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

	Serene Lung Tam Village Nestled under the foot of hills in Quan Ba District in Ha Giang Province, Lung Tam Village attracts many travelers from near and far owing to its astonishing landscape and serenity and Mong ethnic minority women in colorful attire. Detail >>

	Twelve artefacts gain new status The Prime Minister just signed a decision to bestow the title of "national treasure" to 12 objects of unique national heritage. Here's the rundown of the newly recognised treasure. Detail >>

	Ninh Binh organizes many activities to honor Trang An Landscape Complex (TITC) - From 22 to 24 January 2015, in Ninh Binh City and districts of Gia Vien, Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh Province), many activities will be organized to honor Trang An Landscape Complex, the highlight of which is the certificate receiving ceremony for Trang An as World Cultural and Natural Heritage... Detail >>

	Viet Nam Cultural Week runs in Cyprus Viet Nam launched a Cultural Week in Limassol city in the Republic of Cyprus on January 18, which has since received high praise from international friends. Detail >>

	Three highland attractions during New Year holidays Sa Pa, Da Lat and Mai Chau are considered most attractive destinations for tourists during New Year holidays thanks to their natural beauty, fresh air and peaceful environment. Detail >>

	Ninh Binh opens National Tourism Year 2015 Ninh Binh province has kicked off the National Tourism Year 2015 celebrating Vietnam’s eight World Heritage sites under the theme–Connecting the World Heritage–with an exhibition at the Bai Dinh Pagoda. Detail >>

	Conference discusses sustainable development in heritage preservation An international conference discussing policies which incorporate sustainable development in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention took place in the northern province of Ninh Binh on January 22. Detail >>

	Festival in Da Nang brings Thai guests A performance troupe from Thailand will take part in the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival on Son Tra peninsula, central Da Nang city, on April 5-7, according to the organising board. Detail >>

	Hanoi to host craft villages’ exhibition Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, with their centuries old cultural values and techniques passed down from generation to generation, have become increasingly popular with tourists. Detail >>

	Human resources play key role in tourism development Vietnam’s tourism sector has decided to prioritise human resources development in an effort to diversify the industry, the Vietnam Economic News reported. Detail >>