Cu Lao Xanh, also known as Van Phi Island, has an area of about 365 hectares, 13 nautical miles (about 25 km) from the coast of Quy Nhon City, in Xuan Dai Bay, Nhon Chau Commune. This small island is known to many people through the song: "Binh Dinh has Vong Phu Mountain, Thi Nai Lagoon, and Cu Lao Xanh".
Cu Lao Xanh has clean, blue water and not many tourists. The people here mainly live in fishing villages on the south coast of the island. The north of the island is a mountain range with many strange shapes.
> See more: Quy Nhon travel guide
Beautiful season
Cu Lao Xanh's climate has two distinct seasons: the dry season from March to September, the rainy season from October to February of the following year. The average annual temperature is about 24.5 degrees Celsius.
The ideal time to travel to Cu Lao Xanh is during the dry season. This time is sunny, the sea is calm, the water is clear, convenient for going to the island to swim and dive to see coral. During the rainy season, especially from November to January, the sea is rough, the waves are big, boats cannot go to the island.
Move
To get to Cu Lao Xanh, visitors must go to Ham Tu wharf located in the center of Quy Nhon City. There is a parking lot for motorbikes and cars.
The fastest way to get to the island is by canoe, and there are also wooden boats. The trip by canoe takes about 30-40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs about 200,000 VND per person, departing at 7:30 and returning at about 14:00. The wooden boat takes nearly two hours and costs 30,000 VND. There are two trips a day, at 8:00 and 13:00, and the return boat departs at 7:00 and 15:00. In addition, visitors can rent a boat from fishermen at Bai Xep - Phu Yen to get to the island, which takes more than an hour and the price is negotiable.
However, according to a local tour guide, the boat departure time is often not fixed due to weather conditions and the number of visitors. Because the island is small, tours often have to gather enough people. You should contact the pier to buy tickets and ask for information in advance.
To get around the island, visitors can rent motorbikes from motels, homestays or hire a motorbike taxi service. There are a few electric cars on the island, which are used to pick up and drop off visitors as well as organize tours around the island.
Hotel
Cu Lao Xanh does not have high-end resorts, mainly hotels, homestays, and motels. Some homestays that tourists can refer to are Cu Lao Xanh Homestay, Son Tiem Homestay, Binh Minh Homestay. Some motels are Quy Nhon Land, Ngoc Dinh, Thanh Trai. The price of overnight accommodation on the island ranges from 150,000 to 500,000 VND per room.
Where to play
Cu Lao Xanh is still quite wild and has not developed many tourism services, suitable for tourists who like quiet spaces to rest, watch the sea and enjoy nature.
Youth Flagpole
The Thanh Nien flagpole is made of granite, over 22 meters high, facing the Hoang Sa archipelago. The flagpole is inscribed with the sovereignty, longitude, and latitude of Cu Lao Xanh island. The flagpole is one of two symbols and the pride of Quy Nhon people, along with Thi Nai bridge. The flagpole has the meaning of affirming the sovereignty of the sea and islands.
Lighthouse
Cu Lao Xanh Lighthouse is over 100 years old, built by the French with large stone blocks. The lighthouse is 119 m above sea level, shining about 50 km away. The architecture of the lighthouse is a combination of Gothic and Oriental architecture.
The lighthouse has been mentioned by many Vietnamese poets in their poems. Notably, Cu Lao Xanh lighthouse was selected by the Postal Service to be printed in a set of Vietnam Lighthouse stamps along with Can Gio, Vung Tau, and Long Chau lighthouses, issued in 1992.
Grassland Stone
Thao Nguyen Stone Beach is a large area with large rocks of many shapes and colors. The rocks are scattered or stacked on top of each other, and are home to some rare birds such as swallows and swiftlets. In addition to checking in, the stone beach has a spacious, wild space, suitable for outdoor camping and picnic activities.
Gala Beach
Gala Beach is a flat, cultivated land located close to the west coast of the island, a suitable place for camping and taking pictures. Here, there is a marine ecosystem of coral forests of many shapes and colors. Visitors can just walk on the shore and see the coral layer hidden under the sea.
Cu Lao Xanh Wharf
The pier in Cu Lao Xanh is a wooden bridge about 80 m long extending out to the sea, built in 2001. This is a place that attracts many tourists to check in because the scenery is likened to "Maldives in Vietnam", with clear sea water blending with the blue sky.
Cu Lao Xanh also has some beaches such as Dong beach, Nam beach, Nho beach, clear and clean sea water, gentle waves, suitable for tourists to experience swimming or watch the sunrise and sunset on the island.
Specialty
Cuisine in Cu Lao Xanh is mainly dishes made from fresh seafood caught at sea.
Moon snail
This is a famous sea snail in Cu Lao Xanh, also known as pearl eye snail, mother of pearl. Snails can be processed in many ways such as steamed with ginger, grilled, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili. When eating fresh snails, you can feel the salty taste of the sea and the sweetness of the snail meat.
Flying fish eggs
Flying fish is a small, flat and long fish, often living in Cu Lao Xanh. Flying fish meat is fatty and chewy, but the fish eggs leave a more impressive flavor.
This fish lays eggs on the water surface, so during the breeding season, islanders use small nets to scoop up the eggs. The eggs are fried until crispy and fatty, and served with raw vegetables and rice paper. Flying fish eggs cost between 300,000 - 500,000 VND/kg.
Squid pancake
Coming to Cu Lao Xanh Island, most tourists are suggested to enjoy the squid pancake. The ingredients of this pancake are small finger-sized squids, left whole, without removing the ink sac. When eaten, the mouth will turn black, the interesting point of the cake.
Fish cake
Fish cake is a typical dish and is considered by many to be the best dish in Cu Lao Xanh. The fish is caught by fishermen, ground, mixed with onions, pepper, garlic, chili, and often eaten with vermicelli. This is also a specialty that tourists often buy as gifts when visiting the island.
Note
Bring full identification as entry and exit controls on the island are stricter than on the mainland.
Electricity on the island is provided during set times (usually in the evening). Visitors should bring batteries and spare chargers to proactively charge their phones and cameras.
Quynh Mai - Tam Anh
Source: Binh Dinh and Quy Nhon City Electronic Information Portal
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