The island, also known as An Binh or Bo Bai, sits within the Ly Son Special Zone in Quang Ngai.
It is three nautical miles from Dao Lon (Big Island), the zone's central hub.
It has kept its tranquil character, making it a perfect summer getaway.
Visitors travel from Big Island to Small Island by high-speed canoe, a trip that takes around 15 minutes depending on the weather.
A round ticket costs VND100,000 to VND120,000 (US$3.80-4.60) per person. Larger groups can charter a private canoe for VND2.5-3 million a day.
The canoes ply from Ly Son port to Be Island between 7 a.m. and 11:20 a.m., departing every 20 minutes.
Return trips are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bai Sau - Small Island Beach is the island's biggest draw, known for its white sand and crystal-clear water that reveals the seabed on sunny days. The spot is also considered ideal for coral diving.
The coral reefs surrounding the island remain intact, home to a mix of hard and soft corals as well as tropical fishes.
Small Island has fewer hotels and tourism services than Big Island, which has helped it hold on to its charm and unhurried pace of life.
Rather than head back to the mainland the same day, visitors can spend a night on the island to try activities such as night squid fishing, camping, and coral diving.
A diving tour costs VND1.5 million ($57) per person for one dive in the morning and one in the afternoon plus lunch and dinner.
Many visitors also choose to watch the sunrise on a stand-up paddleboard or cycle along Small Island Pier at sunset.
Small Island spreads over 0.69 square kilometers and has some 100 households. Life is leisurely here, shaped by the sea and by the onion and garlic fields that define Ly Son's landscape.
Accommodation options are homestays and guesthouses. Visitors should try seafood such as spanner crabs and sea urchin and dishes made from Ly Son garlic.
The best time to visit Small Island is from April to August, when the sea is calm and the weather is sunny.
In winter, boats stop plying when there are rough seas and strong winds.
