Vinh Hy Bay: A special gift from Mother Nature

Surrounded by ocean, forests and mountains, Vinh Hy Bay in Vinh Hai Commune in the south central coastal province of Ninh Thuan’s Ninh Hai District is one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. White sand beaches, colorful coral reefs, and a charming fishing village all make Vinh Hy as stunning as a great watercolor.

From Phan Rang-Thap Cham, the heart of Ninh Thuan Province, a 35km road winds through a scenic coastal route that offers breathtaking, unobstructed views of coves of turquoise water and unspoiled beaches, to Vinh Hai fishing village. The bay is part of the Nui Chua National Park, which peaks at 1,000 meters above sea level and is considered one of the most unique dry forest ecosystem in Southeast Asia. As well as being important for the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity, the National Park is important for marine biodiversity. It has 11 species of turtles, both terrestrial and marine and several of the beaches constitute the last remaining nesting sites in mainland Vietnam for small numbers of endangered Green Turtles and other marine turtles.

The many rivers and streams flowing from the park into the bay’s emerald waters provide inviting spots in which to cool off after a hike into the park.

Visitors to Vinh Hy should take the opportunity to tour the bay on a glass-bottom boat to admire the beauty above and under the water. The glass bottom affords travelers a peek at hundreds of coral species and stunning schools of colorful sea fish.

Bathing in the sea, enjoying the pure white sand beaches, exploring nearby caves nestled in the towering rocks all make for an unspoiled tourist haven. And we haven’t even mentioned the local seafood, freshly caught by the villagers who set out early in the morning in colorful convoys dotting the bay.

There are various choices for overnight stays in the bay, ranging from the luxurious Amanoi resort, surrounded by forests and mountains, to homestays in stilt houses in the fishing village. Singing, dancing and drinking ruou can (wine drunk out of a jar through pipes) with the Raglai people living around the bay is an unforgettable choice of evening entertainment.

One enthusiastic visitor recently wrote on Trip Advisor after a trip to Vinh Hy Bay: “Thank you Mother Nature.”