Buzz
First Day:
6:00 AM: Arrival at Phan Rang
It's advisable to contact the motorcycle rental in advance, so that upon arrival, you can pick up the motorcycle and proceed. Have breakfast in the city. Phan Rang specialties include crispy pancakes and mini pancakes. If you're not a fan, you can also opt for pho, banh canh, or hu tieu, which are widely available along Thong Nhat Street.
8:00 AM: DT701 – Dam Ca Na
From Phan Rang, take Thong Nhat Street, cross Dao Long Bridge, and turn at the third junction to avoid National Highway 1A. You'll enter DT701, a newly completed road. According to information from Mytour, this road is a vital link between the nuclear plants of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces after completion and will not be open to tourism. DT701 will take you across Nam Cuong sand dunes – one of the most beautiful sand dunes in Vietnam, Son Hai fishing village, vast sheep and goat farms, Dinh Cape, and a stretch of road with mountains on one side and the sea on the other, offering spectacular views. This section of road has just been completed, so it's not yet displayed on Google Maps. Don't be surprised if your GPS keeps flickering in an area dominated by forests and rocky terrain.
DT701 will lead you through Nam Cuong sand dunes – among the most stunning sand dunes in Vietnam, the fishing village of Son Hai, extensive sheep and goat farms, Dinh Cape, and a lengthy stretch of road flanked by mountains on one side and the sea on the other, boasting incredibly breathtaking scenery. This newly completed stretch of road is not yet reflected on Google Maps. Expect your GPS to flicker continuously in an area dominated by forests and rocky terrain.
The final stretch of DT701 leads to the picturesque Ca Na port and passes through a newly constructed intersection. The road is beautiful and deserted, with Ca Na lagoon on one side, the sea on the other, and a series of closely packed mountains ahead, creating an immensely majestic and romantic scenery. You'll feel as if you're flying over vast salt fields.
1:00 PM: Lunch break, relax at Ca Na beach
Choose a reputable restaurant near the beach where you can unwind with a delicious lunch and enjoy the fresh sea breeze of Ca Na beach. The food here is reasonably priced, and the locals are friendly and hospitable, so don't worry about being ripped off. If cautious, you can inquire and carefully ask about the prices of food and services before ordering.
3:00 PM: Visit Dinh Cape
Return to DT701, cross Ca Na lagoon, and travel along the road hugging the mountainside. On your right, you'll see two large rocks resembling a stacked house, while on the left is Uncle Canh's house, the parking attendant. Park your vehicle at Uncle Canh's and bring all your belongings. He's very enthusiastic and will guide you on the appropriate route for the current time. The parking fee for the day is 5,000 VND per vehicle. Next to Uncle Canh's house is a convenience store selling drinks, instant noodles, and snacks.
To reach Dinh Cape, you'll need to walk through a long stretch of sandy road, approximately 1 kilometer. Although the distance isn't long, the sand can be quite exhausting. It's advisable to wear shoes without socks to minimize fatigue. Around this time, the sun begins to hide behind the mountains, so the weather is cooler and less tiring compared to midday. Keep walking on the sand until you spot goats on the sand dunes, indicating you've reached Dinh Cape.
4:30 PM: Set up camp. Pitch tents. Beach bathing
Mũi Dinh will captivate you from the very first moment with its crystal-clear waters revealing the seabed. Being a small bay, the beach curves in a crescent shape, with gentle waves. Here, there's nothing to do but lie down by the beach and enjoy the best that Mui Dinh beach has to offer. Keep bathing until the sky darkens completely, then it's time to head back.
There aren't many services under Mui Dinh because this place is still very wild and undiscovered. You can pre-order food from Aunt Song's stall, buy drinks, and freshwater for bathing. Aunt's family is also very friendly, ready to serve at the most affordable prices. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
7:00 PM: Campfire
Evening is the perfect time to light a campfire by the beach, have dinner, and play group games or have a night of singing together without worrying about disturbing neighbors. After singing and feeling tired, let's lie down on the sand quietly listening to the sound of the waves and don't forget to make wishes upon seeing shooting stars.
10:00 PM: Rest
Second Day:
5:00 AM: Watch the sunrise at Mui Dinh lighthouse
The Mui Dinh lighthouse stands at an altitude of over 170m above sea level, but it takes more than 30 minutes to climb to the top due to the steep path. Not as prominent as the Kê Gà Bình Thuận lighthouse or the Vũng Tàu lighthouse, the humble Mui Dinh lighthouse has stood steadfast against the southwest and northeast winds, which can be harsh at times, but it has persistently fulfilled its noble mission atop the rugged Mui Dinh peak.
Climbing to the top coincides with the moment the sun begins to appear over the sea. Amidst the vast sky and sea, watching the sunrise, you can't help but be in awe.
7:00 AM: Breakfast
Head back down to the beach for breakfast, take the opportunity to have another swim before returning to Phan Rang.
10:00 AM: Return to Phan Rang
Continue crossing the sand dunes to return to Uncle Canh's house to pick up the car and then head back to Phan Rang. On the way back, you can pass through Son Hai fishing village to see locals farming shrimp along the coastline.
12:00 PM: Lunch before boarding the return journey to Saigon
7:00 PM: Arrive back in Saigon. End of the trip.
By Tiểu Duy
***
Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourMay 19, 2015
