8/12/2019 Hon Khoai Islet- A Gem in the Southwest Sea

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Hon Khoai islet-a gem in the southwest sea

Thursday, June 13, 2013 -17:39:13

(VOVworld)-Hon Khoai is a cluster of islands located 20kilometersoff the south-west of Nam

Can, in the province of Ca Mau. Reputed to be one of the most beautiful islands in the south of the

country, Hon Khoai is a popular destination for tourists inspiring exploration of the sites cultural

aspects and historical relics from the French colonial times.

Hon Khoai archipelago consists of five islands: Hon Khoai, Hon Sao, Hon Doi Moi, Hon Da Le

and Hon Tuong covering an area of 4

squarekm. The highest island rises at an altitude of 318m.

Previously, Hon Khoai was known as Giang Huong or Doc Lap (Independence) islet and during

the colonial period, it was known as "Poulo Obi" islet. But locals prefer to call it Hon Khoai or

(Potato) islet as it looks just like a big potato. On December 13, 1940, an uprising led by Professor

Phan Ngoc Hien wrested back the indigenous island from French hands marking a significant

milestone in the history of struggling against foreign invaders.

8/12/2019 Hon Khoai Islet- A Gem in the Southwest Sea

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Besides the beaches, Hon Khoai also has extended pebble beaches worth visiting. Although there

are various islets and islands along the Mekong, Hon Khoai is a large rock almost entirely covered

with forests of precious woods. The fauna and flora show are abundant. The natural and wild

landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. According to Nguyen Anh Tuan, a soldier on the island,

Hon Khoai is uninhabited, almost virgin. Only soldiers and border guards live there to defend

national sovereignty or perform rescues at sea. Nguyen Anh Tuan says:"Hon Khoai has primitive

forests with diverse flora and fauna species which are rare and precious. The island has more than

1,400 flora species including medicinal plants. There are also many animal species including

snakes, squirrels, birds and iguana. The air is clean and the environment is well maintained. Hon

Khoai is an ideal resort".

The archipelago is also rich in historical vestiges. The lighthouse built in the 19thcentury by the

French, is one of the significant lighthouses in the Southwest sea and Thailand Bay. This is one of

the first lighthouses built on the Vietnamese territorial waters. Head of the Lighthouse Nguyen

Hoai Nam says:"This lighthouse is a historic relic closely associated to the insurgency of Professor

Phan Ngoc Hien and Ca Mau province. This 318 m high white tower covers an area of about 400

m2. From the lighthouse, we can observe the sea to 40 nautical miles. It offers a magnificent

panorama. We try to properly maintain the island to serve tourists.

For Tran Tuyet Loan, a resident of Hanoi, Hon Khoai is a true paradise: "I wasimpressed by the

wild beauty of the island as well as historical relics on the island. The food path was grueling but

our efforts were rewarded at the top, where the air is pure and the landscape is magnificent. We

even heard birds singing. It is very beautiful. I hope Hon Khoai keeps its authenticity to attract

more tourists. Hon Khoai is poised to become an ecotourism site. Last year the province

introduced a plan to develop Hon Khoai and called for investment. Investors are required to put

in place the necessary infrastructure to attract those who want both nature and comfort.