Buzz
Explore Co Thach, Ke Ga lighthouse, conquer Ta Cu, and admire Bau Trang for an enticing Tet holiday journey.
Binh Thuan, a coastal province in the South Central region of Vietnam, boasts a sprawling geographical location. To the northwest, it borders Ninh Thuan, while to the north, it shares borders with Lam Dong. The southern and southwestern areas are adjacent to Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Dong Nai provinces, respectively.
The terrain here is particularly favored by nature with forests, hills, sand dunes, and islands, making Binh Thuan a stronghold in tourism. Below is a suggested itinerary for travelers spending 72 hours here.
Day 1: Saigon - Ta Cu - Ke Ga - Phan Thiet
Conquer the peak of Ta Cu, visit Ke Ga Cape, stroll the night streets of Phan Thiet, and indulge in local specialties - these are exciting experiences that travelers should explore and discover on their first day in Binh Thuan.
Morning Expedition: Conquering the Summit of Ta Cu
Located approximately 175 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ta Cu Mountain requires travelers to traverse a journey of over 2 km, taking about 2 hours on foot through lush forests and rocky terrain to reach its summit towering 649 meters above sea level. Along the trail from the Lower Pagoda to the Upper Pagoda, visitors will encounter a majestic 49-meter-long statue of Buddha.
Embarking on the challenge of scaling the mountain rewards adventurers with breathtaking vistas stretching from verdant fields to the distant horizon of the sea, offering an invigorating experience for both body and mind. For those with limited time or physical constraints, the cable car system offers an alternative ascent to the mountain peak.
Midday Break: Rest and Lunch
After the exhilarating ascent of Ta Cu, travelers may find themselves in need of rest. Heading to the coastal area of Ke Ga for lunch and relaxation presents an ideal choice in terms of ambiance and affordability. Numerous eateries near Ke Ga Lighthouse, such as Trong Tam and Cay Dua, offer a variety of dishes ranging from simple local fare to delectable seafood. A meal for a group of 4–6 people typically costs around 300,000 dong, providing ample options. Additionally, visitors can opt to rent a boat to explore the nearby Ke Ga Lighthouse.
Afternoon Exploration: Discovering Ke Ga Cape
After lunch and some relaxation, the next destination is the coastal area of Ke Ga Cape, home to the ancient lighthouse. The beach at Ke Ga Cape boasts beautiful stretches of pristine white sand, rugged rock formations, and captivating scenery, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
The iconic Ke Ga Lighthouse stands proudly as the oldest recognized lighthouse in Vietnam. To reach it, you can either hire a boat or take a traditional coracle. The cost of a boat trip varies depending on the group size (typically around 50,000 dong per person). From the lighthouse, overlooking the fishing village, rocky cliffs, and sand dunes, visitors will be enchanted by the natural beauty. If time permits, witnessing the stunning sunset before heading back to Phan Thiet city is highly recommended.
Evening: Exploring Phan Thiet City by Night
After a day of exploration and adventure, Phan Thiet city is the perfect place to relax and enjoy dinner. Restaurants along Pham Van Dong Street (along the Ca Ty River bank) offer a wide range of delicious and exotic dishes to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Prices range from 30,000 to 80,000 dong per dish, featuring specialties like sand worms, giant gourami fish, and conch.
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along the riverbank to admire the ancient water tower, the Le Hong Phong Bridge spanning the Ca Ty River, illuminated by sparkling lights, before retiring for the night, preparing for a new journey the next day.
Day 2: Phan Thiet – Bau Trang – Co Thach – Mui Ne
On the second day of the journey, we head northeast to explore remarkable landmarks and unique architecture such as Po Sah Inư Cham Tower, Bàu Trắng, Bàu Sen, Co Thach Pagoda, and the seven-colored rock beach…
Morning: Visit Cham Tower, explore Bàu Trắng, Bàu Sen
The specialty of Phú Long's pork intestine vermicelli will surely be a delightful choice for a tasty and light breakfast. Phú Long is about 7km north of Phan Thiet city, boasting over 10 eateries serving this delicious, unique dish.
After breakfast, travelers can wander up the rocky hill to visit the Po Sah Inư Cham Tower relics on Bà Nài hill to explore the distinctive culture and architecture of the Chăm people. From the hilltop, overlooking the distant Phú Hài fishing village, listening to the melodious music echoing on the hill, everyone will feel a truly peaceful and serene life, seemingly devoid of any hustle and bustle.
After exploring the Po Sah Inư Cham Tower, take advantage of the early morning sun before it gets too harsh to discover Bàu Trắng, Bàu Sen. The best time to explore the ponds is from around 8:30 to 10:00.
Bàu Trắng is surrounded by vast stretches of white sand dunes, while Bàu Sen boasts beautifully cultivated lotus ponds. This place is blessed by nature with two water ponds to alleviate the vastness and aridity of the desert area. Photography enthusiasts can unleash their creativity, or adventurous young people can rent off-road vehicles to conquer and explore the white sand dunes.
Noon: Take a break to avoid the sun and have lunch
There are plenty of dining options to meet travelers' lunch needs, depending on taste and preferences. You can dine right at Bàu Trắng tourist area, head straight to Liên Hương town for fresh seafood delights, or visit Co Thach Pagoda for an affordable and pure vegetarian meal. It's advisable to rest here as the midday sun in this area is very intense.
Afternoon: Visit Co Thach Pagoda, admire the sunset at the seven-colored rock beach
Co Thach Pagoda is a unique architectural complex. The temples, pavilions, and caves of the pagoda harmoniously lie on rocky hillsides or snugly fit among large boulders, hence Co Thach Pagoda is also known as the Cave Pagoda.
The religious architecture and culture of Co Thach Pagoda have existed for centuries and hold spiritual and cultural values. It takes over an hour to explore the entire pagoda compound. Taking a leisurely stroll to visit Cà Dược Beach (the seven-colored rock beach of Co Thach) near the pagoda is definitely an unmissable choice. Like other beaches, Co Thach Beach belongs to Binh Thanh commune, Tuy Phong district, with its stunning azure blue water.
The most attractive feature is the colorful pebble beach, also known as the stone beach. The rock formations at Co Thach are recognized as the most colorful rocks in Vietnam. Walking barefoot here is also considered a wonderful natural hot stone spa treatment amidst the crashing waves. Strolling and waiting for the fading sunlight towards the foot of the hill, admiring the sunset descending upon the rocks, will be an unforgettable experience.
Evening: Stroll along Mũi Né Beach, savor seafood
After enjoying the sunset and bidding farewell to Co Thach, travelers will return to Mũi Né to relax after a day of exploration. Known as the 'southern resort paradise', Mũi Né is a fitting choice for a night's rest to admire the sunrise the next morning.
There are many hotels and resorts lining the coastline along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. Therefore, it's not difficult to find a suitable accommodation option within budget. Taking a stroll on the beach at night, listening to the waves lapping the shore, and savoring seafood in the fishing village will leave a romantic impression on travelers about the journey.
Day 3: Mũi Né – La Gi – Hàm Thuận – Saigon
On the last day of the journey, spend a relaxing morning on Mũi Né Beach to recharge your energy and prepare mentally for work after the vacation. Enjoy seafood in Lagi town, explore the dragon fruit land of Hàm Thuận Nam, and then return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Morning: Breakfast, relaxation, and leisure
Wake up early and find yourself a beautiful spot, leaning against a coconut tree by the calm sea, quietly watching the sun slowly rise in the distance. Then, return for breakfast and spend the entire morning resting and swimming. Immersing yourself in the calm blue sea and walking on the long stretches of white sand is the quickest and best way to rejuvenate.
Noon: Explore and have lunch in Lagi town
After bidding farewell to Mũi Né, on the journey back, travelers can stop in Lagi town to explore and have lunch. Lagi is undergoing strong transformation but still retains its rustic, untouched charm. You can visit the fishing village, seafood market, and choose your favorite ingredients to cook for lunch.
Afternoon: Visit the dragon fruit orchards of Hàm Thuận Nam, return to Ho Chi Minh City
Dragon fruit is hailed as the 'get-out-of-poverty, get-rich' plant of farmers in Hàm Thuận Nam. Originally grown for ornamental purposes due to its beautiful stems, flowers, and leaves that are well-suited to harsh, arid climates, dragon fruit has flourished, becoming an economic source for local farming families.
On the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, you will encounter vast, lush dragon fruit orchards in Hàm Thuận Nam, known as the land of dragon fruit. Take the time to visit the orchards, taste the sweet, refreshing dragon fruit of the sun-drenched land to feel the taste of homeland. Then, you can buy some as gifts.
Means of Transportation
Travelers can reach Phan Thiet by personal vehicles such as motorbikes or cars for flexible sightseeing. You can also travel by bus companies on the Saigon - Phan Thiet route like Phuong Trang, Mai Linh... Or to save time, choose the train. The journey takes about 3.5 hours on the SPT2 route running daily, departing from Ho Chi Minh City at 6:50 AM and arriving in Phan Thiet at 10:30 AM.
According to VnExpress
***
Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourFebruary 15, 2015
