Hon Dau – The Land of Verdant Hills and Azure Seas

Visitors are awestruck by the lush green mountains and pristine forests, the expansive blue sea stretching endlessly. Gone are the bustling crowds and noise; instead, the serene and pure atmosphere here, coupled with the gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore and rustling leaves overhead, helps visitors feel their daily worries dissipate, leaving them lighthearted and deeply refreshed. Surrounding the island are uniquely shaped rocks, carved by the sea’s waves through countless years. Since ancient times, Hon Dau Island has been likened to a precious gem, with Do Son resembling a dragon’s head bowing toward this treasured jewel.

Hon Dau Island captivates visitors with the legend of its sacred Nam Hai Temple. One of the first “warnings” visitors hear upon arrival is: “Do not break branches, pluck leaves, or cut down trees on the island, lest you incur the wrath of the island’s deity.” This belief has kept the island’s vegetation lush year-round. Intrigued, visitors naturally seek answers about the deity. Legend has it that once, a headless body washed ashore on the island. By the clothing, locals identified him as a Tran Dynasty general who had perished after defeating the Mongol invaders at the Bach Dang River. The locals built a temple to honor him. Renowned for its sacredness, fishermen often stopped to burn incense and pray when passing by. Once, Emperor Tu Duc’s royal boat encountered fierce winds and waves near the island. The emperor prayed at the temple, and the storm subsided. In gratitude, he bestowed the title "Nam Hai Than Vuong" (King of the South Sea God) upon the deity. Every year, from the 8th to the 10th of the second lunar month, the island hosts vibrant festivals as fishermen from far and wide gather to pray to Nam Hai Than Vuong for a prosperous and peaceful fishing year.

To reach Hon Dau Island, visitors must traverse a dense forest. The island’s primary forest is a realm of countless plant species, creating a verdant, wild environment that offers an exhilarating sense of exploration. This is a pristine tropical rainforest, preserving all three vegetation layers, with numerous ancient trees, intertwined vines, and complex root systems.

Dubbed the "Jewel of the Nation," Hon Dau Lighthouse is an iconic structure built by the French from 1892 to 1896 and officially operational since June 1898. Over a century old, the lighthouse was taken over by the Vietnamese military in 1955 following Hai Phong’s liberation. From the lighthouse’s summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Do Son coastline, dotted with mountains and large ships drifting across the sea—a truly picturesque landscape of harmonious nature. Hon Dau Island is also home to historical sites such as Wharf K15, the starting point of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail, where the first unnumbered ships carrying weapons to the southern battlefields departed; and Zone 3, where the Central Party held meetings and passed Resolution 15 on liberating the South and unifying the country. In 2009, Hon Dau Island was recognized as a national scenic site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.