sa Flotilla, which was created when the Nguyen Lords began to reign in the South. They went to Hoang Sa archipelago to draw maps, catch fish, and erect boundary pillars and steles of sovereignty. That is why Ly Son is rich in historical relics related to the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. A monument to this flotilla is under construction. Ly Son island has several traditional festivals that include boat races, worship ceremonies at the An Hai communal house, and a commemoration ceremony for the soldiers of the Hoang Sa flotilla.

Ly Son island is also blessed with stunning scenery. It has beautiful beaches lapped by turquoise waters, natural caves and beautiful terrain created by volcanoes. Tran Ngoc Nguyen, Chairman of the Ly Son People’s Committee said that a plan has been drawn up to develop tourism on the island. He said the island will build more restaurants and hotels, upgrade its roads and power system, restore historical relics, and promote the island’s tourist potential to attract more tourists to the island: "The district has called on businesses to invest in the development of coral ecological sites. We have also developed a plan for tourism development. Under the plan, new infrastructure, especially roads and electrical works will be built. We will also restore historical relics".

In recent years, thanks to being more easily accessible, Ly Son island has attracted more and more tourists. A great effort is being made to make the island a tourist attraction.