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Feeling weary of the usual tourist spots? Join us as we delve into the enthralling journey to explore the extraordinary Heart Chasm, a breathtaking escapade undertaken by a group of vibrant youths.
Day 1: Saigon - Phan Rang
Arriving at Phan Rang bus station at 5:00. Taking a taxi from Phan Rang bus station to Loc Phat bus station (~10k VND). Boarding the Phan Rang - Vinh Hy bus at 6:00 (20k VND per person). Arrival at Vinh Hy around 7:00. - Accommodation: Single room at Mr. Hong's guesthouse. The guesthouse resembles a dormitory for students. Despite our group consisting of 6 individuals, we opted for single rooms as we planned to camp out at night, utilizing the rooms mainly for storing belongings and showering. Mr. and Mrs. Hong were incredibly cheerful and hospitable, even offering a discount on the room rates.
Traveling by motorbike (~180k VND/bike). Along the way, remember to capture photos of the beautiful scenery. The view from above is absolutely mesmerizing.
The whole gang headed to Binh Tien Beach, but it's best to avoid it due to its remote location and the risk of vehicle theft. Instead, backtrack to Binh Hung. Expect various miscellaneous fees here. Parking (5k VND/bike), entrance ticket (20k VND/person), and ferry ticket to the island (15k VND/person/way). We took Tèo Bích's ferry, and a helpful girl guided us throughout.
Upon arrival, we had lunch at Vinh Thu restaurant (right at the entrance to the island). 1 hotpot of grouper + 3 bottles of Pepsi + 3 grilled scallops with lard and onion ~ 300k VND. The food was delicious, especially the scallops, a must-try here. After eating, we rented electric bikes (20k VND/person/round trip) to the lighthouse on Hon Chut, costing 10k VND/person.
We ventured down to Egg Stone Beach, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Despite the scorching midday sun at 12:00, we all waded into the water, disregarding the weather, fully indulging in the photo opportunities. We climbed up to buy cold drinks, sat down to fan ourselves, and then ascended to the lighthouse. This lighthouse area is exceptionally clean. We left our shoes and ascended barefoot, enjoying the refreshingly cool breeze.
Heading back to the guesthouse, we gathered by the shore near the train station, enjoying a canoe picnic. We savored small crispy pancakes with shrimp and squid, accompanied by sugarcane juice. It was not only mouthwateringly delicious but also surprisingly affordable, costing around 100k VND for the whole meal. We then prepared our gear to camp at Coc Beach. While many opt for Banana Beach, it's quite far from the guesthouse, so we chose a nearby spot. We rented a canoe to get there (200k VND round trip), and the beach was quite deserted with no lights around. It's advisable for male groups to visit, but for females alone, it's best to avoid. Based on our experience, make sure to arrive early before it gets dark. Due to a late arrangement for the canoe, we didn't arrive until around 21:00. Sitting on the canoe in the middle of the dark night was both scary and exhilarating. A truly unforgettable experience.
At 4:30, we all woke up eagerly, tidying up our belongings to catch the sunrise. You'll be amazed at yourself. Despite a restless night's sleep, waking up early didn't feel tiring at all, probably due to the refreshing air. Waiting for the canoe to take us back, all six of us sat on the beach, facing the sea, playing soft music. There's nothing more to praise. It was beyond satisfying.
Day 2: Hang Rai - Vĩnh Hy
Arriving at Hang Rai for sunrise, diving into the breathtaking beauty of the lake amidst the azure sea at Vinh Hy Bay, then returning to the city. From the campsite back to the guesthouse, just before dawn, we quickly dropped our stuff, grabbed our motorbikes, and rushed to Hang Rai to catch the sunrise. Parking + entrance ticket (10k VND/person), the scenery was absolutely stunning. The deep blue sea was crystal clear. Although the sun wasn't visible due to clouds, the light was enough for countless stunning photos. Due to slippery rocks, it's best to wear crocs. They're comfortable, water-resistant, and provide good grip. Just standing by the waves was already thrilling, not too angry but not too gentle, enough to give a start.
Upon reaching Hang Rai, make a little effort to walk a bit further, pay attention to your feet, and you'll spot this heart-shaped rock formation. There's only one here, wishing you luck in finding your own heart.
Heading back, we had breakfast at a Pho restaurant (can't recall the name, but it had a spacious courtyard). The pho here is actually hu tieu. We ordered beef stew with several bowls of pho and bread. It was quite satisfying, not too sweet (120k VND). Back at the guesthouse, we stored our bikes and went diving with Mr. Hong's wife (120k VND/person). He didn't personally guide us but arranged for Mr. My to run the canoe and guide us. So, you can directly contact Mr. My (0917283032). It's thanks to him that we had the opportunity to broaden our horizons. He's an incredibly thoughtful guide, explaining how to use the breathing tube, practicing breathing underwater. After snorkeling, we put on life jackets and floated on the clear blue sea, feeling extremely exhilarated. The most exciting part was when we sat on the canoe, it was truly thrilling. Riding the waves, Mr. My saw how excited we were and drove crazily, splashing water everywhere, shouting like we were on a high-speed roller coaster. It was beyond amazing.
We had lunch at the guesthouse for convenience. Mr. Hong's wife cooked rice. And she advised not to skimp on sugar, so the food tasted really delicious. Sour soup + braised fish + stir-fried squid = 300k (50k/person). Besides rice, she cooked various other dishes, just ask and negotiate the price. After eating and resting, we packed our bags and checked out. We walked to the bus stop to return to the city. There was a bus at 14:00, so remember to be on time. On the bus, tell the ticket checker the address of your rented hotel, and they will help you choose the nearest stop, then take a taxi back (40k VND).
After checking into our double room, we rested until around 17:00, then walked to Binh Son Beach Park. Due to the rain, we only managed to take a few photos, then went to eat shrimp and squid pancakes at the corner near the intersection. It was perfect to eat hot pancakes on a chilly day. It was also cheap, only 4k VND each. After devouring three plates, we moved on to eat other dishes. We stopped by Ngon No.1 restaurant on the way back. Goat hotpot + grilled tofu in silver paper + bottled water = 300k VND. The food was delicious. After eating, we felt energetic and took a taxi to have bubble tea. Then we went back to sleep.
Day 3: Dinh Cape - Ca Na Beach - Ba Roi Vineyard - Cham Tower
Renting motorbikes for convenience. The road is absolutely stunning, making the journey incredibly enjoyable. It's about 24km from the center to Dinh Cape, a bit further to the coast. Parking near a drink stall, each of us had a bowl of Ninh Thuan-style instant noodles (with fried egg + corn) and bought some bottled water, totaling 80k VND. It's best to start early in the morning because the road to Dinh Cape can be quite exhausting. If it's too late, you can rent an ATV to take you to the foot of the mountain and then hike up (50k VND/person), but you'll miss out on the thrilling part of the journey. The walk is a bit challenging, but crossing the sandy and windy stretch to reach the breathtaking sea and sky is worth it.
From the bottom to the lighthouse, it takes about 2 hours including several breaks and a bit of photo-taking. Stopping 4 times is quite necessary because of the steep path and the sun. But the view from the top overlooking the sea is even more beautiful than a painting. There are some picturesque rock formations too. My friend said if you don't climb Dinh Cape, you're missing out on half of life's adventures.
Arriving at the lighthouse, we checked in our belongings. The green doors and yellow walls were perfect for posing but quite tiring. The fee is 10k VND/person. The breeze up there was so refreshing, we didn't want to come down. By the time we descended, the sun was blazing, making it feel like we were lost in a desert. Thankfully, we stumbled upon a makeshift drink stall just in time.
Ordered each a refreshing salted lemonade, perfectly mixed, chilled in the hammock (7k/drink), then headed to Ca Na Beach. It's another 24km to the beach, still a picturesque route. Saw a bridge along the way and decided to explore. The weather was a bit gloomy, with big waves. After a bit more riding, we stopped at Paranung restaurant for lunch. 1 soup with shrimp and vegetables + 1 braised fish + 1 stir-fried water spinach = 300k. Took a break, recharged, some of us took a short stroll by the beach and then we were off again. The sea was rough that day, the wind strong, not as serene as people usually describe. We ran along the national highway for about 30km to Ba Moi Vineyard.
Finding the vineyard was a bit exhausting as it's tucked away in a village, amidst alleys. We had to ask around. And here's the only spot in the journey where there's no entrance fee, plus they treated us to fruits, grape syrup, and a free tour of the vineyard. The grapes were incredibly sweet, and the apples crisp. We ended up buying over ten kilograms. The green grapes were exceptionally delicious. They even packed them in a box for easy carrying.
The final stop was Cham Tower. Entrance ticket 15k/person. When in Ninh Thuan, visiting the tower is a must, so we wandered around. It's truly beautiful, the architectural work is impressive. After packing up, showering, we gathered for one last meal before heading back. Had beef hotpot at Sau Hit restaurant on Ngo Gia Tu street. 1 large hotpot + grilled leaves + 3 cans of Pepsi = 300k. The beef was delicious, tender, and sweet. At 21:00, we boarded the bus back to Saigon. It's the end of an exciting journey. It was full of new experiences, definitely worth the effort.
Total Expenses for One Person
Round-trip ticket SG - Phan Rang: 300k
Tent rental: 1100 for 6 people, approximately 180k
Guesthouse for 2 nights: 200k
Transportation fuel: 300k
Purchase essentials: 50k Food expenses: 500k ====> 1530k (extra gifts for those who buy more)
It's a must to camp and explore the coral reefs. Whatever you do, whatever you leave behind, just don't skip these two activities.
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