Buzz
When it comes to Vietnam's eastern extreme point, there's much debate: Mui Dai Lanh (Phu Yen) or Mui Doi (Khanh Hoa), where does the first sunrise grace our country? According to the geography book, Mui Doi in Van Thanh commune, Van Ninh district, Khanh Hoa province, claims the title. Regardless, both Mui Doi and Mui Dien (another name for Mui Dai Lanh) are places you must visit at least once, enchanting every adventurous heart.
The mesmerizing untouched beach at Mui Doi
How to get to Mui Doi
From Ho Chi Minh City, you have two options to reach Mui Doi from Dam Mon Peninsula (part of Van Phong Bay, Van Thanh Commune, Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province):
Upon reaching Dam Mon, you can hire a guide to walk to Bai Rang or rent a boat to go to Bai Rang and wait to admire the early morning sunrise. In my previous trip, I rented a motorbike from Ninh Hoa to ride to Dam Mon and then walked through the coastal desert to take a boat to Bai Rang.
The feeling was so 'been there' when I got on the coracle to reach the big boat
Amazed by the pristine beauty of Dam Mon
After savoring a bowl of super sweet and flavorful Ninh Hoa fish cake noodle soup, our group started the journey to Dam Mon at 7 a.m. After nearly 2 hours of driving, we arrived at Dam Mon in awe. The first sight that caught my eye was the endless stretch of sandbars, with very few residential areas on either side of the road, and notably, it was scorching hot here. Even though it was only 9 a.m., the heat was already intense on my skin, undoubtedly a sign of the challenging journey ahead. Therefore, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing are must-have items when coming here.
Another interesting thing is that tourism is less developed in Dam Mon. Perhaps due to the uncomfortable weather and the lack of essential facilities for tourism such as hotels, restaurants, etc. The entire area only has a few budget guesthouses, and they are always fully booked. Therefore, very few tourists come here compared to Mui Dai Lanh (Phu Yen).
Not many eateries around Dam Mon
First time conquering the mini desert
Exactly at noon, our group departed from Dam Mon to the boat dock by crossing a stretch of mini desert. As mentioned earlier, being the place where the first sunrise is welcomed, the sunlight here is intense. Crossing the desert under the scorching sun made me remember this day vividly.
This is the only water puddle I encountered in the desert
Following the guide's instructions, our group crossed numerous consecutive sandbars. After about 30 minutes, everyone felt exhausted as the weather was extremely dry, with no trees and the air stagnant. At this point, I truly understood the feeling of 'water is gold in the desert.' After an hour of walking, the sea was still nowhere in sight, and many were exhausted from the hot sand causing painful burns on their feet. Honestly, at this moment, I wanted to give up, but the group encouraged each other to continue, hoping that the sea was just ahead. Just a few more steps, keep pushing.
Walking from Dam Mon to Mui Doi. Looking up, you see the sun; looking down, you feel the scorching sand.
After over 2 hours of challenging ourselves with hot sand and limited water, the group finally saw the sea. The feeling at this moment was like a miracle. Everyone joyfully ran down to the beach to cool their feet and continued walking to the boat dock. At the dock, there is a small oasis with a thatched house, which is also the boatman's home. We stopped there for lunch, ate, and rested to gather strength for the next leg to Bai Rang.
The joyful feeling when seeing our sea and Shin
Surfing on the waves in Van Phong Bay
There are two ways to reach Bai Rang. First, you can rent a local boat for 3,200,000 VND/round trip for a group. Second, if you prefer trekking, walking through the forest is a suitable option. Due to exhaustion from crossing the desert, I chose the boat to admire the panoramic view from the sea.
Along the coast, there are many beautiful rock formations with unique shapes
The small fishing boat glided smoothly on the rolling waves, weaving through various fascinating rock formations. The sea breeze, sunlight, waves, and clouds, along with the fresh air, made me want to take a deep breath. Meanwhile, the boatman enthusiastically introduced Van Phong Bay and some other bays to us. Sitting on the boat deck was truly enjoyable as the sea breeze gently caressed us, occasionally spotting free-flying swallows against the clear blue sky. At that moment, the challenges of the desert journey seemed to disappear from my mind, and I just wanted to soar in the sky like those swallows to take in the beauty of this stunning bay.
Lost in tranquility at Bai Rang
If you're seeking a place to escape deadlines, work, and all kinds of pressure, Bai Rang is where you should be. As mentioned, there's no wifi or phone signal, and, of course, no restaurants or hotels. But don't be disheartened; Bai Rang offers plenty for you to explore. For instance, you can dive to admire coral reefs, catch sea urchins on the coral reefs near the shore, and, especially, discover surreal check-in spots. In the evening, you can marvel at millions of sparkling stars in the sky. These activities will undoubtedly alleviate any sense of loneliness without modern civilization.
When taking this photo, I didn't think it was the sea in Vietnam
Don't miss the breathtaking sunset over the sea at Bai Rang
How does it feel to hunt for the sunrise in one of the most beautiful places?
To experience the sunrise at Mui Doi, our group camped at Bai Rang, preparing everything for the much-anticipated moment. At 5 AM, we crossed the rugged cliffs to reach Mui Doi. It's advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes for rock hopping. Right on schedule, the sun tinted the sky, gradually rising from the sea, casting warm rays that embraced everything. Despite the challenging journey, witnessing the first sunlight on the mainland is a sacred experience, something unforgettable.
A sky painted in radiant red as the sun is about to awaken
The profound joy of reaching the easternmost point of the homeland
As soon as witnessing the most beautiful moment of the day, the whole group headed back to the campsite to pack up and return to the mainland. Ending the 2-day, 1-night emotional journey conquering the easternmost point.
Useful travel tips to help you easily conquer the Far East
Author: Pham Thi My Anh
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging initiative introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam under the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour contributor. For detailed information on the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
