Straying off the beaten beach path makes a difference in Khanh Hoa

Straying off the beaten beach path makes a difference in Khanh Hoa

An endless blue embraces a white sand bank. Big rocks shaped like rough caricatures of different animals stand sentinel on the beach. You are admiring the scenery on Binh Lap Beach.

Apart from its most popular attraction, Nha Trang, the coastal province of Khanh Hoa boasts many beaches that are still pristine, and one of them is Binh Lap, located in Cam Lap Commune, Cam Ranh District.

Binh Lap is 90km from Nha Trang and 35km from the Cam Ranh Airport. From the Ba Ngoi Wharf in Nha Trang, it used to take two hours to get to Binh Lap Village, which overlooks the sea from a comfortable height. However, in recent years, it can be accessed by motorbikes via a newly-built road that skirts around the Nui Chua Mountain. This is a good way to enjoy the unfolding landscape of the sky, sea and mountain.

Those travelling by train get off at the Thap Cham Station, 40km from Binh Lap.

Once we got there, we took a leisurely walk on the beach, breathing in the freshness of salt-smelling breezes that blew in from the sea. The transparent waters allowed us to enjoy the incessant drama of shifting sands.

Along the coast of Binh Lap Village, several "mini-beaches" - Lao, Kinh and Ngang - invited us to swim, each with a different look difficult to describe. After accepting the invitation, we take a boat to Binh Hung Island, an hour away.

There is no point not climbing to the top of the Hon Chut Lighthouse built on the island almost 100 years ago. The panoramic view of Cam Ranh Bay with the tiny-looking boats and lobster farms is something that will stay with us.

Apart from other swimming options - the Robinson, Chuoi and Ong Gia beaches - visitors can also choose to soak themselves in a freshwater stream and hire a boat with a glass bottom to see the coral reefs.

Armed with a pair of goggles and a waterproof camera, I took a short dive to get closer to the coral and make the acquaintance of many colourful fishes.

For the picky tourist, accommodation - medium-quality rooms of homestays - can prove to be a disappointment, but the tranquility and food cooked by the locals make up for it.

We decided to return to Binh Lap Village to spend the night.

Binh Lap used to be the poorest village in Cam Lap Commune, because it stood isolated between the sea and the mountain. The villagers earned their living by small-scale fishing.

In recent years, they have developed lobster breeding, and life has gotten better, according to resident Nguyen Van Chau.

"We have a better life thanks to the lobster farms and tourism," he said.

Beside fishing, he has opened a small stall to serve fresh seafood. Grilled lobster is a must-try dish. Chau leads gourmets to his lobster cages and catches the ones they select. He said villagers dry corals on beach and use them as "cradles" for breeding small lobsters.

The barbecue party on the beach ended with a camp fire. Sitting with the locals around the fire and listening to their stories was an experience to remember.

At dawn, the local fishermen allowed us to go fishing with them. They cast a net and asked us to help them draw them in. The net was heavier than it looked. That our group of seven needed to huff and puff away for a while just three of the locals did it in minutes showed us how unfit we were, relatively speaking.

The small fish we caught might not have impressed the fishermen, but for us, the experience of catching was more important than the catch.

We had set out looking for a different holiday on the beach, and Binh Lap delivered on its promise.

Source: VOV

Bài viết liên quan

	World-class cruise liner makes first visit to Vietnam The world-class cruise liner Quantum of the Seas, carrying over 6,000 passengers and crew members, anchored in Vietnam for the first time in Tan Cang Cai Mep port in the Southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on June 17. Detail >>

	Vietnamese culture shines in Argentina A seminar on Vietnamese culture took place at the Salvador University in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 20. Detail >>

	Craft fruit artwork on General Giap wins gold prize at Southern Fruit Fest A craft fruit artwork entitled 'From Dien Bien Phu to the Great Victory of 1975 spring, Vo Nguyen Giap - Forever in our hearts' by artisan Phan Hong Dung won the gold prize at of the Contest on craft fruit art held within the framework of the 2015 Southern Fruit Festival at the Suoi Tien Tourist Park in Ho... Detail >>

	Major Mekong Delta tourism week to open this weekend The Mekong Delta Green Tourism Week will kick off in Can Tho City for the first time on June 27 with many activities for individual visitors and tourism companies, according to the Southwest Steering Committee, the organizer of the event. Detail >>

	PM okays new site for Phu Quoc casino Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued a decision approving a new location for a multi-billion-dollar recreational complex that includes a casino on Phu Quoc Island off mainland Kien Giang Province. Detail >>

	Hoi An holds int’l archaeology training course Hoi An City has opened an international archaeology course in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. Detail >>

	The 9th Hue Festival to take place from April 29 to May 04, 2016 The 9th Hue Festival entitled "710 years since the founding of Thuan Hoa-Phu Xuan; cultural heritage with integration and development” will take place from April 29 to May 04, 2016. Detail >>

	Hundreds of artefacts discovered near Ho Dynasty Citadel Hundreds of artefacts dating back to the 10th century have been discovered in Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district in the central province of Thanh Hoa, about 1 km southeast of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. Detail >>

	Exhibition marks centenary birthday of late Party chief An exhibition offering a comprehensive view on the life of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh and achievements of the Doi Moi process that he strongly promoted opened in Hanoi on June 22. Detail >>

	An untouched beach near Hoi An Around three kilometers from Hoi An City on the central coast, An Bang beach is still in its primitive state. Clean water, yellow sand, a pure atmosphere and daily chores of local fishermen make the beach area unique. Detail >>