Lý Sơn special administrative region
Lý Sơn, previously known as Cù Lao Ré, is an insular region of Quảng Ngãi province, lying off the South Central Coast of Vietnam.
Geography and geology
The district covers approximately of land on the Cù Lao Ré volcanic islands, consisting of two off-shore volcanic islands in the South China Sea, and a few islets. The main island, Lý Sơn has three prominent craters, the largest of which is Mount Thoi Loi. Hydrothermal waters on Lý Sơn provide heat for the local power plant. The secondary island is known as Little Island and is also well populated.History
Remains of the pre-200 C.E. Sa Huỳnh culture have been found on the islands. The Cham used Ly Son as a transhipment base. Xó La well, one of the wells used to provide fresh water for ships, still remains on the shore of the main island and is still in use. The islands were used as a geographical landmark for navigation by Admiral Zheng He's crew during the 15th-century treasure voyages. In the 17th century the Nguyễn lords started a colony on the islands from An Vĩnh, Bình Sơn district, in Quảng Ngãi, as part of the activities of the Hoàng Sa Company's development of the Paracel Islands. During the United States involvement in the Vietnam War, Lý Sơn was the site of a U.S. Navy radar installation that was used to track shipping along the Vietnamese coast.Economy
The economy was founded on, and remains, primarily based on seafood extraction. Lý Sơn is a major offshore fishing center with an output of 29,000 tonnes worth VND241.2 billion in 2012, accounting for almost one fourth of Quảng Ngãi's total.Lý Sơn is also known throughout Vietnam for its production of a special variety of garlic, although coastal sand mining to support its extensive cultivation has led to significant erosion. In the 21st century Lý Sơn began to develop its tourist industry.
Tourism
Lý Sơn island is well known for its number of scenic spots and freshly-served seafood among Vietnamese locals.Here are the following tourism attractions:
- To Vo Gate
- Mount Thoi Loi
- Hang Cave
- Garlic fields