The little known Nam Du archipelago (pronounced “nam yu”) is 21 islands and islets in the Gulf of Thailand off the southwest coast of Vietnam.
The main cluster of 19 islands lies 52 nautical miles from Rach Gia, the capital of the Mekong Delta province Kien Giang. A few of the islands, like main island Nam Du, are large enough to be inhabited, with colourful fishing boats and gritty villages clustered along its crust, while tiny islets like hon Do Nai are no more than a bump of rock drowning in ocean.
As if this tale could not get more fantastical, the three islands of Hon Tre, Hon Son and Nam Du are connected to the mainland by a daily fast ferry – yet few foreigners venture there.
Nam Du (also called Hon Lon – “big island”) is the furthest and final ferry stop, a one-way journey from Rach Gia taking two and a half hours.
The primary industry is fishing and up until recently, the only place for visitors to stay was in a room in a local’s home. The island is still relatively poor and developing, and tourism here is very much in its infancy, but recently a few purpose-built guesthouses have appeared, including one right on the water.
How to get to to Nam Du island
Basically, way to get Nam Du is similar to Phu Quoc. You have to get to Rach Gia from Ho Chi Minh by bus (take about 6 hours) then take the boat.
Some reputed bus firms to get Rach Gia:
1. Mai Linh at Mien Tay bus station (395 Kinh Duong Vuong – Binh Tan – Ho Chi Minh city). Tel: +848.39.29.29.29
2. Phuong Trang bus at Mien Tay bus station, Tel: +84838.309.309
3. Tuyet Hon at Mien Tay station, +84773.960.960
4. Kumho Samco at Mien Tay station, +8483.8776.594
You can pick many others at Mien Tay bus station (395 Kinh Duong Vuong – Binh Tan – Ho Chi Minh city) with fares less than $10.
