Thoi Son Islet, or Con Lan, is one of the four well-known islets on the Tien River, collectively named Long, Lan, Quy, and Phung. Located about 70 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, in My Tho City of Tien Giang Province, the islet spans approximately 1,200 hectares and hosts a community of around 6,000 residents. Over the years, it has transformed from a quiet agricultural settlement into a leading eco-tourism hub in southern Vietnam, welcoming an estimated 400,000 visitors annually, including 300,000 international tourists.
Con Lan was formed through centuries of alluvial deposits from the Mekong River. The fertile soil supports dense orchards and coconut groves. Approximately 500 hectares of land on the islet are under cultivation, providing seasonal and off-season fruit thanks to improved farming techniques. This agricultural abundance also supports beekeeping, as fruit flowers feed thousands of bee colonies that produce high-quality honey.
See more: Long-Lan-Quy-Phung Islets: The Four Sacred Animals of the Mekong Delta
Settlement on Con Lan began centuries ago when migrants sought fertile land and calm waters. The community developed farming, fishing, and small-scale craft industries. During colonial and wartime periods, the island remained relatively sheltered. In the 1990s, as Vietnam opened to tourism, Con Lan emerged as a key eco-tourism site. Today, it contributes to over 50% of Tien Giang’s total tourist arrivals.
The roughly 6,000 residents of Con Lan live mainly by fruit farming, aquaculture, craftwork, and tourism services. Multiple generations often share a household, fostering strong family bonds. Daily life revolves around tending orchards, producing coconut candy, keeping bees, and welcoming tourists. Community ties remain strong through religious festivals and cultural gatherings.
Con Lan is famous for coconut candy production, with family workshops demonstrating the process to visitors. Beekeeping provides honey, served with lime tea to guests. Handicrafts made from water hyacinths and coconut leaves display local artisanship. These crafts are both economic activities and cultural markers.
Meals on Con Lan highlight Mekong Delta flavors: fresh tropical fruits, crispy fried elephant ear fish, braised pork, and sour soup with river fish. Visitors often enjoy meals in family-run gardens, accompanied by honey tea or fresh coconut water. Such meals represent the island’s generosity and abundance.
Tourism began booming in the 1990s. Currently, Con Lan hosts 1,500–3,000 visitors daily, with spikes of over 7,000 during national holidays. Visitors experience rowing boat rides under nipa palms, cycling tours, orchard visits, craft workshops, and ‘Đờn Ca Tài Tử’ performances. Tourism has diversified income while promoting heritage conservation.
Music and festivals are central to the islet’s identity. ‘Đờn Ca Tài Tử,’ a UNESCO-recognized folk music, is performed regularly for visitors. Religious ceremonies, ancestor worship, and Buddhist festivals unify the community and preserve traditions.
Con Lan has seen significant infrastructure improvements: roads, bridges, and electricity. In 2023, Tien Giang Province welcomed over 876,000 visitors in 8 months, generating 552 billion VND in revenue. Sustainable tourism is emphasized, with eco-friendly tours and waste management initiatives. Authorities aim to balance development with cultural and environmental preservation.
Thoi Son Islet is more than a tourist site; it is a living example of the harmony between nature, culture, and community in the Mekong Delta. With fertile land, traditional crafts, warm people, and thriving tourism, Con Lan continues to flourish as both a cultural treasure and a sustainable development model. For travelers, it offers not only sightseeing but also immersion into authentic delta life.
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